DEfExpo 2020:The Defence Kumbh

“Uttar Pradesh should emerge as Defence Manufacturing Hub”: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described DefExpo 2020 as “an unprecedented success which not only witnessed participation of a large number of exhibitors but also forged new partnerships, attracting more than 12 lakh visitors”. Speaking at the valedictory ceremony on the fourth day of DefExpo 2020 at Lucknow, Mr Rajnath Singh said that “UP stands for Unlimited Potential” and that DefExpo succeeded in projecting a new identity of the State in the defence sector, with the Defence corridor receiving a huge boost for attracting new investments with the signing of 23 MoUs. “DefExpo would also establish India as a Defence manufacturing hub of the world and exporter”. Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inaugurating the DefExpo, he said that adopting policies had that improved image of India on world stage. 

The Lucknow Declaration which was adopted at the first ever India-Africa Defence Ministers Conclave was another landmark achievement of this DefExpo. The Raksha Mantri expressed gratitude to the Uttar Pradesh Government headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the successful organisation of this event, who had earlier said that his government had organised many international events during the last few years such as Prayagraj Kumbhmela, UP Investors’ summit and Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas and successful organisation of DefExpo had enhanced the image and prestige of Uttar Pradesh. Describing DefExpo as a “Defence Kumbh”, he said that the event witnessed presence of more than 3,000 foreign delegates, 10,000 Indian delegates and 12 lakh visitors, which laid a strong foundation for development of UP Defence corridor.  

In his opening remarks, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar described DefExpo as a “job well done” as various events concluded smoothly. The event was successful in raising awareness and interest of investors in UP Defence corridor he added. At Defexpo 2020, some 1024 exhibitors had participated, 172 of them being foreign companies. 40 Defence Ministers were part of total 70 foreign delegations that visited Lucknow. 

At the Valedictory ceremony, Mr Satish Mahana, Minister for Industrial Development Uttar Pradesh Government, Mr Barun Mitra, Special Secretary Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Mr Awanish Kumar Awasti, CEO UPEIDA, Mr Madhavan R, CMD HAL were also present during the occasion. 

During the public days, DefExpo was open to all, with crowds thronging the venue.  Thousands of young and senior, men, women and children visited various pavilions and acquainting  themselves with defence equipment on display. 

Inauguration and Seminars 

The “biggest ever” DefExpo organised in India, had been inaugurated by Prime Minister  Narendra Modi on 5 February where he set a target of US$ 5 billion for defence exports from India, to be achieved in the next few years. “India with its huge population and democracy, cannot remain long dependent on defence imports”, he ascertained. “The DefExpo is part of Government efforts to make India a net exporter of Defence equipment”. 

More than 22 seminars held during the four days highlighted the technological changes, digital transformation of Defence and the positive policies implemented by the Government, such as relaxation in FDI investment, encouraging innovation in defence start-ups, opening up of testing facilities to private sector and sharing of technology innovations of DRDO at no cost among others, to make India a defence manufacturing hub. DefExpo 2020 offered “unique opportunity for the Indian Defence Public Sector Units to showcase their technological innovations and new products to the world”.  

DefExpo 2020 covered a lot of ground in creating an environment where Indian industry forged partnerships through MoUs, ToT agreements for innovation and manufacturing. Bandhan ceremony on 7 February witnessed launch of 13 products including HAL’s Light Utility Helicopter, the OFB Sharang 155mm howitzer were the highlights amongst others. More than 120 MoUs were signed between DPSUs, private and global defence manufacturing companies.  Among those MoUs signed, 23 of them were by Uttar Pradesh Government.  These MoUs envisage Rs 50,000 crores investment in the Defence Corridor in the state which should generate 3 lakh job opportunities. 

A major announcement during DefExpo 2020 was issue of the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) certificate for HAL’s Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). This new generation helicopter, in the 3-tonne-class, incorporates state-of-the-art technology features and is designed to replace the large numbers of HAL-built Chetak and Cheetah helicopters serving with the Indian Armed Forces. BDL launched the Amogha-3 man portable fire and forget missile anti-tank guided missile as also the Varunastra anti-submarine torpedo, manufactured under technological guidance of the DRDO. 

Among the MoUs signed, 23 of them were with the Uttar Pradesh Government, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath saying that these adding upto Rs 50,000 crores investment in the defence corridor of the state. He assured all that investments coming to the State were secure and the state investment policy was the most attractive in the country. 

One of the highlights at Defexpo was the India Pavilion which gave a review of futuristic technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AR), Augmented Virtual Reality (AVR), Autonomous Systems, Internet of Military Things (IoMT) and Industry 4.0. 

A major attraction for peoples of Lucknow were live demonstrations by the Indian armed forces at two locations in the city, both at the DefExpo site, while the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard carried out demonstrations on the Gomti River front.

