DefExpo is the India’s biggest Land, Naval and homeland security exhibition. Hailed as Asia’s largest defence exhibition till date. DefExpo 2016 held during 28th to 31st march, 2016, witnessed the participation of 1055 companies from 47 nations. It includes major defence production countries like Russia, United States, Germany, Italy, Japan and Israel.
It took a complete month to develop a bare mountain land into the massive venue for this prestigious expo. Around 1,00,000 sqm of temporary marquee tents were used to create exhibition areas, offices, accommodations, control center, food courts & restrooms etc. Other facilities like Helipads, demonstration areas, parking areas & waste management area etc. were developed in an open space of around 1,00,000 sqm.
Defexpo 2016 was the first-ever exhibition that featured live demonstration of armoured vehicles and military systems besides operations by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The inaugural ceremony saw live demonstrations of military equipment including main battle tank Arjun Mk I and II, various types of heavy bridging equipment, wheeled armoured vehicle, Sarang aerobatics team and Naval LCA. MBT Arjun Mk II and wheeled armoured vehicle were being displayed for the first time in any exhibition. Some 18,000 square metre of space was designated as a special area where tanks, armoured vehicles and specialist equipment showcased live presentations. Several defence ministers from around the world as well as a four star general from the US were present at the event.