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More than 140 Malaysian athletes have confirmed their participation for the Langkawi Ironman 2010 championship to be held on Feb 27.

The director of the event, A.Chandrakumanan, said those keen to participate in the contest could still do so, adding that the closing date was on Feb 16.

He said so far the organiser had received participation from some 600 participants, including from South Africa, New Zealand, United States of America, Italy, Argentina, Belgium, Australia, Canada and the Asean countries.

– BERNAMA

By: EMBUN MAJID

LANGKAWI: It’s all systems go for the latest edition of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) Exhibition 2009 with military aircraft and warships on showcase from today till Saturday.

The world-class platform for the aerospace and maritime industries is recording several firsts.
Swing-wing jet: An F-111 of the Royal Australian Air Force rehearsing for the air show in Langkawi yesterday. — Bernama

The Royal Malaysian Navy’s first submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman will make its maiden appearance at the maritime segment show at Awana Porto Malai.

The Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarine is expected to be the main draw of the maritime show.

The exhibition has also recorded the largest number of ships anchored off Porto Malai – a total of 99 warships and vessels of all kinds.

Another first is the first appearance by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) with its AH-64D Longbow Apache helicopter and F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, which are expected to carry out aerial displays to thrill the visitors.

Another debut is the huge B-52 bomber of the United States Air Force, which is expected to make a low-level fly-past routine.
Underwater defender: Malaysia’s first submarine, the ‘KD Tunku Abdul Rahman’, being moored at the Awana Porto Malai jetty yesterday. — Bernama

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who made final checks on preparations for the show yesterday, said this year’s event would see the maritime and aerospace exhibition being merged under one roof at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC).

Zahid said 10 memorandums of understanding on the de- fence and aerospace industries would be signed between Malaysia and participating countries.

Also for the first time, the 96th Armed Forces Hospital will provide medical treatment for participants and visitors to the exhibition venue.

A temporary army hospital with 50 beds, an operating theatre and a medical laboratory has been set up at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre parking area.

Tickets to the event cost RM10, while children below 12 are allowed free entrance.

The air show will only be opened to the public on Saturday.

A total of 325 exhibitors from 25 countries are participating in Lima this year.

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World’s leading helicopter manufacturer, Eurocopter, hopes its participation in the Langkawi International Maritime Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition 2009 is a reinforcement of its commitment to chart its future growth as the market leader in Malaysia.

Currently, Eurocopter holds a 50 per cent market share in civil and 38 per cent in the military market.

Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Eurocopter Malaysia, this is the fourth participation as an ardent exhibitor and contributor to the fast growth of the aerospace industry in Malaysia and in the region, the company said in a statement Thursday.

The biennial LIMA, from Dec 1 to 5, will be held at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre in tourist-haven Langkawi.

At this year’s show, Eurocopter Malaysia will showcase two of its most versatile helicopters — the light single-engine EC120Colibri and the light twin-engine EC135 helicopters.

The EC120 Colibri is the most economical single turbine-engine helicopter available; it is designed for mission flexibility ranging from executive transport to training.

The model is also a popular training helicopter in Malaysia with its easy maintenance, low fuel and cycle consumption.

Meanwhile, the EC135 is a light multi-purpose twin-engine helicopter that has the most advanced design with the state-of-the-art technology.

Currently, Hornbill Skyways is the biggest operator of EC135 in Malaysia.

Other assets of the model such as high survivability with crash resistant fuel system, energy absorbing seats, fuselage and landing gear make it an ideal choice for advanced training helicopter.

The company said that from product support to customer services, it also reinforces its footprint in Malaysia with new cooperation and smart partnerships.

Eurocopter is still the only helicopter manufacturer present in Malaysia, equipping and supporting civil and military operators in the country.

Over the years, Eurocopter Malaysia has forged partnerships with local vendors, agencies, universities and other related bodies that have contributed to the long-term growth of the local industry and further enriching the knowledge base for the country.

Eurocopter Malaysia is the only helicopter maker with a comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul service centres in Malaysia, with a 150-member workforce and presences in Subang, Miri and Kerteh.

It provides a broad spectrum of services, ranging from scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, aircraft modifications and logistics support.

- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore will be sending for the first time its Apache helicopters and the F-16 fighter jet to the Langkawi Interna-tional Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) exhibition.

RMAF chief Jen Datuk Seri Rodzali Daud said 25 countries would be taking part in this year’s Lima exhibition.

