Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], February 26 (ANI): Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Friday reviewed the ongoing preparations for DefExpo2022 during his visit to Gujarat's Gandhinagar.

Ahmedabad Feb 22 PIT Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday reviewed the preparations for the 12th edition of the DefExpo 2022 which will be held in Gandhinagar from March 10 to 14 As many as 973 exhibitors including 121 foreign exhibitors from 63 countries have already registered for Asias largest exhibition on land naval and homeland security systems and their number is likely to increase in the coming days with relaxations in COVID restrictions a defence release stated DefExpo 2022 -- a premier defence exhibition to be conducted under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence -- will be the biggest to be held so far showcasing Indias defence manufacturing capabilities along with participation from the worlds top defence manufacturing companies it said Reviewing the planning and arrangements for the event at the apex committee meeting Raksha Rajya Mantri expressed that DefExpo would give a great opportunity to investments being sought for defence based industries especially in Gujarat an official release said The Union minister expressed the governments keenness to Indigenise the defence manufacturing sector and take India towards becoming self-reliant in terms of defence production with the country on the path to being recognised as a net defence exporter This mega event will provide an opportunity for major foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers OEMs to collaborate with the Indian Defence industry and help promote the Make in India initiative envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi the release quoted the Union minister as saying During the review meeting CM Patel thanked PM Modi for allowing Gujarat to host the DefExpo He assured full support from the Gujarat government to the Ministry of Defence for the successful conduct of the event The DefExpo-2022 will be held in a hybrid format with stalls in both physical and virtual realms to ensure greater engagement as the exhibitors will be able to cater to both physical and virtual attendees Exhibition is being planned in a three-venue format - exhibition at the Helipad Exhibition Center HEC Events and Seminars at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Center MMCEC and live demonstration for the public at Sabarmati Riverfront Safety protocols as instituted by the Health Ministry will be ensured and followed it said PTI KA NSK NSK