Defence Expo India 2023

DefExpo is a biennial show which is a Flagship Military Exhibition of India. This exhibition is organized by Defence Exhibition Organization, which is an autonomous association and was established by the Indian Government in 1981. The main aim of this organization is to promote the potential of the Indian defense industry in the manufacturing sector and positioning the country as an exporter of military hardware.

In 2023, DefExpo will be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 18th Oct to 22nd Oct. Here, visitors can witness the arms, ammunition, avionics, tanks, aircraft, and helicopters, which add charm to the defense power of India.

Significance of DefExpo

This is Asia’s biggest land, naval, and internal homeland security system exhibition. This is the 12th edition of the show. Earlier, DefExpo used to organize in Pragati Maidan in the national capital till 2014. However, since 2016, the venue keeps on changing every time. In 2016, DefExpo was held in Goa, then in 2018 this mega event moved to Chennai, and in 2020 this event takes place in Lucknow.

In the last edition, over 50 countries have showcased their products and participants came from more than 700 companies. More than 12 lakh visitors attended the DefExpo in 2020. This five-day event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The government has notified its first list in May 2021 for DefExpo 2023 in which 108 defense items have been mentioned that cannot be imported by the armed forces. This list is called the ‘positive indigenization list’, which will be implemented from December 2021 to December 2025. In August 2020, the government has published the first list of equipment, which they have banned import in order to give a push to the self-reliant movement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that is ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’.

In 2023, India set aside 70,221 crores for domestic defense procurement, which is 63% of the military capital budget. However, last year, the budget was 51,000 crore, which was 58% of the capital budget on domestic purchases. Due to this high budget, the import of arms has decreased by 33% between 2011 to 2015 and 2016 to 2020. The reduction in imports ascribes to minimize the dependence of India on Russian arms and ammunition.

Things to See at DefExpo 2023

• In DefExpo, visitors can see the military tanks that are kept on display in the exhibition, which was the most sought-after equipment in 2020. Tourists can click selfies with the tank in the background and flaunt the defense power of the country on social media.
• This event covers the major spectrum of the country’s aerospace, defense, and security interests. Visitors can spot the avionics, accessories, assemblies, and products such as Indigenous Digital Map Generator (i-DMG), Engine and Flight Display Unit, Gas Turbine Electrical Generator (GTEG)-60, Air Producer Engine, Glass Cockpit, Automatic Target Recognition (ATR), Digital Sand Rapid Prototyping Technology, etc.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) coordinates with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and plays a vital role in the DefExpo. In the indoor stall, visitors can spot some of the Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
• The expo displays indigenously developed air, land, and naval equipment including artillery guns, radar systems, tanks, anti-submarine electric torpedo, missile system with its launcher, and other advanced arms and ammunitions.

Major Places to Explore During DefExpo 2023

Gandhinagar

The DefExpo 2023 will be held in Gandhinagar, which is the capital city of Gujarat. Nestled on the western bank of the Sabarmati River, Gandhinagar is named after the Father of Nation, ‘Mahatma Gandhi’. This is the second planned city of India after Chandigarh. This beautiful city is home to some of the popular tourist attractions of Gujarat. Dotted with architectural marvels, towering temples, lush gardens, breathtaking monuments, and revered shrines, Gandhinagar is a tourist perfect place for history buffs, families, and kids. Some of the popular attractions of Gandhinagar are Swaminarayan Temple, Sarita Udyan, Children’s Park, Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park, Vithalbhai Patel Bhavan, and Blackbuck National Park.

Hotels in Gandhinagar

Ahmedabad

Situated in the proximity of Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad is a commercial hub of Gujarat and a famous tourist destination in India. This erstwhile capital of Gujarat is the seventh-largest city in India. Ahmedabad is a melting pot of cultural diversity and a fascinating combination of Western and Indian influence. This city has witnessed the rule of numerous rulers owing to which it features an eclectic mix of Mughal, colonial, and Gujarati styles. Located on the bank of the Sabarmati River, Ahmedabad is fondly referred to as ‘Manchester of the East’. Some of the popular attractions of Ahmedabad are Bhadra Fort, Jama Masjid, Ahmed Shah’s Mosque, Sabarmati Ashram, Kite Museum, Auto World Vintage Car Museum, Siddi Saiyad’s Mosque, and Tomb of Ahmed Shah one can visit during DefExpo 2023.

Approx. distance from Defense Expo venue – 28 Km – Approx. 30 Minutes’ Drive

Hotels in Ahmedabad

Vadodara

Another major city, which is located in the proximity of Gandhinagar and can be visited during DefExpo 2023. Vadodara is the third-largest city of Gujarat, which is positioned on the banks of the Vishwamitri River. This is popularly known as the cultural capital of Gujarat as well as a center of educational activities. Owing to the presence of gigantic monuments, museums, royal palaces, well-manicured gardens, and ancient temples, Vadodara is a popular tourist destination of Gujarat. This city has a history of over 2,000 years old. The vibrant markets, breathtaking architecture, and unique collection of artifacts make enhance the charm of this lively city. Some of the amazing tourist places of Vadodara are Nazarbaug Palace, Makarpura Palace, Sat Mahal, Pavgadh Fort, Kirti Mandir, Kirti Stambh, Nyay Mandir, Khanderao Market, Aurobindo Ashram, EME Temple (Dakshinamurty Temple), and Hazira Maqbara.

Approx. distance from Defense Expo venue – 130 Km – Approx. 03 Hours’ Drive

Hotels in Vadodara