Defexpo India 2010 saw the largest congregation ever of products and companies from across the world. The exhibition ground set the stage for en-number of pacts and agreements between global industry giants.

The sixth edition of the Defexpo India 2010 witnessed the best of defence products and the largest conglomeration of companies from across the world. The defence exhibition held from February 15 to February 18 in New Delhi had more than 200 new exhibitors and an increase in participation by about 45 per cent compared to the Defexpo 2008. Besides a host of the land and naval system exhibits, the expo also attracted major players from the aviation industry.

Major Announcements

Inaugurating the show, Defence Minister A.K. Antony declared that India will very soon publish the ‘Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap’. The road map highlighting the military requirements of India’s defence force for the next 15 years shall be displayed on the Ministry of Defence website. It will make the Defence Procurement process transparent and speedy.

The Defence Minister further added that India’s defence expenditure will increase in proportion to the GDP growth of the country. “India’s defence expenditure is about 2.5 per cent of its GDP. The Indian economy is expected to grow at 8 per cent to 10 per cent for the next two decades. Expenditure on defence in absolute terms is bound to increase in equal proportion,” said Antony.

Speaking on the defence offsets policy, the Union Minister informed that changes are being made to render the offsets policy more feasible. “Offset banking is now part of the defence offsets policy and the licensing conditions have also been rationalised. Necessary administrative structures have been put in place in the Ministry of defence to facilitate offset banking,” he said.

Pacts and Deals

Over the years, Defexpo India has grown as an important event in the global defence and aerospace exhibition calendar, showcasing all aspects of defence technologies available worldwide. But the Defexpo 2010 had much more on display. Besides the products, the exhibition ground set the stage for en-number of pacts and agreements between global industry giants.

A shareholders agreement was signed between Finmeccanica Company AgustaWestland and Tata Sons for production of AW-119 helicopter at the JV Company to be based in Hyderabad. Helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky also declared its tie-up with Tatas for manufacture of up to 36 airframes for its showpiece VVIP helicopter - the S-92. The airframes will also be manufactured in Hyderabad. With these tie-ups, India shall emerge as an outsourcing hub for major helicopter manufacturers.

SAAB and Samtel signed a MoU to jointly develop, manufacture and market RIGS Head-Up Displays (RIGS HUD) in India. IT giant Wipro announced that an agreement has been signed with CAE Inc to jointly address the growing simulation-based training, operations, maintenance and training support services opportunities for India’s defence market. Likewise, CAE and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited announced that the JV Helicopter Academy to Train by Simulation of Flying will open by mid 2010. The academy will be the first Level D helicopter simulator training facility in India.

Products Showcased

The Defexpo 2010 showcased a range of macro and micro simulators from Eurofighter, Anjani, Defence Research and Development Organisation, Boeing etc. The Netra by (DRDO), which can be applied in anti-terrorist operations, counter-in-surgency in forested areas, hostage situations, border infiltration monitoring, local law enforcement operations, search and rescue operations, disaster management and aerial photography and Micro UAS ADG-200 by Anjani designed to perform tasks such as aerial documentation, coordination, exploration, surveying, communication, inspection and observation were a few among the micro simulators. F-18 Super Hornet flight simulator, Eurofighter simulator and DRDO’s Tejas and the BrahMos on Su-30- MKI drew visitors’ attention.