Rajnath Singh reviews Def Expo 2020 preparations

New Delhi: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the first meeting of the Apex Committee for Def Expo 2020 on Monday, in the presence of Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath. The huge exhibition will showcase India's Defence manufacturing capabilities as well as the world's top defence manufacturing companies. It would be held for the first time in Lucknow from February 5-8, 2020.

'Great fillip to investments'

Reviewing the planning and arrangements for the event, Singh said that the Def Expo would give a great fillip to investments being sought for the defence corridor in Uttar Pradesh. He recalled that during his recent visit to South Korea, several Korean companies have expressed interest to invest in Uttar Pradesh. Singh expressed confidence that the UP state government would extend full cooperation for the successful conduct of the event. Nearly 300 acres land has already been identified by the UP government for the event.

Adityanath assures full support

Adityanath assured full support of his government to the Ministry of Defence for the successful conduct of Def Expo 2020. Terming it as a matter of pride to host Def Expo, Adityanath thanked the government for choosing Lucknow as the venue for the prestigious event.

He said the site levelling work is going on at present and the site would be handed over by the end of this month. Adityanath said a land bank of 3,000 acres is available for companies desirous to invest in Uttar Pradesh and assured them of all necessary cooperation.

During the meeting, officials gave a briefing on various responsibilities to be handled by various departments.

Def Expo India 2020 brochure released

Def Expo India 2020 Brochure was also released on the occasion. An MoU outlining the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders was signed and exchanged between the officials of the Ministry of Defence and the Uttar Pradesh government.

Raksha Rajya Mantri Shripad Naik, Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production) Subhash Chandra, Secretary (Defence Finance), Gargi Kaul, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy and other senior officials of Ministry of Defence (MoD), Chief Secretary of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) — the nodal agency of the event attended the meeting.

The 11th edition of Def Expo 2020, the premier Defence Exhibition conducted under the aegis of MoD, will highlight the logo depicting 'India – The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub.' The theme for the event is 'Digital Transformation of Defence.'