DefExpo 2008 - International Defence Exhibition

New Delhi, : The fifth edition of Asia's largest defence show DefExpo India opens this weekend with telecom and IT companies showcasing their products for the first time.

Alongside, the Fourth Defence Industy Summit on India Defence Industry Policy & Procurement Processes will be held on the opening day of DefExpo 2008 -- the biannual event that has now grown into one of the most recognised international defence exhibitions in the world.

The Defexpo India exhibition was conceptualised in 1998 to promote defence exports from India and exhibit the capabilities of Indian defence R&D and production. The exhibition, which began in 1999 with 197 exhibitors, has now grown into one of the most recognised international defense exhibitions in the world.

International seminars, especially the India Defence Industry Summit, held as part of the exhibition have evolved into the biannual International Defence Industry Forum.

Organised by the Defence Ministry in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry, DefExpo 2008 was expected to have a total of 475 exhibitors -- of which 273 were foreign, said Mr Pradeep Kumar, Secretary Defence Production.

Secretary Kumar told mediapersons here today that international participation in DefExpo 2008 shall be from 30 countries displaying an array of technology and new products.

Besides, 47 official delegations would be visiting the exposition. These will include six ministerial delegations from Afghanistan, Belarus, Ghana, Mozambique, Namibia and Nigeria.

A major highlight of DefExpo 2008 shall be the inclusion of 16 seminars coinciding with the event and enabling exhibitors to make technology/product-specific presentations to their target audience.