As many as 977 companies from 46 countries have registered for Defexpo 2016 to be held in Goa from March 28 to 31. This is the first time that the event has moved to Goa.
The defence exhibition has got a whole new meaning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Skill India’ pitch, making the sector an attractive investment proposition.
According to the defence ministry, “the ninth edition of Land, Naval and Internal Homeland Security Systems Exhibition — Defexpo India 2016 — will be held at Naqueri Quitol in Quepem taluka of South Goa from March 28-31.
“The focus of the show is expected to be more on PM Modi’s ‘Make In India’ and ‘Skill India’ initiatives. The expo is clearly steering the path of steady growth and has been receiving overwhelming and unprecedented international response with each edition.”
For this edition, countries such as the US, Russia, Sweden, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, the UAE, Bolivia, Brazil and Portugal, among others, have confirmed their participation.
Indian ambassador to Peru and Bolivia, Sandeep Chakravorty, told FE: “Bolivia, which is now seriously looking at India as development partner, will for the first time send its defence minister for the Defexpo.”
During the exhibition this year, on the first day — March 28 — a host of seminars, including that on ‘State of Art Technology in Shipbuilding Initiative and Requirements of Indian Defence Shipyards’, is scheduled to be held. There will also be a session on ‘International Cooperation in Futuristic Maritime Research and development’ and ‘Advanced Technologies in Submarine Construction’. This will be followed by an industry body holding a day-long global investors’ summit on the defence sector.
Defence SME MKU, which is associated with the Baden Wurttemberg class frigate project F-125 (7,200 tonne) being built for the German Navy by two leading German shipyards at a cost of over 650 million Euro each, will be displaying a wide range of protection and surveillance solutions for platforms and personnel.
German company Atlas Elektronik, through its Indian subsidiary, will be focusing on displaying its technology in the area of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and other warfare systems under and above the sea surface.
French shipbuilder DCNS will be showcasing a wide range of expertise in naval systems.
The Indian Navy, under Make In India, had issued an RFP to three Indian shipyards to procure four LPDs (two at winning shipyard and two on nomination to HSL). Pipavav (now Reliance) is a partner of DCNS and the RFP offer has been submitted and a decision from the Indian government is awaited.
This too, will be on display along with the evolved aircraft carrier ship; Barracuda; MU90 Torpedo; and OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conservation).
At the Defexpo 2016, almost 18 Russian defence industry corporations comprising 61 companies will present products, according to a statement of Rosoboronexport. They will exhibit over 800 models of military equipment and hold pre-contract talks with foreign partners at the event.
Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) deputy director Vladimir Drozhzhov will lead the Russian delegation while Rosoboronexport deputy director general Sergey Goreslavsky will head a joint delegation of his company and the state technologies corporation, Rostec.
The United Shipbuilding Corporation, Russian Helicopters and the Almaz-Antey weapons manufacturer, among others, will present their products here.
Airbus Group will be showcasing scaled models of its military helicopters, surveillance radars and observation systems based on its participation in Make in India programmes.
