The Defence Expo 18 will see live demonstrations by the HAL and the IAF.

It will project country’s defence manufacturing capabilities

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Defence Expo 2018 on April 12 to be held at Tiruvidandai near Mahabalipuram from April 11-14.

As many as 47 official delegations from various countries have confirmed their participation, with 13 of these being at the Ministerial level. Companies such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Saab, Airbus, Rafale, Rosonboron Exports, United Shipbuilding, BAE Systems, Sibat, Wartsila, Rhode and Schwarz will be present, a press release from the Defence Ministry said.

As of March 30, as many as 671 exhibitors have confirmed their participation, including 517 Indian exhibitors. Nearly 15% of the total exhibition space has been booked by MSMEs, the release said. However, the number of exhibitors is nowhere near the 1,000 who participated in the event in Goa in 2016. The expo, for the first time, will project India’s defence manufacturing capabilities to the world, and showcase Brand India as an exporter of defence systems and components, the release said.

There will be live demonstrations of large platforms and flying displays by HAL and IAF.

On April 13, the India- Russia Military Industry conference will be held at the venue.

Over 100 Russian and 200 Indian industry leaders are expected to participate.

Viewing of Ships

As part of the expo, the Indian Navy will open up its five naval ships for public viewing. The ships will be docked at the Chennai port and those interested in viewing should carry their ID cards (passport, Aadhaar or any government ID). “They should approach the Chennai port gate from where they will be picked up and escorted to the ship and brought back,” the release said.