Rajnath Singh reviews DefExpo-2022 preparations in Gujarat

Kevadia, Sept 2: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani jointly reviewed the preparations of DefExpo-2022, at Kevadia in Gujarat today. The 12th edition of DefExpo, which is India’s flagship event showcasing the land, naval, air as well as homeland security systems, will be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat between March 10-13, 2022. During the meeting, Rajnath Singh and senior officials of Ministry of Defence & Gujarat Government noted that the previous edition of DefExpo, which was held at Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow in February 2020, was a tremendous success due to the seamless jointmanship between Government of India and the State Government. It was agreed that as DefExpo-2022 is coinciding with the 75th year of Independence, being celebrated as ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the event needs more active participation and synchronised efforts at all levels. Expressing satisfaction at the ongoing preparations, the Defence Minister urged all the stakeholders to ensure maximum participation in the upcoming event. He hoped that not just domestic but international representation will be much greater at DefExpo-2022 than its previous edition. Reiterating the resolve of the Government to ‘Make in India, Make for the World’, Rajnath Singh expressed confidence that India will soon become a global manufacturing hub. “We are taking big strides towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ as envisioned by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We will soon achieve self-reliance in defence. Our aim is to reduce dependency on imports and increase defence exports,” he said. On the occasion, an MoU was signed between the Ministry of Defence and Gujarat Government for organising DefExpo-2022, in the presence of Rajnath Singh. The DefExpo-2022 will be a hybrid business event, with the exhibition planned at the Helipad Exhibition Centre and seminars at Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre. A live demonstration of weapons & defence platforms is also being planned at the Sabarmati River Front in Ahmedabad.