Highlights
- The Expo is being held under the theme 'Path to Pride'
- It will have the largest ever participation in the exhibition, a statement by the PMO said
- It will, for the first time, witness a defence exhibition held exclusively for Indian companies
PM Modi Gujarat visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated 'DefExpo 2022' in Gandhinagar. With an aim to give impetus to the defence sector, India's "biggest ever" defence exhibition - DefExpo 2022 is being held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
This is the 12th edition of the event that has been organised on the theme 'Path to Pride'.
At the India Pavilion, Prime Minister Modi unveiled HTT-40 - the indigenous trainer aircraft designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the aircraft has state of art contemporary systems and has been designed with pilot-friendly features.
During the programme, Prime Minister Modi also launched Mission DefSpace - to develop innovative solutions for the Defence Forces in the Space domain through industry and startups.
At the inauguration ceremony, PM Modi also laid the foundation stone of 52 Wing Air Force Station Deesa.
This year's DefExpo is the first-ever edition exclusively for Indian companies. Indian companies, Indian subsidiaries of Foreign OEMs, Division of a company registered in India, and Exhibitor having a joint venture with an Indian company will be considered as Indian participants.
The DefExpo 2022 also marks the celebration of one year of the formation of the seven new defence companies, carved out of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board.
He will later lay the foundation stone of the Deesa airfield in Gujarat.
The forward airforce base will add to the security architecture of the country.
Among other programmes on Wednesday, Modi will launch the 'Mission Schools of Excellence' at Adalaj and will lay the foundation stone of various development projects in Junagadh.
The statement said he will later inaugurate the India Urban Housing Conclave 2022 and dedicate and lay the foundation stone of multiple projects in Rajkot.
He will also inaugurate the exhibition of innovative construction practices in Rajkot in the evening.
On Thursday, the prime minister will launch 'Mission LiFE' at Kevadia and later participate in the 10th 'Heads of Missions' conference being held there.
He will also lay the foundation stone for various development initiatives at Vyara.
The state is headed for assembly polls later this year.
(With inputs from PTI)
