More than 624 foreign and Indian companies will take part in this year’s four-day international Defence exhibition, Def Expo 2014, beginning here on Thursday. This number is at least ten per cent more than the number of participants in the last exhibition held in 2012.
The biennial event saw 567 companies exhibiting their weapon systems in the last edition while 624 companies have booked space for this year. Russia is the biggest exhibitor as country while the US has the most number of companies taking part in the show to be inaugurated by Defence Minister AK Antony. India has hosted seven such exhibitions prior to the forthcoming expo.
Giving details here on Tuesday about the land, Naval and Internal Homeland Security Systems exhibition, Secretary Defence Production GC Pati said among the Indian segment, Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) is the biggest and will showcase most of its advanced systems.
The break up of Indian and foreign companies is 256 and 368 respectively. Russia has 37 companies, France 24 and Israel 20, he said, adding only Indian owned firms will be given concession for displaying their products unlike in the past. Incidentally, the foreign participation has seen a jump this year as only 232 companies took part in the last episode.
Explaining the rationale behind the step about concession, Pati said international firms in the past used to register for the exhibition through Indian subsidiaries to avail of nearly 57 per cent discount in dollar terms. However, this discount will now be allowed to the Indian firms, he added.
Nearly 30 countries from different continents will be taking part in the exhibition -- including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, Ukraine and US. There are 12 country pavilions from France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Norway, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, UK and USA.
The net area sold during this edition is 27,515 square meters and still booking from various participants is in pipeline and expected to be more than 27,700 square metres. The gross area of exhibition remains 45,000 square metres. The net area sold during Def Expo 2012 was 27,150 square metres while gross area was 45,000 square metres, Pati said.
When asked if China was invited for the exhibition, he replied in negative and said the invitations are sent to countries and companies in consultation with the external affairs ministry.