DEFEXPO 2018 – Government’s initiative to promote Defence Manufacturing Capabilities.

 

For the first time ever India will project its Defence Manufacturing capabilities to the world in DefExpo 2018 which is to be held in Chennai from April 11 to 14. The tagline of the DefExpo2018 is ‘India : The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub’. India will exhibit weapons and military hardware along with showcasing its potential to be an exporter of military platforms.

According to an official statement, India will display indigenous built military weapons including helicopters, fighter jets, missiles and Air Defence systems. DefExpo 2018 will also showcase its capabilities to manufacture naval vessels such as frigates, corvettes and other ships.

India will exhibit fourth-generation Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) – Tejas and Advanced Light Helicopter – Dhruv which are domestically designed and manufactured by state run Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL). Missile and Rocket manufacturing capabilities will also be showcased in DefExpo. Brahmos and Akash Missiles and Pinaca rockets will be also be highlighted in exhibition.

India will unveil its 155mm Advanced Towed Artillery Gun (ATAG) in DefExpo 2018. This is the first time that India has its own ATAG which has been designed and developed by DRDO in partnership with Kalyani Group, Tata Power and OFBs. Tank making capabilities are also likely to be showcased in this exhibition. India will also be showcasing 155mm artillery gun ‘Dhanush’.  DefExpo 2018 is seen as an opportunity to showcase India’s plans to go global in terms of manufacturing of small arms manufacturing with its decision to manufacture about 7.5 lakh Assault Rifles, 3.5 lakh Carbines and about 40,000 LMGs.

In a statement Defence Ministry said, “India as a defence exporter of several defence systems and components for all three Services – Army, Navy and Air Force. 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.”

As DefExpo will be held on a sea Shore, so it will provide an opportunity to the Indian Navy to brandish its capabilities to manufacture naval vessels. Domestically built frigates, corvettes and ships will be showcased along the sea shore.

The ministry said, “The exhibition will also unveil India’s capabilities in manufacturing Scorpene class submarine. Naval shipyards in public sector including Mazagon Docks, GRSE, Goa Shipyards, Hindustan Shipyard and private shipyards will bring to view their capabilities in manufacturing and servicing ships.”

India is one of the largest importers of military equipment. So the government is promoting domestic defence industry so that dependency on the foreign manufacturing companies can be reduced.