“There is a high numbers of participants from Asean countries with Singapore (air force) agreeing to send its Apache helicopters and a F-16 fighter jet for the first time. And we are proud of their presence,” he told a press conference at the Defence Ministry yesterday.
Big attraction: A worker painting a ‘ball’ shaped structure located in the compound of the Mahsuri International Exhibiton Hall Thursday. — Bernama

He said the growth of Asean participation in this year’s show was in line with the recent call by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for more participation from Asean member countries.

Jen Rodzali said the air show, which will run from Dec 1 to 5, would display a total of 23 aircraft at the Langkawi International Airport.

Several MoUs and contract signing ceremonies have also been lined-up during the five-day show.

Among the highlights will be the handing over of eight Alenia Aermacchi MB-339CM fighter and trainer aircraft to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

A B-52 Stratofortress bomber from the United States Air Force will also make its first appearance by making a low fly-past.

Jen Rodzali added that Lima will have two aerial shows daily from 10am and 2.30pm.

- Malaysia Star

The National Aerospace and Defence Industries (Nadi) has emerged the biggest Malaysian exhibitor at the upcoming Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2009.

The group and its subsidiary companies, occupying about 572 square metres of exhibition space at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre, will showcase their wide-ranging aerospace-related products and services for both local and international markets, said HW Lima Sdn Bhd’s managing director Ahmad Dzuhri Abdul Wahab.

LIMA, which was previously co-organised by separate maritime and aerospace organisers, is organised solely by HW Lima, which has been organising the maritime segment since 1997.

LIMA 2009 will be held from Dec 1 to 5 in Langkawi.

Started in 1991, LIMA is now the premier destination for aerospace and maritime manufacturers targeting the Asia Pacific market in the defence, enforcement and civil sectors.

Other local exhibitors that will take part in the LIMA 2009 include Boustead Naval Shipyard, Composite Technology & Research, and Sapura Group.

Over 325 exhibitors from 25 countries will take part in this year’s LIMA.

Nadi has been participating in LIMA since its inception in 1991, lending an unwavering support to the show.

Previously known as Aerospace Industries Malaysia Sdn Bhd (AIM), Nadi is the holding company of Airod Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’s premier maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre.

In 2002, in response to the government’s call to consolidate the aerospace and defence industries, SME Industries Group and Aerospace Systems Corporation Sdn Bhd were injected into AIM through a restructuring agreement between the Finance Ministry, Khazanah Nasional and PJS Industries.

As a result, the Nadi group of companies has become a leading player in the Malaysian aerospace and defence industry, where principal activities include various defence, aerospace manufacturing and related activities.

- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 – Airbus will be present at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2009), with a display featuring its latest civil products, as well as the A400M from Airbus Military.

Airbus will also display a 1/20-scale cutaway model of the A380, offering a view of a typical interior layout on the world’s largest passenger aircraft, it said in a statement on Tuesday.

To date, Airbus has won 202 firm orders for the A380 from 17 customers. These include Malaysia Airlines (MAS) which has six A380s on firm order for delivery from the second half of 2011.

Also at the stand will be a model for the all-new A350 XWB.

“Currently under development, the long range A350 XWB will have the widest fuselage in the mid-size category and will burn 25 per cent less fuel than similar sized aircraft in-service today,” Airbus said.

The aircraft has already been selected by AirAsia X to meet its future long haul requirements with a firm order for 10 aircraft.

In the cargo market, Airbus will display a model of the new A330-200F freighter.

” Capable of carrying 64 tonnes of freight over 4,000 nautical miles, this latest version of the popular A330 is currently undergoing flight testing and will enter service next year,” it said.

Airbus said visitors would also be able to view a model of the new A400M, the most modern and versatile transporter combining a wide range of tactical, strategic and logistical capabilities.

Malaysia is among the customers for the aircraft which is under development at the Airbus Military.

Airbus comes to LIMA 2009 as it celebrates 40 years of innovation since the agreement to launch its first aircraft programme back in 1969.

LIMA 2009 will take place in Langkawi from Dec 1-5.

– BERNAMA

Some 384 companies from 24 countries will be exhibiting their products at this year’s Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition (Lima 09) which will be held from Dec 1 to 5.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said 20 countries had also agreed to hold static maritime shows involving 38 vessels at Awana Porto Malai.
He said the public would be given free entry on Dec 5 and that some 500,000 local and foreign visitors were expected to converge on the venue on that day.

“For the first time. the public will get to see Malaysia’s first submarine, the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman (on Dec 5). However, for safety and security reasons they will only be allowed to view it from the outside and will not be permitted to enter it,” he told reporters here today.

Ahmad Zahid said the Tourism Ministry would also have booths at the exhibition venues to promote Malaysian tourism in conjunction with the event.

There would also be a night market selling local products, he added. – BERNAMA

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