India’s Mega Defence Exhibition Begins With A Strong Pitch For Make In India

The tenth edition of the Defence Expo, a four-day event where India showcases its defence manufacturing capabilities, began in Chennai today.

The biennial exhibition of weapons and military hardware is being held on the outskirts of Chennai and close to the temple town of Mahabalipuram.

Indigenously developed systems such as the Nirbhay Missile, Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle, Main Battle Tank Arjun Mk-I, Astra Missile, Low-Level Transportable Radar System, Medium Power Radar System, Convoy Jammer, Multipurpose Decontamination System and Varunastra - Heavy Weight Anti Submarine Electric Torpedo are being displayed. Light Combat Aircraft Tejas fighter and Advanced Towed Artillery Gun systems are also being showcased at the event.

There will be live demonstrations of naval, air and land systems at the event. These would include performances by the Tejas and Arjun tanks.

The event is being attended by 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Sweden, France, Israel and South Korea. The US delegation will be led by the country’s ambassador to India Kenneth Juster.

Apart from domestic firms, major international players participating in the expo include Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Saab, Airbus, Rafael, Rosonboron Exports, United Shipbuilding, BAE Systems, Sibat, Wartsila and Rhode and Schwarz.

To boost Make in India, the Defence Research and Development Organisation will transfer technology of many weapon platforms that it has built to players in the private sector. These include ASTRA Missile, Varunastra, Anti Thermal Anti Laser Grenade, Identification of Friend & Foe System and ABHAY Sonar.

In the last three years, 200 technology transfers have been performed, These have led to the generation of revenue to the tune of Rs 190 crore.

Although the event was declared open today, it will be formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow (12 April).

The Opposition in Tamil Nadu has said that it will welcome Modi, who will be on a day-long fast along with other party MLAs to protest against the washout of the recent Parliament session, by waving black flags.