Asia’s premier naval and maritime defence event, IMDEX Asia, returns for its 14th edition, kicking off on May 6th, 2025, at the Singapore Changi Exhibition Centre. This year’s iteration of the highly anticipated event places a significant emphasis on cutting-edge maritime technology innovation and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI).
Organizers anticipate a record turnout for IMDEX Asia 2025, expecting over 12,500 attendees hailing from more than 70 countries and regions. The exhibition floor will host over 230 participating companies representing 26 countries and regions from May 6th to 8th, 2025.
A key feature of IMDEX Asia is the strong presence of VIP delegations. This year, 56 delegations, comprising Navy Chiefs, Coast Guard Directors, and Heads of Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies from over 35 countries and regions, will be in attendance. These leaders will also converge for the exclusive International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC), a platform designed to foster strategic dialogue, promote mutual understanding, and enhance collaboration within the Asia Pacific maritime security landscape.
Established as the Asia Pacific’s leading international maritime defence show, IMDEX Asia consistently attracts over 11,000 trade attendees from more than 60 countries and regions at each edition. The event serves as a crucial platform for facilitating strategic conversations, accelerating global and regional partnerships, and driving growth within the naval industry.
Delegates and visitors will have the opportunity to witness and tour an impressive display of naval power, with 17 warships from 13 countries participating. Notable vessels include HMAS Arunta (Australia), HMS Spey (United Kingdom), ITS Antonio Marceglia (Italy), JS Yahagi (Japan), KDB Darussalam (Brunei), KRI Bung Karno (Indonesia), and KRI Kerambit (Indonesia).
Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director of Experia Events Pte Ltd, the organizer of IMDEX Asia 2025, stated, “We continue to witness strong interest from participating companies and country pavilions in IMDEX Asia, which reinforces its position as the leading platform for the global naval and maritime defence industry. What sets this year’s edition apart is its focus on innovation and new technology such as AI and uncrewed systems. Through platforms like IMDEX Asia, stakeholders have the opportunity to convene for strategic conversations around the fast-changing landscape, get inspired by the wealth of knowledge and innovations in the sector – and most importantly, walk away with valuable insights to drive strategic transformation for the future of the industry.”
This year’s IMDEX Asia boasts an impressive lineup of exhibitors, with numerous returning participants underscoring the event’s significance. Industry giants such as ADSB, ELT Group, Exail, Fincantieri, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, MBDA Saab, NVL Group, Rolls-Royce, Safran, ST Engineering, Terma, Thales, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, and Wartsila will be present alongside debuting exhibitors like Aeromaritime, Aqualung, Euroatlas, Evologics, Marunda, Petracarbon, Photospace, Sargam Cathodic Protection, Seaber, SeaOwl, Sensys, Spinner, Synapse Logic, TAS Global, Vestdavit, and YOT. Reflecting the increasing importance of AI in the maritime domain, IMDEX Asia 2025 will also feature a strong contingent of AI-focused exhibitors, including Elane Global, Kookree, Planet Labs, Seadronix, Shield AI, SRT Marine Systems, and Unseenlabs.
The event will also welcome back long-standing country pavilion stalwarts, including Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, and the United States. Demonstrating their strong commitment to IMDEX Asia, Denmark, Germany, and Singapore have expanded their pavilion presence to their largest ever this year.
Abdelrahman Al Rousi, Director – Business Development of ADSB, commented, “We are excited to return to IMDEX Asia. Singapore and the wider Southeast Asia region have always been strategically important markets for ADSB and our participation reflects our long-standing commitment to delivering reliable, mission-ready solutions tailored to the needs of this dynamic region. As the maritime and defence sectors continue to evolve, IMDEX Asia 2025 offers a vital platform to engage with government stakeholders, industry leaders and partners, as well as showcase our cutting-edge naval capabilities.”
Chun-Chau Chew, Country Head of Saab Singapore, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Saab has been active in Singapore and the region since the 1980s, delivering products and solutions to our customers. IMDEX Asia has always been an important platform to foster collaboration and advance maritime defence technologies with our customers and partners. Our participation in IMDEX Asia 2025 re-affirms our longstanding commitment to the development of Singapore’s defence industry and the growth in the region.”
Exhibitors will be showcasing a wide array of advanced technologies. Neil Hunter, Director of Business Development at Schiebel, noted, “At IMDEX Asia 2025, Schiebel will be presenting both the CAMCOPTER® S-100 and the new S-300 — two versatile VTOL UAS platforms engineered for complex naval operations. Offering real-time ISR, multi-sensor payload integration and reliable performance in challenging maritime environments, the CAMCOPTER® systems provide valuable operational capability across a wide range of mission profiles.”
Tan Leong Peng, President of Marine, ST Engineering, added, “IMDEX Asia 2025 provides us with the right platform to demonstrate the depth and impact of what we do. This year, we are showcasing a comprehensive range of solutions, from autonomous vessels to advanced naval platforms and the latest in maritime innovations designed to enhance operational readiness and support naval forces in meeting evolving challenges.”
A dedicated Uncrewed Systems Zone will highlight the increasing adoption of subsea, surface, and aerial uncrewed systems by navies for missions such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat, offering enhanced endurance and operational reach. Exhibitors in this zone include Avetics, Chemtron, Newt21, and Seadronix.
IMDEX Asia 2025 will also feature the third edition of What’s Next, a startup launchpad providing a global platform for aspiring startups to showcase their revolutionary innovations. Following the success of previous editions, this year’s event promises to further elevate engagement between industry leaders and investors. Budding ventures like FibreCoat, Greentide Target Solutions, Kookree, MicroSec, and the Singapore University of Technology & Design Capstone Programme will present their breakthrough solutions in material science, sustainable maritime development, and AI-backed technologies.
Nurturing the next generation of maritime talent remains a core focus of IMDEX Asia 2025. Building on the success of the 2023 edition, the Maritime Campus will return with increased student participation from six tertiary institutions, showcasing distinctive naval-themed projects, including an award-winning human-powered submarine. To further foster peer engagement, the Student Ambassador Programme will provide selected students with the opportunity to learn directly from exhibitors and gain firsthand exposure to the maritime industry.
Organized by Experia Events Pte Ltd, IMDEX Asia 2025 is supported by the Republic of Singapore Navy, the Defence Science and Technology Agency, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, and the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau. The event promises to be a dynamic platform for showcasing the latest advancements, fostering collaboration, and shaping the future of naval and maritime defence in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.
