THE return of the three-day Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition to Kuala Lumpur beginning April 20 is more than just another date on the calendar of global defence shows – it is a strategic signal of Malaysia’s relevance in an increasingly uncertain world.
Its importance is often overlooked because it is not seen as a business or tourism event but in reality it is actually both.
Over the decades, since its inception in 1998, the biennial gathering has attracted over 15,000 participating companies, 600,000 trade visitors, 90,000 international visitors and 7,000 foreign VIP delegations.
DSA has long been one of Asia’s most established defence and security exhibitions, drawing policymakers, military leaders and industry players from across the globe.
There is a personal interest here as a war-movie buff.
I have always looked forward to the DSA show as this is the only opportunity for me to see armoured vehicles, drones, naval vessel models, arms, ammunition, specialised troop equipment and others.
The fact that it is not opened to the public, for security reasons, makes it even more special for me as a journalist.
It has facilitated billions of dollars in defence and security deals. The benefit to Malaysia is enormous with a multi-million-ringgit spinoff from the passenger service charge, exhibition and financial services, hotels, logistics and transport, as well as tax revenues.
For Malaysia, DSA is not about flexing military muscle. It is about positioning.
As a nation that has consistently championed neutrality and multilateralism, Malaysia offers something increasingly rare – a credible, moderate voice that can engage all sides.
The presence of delegations from diverse geopolitical camps under one roof reflects this trust.
This year, 62 countries will take it up – they include the United States, China, Turkiye, Russia, Iran and Ukraine, of which 38 are official national pavilions.
This year, the seven largest country pavilions will come from Turkiye, China, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, the United States, India and South Korea.
Defence exhibitions today are as much about industry as they are about security.
From aerospace to cybersecurity, the defence sector drives high-value investments, technology transfer and skilled employment.
For Malaysian companies, DSA opens doors to partnerships that would otherwise take years to cultivate. For foreign investors, it provides a window into Malaysia’s growing capabilities as a regional hub for maintenance, repair and overhaul, as well as advanced manufacturing.
There is also a quieter, often overlooked aspect – diplomacy. In the corridors of such exhibitions, conversations take place that seldom make headlines.
Defence officials who may not otherwise meet, find common ground in shared concerns: maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
For Malaysia, we have built a reputation for our neutrality. Trust-building is essential, these informal engagements matter.
Critics may question the optics of a defence exhibition at a time when parts of the world are engulfed in conflict.
But engagement should not be mistaken for endorsement. Platforms like DSA allow nations to better understand evolving technologies and doctrines, and more importantly, to ensure that their own security preparedness is not left behind.
“When geopolitical tensions arise and leisure demand becomes more vulnerable to shifts in sentiment, governments need dependable drivers of visitor economy activity. Business events provide that resilience.
“The timing and success of DSA 2026 is important as the world faces strong headwinds, especially those in the convention and exhibition trade. People travel for business with clear commercial objectives, and trade exhibitions, in particular, help protect hotel demand, air connectivity, urban spending, jobs and small and medium enterprises livelihoods.
“At the same time, they create a platform for investment promotion, trade expansion, knowledge exchange and international partnership building,’’ said Datuk Dr M Gandhi, the president of the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Supplies.
More importantly, by hosting DSA, Malaysia is not choosing sides – it is choosing relevance, readiness and responsible engagement in a world that is becoming anything but predictable.
Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai is a veteran journalist and a UK-based Chartered Management Institute companion, the highest level of membership. He is also a National Journalism Laureate. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
