Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday reviewed the preparation for DefExpo-2022, Asia’s largest exhibition on Land, Naval, Air and Homeland Security Systems, to be held from March 10-14 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The event has gained significant traction since India relaxed its health protocols on February 10 due to the reducing cases of COVID-19.
DefExpo-2022 promises to be the largest event since its inception in 1999. The uncertainty on organizing such events due to the pandemic last year had not deterred India in its resolve to further the business interests of its indigenous defence manufacturing sector and the Ministry of Defence’s decision on July 31 last year to go ahead with DefExpo-2022 appears not off mark in hindsight, officials said here on Monday.
DefExpo-2022 is set to resonate India’s ‘Path To Pride’. To make DefExpo-2022 inclusive for those who cannot make it due to restrictions or delays at their end in decision making, the event will be held in hybrid mode, with stalls in both physical and virtual
realms.
The on boarding process of the virtual event has commenced with the Ministry of Defence inviting greater participation from nations with different health protocols and the initiative will result in greater engagement and outreach as exhibitors can cater to those who are not physically
present.
DefExpo-2022 is being planned in the largest ever area of pproximately one lakh sqm at three venues; Exhibition at the Helipad Exhibition Center (HEC), Events and Seminars at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Center (MMCEC) and Live demonstration for the public at Sabarmati Riverfront.
Rajnath noted that the recent relaxation of health protocols in India has generated greater interest in DefExpo-2022 which has 78 participating nations, 39 Minister Level delegations with other confirmations to be received in the days ahead and 1,000 plus registered exhibitors. Foreign Defence Ministers confirmations are also being received and as on date are equal to the previous edition at Lucknow in February 2020 in the pre-COVID times.
As the countdown for the mega DefExpo-2022 has begun, the defence minister noted the extension of DefExpo-2022 by one day will benefit the local students as dedicated trips for them are being planned. DefExpo-2022 on March 14 will facilitate inclusiveness for young entrepreneurs and college millennials of the host state.