KUALA LUMPUR: DSA 2016 closed its doors this evening and immediately it was announced that the next installment will be held in 2018. “I am pleased to announce that DSA 2018 will be held from 16 to 18 April 2018 in Kuala Lumpur” Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said at the closing ceremony for DSA 2016.

Despite all the talk about an event to be held within 24 months, the Defence Ministry however have yet to confirm the dates for LIMA 2017, slated for March next year. Its status is still in doubt.

Many exhibitors at DSA 2016 were hoping that they will find out the status of LIMA 2017 but no one was able to say anything about it to them. Checks with industry sources however revealed that the Defence Ministry has shortlisted two local event organisers to manage LIMA 2017. One is familiar event organiser while the other is less well known.

The two companies are not same ones as reported by Malaysian Defence earlier. However as no official decision has been made, the issue had been postponed after DSA 2016, although the show was the probably best venue to promote the Langkawi one.

IN the meantime, industry sources told Malaysian Defence that the Blackhawks to be procured from Brunei will be armed with the General Dynamics Ordnance GAU-19/B 50 caliber Gatling gun instead of the Dillon Aero M134 mini-gun.

From General Dynamics:
“With a rate of fire of 1,300 shots per minute, the .50 caliber GAU-19/B provides superior firepower in a lightweight system. The total system weight of the three barrel GAU-19/B is neutral to that of a single barrel machine gun.
“The GAU-19/B is effective in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The weapon provides highly effective firepower against area suppression and point targets, as well as being ideally suited for utility, scout and attack helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.”

Unlike the Dillon Aero M134 mini-gun which is chambered for 7.62mm ammunition with an effective range of 1000 metres, the .50 caliber GAU-19B effective range is 1,800 metres. Apart from being door-mounted the GAU-19B could also be used in the forward firing position.

Meanwhile, checks with Qiblatin Synergy Sdn Bhd revealed that they are sourcing 57mm and 40mm HE rounds from Yugoimport of Serbia for the RMN. Malaysian Defence had previously reported that checks on the Defence Ministry’s tender website revealed that Qiblatin Synergy had won the tenders to supply of 57mm and 40mm HE rounds for the navy. The amount acquired was not revealed but it must be significant as both cannons remained the mainstay of RMN ships.

Yugoimport is one of the mainstay of DSA series of exhibitions although their presence has always been very muted though the Army had been using their 81mm and 60mm mortars for sometime now.

On the Chess Dynamics Sea Eagle FCEO meant for the Lekiu class frigates, Malaysian Defence was told that the contract is expected to be executed by the third quarter of this year. Qiblatin Synergy also won the tender for the contract.

— Malaysian Defence

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