NEW DELHI -India’s biggest Defence Expo faces a big setback as Number ofweapons manufacturers who will participate in the Defexpo this year hasdipped sharply as compared to the last time it was held.

Compared to over 1000 participants last time, the Defexpo 2018 will onlysee 671 manufacturers this year, India today has reported.

The Defexpo is biggest biannual exhibition in India that showcases navaland land-based weapons systems manufactured by Indian and foreign weaponmakers.

Defexpo 2018 will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi onApril 13.

The number of participants in Defexpo is an indication of the interest thatmanufacturers have for the Indian defence market. India is one of biggestimporter of weapons and defence platforms.

“Participation of foreign defence manufacturers have dipped by at least 10per cent,” Additional Secretary Defence Production Subash Chandra said.

Compared to 490 foreign companies that participated in Defexpo 2016 only154 companies are participating this year.

“Nearly 15 per cent of the total exhibition space has been booked by Mediumand Small Manufacturing Enterprises,” Dr Ajay Kumar, Secretary Departmentof Defence Production said.