The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA), the largest of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region, opened in Langkawi, Malaysia on Tuesday, with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, senior officials and international delegates in attendance.

The 15th edition of the exhibition saw the participation of more than 400 firms from 32 countries and territories worldwide, including many giants like Boeing, Airbus and Thales.

Countries with strength in defence like Russia, Germany, the UK and China have exhibition booths showing their advancements in the sector.

The five-day event is expected to welcome 290,000 trade and public visitors.

Various conferences are scheduled within the framework of the exhibition held biennially since its debut in 1991 at the initiative of Mahathir Mohamad, offering opportunities for participants to discuss civil and defence cooperation and sea strategies in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Also, the exhibition introduces applications and technologies in military and civil affairs and trade in maritime and aerospace industries.

Naval ship HQ 012-Ly Thai To of Brigade 162 of the Vietnamese Naval Region 4 on Monday arrived in Langkawi port of Malaysia to attend the exhibition. The delegation attended the opening ceremony of LIMA 2019 at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) and the rehearsal of ship parade in Porto Malai area. — VNS