DefExpo 2022: Rajnath Singh Reviews Preparations Of Event Set To Be Held At Gujarat's Gandhinagar From 10 To 14 March

The DefExpo-2022, which is Asia's largest exhibition on land, naval and homeland security systems, is set to be held in Gujarat's Gandhinagar from 10 to 14 March.

The 12th edition of the DefExpo is being organised as one of the largest defence international exhibitions in the world, the Defence Ministry said on Friday.

So far, 930 exhibitors have registered for the mega event and numbers are expected to rise beyond 1,000 in the coming days, the ministry said.

Further, foreign Defence Ministers are also expected to attend the event.

On Friday (18 February), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the preparations of DefExpo-2022.

Noting that the relaxation in COVID protocols has generated greater interest in DefExpo-2022, Singh decided to extend the event by one day. The exhibition will now be held between 10 to 14 March, the ministry said.

The extension in the duration of the event will facilitate defence business through three business days while also making it inclusive for young entrepreneurs and college or school millennial of Gujarat during two public days.

According to the ministry statement, the DefExpo-2022 will be held as a hybrid exhibition, with stalls in both physical and virtual realms. This will ensure greater engagement as the exhibitors will be able to cater to both physical and virtual attendees.

During the review, Singh was briefed that virtual attendees could participate in seminars, interact with the exhibitors and representatives; hold Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings and view product details and supporting videos.

The mega exhibition is being planned in a three venue format - exhibition at the Helipad Exhibition Center (HEC); Events and Seminars at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Center (MCEC) and live demonstration for the public at Sabarmati Riverfront.

Safety protocols such as compulsory wearing of facemask, non-contact interactions, respiratory hygiene etc will be implemented at all venues in line with the prevailing health protocols, the ministry said.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the event, with a theme of 'Path to Pride', will showcase India's resolve to be first amongst firsts, according to the ministry.

With indigenous technological and logistic prowess at the forefront, the event will invigorate the defence industry, start-ups and MSMEs to cement solid partnerships with attending foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), the release said.

Singh appreciated the arrangements made by Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat and exuded confidence of a safe and successful DefExpo-2022.

The Defence Minister also launched a DefExpo-2022 mobile app during the review.

The app is an interactive and user-friendly interface for all issues related to the event. The app, available on the Android/iOS platforms, contains features to support exhibitors, attendees and the media.

It provides the information on the exhibitors, schedule, speakers, venue maps, driving directions, publications as well as notifications to visitors and exhibitors.

New features, such as delegate hospitality management and structured feedback including cleanliness related issues, have been added to the app.