IMDEX Asia 2025 underscores rise of maritime innovation and AI-backed solutions

“This edition of IMDEX Asia has shown that innovation in the maritime defence sector is accelerating at pace,” said Mr Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director, Experia Events Pte Ltd, organiser of IMDEX Asia. “The proliferation of AI-integrated systems, autonomous platforms and intelligent analytics solutions on display reflect a future-ready mindset across the global maritime ecosystem.”

Delegates were also treated to displays and tours of 17 warships from 13 countries, which included HMAS Arunta, HMS Spey, ITS Antonio Marceglia, JS Yahagi, KDB Darussalam, KRI Bung Karno and KRI Kerambit. The warship display offered a comprehensive look at the cutting-edge capabilities of modern naval fleets, allowing delegates to gain firsthand insight into the latest advancements in integrated ship systems, propulsion upgrades and naval weaponry. See Appendix A for a full list of participating warships.

Technology takes centre stage

This year, IMDEX Asia 2025 welcomed not only a distinguished lineup of key industry players but also exciting debutants like EuroATLAS, Marunda and Planet Labs that showcased cutting-edge technologies. In addition, AI-backed exhibitors such as Shield.AI, SRT Marine Systems and Unseen Labs also showcased innovations that are poised to reshape naval operations, from advanced surveillance systems to autonomous vessels.

Exhibitors emphasised the importance of IMDEX Asia as a strategic platform to drive innovation and forge meaningful partnerships across the maritime and defence sectors.

Mr Rüdiger Schmidt, Head of 4-Stroke Marine – Region APAC from MAN, highlighted the unique value of the event, “We’re excited to be part of IMDEX Asia 2025 as it offers a unique opportunity to connect with a diverse range of naval, army and coast guard stakeholders from across the globe. We aim to build meaningful relationships that can lead to long-term collaborations and see this as a valuable platform to expand our international reach and contribute to our business goals through strategic networking and customer engagement.”

Richard Yong, CEO of Miltrade Technologies, added “IMDEX Asia 2025 is a pivotal platform for Miltrade Technologies as we continue to drive innovation and operational excellence in maritime surveillance, counter-drone systems, unmanned technologies and MRO solutions. With over 30 years of experience serving military and law enforcement with our OEM partners, we see the event as an opportunity to deepen engagements with decision-makers, generate high-quality leads and foster new partnerships. As we expand into new markets across Singapore and the region, IMDEX Asia allows us to connect directly with end-users and industry leaders, aligning with our strategy to enhance regional security and defence readiness through sustainable, mission-ready solutions.”

Echoing this sentiment, Robert Laing, Regional Executive for Southeast Asia at Lockheed Martin, remarked “We’ve supported the show since its inception and always look forward to returning every two years. As the premier regional naval event in Asia, it brings together our Singaporean community of interest and navies from across the region. We love being part of it."

The show also featured a strong representation of six international country pavilions stalwarts – Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore and the United States. This year, Denmark, Germany and Singapore have further demonstrated their commitment by expanding their pavilion presence to their largest ever.

Among the standout innovations was the Giraffe 1X Compact Radar Module by Saab, which has been deployed at high-level events, including the recent Paris Olympics, to counter drone threats. This software-defined radar can be configured for various mission profiles and features AI-powered algorithms capable of accurately classifying drones from birds. Additionally, the radar offers “search on the move” capability, enabling operation while mounted on a moving vehicle. Combined with its easy setup and rapid deployment, it serves as a versatile and effective solution for modern security needs.

Strategic dialogue on security transformation

Co-hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, the 9th International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) brought together senior naval leaders and defence policymakers for open and purposeful dialogue about the maritime domain. With the theme of Safe and Secure Seas, we saw over 400 international participants from navies, coast guards, maritime industries, academia and think-tanks from more than 50 countries.

Startups and talent drive next-generation maritime thinking

Innovation was also on display at What’s Next, IMDEX Asia’s dedicated startup zone, which featured early- stage solutions across AI, sustainable materials and green propulsion. FibreCoat, Greentide, Kookree, MicroSec and SUTD Capstone were among the startups that attracted interest from investors and industry leaders alike. See Appendix B for more details on the exhibitors.

These start-ups and emerging tech talents underscored the significance of IMDEX Asia as a launchpad for innovation and cross-sector collaboration highlighting the event’s role in accelerating visibility, partnership opportunities and market access within the maritime and defence sectors.

Notably, Kookree’s no-code video analytics platform emerged as a key innovation, delivering rapid field- ready intelligence without technical expertise. With just a few clicks, users can detect abnormal vessel behaviour, set smart alerts for scenarios like unauthorised docking and update models in real time to match mission needs. Its natural language video search further streamlines operations by allowing users to query footage using simple commands, turning passive data into actionable insights. This enhances agility for naval personnel and port authorities, whether deployed at the edge or from command centres.

