DEFEXPO 2008 - Meeting place of the best in land and naval systems. Visit of Canadian High-Powered Atlantic Gateway - focused business mission to India. |
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The fifth edition of The International Land and Naval Systems Exhibition DEFEXPO-2008, a land and naval systems exhibition was held between 16-19 February. The Expo was inaugurated by A.K. Antony, Honourable Minister for Defense at Pragati Maidan. In his address at the inauguration he mentioned about the Indian defense industry expansion and its ability to meet the critical technological requirements of the Armed Forces. There was the need for far greater synergy between the private players and the government. The government was the only purchaser of defense goods, and therefore its particular requirements, administrative procedures and defense policies greatly impact production decisions by the private companies. It was because of this that the Ministry brought out the Defense Procurement Procedure. The Defense Offset Policy, a part of Defense Procurement Procedure, was at a nascent stage and still evolving. Deliberations were going on with regard to few important issues like banking of offset credits, transfer of technology, licencing requirement for software industry etc., that were of concern to the industry, both foreign and Indian. He spoke of the need for the most modern technology that was acceptable to the armed forces and at competitive prices. The Expo was organized by Indian Ministry of Defense in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with an objective to promote defense exports from India and exhibit the capabilities of Indian Defense research development and production. India's international defense exposition saw international participation from over 30 countries, displaying an array of technology and new products. Countries that participated included Australia, Belarus, Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Norway, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The Netherlands, UAE, UK, Ukraine and the U.S.A. Forty-seven official delegations visited including six Ministerial delegations from Afghanistan, Belarus, Ghana, Mozambique, Namibia and Nigeria. A total of 46 American companies, including giants like Boeing, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, are represented at the show. Major participants include France, Russia, UK and Israel. Besides, a record 475 defense manufacturers of which 273 of them displayed their new products and technology at the four-day exhibition. Spread over eight halls and 32,000 square meters space, DEFEXPO- 2008 showcased 91 new products ranging from radars, to communications systems, torpedoes, anti-mine vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Dedicated to global land and naval systems business activity - from suppliers to manufacturers, technology providers to services - it allowed the international defense industry to promote and showcase their products and services to an international audience. A major highlight of DEFEXPO India 2008 was the inclusion of 16 seminars to enable exhibitors to make technology / product specific presentations to target audience from Indian Defense establishments, R&D Institutions, visiting official delegations, Defense Public Sector Undertakings, Ordnance Factories and Indian Industry. Britain's BAE Systems was displayed what is arguably the world's most battle-proven lightweight 155mm towed howitzer which is currently operational in Canada and the US. The M777 howitzer is the world's first artillery system to incorporate the large-scale use of titanium and aluminium alloys, resulting in a field gun that is half the weight of conventional 155mm systems," The M777 is a frontrunner for an Indian Army order for 140 such guns. The Indian army had in January issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the lightweight gun to BAE Systems and to Singapore Technologies. The Indian Army intends to purchase 400 155mm guns, with the total deal expected to be in the region of $2 billion. Of these, 185 will be of the wheeled version and 175 of the towed version. ARMET a Canadian company has developed a ceramic-based blast mitigating material which also featured at the Expo. Canada's business mission to India showcased Atlantic Gateway To India Canadian Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) Peter MacKay lead an Atlantic Gateway- focused business mission to India between 18-22 February coinciding with the DEFEXPO 2008. The mission met with key business forums in New Delhi and Mumbai to promote Canada's Atlantic Gateway to Indian shippers, business leaders, and key government figures. MacKay accompanied by provincial government representatives and a private sector delegation representing airports, ports, railways, and transportation- related associations active in Atlantic Canada also accompanied the Minister. The development of Canada's Gateways and Trade Corridors was part of the Canadian government's commitment to facilitate international trade and increase national competitiveness by linking North America to the world said MacKay in a statement. The mission demonstrated the government's continuing partnership with the four Atlantic Provinces to develop the Atlantic Gateway initiative he said. The Atlantic Gateway was an important part of the Government of Canada's strategy to improve out trade competitiveness through gateways which connect North America with the world said Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in support of the mission. He also said that India was considered to be a priority market and the mission would provide Canadian businesses with the chance to develop and strengthen commercial ties with their Indian counterparts.. Ministers
from all four Atlantic Provinces participated in the mission. They included
Denis Landry, minister of transportation for New Brunswick; Ron W. MacKinley,
minister of transportation and public works for Prince Edward Island;
Angus MacIsaac, deputy premier, minister of economic development, and
minister responsible for the Atlantic Gateway in Nova Scotia; and Paul
Oram, minister of business for Newfoundland and Labrador.
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