New Delhi: Foreign vendors are showcasing their latest technology at the DEFEXPO 2014in New Delhi, with a view on securing higher sales prospects with the Indian armed forces. Despite the grey areas regarding foreign direct investment in defence production, foreign vendors appeared excited about future avenues in India as the country hosts the eighth edition of the four-day International Land and Naval Defence Systems Exhibition, reckoned as Asias largest event of its kind.
The response had been overwhelming as evident from the number ofvisitors, both professional and others with inquisitive minds. Several companies from over 30 countries displayed their latest weapon systems for the Army and Navy in this biennial Defence Exposition organised by India’s DRDO.
Defence Minister A.K.Antony inaugurated the four-day event amidst several controversies surrounding his ministry. Addressing participants at the fair, Antony said India is only likely to complete a $15 bn deal with France’s Dassault Aviation to buy 126 fighter jets in the next fiscal year.
Touted as among the largest Defence expositions in Asia, the event offered an opportunity to the international Defence industry to showcase and promote their products and services. Major participants in the expo were from Russia, France and Israel besides Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, Turkey, the UAE, Ukraine, the UK and the US.