Article Posted on : - Apr 19, 2010

A File Photo of DSA 2008. A DSA Photo.

KUALA LUMPUR (BNS): A large-scale international exhibition, the 12th Defence Services Asia (DSA) Exhibition and Conference opened at the Putra World Trade Centre here on Monday.

DSA, according to the organisers, is one of the world's top 5 defence and security exhibitions and also remains the Asia Pacific region's most vital procurement hub for Defence and Security.

Over 700 companies from more than 40 countries worldwide are taking part in the exhibition.

During the four-day long exhibition, Malaysia's defence ministry is set to sign contracts worth more than USD 140 billion (10.4 billion ringgit) with local and foreign companies.

Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the ministry was currently exploring the possibility of procuring armoured vehicles, multi-role support ships and combat aircraft, new generation patrol vessels, frigates and network-centric operations, as per the Malaysian national news agency Bernama news report.

He said the contracts would also involve some agencies and ministries which were aware of all the latest cutting-edge technology.

Over 200 high-profile visitors including defence ministers, top military brass, planners and procurement specialists are expected to attend the exhibition.

The exhibition has attracted the participation of 22 countries including Australia, Turkey, Germany, UK, US, Italy, France, South Africa, Poland, Switzerland, Korea, China and Singapore.

The event will showcase the most comprehensive range of cutting-edge technology for the army, navy, air force as well as the security and homeland enforcement agencies.

Among the major participating international and local defence and security companies are BrahMos Aerospace, Glock, Samsung Techwin, Nadi Defence, SME Ordnance, System Consultancy Services (SCS), MFDM Group, AMP Corporation, DEFTECH, Composite Technology Research Malaysia, Tri Level Miltech and Bry Air Industries.

The international exhibition is fully supported by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence, Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysia Police.