Report by : T. LETELLIER
Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition is the premier destination for aerospace and maritime manufacturers targeting the Asia Pacific growth markets from the defence, enforcement, civil and commercial sectors. For nearly 25 years. LIMA has been serving exhibitor needs by assembling key decision makers and specifiers from across the region for this biennial 5 day event. Held at the purpose-built Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre, the exhibition combines the adjacent Langkawi International Airport and a neighbouring cruise jetty as part of its overall facilities, affording exceptional options to promote product capability.
 Having re-formed in 2008 as the Jupiter Aerobatic Team from the Indonesian National Air Force-Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU) is using four Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) KT-1B Wong-Bee trainers. In 2011 the team increased its aircraft complement to six aircraft also receiving a new red/white colour scheme similar to the colours of the Indonesian flag. The team was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the flying display.
But the main one was the appearance of The Russian Knights aerobatic team, who returned to LIMA for the first time since 1995. This year was terrible for the Team when three Russian Knights Sukhois (2x Su-27 and 1x Su-27UB) crashed into the mountain, killing four pilots during their approach to Kam Ran Air Base, Vietnam. The team was on his return trip from LIMA 95.
The last significant aerobatic display team, The Smokey Bandits of the Royal Malaysian Air Force or Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) fly with five Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG.29N/NUB fighters. The team’s aircraft and personnel are comming from 17 Skuadron based at Kuantan Air Base, on the eastern coast of Malaysia.The flying display saw the participation of most of the candidates for the MiG’s replacement : the Rafale , Typhoon , Super Hornet and Gripen were displayed at their best to influence the Royal Malaysian Air Force decision makers.
A notable plus was the Regional Headquaters Meeting held in the same time as LIMA 2013.It was for us the good occasion to add more exotic planes in our collections. For example the magnificent B-737 from (TNI-AU) or the Fokker-50 from Singapore Airforce were some very good surprises. If you add the perfect hot weather, the immediate proximity of paradisiac beaches; you will find the perfect ingredients for an unforgettable stay !