In order to boost the defence sector, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the DefExpo 2022 (12th edition), India’s “biggest ever” defence exhibition, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from October 18 – 22, 2022.
- ‘DefExpo 2022’ is India’s flagship exhibition on Land, Naval and Homeland Security systems.
- It is held with the theme ‘Path to Pride,’ highlighting India’s commitment to achieving Atmanirbhar (self-reliance) in defence production.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) hosted the 12th edition of the distinguished biennial defence exhibition, DefExpo 2022.
Significance: Firsts in the Event
i.The DefExpo 2022 is the first-ever edition of the expo to exclusively feature Indian companies.
- Indian participants included Indian companies, Indian subsidiaries of Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Divisions of a corporation registered in India, and Exhibitors that have a joint venture with an Indian company.
ii.DefExpo 2022 also commemorates one year since the creation of the seven new Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), which were created from the former Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). The 7 DPSUs are:
- Munitions India Limited (MIL)
- Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVANI)
- Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWE India)
- Troop Comforts Limited (TCL)
- India Optel Limited (IOL)
- Yantra India Limited (YIL)
- Gliders India Limited (GIL)
iii.The event is the first one to invite States and Union Territories (UTs) to install pavilions.
Key Highlights:
i.During the event, PM launched ‘Mission DefSpace,’ which aims to develop innovative solutions for the Defence Forces in the space domain through industry and startups.
- He also laid the foundation for 52-Wing Air Force Station Deesa during the inaugural ceremony.
ii.India’s vision for 2047 was displayed in the India Pavilion, a signature pavilion of the Department of Defence Production, MOD.
iii.Additionally, a special ‘Innovations for Defence Excellence’ (iDEX) Pavilion was held to highlight the skill of Indian start-ups engaged in R&D and innovation in cutting-edge technologies.
DefExpo 2022 Witnessed 451 MoUs, ToT Agreements & Product Launches During Bandhan Ceremony
The 12th DefExpo’s Bandhan ceremony featured the signing of 451 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreements, and product launches.
- It seeks investments of Rs. 1.5 lakh crore.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and HAL have agreed to a Rs 6,800 crore contract for 70 indigenous HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA).
‘Invest for Defence’- Platform for All Stakeholders  Â
‘Invest for Defence’, a premier event of the MOD, was organised during DefExpo 2022 for the first time to encourage investment in the defence sector in India from both domestic industry and foreign OEMs.
- It was inaugurated by Union Minister Rajnath Singh, MOD.
The event emphasised the needs of the Armed Forces and reforms made by the Government of India (GoI) to promote ease of doing business (EODB) in the defence sector.
- The event offered the defence industry with benefits and opportunities of investing in the field, hence maximising domestic production.
UP Govt Signs 13 MoUs Worth Rs 564 Crore at DefExpo 2022
The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has signed 13 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with various enterprises promising investment of Rs 564 crore in the state at DefExpo 2022.
- The MoUs were signed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA).
The investments would be made in the UP Defence Industrial Corridor (DIC) developed by the UPEIDA.
Defence Industrial Corridors in India
The Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) have been established in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Tamil Nadu (TN), with the aim of attracting more than Rs 10,000 crore of investment in each DIC.
- The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) is establishing the DIC in UP. It comprises six nodal points: Agra, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, Jhansi, Kanpur, and Lucknow.
- The Government of Tamil Nadu is establishing the DIC in TN, which comprises the following five nodal points: Chennai, Coimbatore, Hosur, Salem, and Tiruchirappalli.
PM Modi Unveils Indigenous Trainer Aircraft HTT-40 Of HAL At DefExpo 2022
At the India Pavilion of DefExpo-2022, PM Narendra Modi unveiled HTT-40, an indigenous trainer aircraft designed and developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- The HTT-40 is a Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) featuring private industry collaboration and over 60% indigenous parts.
- It has modern, cutting-edge technologies and was built with pilot-friendly features.
About HTT-40:
i.The HTT-40 would be primarily used for basic flight training, aerobatics, instrument flying, and close formation flights, with navigation and night flying as secondary tasks.
ii.HTT-40 illustrates the cutting-edge technology developed to suit the primary training needs of Indian defence forces.
- Unique features of the HTT-40: running change-over of pilots, hot-refueling and short- turnaround time.
iii.The Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) has provided provisional approval for the aircraft’s airworthiness.
2nd IADD: Defence Minister Launches India-Africa Security Fellowship Programme Â
On October 18, 2022, the 2nd India-Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD) was conducted on the sidelines of DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- Theme of the event: Adopting a Strategy for Synergizing and Strengthening Defense and Security Cooperation.
During the event, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hosted the African Defence Ministers & Heads of Delegation and launched the “India-Africa Security Fellowship Programme.”
Key Points:
i.The Gandhinagar Declaration was acknowledged as the outcome document of the IADD.
ii.The Defence Minister also unveiled a brochure for the India-Africa Security Fellowship Program, which will be hosted by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi, Delhi.
- The fellowship will enable African scholars to conduct research on defence and security issues in India.
iii.MP-IDSA is the knowledge partner for the IADD.
Click here for IADD-Fellowship Brochure
DefExpo 2022 ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in Defence: PM Narendra Modi Announces 4th Positive Indigenisation List Of 101 Items
PM Narendra Modi announced the ‘Fourth Positive Indigenisation List’ of 101 items compiled by the MOD during the opening ceremony of DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- According to the provisions of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, all the items on the lists will be procured from domestic sources.
- This list aims to provide continuous stimulus for ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in the defence sector.
Backdrop
The “First, Second, and Third Positive Indigenisation Lists,” comprising 310 items, were already promulgated by the MOD on August 21, 2020, May 31, 2021, and April 7, 2022, respectively.
Key Points:
i.The fourth list has a specific emphasis on equipment/systems that are being developed and have potential orders within the next five to ten years.
ii.Similar to the first three lists, specific attention has been paid to the requirement for import substitution of ammunition.
About Ministry of Defence (MOD):
Union Minister – Raj Nath Singh (Lucknow Constituency, Uttar Pradesh)
Minister of State (MoS) – Ajay Bhatt
