28-5-2023 (LANGKAWI) The highly anticipated Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition in Malaysia has captured international attention against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions worldwide.
As the largest exhibition of its kind in the country, LIMA 2023 has attracted more than 500 companies from around 30 countries, showcasing cutting-edge technologies in both hardware and software. After a four-year hiatus, the event has drawn defense chiefs from across the region, all eager to bolster their military capabilities.
Over the course of the five-day exhibition, which will conclude on May 27, an estimated US$4 billion in deals and pledges are expected to be secured. During the event’s opening speech, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that the success of LIMA 2023 would solidify Malaysia’s position as a regional hub for the aerospace and maritime industries.
While Malaysia traditionally allocated no more than 1 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to defense spending, the nation has increased its budget by 10 percent this year. This decision reflects the urgent need for a comprehensive upgrade of Malaysia’s military and civil defense systems, as existing assets are deemed obsolete and outdated.
In line with this commitment, Malaysia has placed an order for 18 FA50 fighter jets from South Korea. “We can make the first delivery in 42 months. And so the first delivery will be made to Malaysia in 2026,” stated Kang Goo-Young, CEO of Korean Aerospace Industries. Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand have also made similar acquisitions from the South Korean aerospace firm as they respond to escalating global geopolitical tensions.
Closer to home, Malaysia remains steadfast in its efforts to ensure border security following the traumatic Sulu incursion in the East Malaysian state of Sabah. The 2013 incursion in Lahad Datu, led by supporters of the last Sultan of the remote Philippine region of Sulu, resulted in the loss of at least 70 lives, including 10 Malaysian security personnel. A territorial dispute between the Philippines and Malaysia over Sabah, which has endured for decades, continues to cast a shadow over the region.
Mr. Thomas Daniel, a senior fellow at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia, emphasized the ongoing concern in eastern Sabah, stating, “What’s happening in eastern Sabah is still a concern. The Sulu Sea is still not a completely secure area. There still needs to be a credible defense and security presence over there.”
Malaysia finds itself caught in overlapping claims with Brunei, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines in the resource-rich South China Sea. China, however, asserts that the majority of the area belongs to them. The disputed waterway, through which more than a quarter of global trade flows, has become a focal point for escalating geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington.
Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, highlighted the significance of the Pacific region, stating, “The Pacific is, in fact, the locus of economic development. It’s the center of gravity of the security of the world.” Navigating the complex waters of the South China Sea presents a significant challenge. While the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has resumed consultations with China regarding a code of conduct to regulate behavior in the region, the risk of the dispute becoming entangled in the broader US-China rivalry is higher than ever.
