Curious to see loads of military hardware

BRIDEX 2011 receives positive feedbacks from exhibitors taking part in this year's event. Amelia J Cayabyab, Marketing Manager of Export Sales of Arms Corporation of the Philippines (ARMSCOR) told The Brunei Times that everybody who visited their booth were very enthusiastic to see the firearms and "have a feel".

She expressed hopes that ARMSCOR could penetrate Brunei's market.

"What we want is for them (people) to know that we are in the industry, the firearms and ammunition manufacturing and that we exist in Southeast Asia," said Cayabyab.

She said ARMSCOR has not yet been approached by potential buyers from Brunei.

Cayabyab said that in Manila ARMSCOR exports to 60 countries worldwide and their biggest market is the United States of America, South America and Central America.

In Asean, ARMSCOR is the biggest supplier of ammunition for the Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy and Royal Thai Police.

Lukmono Wimbadi, a representative from the Indonesian Ministry of Defence said it was the first time that the Indonesia's Ministry of Defence joined BRIDEX. He said that the exhibition was good and very successful.

According to Lukmono, there are six strategic companies under Indonesia Ministry of Defence participating in BRIDEX 2011.

Lukmono said that they were trying to promote Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and weaponry including ammunition manufactured in Indonesia.

He also expressed hopes that they would be able to supply the APC to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. When asked if there was any response from Brunei regarding the matter, Lukmono said "we are in the midst of testing the equipment".

One of the main attractions for the public at yesterday's exhibition was the static display of helicopters. Two of the helicopters on display were the Canadian manufactured Bell Helicopter 407AH and Bell Helicopter 429.

Both Bell Helicopters were manufactured by Bell Helicopter, A Textron Company.

Angela Baldwin, Communications Leader of the Bell Helicopter, A Textron Company said for this year's BRIDEX the two helicopters were new and both were on static display for the public to see.The Brunei Times