DefExpo-2022 In Gandhinagar Gets An Additional Day

Vishal Thapar Feb 18, 2022

The duration of DefExpo-2022, billed as Asia’s largest exhibition on land, naval and homeland security systems which is being held at Gandhinagar in Gujarat, has been extended by one day.

The 12th edition of the event will now be held from March 10 to 14. “Noting that the relaxation in COVID protocols has generated greater interest in DefExpo-2022, Shri Rajnath Singh extended the event by one day,” the Ministry of Defence announced on February 18.

There will be three business days at the exhibition, as per the original schedule, from March 10 to 12. The public days to follow have been increased to two (March 13-14). This decision was taken at a DefExpo review by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on February 18.

The event will provide a platform for the who’s who of the global Defence Industry to congregate and interact with India’s political leadership and policy makers at a time when India is looking to shed the tag of the world’s largest weapons importer.

“The DefExpo-2022 is symbolic of India's resolve to further its business interests and take global initiatives towards furthering peace and security in the region,” the Ministry of Defence stated.

The Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) agenda will be at the forefront, as India has announced a string a policy decision to ringfence 68 per cent of its Defence spend on modernisation for domestic Industry.

“To instil a sense of pride, the theme of the event has been christened, ‘Path to Pride’. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the event will showcase India's resolve to be first amongst firsts. With indigenous technological and logistic prowess at the forefront, the event will invigorate the defence industry, start-ups and MSMEs to cement solid partnerships with attending foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs),” it was stated.

So far, 930 exhibitors have registered for the event, which will be held in hybrid mode in both the physical and virtual realms.

A three-venue format was announced for the event. The exhibition will be held at the Helipad Exhibition Center (HEC), events and seminars at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Center (MCEC), and live demonstration for the public at the Sabarmati Riverfront.

A DefExpo-2022 mobile app to facilitate participants and attendees was also launched by the Defence Minister during the review meeting, which was attended by the Defence Secretary, the Air and Navy Chiefs, the Army Vice-Chief, Financial Advisor Defence Services and the Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt amongst other senior officials.