Embassy of India

Prague, Czech Republic

The 10th edition of DefExpo2018 is beingorganized by the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India from 11 to 14 April 2018 in Chennai. H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India addressed the Inaugural Ceremony on 12 April,2018, highlighting India’s commitment to establish two Defence Industrial Corridors and the launch of “Innovation for Defence Excellence” scheme which aims at setting up Defence Innovation Hubs throughout the country to provide necessary incubation and infrastructure support to start-ups in the defence sector.  A Defence Investors Cell has been set up to assist and handhold the investors involved in Defence Production.

2.      DefExpo India has become one of the largest events of its kind in the world for the last 10 years. 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 also uncovers India’s growing private industry and spreading MSME base for components and sub-systems.

3.      The exhibitors in DefExpo include 517 Indian exhibitors and 154 international exhibitors. Nearly 15% of the total exhibition space has been booked by MSMEs.Indian participation includes 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.

4.      Major international companies include 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.

5.      47 official delegations from different countries are participating in DefExpo India 2018, many at Ministerial level. Several countries have large delegations reflecting their tremendous interest in DefExpo 2018.

6.      Highlights of the event:

• A first of its kind National Level Open Challenge Competition– “Solution to Problem” – DefExpo 2018 for finding solutions to the defence related problems by Innovators, Students, Professionals, Participants and Foreign Nationals who are attending DefExpo – 2018. 
• India Pavilion is being set up for the first time in DefExpo. The India Pavilion will showcase combined strength of India’s public sector and private sector in defence production.
• First ever combined live display of Naval, Aero and Land Systems at same venue.

7.      The inaugural ceremony, including Prime Minister’s Address, is available for viewing at the website http://pmindiawebcast.nic.in

Place: Prague
Date: 12 April, 2018