DefExpo 2020 set to showcase defence manufacturing prowess of UP

Lucknow: UP state capital Lucknow is all set to host the 11th edition of much-awaited DefExpo India 2020 from February 5-9 where the world's top defence manufacturers will showcase their latest technologies.
Being organised in the northern state for the first time, which incidentally is the home to 9 major defence ordnance establishments and also boasts India's second Defence Manufacturing corridor that is coming up along Agra and Bundelkhand Expressway, DefExpo 2020 is a major indication of the role UP is expected to play in Union Government's 'Make in India' initiative – as far as defence manufacturing is concerned.

DefExpo is bigger than ever

As per the latest information gleaned through credible sources, European aircraft manufacturer Airbus will also show its latest military products which include models like C295 aircraft made for unpaved runways, and helicopters models like AS565 MBe Panther, H225 M and H145M.

It is to be mentioned that the European military technology giant, Airbus, has also offered to build the Panther and H145M in India under the government's strategic partnership model for the Naval Utility Programme while H225M has also been offered to India as a part of the Naval Multi-Role Helicopters program.

Digital Transformation of Defence: Theme

The defense expo will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 5, 2020, and will be based on the theme of ‘Digital Transformation of Defence’.
Other than European defence giant Airbus, defense technology manufacturers from the United States of America, Russia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, and the Czech Republic will also participate in the mega event. In all, over 166 exhibitors from over 70 countries have confirmed their participation in the mega event.

Highlighting Invest in UP

The event aims to highlight the emergence of Uttar Pradesh as an attractive destination for investment in the defence sector apart from providing an opportunity to foreign military equipment manufacturers to collaborate with the Indian defense industry under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious scheme of 'Make In India'.

The visitors will also get a chance to learn about the Ariel refueller technology A330 MRTT and see Javelin Anti-Tank guided Missile system.

Lockheed Martin will also showcase its F-21 fighter aircraft, which is on offer to the Indian Air Force. An F-21 cockpit demonstrator will be available at the booth for defence and aerospace partners to ‘fly’ the jet for themselves and ‘experience’ its performance.