Maritime & Naval Forces converge at IMDEX ASIA

• Record participation and strongest industry support to-date highlight growing regional maritime security and defence agenda

By Ankita Srivastava

Singapore. 15 May 2017 . All roads converge at Changi Exhibition Centre, Singapore where the who-is-who of the maritime and naval world has converged at the biggest ever IMDEX Asia to to brainstorm and showcase the blue water prowess of not only the Asia-Pacific region but of the world over. The 11th edition of IMDEX Asia is being held this year in conjunction with the Republic of Singapore Navy’s 50th anniversary celebrations (RSN50).

Participation by high-level delegations and representatives from global maritime defence and naval forces at IMDEX Asia is at an all-time high. IMDEX Asia 2017 will host a record number of Chiefs of Navy, Vice-Chiefs and Directors-General of Coast Guard, as well as representatives from navies and Coast Guards from over 40 countries.

The largest ever gathering of 28 foreign warships from 20 navies in addition to vessels from the Republic of Singapore Navy including the first-of-class Littoral Mission Vessel – the RSS Independence, will be on full view at the IMDEX Asia 2017 Warships Display.

IMDEX Asia 2017 will also see the largest ever contingent in the show’s history featuring 230 participating companies from 29 countries, including increased participation by both returning and new exhibitors from countries like France, Germany, Israel and Italy among others. The China Pavilion with representation by Zhuhai Prefecture, is making its debut this year, while the India Pavilion, which made its debut in 2015, is returning to IMDEX Asia by taking up twice as much space as before. Exhibitors span a wide spectrum from traditional sectors like shipbuilding, armaments and propulsion systems, to emerging technologies including maritime cybersecurity, unmanned systems, imaging and simulation. They include new exhibitors such as Asia Security Technologies, Baglietto Navy, CAE, Controp Precision Technologies, Ferretti Security & Defence, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Intermarine, IMI Systems, Jeumont Electric, Larsen & Toubro, Marine Commerce, MTech Imaging, Nova Systems, Orbit Communication Systems, Parsh Marine and Tractors Singapore. Returning exhibitors including Austal, Damen, DCNS, Israel Aerospace Industries, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, L3 Technologies, Privinvest Shipbuilding Group, Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, Rheinmetall, Saab, ST Engineering, Thales, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Wartsila will also be at the show.

“IMDEX Asia has grown into a key global platform for facilitating the vital discussions that not only address the rising wave of opportunities and challenges in the Asia-Pacific, but also focus on the critical need for regional maritime and naval security & defence cooperation,” said Mr Leck Chet Lam, managing director, Experia Events, organiser of IMDEX Asia 2017. “The strong support and participation from the industry and navies resulting in the biggest IMDEX Asia this year will continue to motivate us as we evolve IMDEX Asia to further enable stakeholders and key industry players from across the spectrum to collaborate on achieving maritime stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.”

All of these developments underscore the expanding role of neutral platforms like IMDEX Asia in facilitating key discussions around the regional maritime security and defence agenda. The two IMDEX Asia strategic conferences will gather leading experts and academia from around the world to discuss issues related to maritime security and present the latest technologies on naval platform design and developments.

• The fifth International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC 2017) brings together Chiefs of Navy and Directors-General of Coast Guard from around the world for high-level discussions on “Safe and Secure Seas: A Vision for a Maritime Region”. It will focus on the development of a cooperative security approach to create critical capabilities that will enhance the safety of our complex maritime landscape.
• The third Asian edition of the prestigious International Naval Engineering Conference, INEC@IMDEX Asia 2017, seeks to generate high level exchanges and discussions around the theme of “Robust Designs, Flexible Capabilities”, to address key challenges faced by the naval engineering industry. An additional highlight for INEC@IMDEX Asia 2017 is the exclusive tour to the RSS Independence for this year’s conference delegates.
• The Technology Seminars offer exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their latest and most innovative technologies as well as provide in-depth understanding of the design and technological considerations of the products being showcased. Visitors can take advantage of the chance to exchange ideas with the presenters.
  In addition to the above, IMDEX Asia 2017 will also host its first Commercial Maritime Cyber Security Forum on 18 May. The session will bring high-profile naval and maritime industry players to discuss the modern maritime threat landscape and the vulnerability of valued vessels to cyber-attacks.

“The Republic of Singapore Navy is glad to again co-organise IMDEX Asia 2017 with Experia Events. IMDEX Asia has grown from strength to strength over the years. Besides the gathering of a large number of trade exhibitors, the event also brings together like-minded navies and maritime enforcement agencies to discuss and build practical cooperation towards enhancing maritime security and a rules-based maritime order at sea.” Said Colonel (COL) Ong Chee Wei, Commander First Flotilla / Commanding Officer Missile Corvette Squadron, Republic of Singapore Navy.