The 16th Edition of the Defence Services Asia (DSA) Exhibition and Conference is scheduled from April 16-19, 2018, at the newly built Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is held every alternate year. Organisers of DSA have three decades of experience thus it has improved for the better over the years. It is expected that about 1,200 companies from 60 countries will take part in the DSA 2018 and show case the best Defence Technologies and Systems from around the globe. On the sidelines of the Exhibition, there will be conferences where senior and experienced defence officers and security analysts will discuss and debate issues relevant to regional and international security. DSA 2018 will be hosted, supported and co-organised by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence, the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Royal Malaysia Police.

Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony will be carried out by the Guest of Honour, Y.B. Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Minister of Defence-Malaysia.

National Security Asia 2018

To celebrate the 30 years of DSA a new segment on national security for Asia, named– National Security Asia 2018 (NAT SEC Asia 2018) has been included. The debut will take place alongside DSA at the new venue at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC)

DSA 2018 will be held at the brand new Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur to cater for the continually growing and evolving needs of tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe. MITEC has 45 per cent more heavy and large exhibit areas. It has 41,500 square metres (gross) of area to accommodate (also anticipated) 42,000 trade visitors from 70 countries/regions, 29 International Group Pavilions, 1,200 Companies from 60 countries/region and 300 Foreign Delegations from 40 Countries.

Conferences

DSA provides high level conferences where industry professionals, experts and top officials from around the world gather to discuss the challenges, fundamentals and core ideas that shape the defence industry.

Putrajaya Forum. This is organised by The Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security (MiDA S) and the Ministry of Defence Malaysia. This forum is an International conference on defence and security that draws participation comprising policy makers, defence and security agencies, think tanks as well as academicians to meet, discuss and share knowledge to promote understanding on Regional and International defence and security issues.

CBRNe Forum. The CBRNe Forum is a feature focusing specifically on Battlefield Healthcare and emergency preparedness. Attended by Surgeon Generals around the world, this feature is an assembly of leading industry experts to deliver insights covering an extensive discussion on all things chemical, biological, radiological and explosives.

Human Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Conference. This event focuses on issues related to HADR where National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) Malaysia, other international agencies involved and exhibitors involved participate.

Cyber Security Conference. As cyberattacks becomes direct threat, agencies responsible for cyber security will attend the conference on Cyber Security, to address the pressing issues concerning the challenges and enhance awareness in recognising unconventional threats to national security.

Business to Business (B2B) Meetings

B2B provides a mechanism for international suppliers to solicit appointments with locally-based Exhibitors and Visitors alike to foster partnerships that will enable both parties to tap into the business opportunities that DSA 2018 brings on the table. DSA 2016 recorded a number of 222 meetings between Exhibitors and Visitors.

Signing of Contracts and Memorandum of Undersatnding (MoU)

To add value to Exhibitors’ participation at the show, the Malaysian Ministry of Defence signs and announces contracts and MoUs. At DSA 2016, a record RM2.9 billion ($0.75 billion) worth of defence contracts were signed, exceeding the RM1.86 billion signed at DSA 2014, representing a 56 per cent increase. This will again be a vital feature in DSA 2018.