Malaysia on Tuesday officially launched the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2027 (LIMA’27), kicking off preparations for Southeast Asia’s largest maritime, defence and aerospace exhibition, with a strong focus on next-generation technologies and international defence cooperation.

The launch ceremony, held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur, was officiated by Chief of Defence Force General Haji Malek Razak Sulaiman and Ministry of Defence Secretary-General Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, who serves as co-chairman of LIMA’27.

Scheduled to be held in Langkawi, Kedah, from April 20 to 24, 2027, the biennial exhibition will be organised by Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence in collaboration with Global Exhibition & Conference Sdn. Bhd. (GEC) under the theme, “Charting a Sustainable Vision Across Sea, Air and Space.”

Widely recognised as Southeast Asia’s premier maritime and aerospace exhibition, LIMA’27 is expected to bring together 930 exhibiting companies from 36 countries, more than 450 official delegates from 65 nations and around 400,000 visitors over the five-day event.

Organisers said the exhibition will feature four of the world’s elite aerobatic display teams, further enhancing its international profile.

LIMA’27 will spotlight emerging defence technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cybersecurity and space technologies, reflecting the rapid transformation of the global defence and aerospace sectors.

The exhibition is also expected to strengthen defence diplomacy, foster strategic international partnerships and support the continued growth of Malaysia’s defence industry.

The launch ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Malaysian Armed Forces, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of local and international defence companies, and strategic partners of LIMA’27.