Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defense Affairs, met Wednesday with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
During the meeting, held at the ongoing Defense Expo (DefExpo) in India, they discussed the distinguished ties between the UAE and India, with a special emphasis on enhancing their defense and military relations.
The two sides exchanged views on a number of issues and the latest regional and international developments of mutual concern, according to Emirates news agency WAM.
A number of top brass from the Indian Ministry of Defense attended the meeting.
In the meantime, Al Bowardi toured the various pavilions of the 11th edition of DefExpo-2020, where defense manufacturing companies from India and abroad are showcasing their products and services in the defense arena, on a single platform.
DefExpo India 2020 is an International Land, Naval and Internal Homeland Security Systems Exhibition, taking place from 5 to 9 February 2020 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh State, India.
The number of companies registered for participating in the 11thedition of the biennial mega defense exhibition, DefExpo 2020 has reached 1,000. In the DefExpo 2018, held in Chennai, 702 companies had participated. Thus, it has become by far the biggest ever DefExpo to be held in India.
The number of participating foreign companies has also increased to 165 from the previous figure of 160 according to the show organizers.
The booked exhibition space by exhibitors for DefExpo 2020 has gone up by 60% to over 42,800 square meters, compared to around 26,774 during the last edition.
Defense Ministers and Service Chiefs of 35 countries have confirmed their participation for the DefExpo. A substantial number of Memoranda of Undertaking (MoUs) are expected to be inked during the Expo, resulting in forging of new business collaborations.
The theme of the Expo is ‘India: The Emerging Defense Manufacturing Hub’. The aim is to bring the leading technologies in the defense sector under one roof and provide a myriad of opportunities for the government, private manufactures and startups. The event will cover the entire spectrum of the country's aerospace, defense and security interests.
The sub theme of the exhibition is ‘Digital Transformation of Defense’ which aligns with the concept of the future battlefield. Manufacturing for the aerospace and defense sector through application of newer technologies will also be focused upon.
In addition to exhibiting products and technologies and live demonstrations by the Services, Defense Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and industry is showcasing the land, naval, air and internal security systems.
The ‘India Pavilion’ is exclusively showcasing the jointness between the public and private sector, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)/Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and innovation eco-system, which is the key to the way forward.
There is a sizeable Uttar Pradesh Pavilion at the DefExpo venue. Apart from displaying industrial prowess and huge potential for the investors, the UP government is organizing several cultural programs showcasing rich cultural heritage of the northern state. A unique experience for the visitors is planned at the Tent City, which is being especially erected at the venue.
The Central government has set up Defense Industrial Corridor in Uttar Pradesh with identification of six nodes. A Defense Planning Committee has also been formed. In this regard, the Government of UP has planned to build a defense manufacturing corridor along with the proposed Bundelkhand Expressway which will help in making India self-reliant in the field of defense production. The DefExpo will play the role of a catalyst in attracting not only investments but also cutting-edge technologies to the region.
