PM Narendra Modi inaugurates 10th edition of Defence Expo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 10th edition of Defence Expo (DefExpo 2018) in Chennai at Tiruvidanthal, in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu. The theme of the expo was “India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub”. Under this, for the first time project India’s Defence manufacturing capabilities were showcased to the world.

Key Facts

The DefExpo 2018 was organised by Ministry of Defence. Over 670 defence firms, including 154 foreign manufacturers participated in the exhibition of weapons and military hardware. Over 47 countries, including US,  UK, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Afghanistan,  Madagascar, Myanmar, Nepal, Portugal, Seychelles and Vietnam participated in the four-day event.
Major international companies that participated at expo include Saab (Sweden), Lockheed Martin, Boeing (US), Airbus, Rafael (France), Rosonboron Exports, United Shipbuilding (Russia), BAE Systems (UK), Sibat (Israel), Wartsila (Finland) and Rhode and Schwarz (Germany).
India’s indigenously developed land, air and naval systems were showcased during the expo. It included Tejas fighter jets, advanced towed artillery gun systems (ATAGS) designed by DRDO Arjun Mark 2 tank and Dhanush artillery guns. DRDO also exhibited Nirbhay missile system with launcher, Astra missile, autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (AUGV), MBT Arjun Mk-I tank, low level transportable radar (LLTR) system, medium power radar (MPR) system and Varunastra – heavy weight anti-submarine electric torpedo.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2018