A glimpse of diplomatic intentions at LIMA 2023

Source
China Military Online
Editor
Li Weichao
Time
2023-05-31 20:50:59

By Hu Chengcheng

The 16th Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2023) was held in Langkawi, Malaysia from May 23 to 27. As the first large-scale international comprehensive defense exhibition held in Asia after the WHO announced that COVID-19 no longer constituted a "public health emergency of international concern", the LIMA 2023 has drawn attention from all walks of life. As analyzed by Cao Weidong, a military expert, the types and scales of equipment exhibited by various countries serve to reveal the different diplomatic intentions and considerations of these countries.

The August 1st (Chinese: Bayi) Aerobatic Team of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force presented flight performances at the event, marking its first public appearance after being equipped with the J-10C fighter jets. At present, while most countries around the world use performance-oriented aircraft for aerobatic performances, only a few choose to deploy active duty aircraft for performances. The August 1st Aerobatic Team is one of the few. What's more, it not only uses active equipment but also keeps upgrading equipment models. The J-10C fighter jets unveiled this time have had the avionics system and control system greatly improved, with the airborne radar featuring a longer detection distance, stronger ability to detect and capture targets. The J-10C fighter jets can also conduct aerial refueling. The development of the August 1st Aerobatic Team reflects the PLA Air Force's equipment development and the improvement of pilots' combat skills.

In addition, China also sent other equipment for the event including the "Wing Loong" and "Rainbow" series UAVs, models of Long March 5 and Long March 7 rockets, PLAN Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Zhanjiang, and 300 mm artillery rockets. These Chinese elements serve to demonstrate the advanced technology and strong national defense capability of China while showing that China has been willing to share development achievements with relevant countries and make its own share of contributions to regional peace.

Malaysia's Ministry of Defense resisted great pressure and invited the Russian Knights aerobatic team to participate in the event, which marked the first time that the team participated in a foreign defense exhibition at invitation, since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. Only a few aircraft were dispatched from the Russian side for the event, and they arrived relatively late for the air show, possibly due to the time in need to coordinate in the face of Western pressure.

The aerobatic maneuvers of the Russian Knights on the site were focused on individual aircraft performance. Cao Weidong believed that Russia's participation in the event is intended to demonstrate and recommend its fighter jets, and to highlight the performance advantages of its Sukhoi Su-35, a heavy twin-engine multi-role fighter, as well. Generally speaking, Russia might have two considerations. First,  Russia cannot be absent from such an international event during a sensitive period; second, it can take this opportunity to display its advanced equipment and compete with other countries.

At the same time, the US, which has always been enthusiastic about participating in defense exhibitions of diverse types, peddling arms and ammunition and expanding global influence, has deviated from the norm behavior somehow. There were little equipment and few personnel sent for the event from the US side, marking a significant shrink in scale and a sharp contrast with the past magnificent equipment lineup exhibited. In this regard, Cao pointed out that the US move meant to consciously express its dissatisfaction with Russia's participation, rather than a genuine unwillingness to participate.

In spite of this, however, the P-8A Poseidon, US Navy's multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, and KC-135 Stratotanker, as the focus of the US' exhibited equipment, are clearly in line with the current layout plan of the US in the region. The US hopes the Southeast Asian countries, especially those in the South China Sea, will purchase the US P-8A Poseidon to achieve long-term monitoring of underwater and surface targets, as well as intelligence sharing with the US. As for the KC-135 Stratotanker, it can make up for the disadvantage of short hang time regarding the F-16 Fighter Falcon.

The LIMA was held in 1991 for the first time and is one of the largest weapons and equipment exhibitions in Southeast Asia. However, the US has forcefully incorporated geopolitical calculations into it.

Editor's note: Originally published on military.cnr.cn, this article is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.

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