Over 1,000 companies in DefExpo 2020

Over 1,000 companies, including 165 offshore enterprises are participating in the 11th edition of the biennial mega defence exhibition, DefExpo 2020, scheduled to be held in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow between February 5 and February 9.

Defence Ministers and service chiefs of 35 foreign nations have confirmed their participation for the DefExpo.

DefExpo 2018, held in Chennai, had seen the participation of 702 companies.

"The number of participating foreign companies has also increased to 165 from the previous figure of 160," the Ministry of Defence said.

The booked exhibition space by exhibitors for DefExpo 2020 has gone up by 60 per cent to over 42,800 square metres, compared to around 26,774 square metres during the last edition.

A substantial number of Memoranda of Undertaking (MoUs) are expected to be inked during the Expo, resulting in forging of new business collaborations.

The theme of the expo is "India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub".

"The aim is to bring the leading technologies in the defence sector under one roof and provide a myriad of opportunities for the government, private manufactures and start-ups. The event will cover the entire spectrum of the country's aerospace, defence and security interests," the ministry said.

The sub-theme of the exhibition is "Digital Transformation of Defence", which aligns with the concept of the future battlefield. Manufacturing for the aerospace and defence sector through application of newer technologies will also be focused upon.

In addition to exhibiting products and technologies and live demonstrations by the Services, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and industry will showcase the land, naval, air and internal security systems.

The 'India Pavilion' will exclusively showcase the jointness between the public and private sector, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)/Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and innovation eco-system, which is the key to the way forward.

"There will be a sizeable Uttar Pradesh Pavilion at the DefExpo venue. Apart from displaying industrial prowess and huge potential for the investors, the UP government will organise several cultural programmes showcasing rich cultural heritage of the state. A unique experience for the visitors is planned at the Tent City, which is being especially erected at the venue," the ministry said.

The Central government has set up a Defence Industrial Corridor in Uttar Pradesh with identification of six nodes.

A Defence Planning Committee has also been formed. In this regard, the state government has planned to build a defence manufacturing corridor along with the proposed Bundelkhand Expressway which will help in making India self-reliant in the field of defence production. The DefExpo will play the role of a catalyst in attracting not only investments but also cutting-edge technologies to the region.