Russia Skipping Dsa, Natsec 2024 In Mitec

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 (Bernama) -- Russia will not be participating in the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security Exhibition (NATSEC) Asia 2024 which will take place from May 6 to 9 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).

DSA 2024 executive director Nadzeem Abdul Rahman who confirmed the matter said those who want to participate in the bi-annual defence and security exhibition will have to do so on a voluntary basis as his party has not issued any invitations.

"We take a non-inviting approach. It is voluntary. It means that if they want to participate in (DSA and NATSEC Asia 2024 Exhibition), they have to request to participate. We will not force or beg them to join.”

"In terms of the participation of Russian states, there is none in this (edition) this time. We do not invite, but we accept it," he told Bernama in an exclusive interview in conjunction with the organisation of the largest defence and security exhibition in Southeast Asia recently.

Nadzeem said, as a result of discussions with Russian companies, it was found that they needed an invitation to participate in the bi-annual defence and security exhibition but the organisers took the approach of not issuing invitations.

Although Russia will not participate in the defence and security exhibition in May, the country's defence products are likely to be exhibited through representatives of their companies in this country.

"I'm sure it's possible that their (Russian) products will also be exhibited (at DSA and NATSEC Asia 2024) through their agents or even their (company) representatives (in Malaysia)," he said.

Companies from Russia have been among the biggest exhibitors at previous editions of the bi-annual defense exhibition.

According to Nadzeem, to date, 30 countries have confirmed their participation in the biennial defence and security exhibition including the United States, China, Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, France, Italy, South Korea, Turkiye, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United Kingdom.

"on the overall, the 2024 DSA and NATSEC Asia Exhibition will record the participation of more than 1,200 companies from 45 countries with a focus on local industry development and international cooperation," he said.

He said, the participation of exhibitors for this year has surpassed the records of the DSA Exhibition and NATSEC Asia 2022.

Turkiye according to him once again emerged as the largest contingent at the 2024 DSA and NATSEC Exhibition with nearly 70 companies from the Mediterranean country having confirmed participation including Aselsan, Canik, Dearsan Shipyard and Turkish Aerospace Industries.

-- BERNAMA