NEW DELHI – In the face of new and dynamic challenges from Pakistan andChina, India is all-set to showcase its capability as a major defencemanufacturing hub at the DefExpo 2018 which is scheduled to be held inChennai between April 11 and 14.
In a press release on Monday, the Defence Ministry stated that the expowill project India’s ability to manufacture and export several defencesystems and components for all three Services – Army, Navy and Air Force.
In prime focus at the expo would be Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s variousflying platforms including domestically designed and manufacturedfourth-generation Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) – Tejas; Advanced LightHelicopter – Dhruv, and Dornier civilian aircraft.
Naval design capabilities too would be highlighted. “As the DefExpo isbeing held on sea-shore, along the East Coast road enroute Chennai toMahabalipuram, it provides Indian Navy to brandish its domestic design andmanufacturing capabilities. India will proudly present its Naval designingcapabilities in shipbuilding,” read the release from the Defence Ministry.
Land systems too will get a large share of the spotlight with 155mmAdvanced Towed Artillery Gun (ATAG) all-set to be unveiled at the expo.Designed by Defence Research and Development Organisation in partnershipwith Kalyani Group, Tata Power and OFBs, it is the first time India willhave its own ATAG. Dhanush – a 155mm artillery gun – will also be ondisplay.
Other highlights for the Army include India’s tank-manufacturing abilitiescourtesy MBT Arjun, T90 and T-72 and Bridge Laying Tanks (BLTs).
The country’s missile and rocket manufacturing capabilities would beshowcased with BrahMos missiles, Akash missile systems and Pinaka rockets.
The expo will also seek to promote domestic private industry andaero-components industry at a time when the government is looking to reducedependence on imports and instead, increasing abilities to manufacture forforces within the country as part of ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The country has one of the largest defence budgets at Rs 2.95 trillion withimports eating into a large chunk of the allocated money.