Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘DefExpo 2022’ in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on 19 October 2022.
This was the 12th edition of the event that was organised on the theme ‘Path to Pride’.
While addressing the event, PM Modi said, “Def Expo 2022 is displaying a grand picture of the New India, the resolution for which was taken by us during Amrit Kaal. It has the nation’s development, states’ participation, youth power, young dreams, young courage & youth’s capabilities.”
“Defence Expo used to be held in our country earlier too but Def Expo 2022 is unprecedented. It’s the symbol of a new beginning. It’s the first such Defence Expo in the country where only Indian companies are participating, where there are only Made in India defence equipment, he further added.
I’m delighted that when India is giving shape to these opportunities of the future, 53 African nations that are friends of India are standing shoulder to shoulder with us, the prime minister added.
He further said that biggest Defence Expo of the country so far has marked an emphatic beginning of a new future.
During the programme, Prime Minister also launched Mission DefSpace – to develop innovative solutions for the Defence Forces in the Space domain through industry and startups. At the inauguration ceremony, PM Modi also laid the foundation stone of 52 Wing Air Force Station Deesa.
At the India Pavilion, Prime Minister unveiled HTT-40 – the indigenous trainer aircraft designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
451 partnerships in terms of MoUs, Transfer of Technology agreements and product launches, almost double than the last edition, were expected during the Bandhan ceremony on October 20.
The India Pavilion – a marque pavilion of the Department of Defence Production – was showcasing the maturity of indigenous defence products, start-ups and the latest technology, including Artificial Intelligence in defence, while presenting India’s vision for 2047.
In addition, there was an exclusive Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Pavilion to showcase the prowess of the country’s start-ups carrying out R&D and innovation in futuristic technologies.
