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.

Introduction: The Hon’ble President of India being the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, once in his/her term, reviews the Indian Naval (IN) Fleet as part of the ‘President’s Fleet Review’ (PFR). This review aims at assuring the country of the Indian Navy’s preparedness, high morale and discipline. Many leading nations of the world use the opportunity provided by the Fleet Review to enhance mutual trust and confidence with their maritime neighbours and partners by inviting their ships to participate in the review. Normally called ‘International Fleet Review’ (IFR), this event then allows the host nation an occasion to display its maritime capabilities and the ‘bridges of friendship’ and trust it has built with other maritime nations.

Event description: The IFR-2016 held during 4th to 8th february, 2016, however, wasn’t just planned as a congregation of armed warships and aircraft. Organizers had designed the event as a multi-dimensional experience – a display of camaraderie and converging interests in a complex maritime environment. Besides the naval ships were reviewed by Honorable President of India Pranab Mukherjee, a nautical exhibition, a city parade, a maritime conference, an operational demonstration, many congregate functions and a book release function celebrating the maritime heritage of India were also planned. This was the project where we had to show our management capabilities to handle as many as 18 different events in the entire city. A total of 95 warships and 70 aircrafts from 50 navies, naval bands from 27 countries and 80 international delegates participated in IFR 2016. Various events were attended by Honorable President of India, Honorable Prime Minister of India, Defence Minister, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Chief of all forces and chief of several countries. International city parade of naval bands from 27 countries held at RK beach road on 7th February 2016 stood as the most popular event among all and was attended by over 200,000 people.