PM inaugurates DefExpo22 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Underlining the uniqueness of this edition of Defexpo, the Prime Minister said “this is the first defence expo where only Indian companies are participating and it features only Made in India equipment.” He announced “From the land of Iron Man, Sardar Patel we are setting an example of the capabilities of India before the world. The Expo has more than 1300 exhibitors which include the India Defence Industry, some joint ventures associated with Indian Defence Industry, MSMEs and more than 100 startups. The Prime Minister remarked that it provides a glimpse of the capability and possibility of India in one single frame.  He further informed that more than 400 MoUs are being signed for the first time ever.

The second India-Africa Defence Dialogue will also take place on this occasion, the Prime Minister informed. “This relationship between India and Africa is based on time-tested trust that is further deepening and touching new dimensions with the passing of time”, the Prime Minister added.

The 2nd Indian Ocean Region+ (IOR+) Conclave will also be held during the Expo, which will provide a stage for a comprehensive dialogue to promote defence cooperation amongst IOR+ nations to foster peace, growth, stability and prosperity, in line with the Prime Minister's vision for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).  

The Prime Minister who also laid the foundation stone of the Deesa airfield in Gujarat said that the forward airforce base will add to the security architecture of the country. Noting Deesa’s proximity with the border, the Prime Minister said that now India is better prepared to respond to any misadventure on the western borders.

Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel, Governor of Gujarat Acharya Devvrat, Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar, and Defence Secretary to Government of India, Dr Ajay Kumar were those present on occasion among others.

Rajnath Singh exhorts startups and innovators to come up with new ideas to modernise the Armed Forces through research & innovation and make India ‘Aatmanirbhar’

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has exhorted startups and innovators to come up with new ideas to modernise the Armed Forces through research & innovation and contribute in making the nation strong, prosperous and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Inaugurating Manthan 2022, an event organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence-Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO), Ministry of Defence as part of 12th DefExpo, Rajnath Singh said, a large number of startups and innovators are venturing into the defence sector as the Government has created a robust ecosystem for their as well as the nation’s growth.

The Minister stated that more than Rs 300 crore have been approved for over 100 iDEX winners to develop products/technologies in more than 50 technological areas, stressing that the iDEX initiative has changed the perception that defence production is only for big businesses and industrialists. He lauded iDEX for winning the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration last year and achieving new heights of success since its launch by the Prime Minister during DefExpo 2018.

The Armed Forces contingent, comprising personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, along with scientists from the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), are carrying out operational demonstrations at the Sabarmati River Front as part of DefExpo 2022 from October 18-22, 2022.  Rajnath Singh witnessed the daredevil acts on 18 October along with the Governor of Gujarat Acharya Devvrat. The display was aimed at showcasing the operational readiness and scientific prowess of the defence forces to the people.

The demonstration comprised the air, surface and sub-surface elements of the Armed Forces. The event started with an eye-catching combat free fall by personnel of Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. It was followed by a daring display by the elite Marine Commandos (Marcos) of Indian Navy and Para (SF) Commandos of Indian Army skillfully slithering onto a boat from a helicopter, high speed run by Gemini boat and neutralisation of enemy post. The action, thereafter, again shifted to the sky with awe-inspiring Helobatics by Sarang Team and powered hang glider flying by Indian Air Force.

The other activities undertaken were search and rescue demonstration by the Coast Guard, Small Team Insertion and Extraction and a scintillating offensive demo by the Indian Navy, continuity drill by Indian Airforce, Ro’ Boatics display by the DRDO, and joint band display by the three Services. The programme culminated with the Tattoo ceremony by the drummers from the Indian Navy.