THE Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) gave the public a glimpse of their skills for the upcoming Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 25) when they performed an aerial rehearsal in Butterworth recently.
Photographers were seen having a great time in several open spaces in Penang as they tried to get the best shots of RMAF's squadrons of the Russian -made Sukhoi SU - 30MKM and the American-made F/A - 18 D Hornets in the sky.
They took off from the RMAF air base for their rehearsal which also saw various other aircrafts and helicopters performing aerobatic stunts.
Residents in Penang received a free show ahead of LIMA 25, which will see a record 600 exhibitors present at the island resort.
The 17th edition of the defence show, which was the brainchild of former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed, will be held from May 20 until 24 in Langkawi.
LIMA 25 is set to deliver one of its most fascinating displays yet, with 102 aircraft scheduled for participation and 35 naval vessels confirmed so far.
Highlights of the airshow include performances by renowned international aerobatic teams, including the Russian Knights from Russia, Jupiter from Indonesia and Surya Kiran from India.
Other aircraft will be on static display.
These will include assets from key Malaysian agencies such as the RMAF, army, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Fire and Rescue Department's and police's air wings.
Foreign static aircraft will be featured, with confirmed participants including the Royal Brunei Air Force's S-70i Black Hawk, the German Air Force's Airbus A400M, the Italian Air Force's P-72A and the Canadian Air Force's CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft.
Other highlights include Singapore Air Force's F-15SG, CH-47D Chinook and AH-64D Apache helicopters, and the Russian Aerospace Forces' Ilyushin IL-76.
It will also have a strong showing from the United States Air Force, with aircraft such as the F/A-18 Hornet, C-2 Greyhound, C-12 Huron, C-130J Hercules and MH-60 Seahawk while India will also participate with its Dornier 228 aircraft.
It is also a much needed boost for tourism in Langkawi, the main source of income for the islanders.
Kedah hopes to attract 350,000 visitors for the event, while many travel trade members have reportedly informed that they have full bookings either through rooms or travel services. - May 14, 2025.
