Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Defence Expo India 2018, an event to showcase the country's defence manufacturing capabilities in Thiruvidanthai, Chennai, on Thursday. The four-day exhibition showcases the strengths of India's defence public sector and uncover the country's growing private industry.
According to the Defence Ministry, over 670 defence firms, including 154 foreign manufacturers, are participating in the exhibition of weapons and military hardware. It is being attended by official delegations from over 47 countries, including the US, the UK, Russia, Afghanistan, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nepal, Portugal, Seychelles and Vietnam. The weapons and platforms being displayed include the Tejas fighter jets, advanced towed artillery gun systems (ATAGS) designed by the DRDO Arjun Mark 2 tank and Dhanush artillery guns. The DRDO's exhibits include the Nirbhay missile system with launcher, autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (AUGV), MBT Arjun Mk-I tank, Astra missile, low-level transportable radar (LLTR) system, medium power radar (MPR) system and Varunastra -- heavyweight anti submarine electric torpedo. The exhibition is spread over an area of 2.90 lakh square feet.
DMK floats a black balloon in Chennai with the slogan 'Modi Go Back'
Kanimozhi joins the party's protest against PM Modi's visit.
Demonstration of defense equipment at Defence Expo 2018
Marine Commando Force at Defence Expo 2018
Picture released by DMK of M Karunanidhi .
"In May 2014, the total number of defence export permission granted stood at 118 for a total value of 7 million. In less than four years, we have issued 794 more export permissions for a total value of over .3 billion," says Modi.
Defence Innovation Hubs will be set up throughout the country to provide necessary incubation and infrastructure support to start-ups in defence sector.
ou would recall the long-drawn process of procurement of fighter aircraft that never reached any conclusion. We've not only taken bold action to meet our immediate critical requirements,says Modi.
We are looking to procure 110 aircrafts and we are not intending to spend 10 years in discussions: PM
We will be building 2 defence corridors, one in Tamil Nadu and the other in Uttar Pradesh and these corridors will become an engine for the growth of the economy and the Indian defence sector:Modi
Our procedures for Defence Procurement has been made more simpler, says Modi at Defence Expo
We want to provide for our troops by setting up an independent defence manufacturing sector, says PM
Our commitment to peace is as strong as our commitment to protecting our people & our territory. For this we are ready to take all necessary measures to equip our Armed Forces, including through the establishment of a strategically independent defence industrial complex: PM Modi
Wonderful to see that more than 500 Indian companies & over 150 foreign companies are here. More than 40 countries have sent their official delegations as well: PM
I am very happy to be here in the land of the great Cholas who established India's historical civilization links through trade & education: PM Modi at Defence Expo 2018
Defence corridors in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh will be setup as provisioned in the Budget. "Offset provisions have been relaxed to attract more foreign investors," says the defence minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Defence Expo 2018.
50 percent of this Expo has Indian manufacturers, most of them small and medium industries, says Sitharaman at the event
The major focus of this year's defence expo is India-made defence products.
PM Modi arrives at Expo venue
Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi leader Velmurugan and other protesters detained from Chennai, reports ANI.
At the Chennai international airport, Cauvery protesters have released black balloons into the sky.
There will be a combined live display of Naval, Aero and Land Systems at the venue.
For the first time, India Pavilion is being set up at the event to showcase the combined strength of the country's public sector and private sector in defence production.
The inaugural ceremony will be webcast on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Periscope, etc. and also to live audiences in Indian Embassies across the world.
PM Narendra Modi arrives in Chennai, he will be addressing Defence Expo 2018, later today.
Two ships from the @indiannavy will be docked at Chennai Port during Defence Expo 2018.Warships like INS Kamorta and INS Sahyadri will dock in Chennai on 13th and 15th April.
Some Opposition parties and pro-Tamil outfits in Tamil Nadu are set to hold black flag protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state over Cauvery issue.
The main highlights of the event include a first of its kind National Level Open Challenge Competition– "Solution to Problem" aimed to finding solutions to the defence related problems by Innovators, Students, Professionals, Participants and Foreign Nationals.
47 official delegations from different countries have also confirmed their participation out of which 13 of these delegations are at Ministerial level.
OneIndia NewsHere are the highlights of the event