Another standout was Greentide Target Solutions, an Australian veteran-owned company offering biodegradable targets for live-fire training. Developed in response to the founder’s operational experience, its Biodegradable Small Arms Target (BSAT) addresses the environmental impact of conventional targets. Made from recycled materials, BSATs degrade naturally after use, eliminating the need for retrieval. Lightweight and quick to deploy, they are suited for use on land or at sea. Already in use by the Singapore Navy, New Zealand Air Force and Australian Army, Greentide’s solutions align with growing demand for sustainable defence practices. IMDEX Asia 2025 provided a timely platform to highlight their operational value and environmental benefits to defence leaders and industry partners.

Meanwhile, the Maritime Campus programme returned with expanded participation across 6 tertiary institutions, reinforcing IMDEX Asia’s commitment to nurturing future-ready talent. Students engaged directly with engineers and technologists through interactive workshops and innovation showcases. See Appendix C for more details on the respective exhibit highlights.

Among the standout student-led exhibits was Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)’s Project MAKO, the first-ever human-powered submarine designed by the SEA Team. The team recently represented Singapore at the European International Submarine Races (EISR) 2024, achieving 4th place and earning the Best Newcomer award. Singapore University of Technology & Design (SUTD) also drew attention with two innovative research projects: Heterogeneous Marine Environment Monitoring and Search and Bio- inspired Underwater Locomotion, Sensing and Communications, both offering novel approaches to underwater surveillance and propulsion systems.

Organised 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.

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For more information on IMDEX Asia 2025, please visit www.imdexasia.com or, contact Aliya Anwar at aanwar@golin.com.

About IMDEX Asia 2025

IMDEX Asia is Asia Pacific's most established international maritime defence show. A must-attend event among naval and maritime stakeholders, it attracts over 11,000 trade attendees from over 60 countries/regions at every edition. IMDEX Asia is an important platform that sets out to facilitate strategic conversations that foster engagement, accelerate global and regional collaboration and promote growth for the naval industry.

About Experia Events Pte Ltd

Specialist in conceptualising, creating and curating trade events of strategic interest that spur industry development, Experia brings together captains of industries from all over the world to inspire ideas and influence decisions that move the needle in strategic issues for global, national and societal needs and progress. With its genesis in the Singapore Airshow, one of the most influential airshow globally, Experia’s portfolio of events has expanded to span aerospace, defence, government and lifestyle sectors today. Experia is certified with a Data Protection Trustmark issued by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore and ISO27001 Information Security Management System. For more information, visit http://www.experiaevents.com

Appendix A – Warships participating at IMDEX Asia 2025

1. Australia, Royal Australian Navy:

• HMAS Arunta

2. Brunei, Royal Brunei Navy:

• KDB Darussalam

3. China, People's Liberation Army Navy:

• Xuchang
• Chishui

4. India, Indian Navy:

• INS Kiltan

5. Indonesia, Indonesian Navy:

• KRI Bung Karno

• KRI Kerambit

6. Italy, Italian Navy:

• ITS Antonio Marceglia

7. Japan, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force:

• JS Yahagi

8. Malaysia, Royal Malaysian Navy:

• KD Lekir

9. Singapore, Republic of Singapore Navy:

• RSS Endeavour

• RSS Tenacious

• RSS Dauntless

10. Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Navy:

• SLNS Samudura

11. Thailand, Royal Thai Navy:

• HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan

2. United Kingdom, Royal Navy:

• HMS Spey

13. USA, United States Navy:

• USS Dewey

Appendix B – Start-ups at IMDEX Asia 2025

1. Fibrecoat (Germany) | https://fibrecoat.de/

1. High-performance fibre coatings for defence applications

2. Greentide Target Solutions (Australia) | https://www.greentide.com.au/

1. Biodegradable and environmentally responsible target solutions

3. Kookree (Singapore) | https://kookree.ai/

1. AI-driven video technology

4. MicroSec (Singapore) | https://www.microsec.io/

1. Cybersecurity for IoT & OT networks

5. SUTD Capstone (Singapore) | https://www.sutd.edu.sg/education/undergraduate/capstone/overview/

1. Student and industry collaboration to solve real-world challenges

Appendix C – Maritime Campus Exhibit Highlights

1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)

• Details of exhibit: The launch of Innovation Hangar Challenge 2026 for bright minds to think up new and innovative solutions that furthers the industry.

2. Institute of Technical Education (ITE) & Temasek Polytechnic (TP)

• Presenting their work diploma courses with RSN

• Details of exhibit: ITE will feature unique Work Study Diploma Programme and Continue Education Training Programme to educate attendees on the opportunities and eligibility for both students and companies.

3. Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)

• Details of exhibit: Project MAKO, developed by the SEA SIT Nautical Knights and represented Singapore in the 2024 European International Submarine Races (EISR). The team’s first-ever human-powered submarine achieved an impressive 4th place overall and was awarded Best Newcomer in this prestigious international competition.

4. Singapore Polytechnic (SP)

• Details of exhibit: Two project showcase including the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) project, developed by students from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering to tackle the complex challenges of underwater autonomy and the Virtual Reality Training Application for Safe Methanol Bunkering which enables seafarers to familiarise themselves with methanol bunkering procedures, and provides training and assessment to ensure safe and effective operations.

5. Singapore University of Technology & Design (SUTD)

• Details of exhibit: Two project showcase including Heterogeneous Marine Environment Monitoring and Search; and Bio-inspired underwater locomotion, sensing and communications.