Gandhinagar: The next edition of India’s biggest and premier Defence Expo ‘Defexpo 22’ will be held in Gujarat during 11-13 March 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat for the first time.
High-level meet held in Gandhinagar to review preparations for Defense Expo 2022
Gandhinagar: A meeting was held today here regarding preparations for Defense Expo which is going to be organized during 10-14 March. MoS Defense Ajay Bhatt and Gujarat Chief minister Bhupendra Patel attended this meeting.
Gujarat will host the 12th edition of the Defense Expo mega event. An exhibition of land, naval, and homeland security will be held as part of this event. The theme of this event this year is ‘Path to Pride’.
973 exhibitors including 121 foreign exhibitors from 61 countries have registered for this event which shall be organized in a hybrid way in offline and online modes.
The event will be organized in three places. The helipad exhibition center (HEC) will host an exhibition. Mahatma Mandir and Convention Exhibition Centre will host events and seminars. Sabarmati Riverfront will host a live exhibition for the general public.
The meeting today was also attended by senior officers from the Indian Navy, Indian Airforce, Indian Navy, Coast Guard, CISF, CRPF, NDRF, NSG, BSF, and HAL.
Second India Africa defense dialogue to take place in Gujarat
Gandhinagar: The second India Africa defense dialogue will take place on 12th March, on the sideline of the DefExpo 2022 scheduled from 10th to 14th March in Gandhinagar.
Around 70 countries will participate in the seminar in DefExpo 2022.
The second India Africa defense dialogue aims to give direction to the growing India Africa Defense ties. It is set to take place in the backdrop of the Indian Philippines Brahmos deal, the biggest defense export in the history of Independent India.
The talks between India and Africa have started about when to hold the next India Africa summit.
Raksha Mantri reviews preparations of largest ever DefExpo 2022
New Delhi: Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh, on 28th February 2022, reviewed the preparation for DefExpo-2022 Asia’s Largest Exhibition on Land, Naval, Air, and Homeland Security Systems. The event has gained significant traction since India relaxed its health protocols on 10 February 2022 due to the reducing cases of COVID19. DefExpo-2022 promises to be the largest event since its inception in 1999. The uncertainty on organizing such events due to the pandemic last year had not deterred India in its resolve to further the business interests of its indigenous Defence manufacturing sector and the Ministry of Defence’s decision of 31 July 2021 to go ahead with DefExpo-2022 appears not off the mark in hindsight.
DefExpo-2022 is set to resonate with India’s ‘Path To Pride’. To make DefExpo-2022 inclusive for those who can’t make it due to restrictions or delays at their end in decision making, the event will be held in hybrid mode, with stalls in both physical and virtual realms. The onboarding process of the virtual event has commenced with the Ministry of Defence inviting greater participation from nations with different health protocols and the initiative will result in greater engagement and outreach as exhibitors can cater to those who are not physically present.
DefExpo-2022 is being planned in the largest ever area of approximately one lakh sqm at three venues; Exhibition at the Helipad Exhibition Center (HEC), Events and Seminars at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Center (MMCEC), and Live demonstration for the public at Sabarmati Riverfront.
Raksha Mantri noted that the recent relaxation of health protocols in India has generated greater interest in DefExpo-2022 which has 78 participating nations, 39 Minister Level delegations with other confirmations to be received in the days ahead, and 1000+ registered exhibitors. Foreign Defence Ministers confirmations are also being received and as of date are equal to the previous edition at Lucknow in Feb 2020 in the pre-COVID times.
As the countdown for the mega DefExpo-2022 has begun and the attendees reposing their faith in the Ministry of Defence to further their Defence Business interests, Raksha Mantri noted that the extension of DefExpo-2022 by one day will benefit the local students as dedicated trips for them are being planned. DefExpo-2022 on 14th March 2022 will facilitate inclusiveness for young entrepreneurs and college/school millennials of the host state.
DefExpo-2022 is symbolic of India’s resolve to further its business interests and take global initiatives towards furthering peace and security in the region. Raksha Mantri observed the preparedness and efforts and expressed confidence for the conduct of a safe and successful DefExpo-2022.
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar, Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO Dr. G Satheesh Reddy, Financial Advisor (Defence Services) Shri Sanjiv Mittal, and other senior civil & military officials of MoD was also present on the occasion.
DefExpo 2022 postponed
Gandhinagar: Due to logistic problems being experienced by the participants, the DefExpo 2022 proposed to be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from March 10th till March 14th is postponed, said Defense Ministry spokesperson A. Bharat Bhushan Babu.
He added that the new dates will be communicated in due course.
Around 70 countries were expected to participate in the mega defense event which aims at building upon the vision to achieve self-reliance in the defense sector.
The theme of DefExpo 2022 was ‘India- The Emerging Defense Manufacturing Hub.’ A total of 930 exhibitors have registered for the event till February 22. However several companies and foreign govt representatives had to decline to attend the event due to Ukraine – Russian war and the situation arising globally due to the same. It’s worth noting that Ukraine and Russia were also going to participate in the expo.