Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA; ) is a maritime and aerospace exhibition which takes place once every two years, held on odd-numbered years. It is held in Langkawi, Malaysia, and the last event took place in 2025. The event is supported by the Malaysian government and industry associations.

LIMA is one of the largest maritime and aerospace exhibitions in the Asia-Pacific region; it is focused mainly on the defence industry, but also supports civilian industries. In 2013, LIMA recorded an overall growth of 10%, with 433 exhibitors from thirty-one countries, 333 defence delegations from thirty-eight countries, 632 media personnel from 127 agencies, sixty-eight ships, and seventy-eight aircraft attending the show. The five-day event also saw 38,421 trade visitors from both defence and commercial sectors from all around the world, as well as 135,691 public visitors.

The exhibitors involved in the event exhibit their products inside the purpose-built Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC), adjacent to the terminal at Langkawi International Airport. The maritime exhibitions take place at Resorts World Langkawi, while the aerospace exhibitions take place at the Langkawi International Airport. The venues are all in close proximity to each other.

History

Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition began in 1991, with slightly over 100 exhibiting companies with the aim of making Langkawi the venue for light and experimental aircraft to fly unhampered by heavy traffic, modelled after the EAA Air Venture in the United States. LIMA has now expanded into maritime exhibitions, and is also one of Asia-Pacific's largest maritime and air exhibitions. Nowadays, a four-hour flying display is held daily throughout the show.

LIMA 2003

The LIMA 2003 exhibition generated business totalling RM 2.182 billion (US$ 575 million) through thirty contracts, letters of offer and acceptance or intent, and memorandums of understanding.

LIMA 2005

LIMA 2005 witnessed a signing of RM 4 billion worth of contracts in maritime and aerospace items. According to the then Defence Minister Datuk Seri Haji Najib Razak that the amount included defence contract RM 3.2 billion, letters of offer worth RM 403 million and letters of intent worth RM 344 million. Najib Razak said that a major portion of the contracts sealed this time was related to the purchase of Airbus A400M aircraft for the Royal Malaysian Air Force, which amounted to RM 2.8 billion including the equipment.

LIMA 2007

LIMA 2007 was the successor to LIMA 2005. The air and maritime exhibition mainly consisted of the same concepts.

LIMA 2013

thumb|[[Royal Malaysian Air Force Su-30MKM at LIMA 2013.|alt=]]

The biennial Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace 2013, was launched on 27 March 2013. The show started with a display of air stunts by the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Among the VIPs who were present was Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, Raja Puan Muda Tuanku Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, and their two children.

LIMA 2013 recorded an overall growth of 10%. 433 exhibitors from thirty-one countries, 333 defence delegations from thirty-eight countries, 632 media personnel from 127 agencies, sixty-eight ships, and seventy-eight aircraft attended the show. The five-day event also saw 38,421 trade visitors from both defence and commercial sectors from all around the world,

LIMA 2013 was hoped to be the cleanest exhibition ever, as the organisers had hired a firm with 150 workers to conduct the cleaning and waste managing throughout the event.

LIMA 2013 witnessed the signing of twenty-four contracts that amounted to RM 4.271 billion, boosting the Malaysian defence technology industry.

LIMA 2015

LIMA 2015 was inaugurated on 17 March 2015, and concluded on the 21st. Dassault Aviation had a successful bid, the Malaysian Government expressed interest in buying some of the Dassault Rafale jet aircraft.

LIMA 2017

LIMA 2017 saw over 180,000 visitors, compared to about 175,000 visitors during LIMA 2015,. It was expected that there will be a 10% larger crowd during LIMA 2019. LIMA 2017 recorded 555 exhibitors from thirty-six countries, compared to 512 from thirty-six countries in LIMA 2015. The value of contracts and agreements signed this time also rose to about RM 3.7 billion, an increase of 81% from the RM 2 billion, while twelve memorandums of understanding, eleven contracts, seven letters of agreement, and five letters of intent signed were signed.

{|class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"

!colspan=2|LIMA 2017 participating forces

|-

|||C-17 Globemaster III

|-

| French Air Force||Dassault Rafale

|-

|||KT-1B Woongbi

|-

|||SU-30MKM<br>F/A-18D Hornet<br>Hawk 108<br>Hawk 208<br>A400M Atlas<br>CN-235<br>PC-7 Mk.II<br>EC-725<br>S-61A-4 Nuri

|-

|||KD Tun Abdul Razak<br>Super Lynx Mk.100<br>Fennec

|-

|||CL-415<br>AW129<br>AS365 Dauphin

|-

|||SU-30SM<br>Il-76

|-

|||F-15SG<br>AH-64D Apache

|-

|||KAI T-50B

|-

|||Saab Gripen

|-

|||B-1B Lancer<br>KC-135 Stratotanker<br>MQ-1B Predator

|-

|||<br>F/A-18 Super Hornet<br>P-8 Poseidon<br>MH-60S Seahawk<br>MQ-8B Fire Scout

|}

LIMA 2019

thumb|Mahathir launched the LIMA 2019

Prime minister Mahathir Mohamad launched LIMA 2019 after regained his power. He also launched the first edition of LIMA in 1991 when he was the fourth prime minister.

