Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh launched a mobile app for the upcoming DefExpo 2020 mobile app on Friday, December 27, 2019, in Delhi. The app was launched in the presence of Dr. Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary & Shri Subhash Chandra, Secretary, Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence (MoD). The 11th edition of the biennial show is scheduled to be held in the capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, for the first time from 5th February to 8th February 2020.

Some of its more salient features include Business-to-Business Exhibitor Connect; Exhibitor Chat; Ticket booking; accommodation in Tented City; Push notifications and social media. The app also provides detailed information about day-to-day events; participating exhibitors; Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), guest speakers of seminars/webinars; publications i.e., electronic brochures and e-books; maps and directions of the venues as well as the host city's weather.

The DefExpo 2020 app is available on the Android Play Store as well as the Apple App Store. Developed by the Department of Defence Production, MoD, the app aims to engage with the exhibitors as well as visitors. This is a significant step in marking the digital shift that we are experiencing in the present times.

A mobile app (https://t.co/Dx2oBe7rz6) for the forthcoming @DefExpoIndia 2020 to be held in Lucknow was launched today in a review meeting of the ongoing preparations for the event. This app is available both on Android and IOS platforms. Download the app for DefExpo2020 updates. pic.twitter.com/DYvtpe2RGN

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 27, 2019

The prominent features of the app are 'inform, engage and feedback'. Some of its more salient features include Business-to-Business Exhibitor Connect; Exhibitor Chat; Ticket booking; accommodation in Tented City; Push notifications and social media. The feedback mechanism in the app is another essential feature to help further improve operations during the event. The app also provides detailed information about day-to-day events; participating exhibitors; Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), guest speakers of seminars/webinars; publications i.e., electronic brochures and e-books; maps and directions of the venues as well as the host city's weather.

The Defence Minister launched the app during a review meeting of the ongoing preparations of the forthcoming show. Dr. Ajay Kumar, Shri Subhash Chandra and other senior officials also attended the review meeting.

Singh reviewed the preparations and was also informed by the senior officials that a record number of over 880 exhibitors, including foreign companies, have registered so far, surpassing the numbers of DefExpo 2018. This also makes this edition the largest-ever defence exhibition. The senior officials also informed that the exhibition space booked by the exhibiters has also up to nearly 41,000 square meters which is as much as 52 percent to more, in comparison with the last edition. Foreign delegations at the level of Defence Minister and Service Chief are confirmed from 18 countries with dozens of MoUs (Memorandum of Understandings) also expected to be inked during the Expo.

The previous edition of the biennial mega defence exhibition-pitched India as the 'Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub'. The DefExpo 2018 turned out to be one of the biggest hosted defence show as it became the stage for over 50 bilateral G2G Meetings, the signing of 40 MoUs, and participation from over 700 exhibitors (542 Indian Exhibitors and 160 Foreign Exhibitors).

Singh reviewed the preparations and was also informed by the senior officials that a record number of over 880 exhibitors, including foreign companies, have registered so far, surpassing the numbers of DefExpo 2018. This also makes this edition the largest-ever defence exhibition.

The upcoming edition that is themed around 'Digital Transformation', is assured to witness larger participation of defence manufacturers from both the public as well as the private sectors, OEMs (Original equipment manufacturer) and MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises). The event holds a promise to provide an ideal platform for business, decision makers and policymakers to interact, to address common concerns and to not only establish India as a defence manufacturing hub but also to bolster the global ecosystem. Covering the complete spectrum of the country's aerospace, defence and security interests, the show is expected to bring all the leading technologies in the defence sector under one roof and present a host of opportunities for government, private manufacturers, startups and the entire space as the event proceeds. This edition of the show is also being looked to be an invaluable source of ground-level intelligence and insight that cannot be picked up from a distance, especially for those who have long term goals in the Indian defence industry. The expo is envisioned to showcase India as the emerging defence manufacturing hub.

Last month while speaking at the Ambassadors' Round Table on DefExpo 2020, the Defence Minister had remarked that the event will provide an opportunity for countries to showcase their equipment and platforms, while also letting them explore the strength and capabilities of India's defence industry for meeting operational goals. This was mentioned in a major outreach attempt to the top defence manufacturing industries of the world.

"The DefExpo will be 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 the economic growth of the respective countries. India's defence sector has matured and is exploring mutually beneficial partnerships with friendly nations to set up industries in the country and abroad," Singh said during the Round Table.

"The DefExpo will be 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 the economic growth of the respective countries. India's defence sector has matured and is exploring mutually beneficial partnerships with friendly nations to set up industries in the country and abroad," Singh said during the Round Table.

The Round Table was also organized to brief the representatives of foreign missions based in New Delhi about the arrangements being made for the DefExpo and derive suggestions from them to further improve the experience, a statement from the Defence Ministry said.

The defence minister also added that the event will showcase the government's intent to achieve a turnover of USD 26 billion in aerospace and defence goods and services by 2025.

Detailed information about DefExpo 2020 can be checked at www.defexpo.gov.in.