Biennial MAST Asia goes bi-service

The third edition of Japan’s MAST international defence trade-show and conference will give wider aperture to airborne operations/technologies (MAST Asia 2019, 17th–19th June, Makuhari Messe).

Visitors to last year’s event evidenced the support from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (and of course JMSDF and JASDF), to encouraging all the major domestic air defence contractors such as MHI, KHI and Shinmaywa to exhibit alongside the likes of Bell Helicopter, Leonardo, and Lockheed Martin.

The next edition of MAST Asia is hoped to capitalise on this support again, and in anticipation of event growth, MAST’s organiser has reserved a second exhibition hall (adjacent to the naval one) to more fully showcase the air domain. Additionally, new conference streams are planned to increase the representation of international air-forces in the conference, truly giving the 360° perspective on the maritime security (naval/air) domain.

The official “launch” event for international journalists, embassy officials and industry on Monday 25th June in Tokyo (“Japan Defence Collaborations - Operations and Transfer of Technologies”) will see MAST Asia Chairman, Professor Satoshi Morimoto, Policy adviser to Japan’s Defence Minister (and former Defence Minister himself) discuss the Japanese perspective on regional operational and technology issues.

• MAST Asia exhibitors/sponsors wishing to take part in the launch event in Tokyo this June, should RSVP to [email protected].

The scope of MAST Asia 2019 is expanding to more fully showcase the air domain.