14 MoUs with Russian OEMs 

The 5th round of India-Russia Military Industrial Conference (IRMIC) was conducted on 6 February 2020 on the sidelines of Defexpo-2020 at Lucknow. The conference was co-chaired by Dr. Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary and Mr Oleg Ryazantsev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.  

In his opening remarks, Dr Ajay Kumar, recalled that the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on Joint manufacturing of spares in India had been signed at Vladivostok, Russia on 4 September 2019. The IGA provides framework for partnership of Russian OEMs with Indian industry for manufacturing of spare parts of Russian origin equipment in use by the Indian Defence Forces. Dr Ajay Kumar elaborated that the Indian side has taken a number of steps to expedite the collaboration between the Indian and Russian Companies and looked forward for expeditious commencement of manufacturing in India. The Russian Deputy Minister, Mr Oleg Ryazantsev confirmed that the Russian side would actively participate in the collaborations under the ambit of the IGA and would take all necessary steps to facilitate manufacturing of parts in India.

During the conference, 14 MoUs were exchanged between the Russian OEMs and the Indian companies. The first ‘Request for Proposal’ for manufacturing of parts in India under the provision of IGA was also handed over by the Indian Navy to the identified Indian industry. 

“Make in India…for India….and the World” 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on inauguration of DefExpo 2020

The Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi inaugurated DefExpo 2020 in the afternoon of 5 February at a largely attended ceremony at the Expo site in Vrindavan Yojna, a new development area of-UP's capital Lucknow. The PM was forceful in his address that India needed to not only enhance its defence production capability and range but become a major defence exporting nation which is intrinsic to the objective of achieving an economy' of US$ 5 trillion. The new mantra is "Make in India...for India...and the World", the Prime Minister quoting some telling statistics in that from Rs 2000 crore worth of defence equipment exported in 2014, this increased to Rs 17,000 crore in 2019.  Referring to the theme of this, the 11th edition of this biennial event, being the first time in Uttar Pradesh where the second defence corridor in the country is being implemented. The PM stated that "Digital transformation of defence is very important for the future of Indian armed forces" and gave the objective of developing 25 products based on artificial intelligence over the next five years. 

Mr Modi also referred to the strides made by DRDO which has created new products and systems and Indian industry could benefit from such transfer-of-technology without any cost. Further, the licensing regime has been liberalised to specially benefit MSMEs: "The target is to increase their numbers to reach 15,000 in the next five years". 

The Indian Prime Minister announced that the government was working to attract increased foreign direct investment (FDI) in the defence sector, making it more liberal. "The path to 100% direct investment has been cleared and 49% of this can be through the indirect route... which has the potential of attracting Rs 17,000 crore of FDI in the near future."

Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar

In his address during the same conference, Dr Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary reiterated the government's drive to enhance export of Indian-manufactured defence items, including warships, both surface and under water as also unmanned systems. He said that the ministry has taken steps to "encourage the huge pool of talent and energy that exists in India for shipbuilding". 

Rear Admiral Devinder Sudan with PHD Chamber Secretary

The proceedings that followed were on the 'Future of Aircraft Carriers', chaired by Rear Admiral Devinder Sudan (retd.) and included the present ACNS (Air) Rear Admiral Mukul Asthana IN, Capt. Chirs Bolt (retd), Director, Strategic Development for Carriers, Surface Ships, General Atomics India and Mr VP Shiraz, Project Manager, IAC at Cochin Shipyard Ltd. A range of presentations during this interactive session were made by the panel with lively questions and comments from the learned audience. On the dogged question "why aircraft carriers?" were straight answers from the professional naval aviators who have spent their lifetime operating from carriers at sea. 

Naval Officer making his point

The Indian Navy has always maintained its need for three aircraft carriers and the present INS Vikramaditya is to be joined shortly by IAC-1, the new INS Vikrant built at the Cochin Shipyards. The Indian Navy is clear in its projection for the third carrier (IAC-2) which would be considerably larger and hence carrying more aircraft for credible projection of airpower at sea. IAC-2 would be of some 65,000 tonnes, having electric propulsion, embarking a mix of fighter, strike and AEW aircraft, launched by the revolutionary EMALS system. 

Vayu’s Cover Story-Live!

Vayu were delighted to welcome Capt Shivnath Dahiya (“Dax”) at their stand Q12 in Hall 3. The naval test pilot presently with the National Flight Test Centre of the ADA at Bangalore has been strenuously involved with the LCA Navy and its flight testing including arrested landings and take offs from the INS Vikramaditya.

Vayu’s DefExpo issue cover had the LCA (Navy) Mk.1 flown by Commodore JA Maolankar making the milestone landing with ‘Dax’ as the landing signals officer (LSO), seen on right of the photograph.