Ajay Kumar, Secretary Department of Defence Production unveiled the DEFEXPO-18 event details while addressing the Curtain Raiser Press Conference on Defence Expo-2018, showcasing India Defence manufacturing capabilities to the world.

During the conference he said “Defence Expo is one of the most important events that ministry of Defence holds once in every 2 years and the 10th edition of DefExpo is being held in Chennai from 11 to 14 April 2018.”

Highlighting the importance of event he said that the event put light on the significant manufacturing competencies that the defence industry has attained so far which is also reflected in the tagline for the Expo, “The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub”.

Further he mentioned that the special efforts have been made to encourage MSME participation in the Expo and thus in direction Ministry has reduced the rate of MSME booking to 50% for exhibiting their defence components as compared to other exhibitors.

Also nearly, 20% of the total exhibition area is being taken by MSMEs, he added.

Commenting on the number of participation in the DEFEXPO, he said that 671 exhibitors have confirmed their space booking in DefExpo including 517 Indian exhibitors and 154 international exhibitors.

Another special attraction of the event is that there will be a live demonstration of Naval, Aero and Land system together at the venue and these platforms which are being showcased are designed and manufactured in India, he added.

He said that for the very first time India Pavilion is being set up in DefExpo which will showcase combined strength of India’s Public sector and private sector in defence production.

With a view to bring greater engagement of start-ups with defence, government is coming up with the scheme called innovations for Defence Excellence which will set up a network of defence innovation hubs across the country and thus this scheme will be formally launched in the DefExpo-2018.

Further highlights of the event are national level open challenge competition-“solutions to problems”- DEFEXPO 2018 for finding solutions to the defence related problems by innovators, students, professional, participants who are attending the event, he added.

Further he said that Indian navy ships will be available for onboard viewing on Chennai harbor, range of naval vessels, range of Indian made platforms including light combat helicopters, light utility helicopters and advanced helicopters will be available for viewing as a part of the show.