New Delhi: Ahead of the upcoming DefExpo 2020 in Lucknow, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) began a major outreach to the defence manufacturing industries of the world with Defence Minister Rajnath holding a meeting with representatives of foreign missions in the capital to elicit suggestions and to get companies from their countries to showcase their products.

The Ambassadors’ Round Table conference on DefExpo 2020, chaired by the Minister in New Delhi on November 4 saw Heads of Missions and Defence Attaches of over 80 countries participate in the conference indicating the growing stature of the 11th mega four-day biennial event, to be held in Lucknow from February 5.

Addressing the conference, Singh said, the DefExpo will not only provide countries with the opportunity to showcase their equipment and platforms, but also be able to explore the strengths and capabilities of India’s defence industry for meeting operational goals.

“DefExpo is an opportunity to foster partnerships and be part of shared prosperity. These strong ties can boost investment, expand manufacturing, raise the level of technology and accelerate economic growth of our respective countries,” he said.

The Minister said, India’s defence sector has matured and is exploring mutually beneficial partnerships with friendly countries to set up industries in India and abroad.

Singh said, DefExpo will showcase Government’s intent to achieve a turnover of US$ 26 billion in aerospace and defence goods and services by 2025 and the event will showcase India’s plans for Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu where investment commitments of about US$1 billion have already been received. More than 100 business events and seminars are being planned with over 1,000 exhibitors expected at the mega event.

The Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Government to make India self-reliant with indigenous defence capabilities. “India has one of the largest defence industrial ecosystems in South and Southeast Asia and we aspire to further build on our strengths,” he said.

Singh said, due to the policy reforms undertaken by the Government, defence production in both public and private sectors reached a record volume of Rs 80,502 crore in 2018-19. He set the target of Rs 90,000 crore for 2019-20.

“We have achieved an export turnover of around Rs 10,700 crore in 2018-19, with the target of this year pegged at Rs 15,000 crore,” he added.

Singh also released the official DefExpo 2020 inaugural film on the occasion.