Indian Air Force Withdraws from Malaysia’s LIMA 2025 Exhibition Due to “The Situation Back Home”

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin today announced that the Indian Air Force aerobatic team, Surya Kiran, has withdrawn from participating in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA 2025). 

He further elaborated that the withdrawal from the biennial exhibition was due to issues currently affecting India. 

The Indian Air Force withdraws from LIMA 2025 due to “the situation back home”

The indian air force’s surya kiran aerobatic team

Mohamed Khaled was quoted by BERNAMA as saying that India had initially confirmed its intention of sending Surya Kiran to LIMA 2025 but had to cancel due to the current situation in India.

The Defence Minister asserted,

“They had expressed readiness to take part. However, they cannot proceed due to the situation back home,”

Datuk seri mohamed khaled nordin (middle)

While Mohamed Khaled didn’t expressly mention it, it’s believed that he was referring to the India-Pakistan conflict that’s currently at a tense standoff.

However, despite the Indian Air Force’s withdrawal, he said that LIMA 2025 will still showcase aerobatic displays by several renowned international teams. These include the Russian Knights from Russia and Jupiter from Indonesia.

For local teams, the exhibition will witness solo performances by the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Layang-Layang Flying Academy and Aerotree Defence and Services.

In total, 57 aircraft would be featured in the 17th edition of LIMA, including 43 static air assets from local and foreign participants, an increase from 34 in 2023.

Mohamed Khaled elaborated,

“Of the total, 26 are local air assets while 17 are from abroad, including countries such as Brunei, Germany, Italy, Canada, Singapore, Russia and the United States. Commercial aircraft from India, Brazil, France and Italy will also be on display,”

Meanwhile, on the maritime segment, 31 ships from domestic and foreign fleets would take part in the static display and fleet review.

LIMA 2025 will take place in Langkawi, Kedah, from 20 to 24 May 2025.

So, what do you guys think of the Indian Air Force’s withdrawal from LIMA 2025? Share your thoughts with us in the comments. 

Also read: Royal Malaysian Navy Vessel Loses Control, Hits Tourist Boat & Crashes into Langkawi Beach, Injuring 2 Officers