Third biennial MAST Asia to get tri-service support

There was standing room only at the 25 June 2018 “launch event” for the third biennial MAST Asia – Japan’s only international defence trade-show and conference – saw previous MAST Asia exhibitors quadrupling the size of their booths for the 2019 edition!

Announcements from MAST Asia chairman, Professor Satoshi Morimoto (Policy Adviser to Japan’s Defense Minister, and a former Defense Minister himself) and MAST Asia CEO, Warren Edge included the addition (under special request) for MAST Asia to now include air forces (and some ground-based missile defence systems) in future editions – including 2019.

The resulting 2019 event will therefore take place in two halls at Makuhari Messe: one maritime, one aerospace. Exhibitors promoting platforms in both domains will straddle the two halls.

The new static display area – a free-of-charge(!) space for exhibitors – is expected to be a key attraction, featuring fixed wing, rotor wing and fast combat boat platforms, ground-based missile defence systems, and unmanned systems/drones.

As anyone attending either of the previous biennial MAST Asias will testify, the support of Japan’s authorities has been clear at each MAST Asia, with many of the 4,500 participants representing:

• Ministry of Defense;
• Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA);
• Ministry of Trade, Economy Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• Japan Maritime Self Defense Force;
• Japan Air Self Defence Forse;
• Japan Ground Self Defence Force

The number of country pavilions is projected to increase (again) in 2019 to showcase the leading platforms, systems and technologies from Australia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, UK, and USA.

Two MSME Zones (one maritime, one aerospace) will give start-ups and innovators the opportunity to explain their developing/disruptive technologies to both visitors and established defence contractors alike.

Following requests from numerous MAST Asia supporters, new B2B meeting facilities will be provided free-of-charge for exhibitors to promote closer industry partnerships in and out of the region.

The addition of air-force chiefs to the existing VIP/hosted buyer list (chiefs of navy, defence ministers, and procurement officials) that take part in MAST Asia, means that 2019’s VIP/hosted buyers programme will double to approx. 250+ invited VIPs, from thirty countries (not least MAST’s unmatched, comprehensive profile of the top defence authorities from Japan).

If meeting the key defence operators, technologists, and industry in Japan and the Indo-Asia-Pacific region is essential, MAST Asia is a MUST!

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