DefExpo 2016 begins, Manohar Parrikar unveils Defence Procurement Policy

Panaji: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday unveiled Defence Procurement Policy during the ninth edition ​of Defence Expo India-2016.

The minister said it would give boost to 'Make In India' initiative.

Was Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s high octane `Make in India` campaign responsible for the increased participation at the Defence Expo 2016 or was it just Goa, Parrikar wondered aloud at the inauguration of the event.

"The participation was beyond our expectations as 1,035 (companies participating) is a number which exceeded our expectation by 20 to 25 percent. Maybe, Goa has something to do with it or maybe `Make in India` programme declared by us has something to do with it," said Parrikar, a former chief minister of Goa, while speaking at the Defence Expo 2016 inaugural function held at the Naqueri plateau.

Traditionally held in the national capital, the DefExpo 2016 was relocated to the Naqueri plateau in south Goa for the current edition as a new convention centre is being built at the Pragati Maidan in Delhi.

Defence Expo 2016 is the country's biggest land, naval and homeland security exhibition. Goa is one of the top beach and nightlife tourism destinations in the country and attracts nearly four million tourists every year.

The exhibition, which was inaugurated by Parrikar at Naqueri-Betul village in South Goa, is said to be the largest one in its history.

More than 1,000 companies, both foreign and Indian, are taking part in the exhibition this year. With a total of 510 companies, participation by Indian companies has doubled since 2014 which saw a participation by 256 companies. A total of 490 foreign companies are participating this year against 368 in DefExpo 2014.

The exhibition will have live demonstration of air display on March 28-29 at the site which is located adjacent to the Arabian Sea.

In all 47 countries are taking part in the exhibition against 30 countries last time.

They include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Russia, Sweden, UK, and USA.

(With Agency inputs)