{|class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"

!colspan=2|LIMA 2019 participating forces

|-

|||

|-

|||

|-

|||CGS Syed Nazrul

|-

|||

|-

|||PLANS Yueyang

|-

|||HAL Tejas<br>Il-76<br>C-130J

|-

|||<br>HAL Chetak

|-

|||KT-1B Woongbi

|-

|||<br>

|-

|||JS Asagiri

|-

|||SU-30MKM<br>F/A-18D Hornet<br>A400M Atlas<br>Hawk 108<br>Hawk 208<br>CN-235<br>PC-7 Mk.II<br>EC-725<br>S-61A-4 Nuri

|-

|||KD Mahawangsa<br>KD Lekiu<br>KD Jebat<br>KD Kasturi<br>KD Laksamana Hang Nadim<br>KD Laksamana Tan Pusmah<br>KD Laksamana Tun Abd Jamil<br>KD Laksamana Muhamad Amin<br>KD Gagah Samudera<br>KD Teguh Samudera<br>KLD Tunas Samudera<br>KD Ganyang<br>KD Pendekar<br>KD Mahamiru<br>MV Mega Bakti<br>Super Lynx Mk.100<br>Fennec

|-

|||AW109

|-

|||KM Pekan<br>KM Bagan Datuk<br>KM Perwira<br>KM Marlin<br>KM Siangin<br>AW129<br>AS365 Dauphin

|-

|||PNS Aslat<br>Harbin Z-9

|-

|||Yak-130<br>SU-30SM

|-

|||F-15SG<br>A330 MRTT

|-

|||ROKS Soyang

|-

|||SLNS Sagara

|-

|||Saab Gripen

|-

|||HTMS Kraburi<br>HTMS Longlom

|-

|||B-52 Stratofortress<br>C-17 Globemaster III<br>KC-135 Stratotanker<br>MQ-9 Predator

|-

|||<br><br>F/A-18 Super Hornet<br>P-8 Poseidon<br>SH-60 Seahawk

|-

|||VPN Ly Thai To

|}

LIMA 2023

Defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein announced that LIMA 2023 will be held from 23 to 27 May 2023. Around 600 exhibitors from twenty countries are expected to take part in this edition. Aerobatic teams from various air forces, such as the Black Eagles, August 1st, Jupiter Aerobatic Team, Russian Knights, and the Al Fursan took part in the aerobatic display.

{|class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"

!colspan=2|LIMA 2023 participating forces

|-

|||

|-

|||CP-140

|-

|||J-10C

|-

|||PLANS Zhanjiang

|-

|||

|-

|||KT-1B Woongbi

|-

|||<br><br>

|-

|||ITS Francesco Morosini

|-

|||

|-

|||SU-30MKM<br>F/A-18D Hornet<br>Hawk 108<br>Hawk 208<br>PC-7 Mk.II<br>A400M Atlas<br>CN-235<br>EC-725

|-

|||AW109<br>MD530G

|-

|||KD Mahawangsa<br>KD Lekiu<br>KD Tunku Abdul Rahman<br>KD Pahang<br>KD Perak<br>KD Laksamana Hang Nadim<br>KD Keris<br>KD Todak<br>KD Selangor<br>KD Sri Indera Sakti<br>KD Gagah Samudera<br>KD Teguh Samudera<br>KD Terengganu<br>KD Lekir<br>KD Rencong<br>KD Mahamiru<br>MV Ganas<br>MV Perkasa<br>KLD Tunas Samudera<br>MV Mega Bakti

|-

|||KM Pekan<br>KM Bagan Datuk<br>KM Arau<br>KM Perwira<br>KM Marlin<br>AW139<br>AS365<br>CL-415

|-

| Royal Malaysia Police||AW139<br>AS355

|-

| Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia||Mi-17<br>AW139<br>AW189

|-

| Ministry of Transport||GB1 GameBird

|-

|||PNS Shah Jahan

|-

|||SU-30SM<br>SU-35S<br>Il-76

|-

|||AH-64D<br>CH-47D

|-

|||

|-

|||T-50

|-

|||ROKS No Jeok Bong

|-

|||F-5

|-

|||HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan

|-

|||MB-339<br>P.180

|-

|||C-130<br>C-37

|-

|||<br>KC-130<br>P-8 Poseidon<br>MH-60R

|-

|||VPNS 20

|}

LIMA 2025

The 2025 edition of LIMA was held from 20 to 24 May 2025. The number of participating aerobatic teams was reduced compared to 2023. The participating aerobatic teams attending were the Jupiter Aerobatic Team and Russian Knights. The Indian Air Force aerobatic team Surya Kiran was supposed to participate as one of the aerial display teams, but withdrew due to the aftermath of the war at Kashmir. Their withdrawal was announced the day before the airshow.

{|class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"

!colspan=2|LIMA 2025 participating forces

|-

|Aerotree||Extra 300L

|-

|||

|-

|||S-70i Black Hawk

|-

|||CP-140

|-

|||A400M Atlas

|-

|||

|-

|||KT-1B Woongbi

|-

|||<br>

|-

|||ITS Antonio Marceglia (F597)

|-

|||

|-

|||SU-30MKM<br>F/A-18D Hornet<br>PC-7 Mk.II<br>A400M Atlas<br>CN-235<br>EC-725

|-

|||AgustaWestland AW109<br>MD530G

|-

|||KD Lekiu

|-

|||

|-

| Royal Malaysia Police||AW139

|-

| Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia||Mi-17<br>AW139<br>AW189

|-

| Layang-layang Flying School||GB1 GameBird

|-

|||SU-30SM<br>SU-35S<br>Il-76

|-

|||<br>

|-

|||CH-47D<br>F-15SG

|-

|||

|-

|||

|-

|||

|-

|||C-130J

|-

|||<br>F/A-18E/F<br>Beechcraft C-12 Huron<br>MH-60R

|}

References

  • LIMA 2017
  • LIMA 2019