DefExpo India has become one of the largest events of its kind in the world for the last 10 years. The 10th edition of DefExpo is being held in Chennai from April 11 to 14 and there is tremendous response to the event. The location of the event is Tiruvidanthal, Kancheepuram district on the East Coast Road near Chennai.
DefExpo 2018 will, for the first time, project India’s Defence manufacturing capabilities to the world. This is reflected in the tagline for the Expo, ‘India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub’. DefExpo 2018 will help brand India as a defence exporter of defence systems and components. While showcasing strengths of India’s substantial public sector, it will also uncover India’s growing private industry and spreading MSME base for components and sub-systems.
In total 671 exhibitors have confirmed their space booking in DefExpo as on March 30, 2018. These include 517 Indian exhibitors and 154 international exhibitors. Nearly 15% of the total exhibition space has been booked by MSMEs.
Indian participation include majors like Tata, L&T, Kalyani, Bharat Forge, Mahindra, MKU, DRDO, HAL, BEL, BDL, BEML, MDL, GRSE, GSL, HSL, MIDHANI, Ordnance Factories, and many others.
Major international companies including Lockheed Martin, Boeing (USA), Saab (Sweden), Airbus, Rafael (France), Rosonboron Exports, United Shipbuilding (Russia), BAE Systems (UK), Sibat (Israel), Wartsila (Finland), Rhode and Schwarz (Germany) among many others.
That apart, 47 official delegations from different countries have confirmed their participation in DefExpo as on March 30, 2018. 13 of these delegations are at Ministerial level. Several countries have large delegations with over 10 delegates showing tremendous interest in DefExpo 2018. Ministerial level delegations are from countries including USA, UK, Afghanistan, Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nepal, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Seychelles, Vietnam.
Some important programme details are as follows:
April 11: The show will be open for business visitors. Business visitors can get entry badges on registration at DEFEXPO website www.DefExpoindia.in and payment of Rs. 2000 / USD 40. Details like name, age, gender, ID (Passport, Govt ID, Aadhar Card) are required to be entered online and a unique registration ID no. is generated. A copy of the same is required to be carried and passes collected from the venues given below:
The venue for collection of Badges is as follows:
Badges can be collected from April 3-10 (between 1000 hrs to 1700 hrs). Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) Guest House (AASHRAY) – opposite Army Public School, MES Road, NANDAMBAKKAM,Chennai.
Please Contact Sakthivel (Mobile: 9381208898) in case of any queries regarding location of the venue.
There will be live demonstration of large platforms and also flying display by HAL and IAF. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will hold a press briefing after the live demonstration. Six parallel business seminars are planned on the day. These are being organized by industry associations and business chambers. The Defence Minister would also be hosting a reception for the guests on the evening of April 11.
April 12: Formal Inauguration of the event will be held followed by live demonstration of Naval Systems, Aero Systems and Land Systems. Live Demonstration will be done for systems which are designed/built in India. The show will be open for business visitors after the formal inauguration. Three business seminars are planned by industry associations/business chambers. There will be Night illumination of anchored Navy vessels which will be a visual delight from the coast.
April 13: The show will be open for business visitors.
The India Russia Military Industry Conference will be held on the sidelines of DefExpo 2018 at the venue. Over 100 Russian and over 200 Indian industry leaders are expected to participate. The India Russia Military Industry Conference is being coordinated by SIDM from industry side.
Indian Navy ships will be available for onboard viewing on Chennai harbour. The public interested in viewing these ships should carry their ID (Passport, Govt ID, Aadhar Card) proof and should not carry any baggage, water bottle, mobile or any eatables. They should approach Chennai port gate, from where they will be picked up and escorted to the ship and brought back. There will be live demonstration of large platforms and also flying display by HAL and IAF at the DefExpo venue.
