The 6th international Exhibition on Land and Naval Defence systems (Def Expo 2010) which concluded here today has been a tremendous success. Over 1,26,000 visitors including 85,000 business visitors came to the exhibition. The four-day event was the largest ever Defence Exposition in Asia and showcased India’s emergence as an attractive destination for investment in the Defence Sector and provided a platform for alliances and joint ventures in Defence industry.
Over 650 companies from about 35 countries displayed weapon systems for Army and Navy. Major participants were from USA, UK, Russia, Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Korea, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Israel, Italy, Malaysia and South Africa.
Organised by the Department of Defence Production, the exhibition was dedicated to global land and naval systems business activity – from suppliers to manufacturers, technology providers to services. The Def Expo also offered an opportunity to the international defence industry to promote and showcase their products and services. The exhibition generated attention globally and carved a niche amongst major defence exhibitions around the world.
The Def Expo was conceptualised in 1998 with an objective to promote defence exports from India and exhibit the capabilities of Indian Defence R&D and production. The first exhibition was held in 1999 and subsequently in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008. While a modest 197 exhibitors participated in the first Def Expo, the biennial event featured 650 exhibitors in its 6th edition this year.
Israel was the biggest participating country in terms of space occupied (1248 sq meters) while the United States was represented with the maximum number of 25 companies. In the year 2008 there were 447 exhibitors from 29 countries. The exhibition area almost doubled from 17200 sq meters in 2008 to 30100 sq meters this year.
Defence Ministers from UK, Bulgaria, Hungary, Nigeria, Turkey, Uganda, Senegal and Suriname along with Official delegations from 41 countries participated in the exhibition. Naval Chiefs from Kazakhstan, Mozambique, Brunei, Qatar and Senegal and Army Chief from Mongolia also attended the exhibition.
About 25 new products were launched by Indian and Foreign companies during the exhibition and more than 550 business to business meetings were also held. Various business bodies such as FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM and PHD Chamber of Commerce organised thought provoking seminars during the show.
Defence Minister Shri AK Antony, Minister for State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju, Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications and Technology Shri Sachin Pilot were amongst several dignitaries who went around the fair.
