IMDEX 19: IMDEX Asia 2019 ready to launch
The 12th edition of IMDEX Asia, the most established biennal international maritime defence event in Asia Pacific, gathering together 26 Chief of Defence Forces and Navies, Vice Chiefs, Directors-general of Coast Guard and senior naval officers, 236 participating companies from 30 countries and expected 10,500 trade visitors from 65 countries is ready to be opened on 14 May for a three days exhibition and conference moment at the Changi Exhibition Centre, in Singapore.
Recognised as an important ecosystem that sets out to facilitate strategic convers ations that foster engagement and accelerate global and regional collaboration for Asia Pacific’s peace and security, “IMDEX Asia embodies the collaborative and innovative spirit that defines the region’s naval and maritime defence sector. The breadth and depth of technological advances that are on display will empower naval defence and maritime stakeholders to harness the vast potential of technological innovation for solutions within a complex security landscape in Asia Pacific. With the presence of every emerging innovation in an environment of collaborative mindset, IMDEX Asia is truly where the finest in naval defence and maritime sector meet”, said Mr Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director of Experia Events Pte Ltd, during the event presentation press conference.
Overall Defence spending in Asia Pacific is set to rise to US $515 billion from 2015 to 2019, according to a Deloitte Asia-Pacific Defense Outlook, and is forecasted to be the world’s biggest military spender by 2029. Against an evolving landscape and a resurgence in defence spending, the next generation of innovation takes centre stage at IMDEX Asia 2019.
More than 236 participating companies from 30 countries including Brahmos, Damen, Elettronica, Fincantieri, Israel Aerospace Industries, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, L3 Technologies, MBDA, MTU, The Naval Group, Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, Rheinmetal, Saab, ST Engineering, Thales, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Wartsila, will showcase game-changing ideas and exploration of innovative solutions. In addition to the Integrated Defence Pavilion, debuting at IMDEX Asia 2019 as a prime platform for defence and security companies to showcase their whole spectrum of defence technologies, systems and equipment to defence ministry officials, armed forces, heads of Government agencies and defence industry leaders, the event will also launch What’s Next, a programme that avails a unique platform for start-ups to network with industries heavyweights, showcase their innovations and establish new business development leads. The inaugural What’s Next features a total of 13 start-ups from France, India, Philippines, Singapore and USA.
At the heart of IMDEX Asia 2019 is the exclusive International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC), where over 400 delegates from the naval defence sector will gather for pivotal conversations to promote mutual understanding and collaboration in Asia Pacific. “This year’s conference will provide a forum for discussion and discourse on the maritime security challenges we face today. The sixth edition will see an exciting line-up of practitioners and academia who will speak at plenaries on the current rules-based maritime order, maintaining peace in our maritime commons, as well as ways to strengthen cooperation and engender trust”, said Senior Lieutenant-Colonel Ho Jee Kien from the Republic of Singapore Navy. This edition of IMSC focuses conversations on the theme Safe and Secure Seas: Promoting Mutual Security in our Maritime Commons, and comprises three panels that cover assessment of current rules-based maritime order, maintaining peace and strengthening cooperation and trust. Also participating to the pres conference was Jane Chan Git Yin, Research Fellow and Coordinator of the Maritime Security Programme, Institute of the Defence and Strategic Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
The IMDEX Asia 2019 attenders will have first-hand experience of naval operations on board 23 warships gathering together from 15 navies coming all over the region and world at Changi naval base. In addition to the debutant Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Canberra LHD, as well as repeater such as the Self-Defense Maritime Force’s JS Izumo helicopter destroyer, in addition to Indian navy’s Shakti fleet tanker and Indian Coast Guard Vijaya OPV, as well as navies’ ships of United States, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, South Korea, China, Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and the same Republic of Singapore will be displayed during the event.
Exchange insights with leading experts and academia from around the world, will be possible at IMDEX Asia business forums on cybersecurity and innovation in maritime domain, while a showcase of disruptive solutions to solve critical problems identified by industry’s big guns will be available at Shipyard 4.X Challenge. Set to launch its inaugural edition at IMDEX Asia 2019, the Maritime Campus offers a holistic platform for young and aspiring mariners of tomorrow to immerse in exciting developments of the maritime and naval defence industry, explore higher education opportunities and embark on rewarding careers.
