Langkawi: The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) Su-30MKM fighter jet has been unveiled in a new livery ahead of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA ’25), bearing the special title ‘Toruk Makto’.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the new body design of the aircraft was inspired by the legendary creature in the film Avatar, known as the Toruk or ‘The Last Shadow’. In the fictional film, the title Toruk Makto is given to those who succeed in taming and riding the Toruk – a feat only possible for those with a pure and noble spirit.

In the real world, RMAF stated that Su-30MKM fighter jet pilots reflected a similar spirit because the aircraft, equipped with 4.5 generation technology, supermaneuverability, and advanced weaponry, was not just a war machine but an ‘iron beast’ that required an operator with a great soul.

The statement highlighted that the pilots are considered the chosen ones, not only for their prowess but also for the purity of their spirit. It emphasized that in the cockpit, a pilot must make split-second decisions, sometimes between life and death, and these decisions can only be made by a soul free of ego and personal intent.

LIMA ’25, themed ‘Today’s Innovation, Tomorrow’s Achievements’, will take place in Langkawi from May 20 to 24, featuring 102 aircraft and 35 naval vessels from different countries. It remains one of the largest maritime and aerospace exhibitions in Southeast Asia since it was first held in 1991.