Defence Expo 2022: PM Modi Inaugurates DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar

Defence Expo

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘DefExpo 2022’ in Gandhinagar on 19 October. With the motive of strengthening the defence sector, India’s “biggest ever” defence exhibition, DefExpo 2022 is being conducted in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. It is the 12th edition of the event and the theme of this year is ‘Path to Pride’.

Defence Expo 2022

For the first time States, Union Territories (UTs) have been invited to set up pavilions at the event. At the India Pavilion, Prime Minister unveiled HTT-40 – the indigenous trainer aircraft designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This aircraft has state of art contemporary systems and has been designed with pilot-friendly features.

During the programme, Prime Minister also launched Mission DefSpace which aimed to develop innovative solutions for the Defence Forces in the Space domain through industry and startups. At the inauguration ceremony, PM Modi also inaugurated 52 Wing Air Force Station Deesa.

This year’s DefExpo is the first-ever edition exclusively for Indian companies. Indian companies, Indian subsidiaries of Foreign OEMs, Division of a company registered in India, and Exhibitor having a joint venture with an Indian company will be considered as Indian participants.

At the launch, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that organizing Def-Expo reflects a strong resolve to safeguard the nation. He further added this also reflects the country to become a defence manufacturing hub for the world in the next 25 years “Organizing this Def-Expo at the beginning of ‘Amritkal’, reflects our strong resolve to safeguard the nation & become a defence manufacturing hub for the world in the next 25 years,”

To be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scale of the event will be much bigger than the last time and the government expects to sign more than 400 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) to bring an investment of ₹1.25 lakh crore in the defence sector.

While addressing the event, PM Modi said, “Def Expo 2022 is displaying a grand picture of the New India, the resolution for which was taken by us during Amrit Kaal. It has the nation’s development, states’ participation, youth power, young dreams, young courage & youth’s capabilities.”

“Defence Expo used to be held in our country earlier too but Def Expo 2022 is unprecedented. It’s the symbol of a new beginning. It’s the first such Defence Expo in the country where only Indian companies are participating, where there are only Made in India defence equipment, he further added.