Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen opened the 13th International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX) Asia at the Changi Exhibition Centre (CEC) this morning. This year's IMDEX resumes in full scale with a physical exhibition at the CEC and a warship display in RSS Singapura - Changi Naval Base (CNB) following a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the opening ceremony, Dr Ng highlighted the importance of strengthening mutual understanding and fostering consensus via platforms such as IMDEX Asia, against the backdrop of increasing tensions in a globally inter-linked world. He said, "IMDEX Asia provides an important platform to maintain and hopefully enhance regional stability and security. That alone provides sufficient cause for government leaders and military commanders to be here. Because, in my mind the top priority for all government leaders at least in the next decade, if not longer, is to avoid a physical conflict in Asia."

In attendance at the opening ceremony were 47 delegations, including 22 Navy Chiefs, Directors-General of Coast-Guards and Heads of Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies from 38 countries. Over 250 exhibitors from around the world are participating in this year's exhibition, while 22 ships from 13 countries are taking part in this year's IMDEX Asia Warships Display.

Dr Ng, and Senior Ministers of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How and Mr Zaqy Mohammad visited defence technology and shipbuilding exhibition booths after the opening ceremony. Later in the afternoon, Mr Heng and Mr Zaqy will visit exhibitions by start-ups under the inaugural IMDEX Asia Innovation Challenge "What's Next". In addition, Mr Heng, Mr Zaqy, and Chief of Defence Force Rear-Admiral (RADM) Aaron Beng will visit the Warships Display.

In conjunction with IMDEX Asia 2023, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) is co-organising the 8th International Maritime Security Conference with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the Maritime Information-Sharing Exercise from 3 to 5 May 2023. These exchanges provide excellent opportunities for navies and maritime agencies to strengthen friendships and forge practical cooperation.