The lure of ‘Make in India’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship programme to boost the manufacturing sector may have resulted in latest edition of the Defence Expo 2016 attracting an unprecedented number Defence equipment manufacturing companies, even as the ninth edition of the Expo got underway in Goa amid exciting tank manoeuvres and aerial display by Navy aircrafts.
US and Russian companies topped the list of 1055 Defence product manufacturing companies, which are participating in the Defence Expo 2106 from over 40 countries.
“The participation was beyond our expectations. 1055 is a number which exceeded our expectation by 20 to 25 per cent. Maybe Goa has something to do with it or maybe ‘Make in India’ programme declared by us has something to do with it,” Parrikar told reporters at a press conference held on the sidelines of the inauguration.
The Defence Expo is a bi-ennial event held at the Pragati maidan in the national capital. The Expo was relocated to Goa this year due to renovations being carried out at the original venue in New Delhi. The four-day exhibition will also witness 204 official delegations from 44 countries and around 750 non-official business delegations attending the show. he said that the Defence procurement policy has been uploaded on the website of defence production. He said it is of utmost important that the concept of Make in India remains the focal point of our Defence acquisition policy.
The Defence Expo 2016 is pegged as India’s biggest land, naval and homeland security exhibition.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar also announced the unveiling the crucial Defence Procurement Policy document during his inaugural speech.
“We have ensured that transparency is more, but procurement takes place in faster speed, which you will realise through Defence procurement procedure,” Parrikar said.
“This DPP I believe can actually push the agenda of ‘Make in India’ and India’s target of achieving major success in creating Defence industry network for its own need as well as exports,” the Defence Minister said.
“Technology is changing almost every year and India is one country which has huge pool of engineers and technology people who can convert many requirement of Defence into actual production,” Parrikar also said.
Parrikar also said that the DPP had created a new top priority category Indian Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) in a bid to boost the local industry.
“We have introduced new top priority category called Indian designed developed and manufactured. IDDM category which should also encourage local industry,” Parrikar said.
Parrikar said, adding that the DPP document had been uploaded on the defence procurement ministry website. The final version of the policy document will be uploaded in fifteen days after incorporation of “small annexures and corrections”.
The four-day Defence Expo 2016 will also witness demonstrations of weapons systems, including a display of homemade 155mm/45-cal, Howitzer Dhanush artillery gun, an improved venison of the home made Arjun main battle tank and a display by artillery guns made by Bharat Forge.