In a first, a private Defence Expo will be held in India, to bring together Indian Micro Small and Medium Industries(MSMEs) and large defence manufacturers and create business opportunities, where the former can supply components for the latter. Generally, Defence Expos are organized by the Indian Government and are aimed at having foreign manufacturers and Indian ones exhibit their offerings to Indian and foreign customers.

To be held at the Chennai Trade Center between 26-28th May, this event titled "Defence &amp; technology Expo Empowering MSME" is being organized by Swatantra Foundation, a think tank based in the Southern Indian city. "Our focus for this event is to connect MSMEs with large Defence manufacturers through B2B meetings to create business opportunities” said &nbsp;S Ramasubramanian, Founder &amp; President of Swatantra Foundation

According to the organizers, the Business-to-Business event will witness the participation of more than 250 MSMEs and 50 Defence Public sector undertakings and large corporates.&nbsp;

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, BEML, Bharat Dynamics, Heavy Vehicles Factory, Engine Factory, Ordnance Factory Medak, Indian Navy Indigenisation, Indian Navy procurement, Indian Air force BRDs, Indian Air force Indigenisation, Indian Air force procurement, ISRO, DRDO, Dassault Systemes, Super Auto Forge, Munition India Group, Advanced Weapons Group, Bharat Forge are some of the prominent participants.&nbsp;

“This is the first-ever private sector held Defence Expo in the country, conceived with the aim of accelerating the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision of the Government through indigenisation of components for defence equipment. The event will be a great platform for MSMEs to showcase their capabilities and for large Defence PSUs and Corporates to display their indigenisation requirements” said S Seetharaman, Chairman of the Event Steering Committee. &nbsp;

R Hariharan, National Vice President, Lagu Udyog Bharati added, “Govt of India has announced several defence equipment components for positive indigenisation in recent months, which augurs well for the MSMEs to enter the Defence Production sector as suppliers to large corporates and Defence PSUs. Large off-set requirement obligations on foreign defence manufacturers for recent defence imports also opens up the sector for private players significantly. This expo is being conducted at this opportune time to connect all the players in a common platform”

Organized by Swatantra Foundation, along with TIDCO &amp; Lagu Udyog Bharati, the Expo will be inaugurated on 26th May, by Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt and the Valedictory function on the final day ay 28th will be presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

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In a first, a private Defence Expo will be held in India, to bring together Indian Micro Small and Medium Industries(MSMEs) and large defence manufacturers and create business opportunities, where the former can supply components for the latter.

In a first, a private Defence Expo will be held in India, to bring together Indian Micro Small and Medium Industries(MSMEs) and large defence manufacturers and create business opportunities, where the former can supply components for the latter. Generally, Defence Expos are organized by the Indian Government and are aimed at having foreign manufacturers and Indian ones exhibit their offerings to Indian and foreign customers. To be held at the Chennai Trade Center between 26-28th May, this event titled "Defence & technology Expo Empowering MSME" is being organized by Swatantra Foundation, a think tank based in the Southern Indian city. "Our focus for this event is to connect MSMEs with large Defence manufacturers through B2B meetings to create business opportunities” said S Ramasubramanian, Founder & President of Swatantra Foundation According to the organizers, the Business-to-Business event will witness the participation of more than 250 MSMEs and 50 Defence Public sector undertakings and large corporates. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, BEML, Bharat Dynamics, Heavy Vehicles Factory, Engine Factory, Ordnance Factory Medak, Indian Navy Indigenisation, Indian Navy procurement, Indian Air force BRDs, Indian Air force Indigenisation, Indian Air force procurement, ISRO, DRDO, Dassault Systemes, Super Auto Forge, Munition India Group, Advanced Weapons Group, Bharat Forge are some of the prominent participants. “This is the first-ever private sector held Defence Expo in the country, conceived with the aim of accelerating the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision of the Government through indigenisation of components for defence equipment. The event will be a great platform for MSMEs to showcase their capabilities and for large Defence PSUs and Corporates to display their indigenisation requirements” said S Seetharaman, Chairman of the Event Steering Committee. R Hariharan, National Vice President, Lagu Udyog Bharati added, “Govt of India has announced several defence equipment components for positive indigenisation in recent months, which augurs well for the MSMEs to enter the Defence Production sector as suppliers to large corporates and Defence PSUs. Large off-set requirement obligations on foreign defence manufacturers for recent defence imports also opens up the sector for private players significantly. This expo is being conducted at this opportune time to connect all the players in a common platform” Organized by Swatantra Foundation, along with TIDCO & Lagu Udyog Bharati, the Expo will be inaugurated on 26th May, by Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt and the Valedictory function on the final day ay 28th will be presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to preside over first-ever private Defence Expo

South Korea opened its largest defence expo ever recently, showing off its next-generation fighter jet, drones, and other technology in an effort to boost exports. At least 440 companies from 28 countries are showcasing military equipments.

South Korea kicks off largest ever defence expo

Eyeing two mega fighter jet deals worth over $25 billion, US aerospace major Boeing on Thursday said it is ready to bring transformative capability and contemporary warfighter technologies to India.

Boeing is a strong contender for Indian Air Force's proposed deal to acquire 114 fighter multi-role fighter jets and Indian Navy's proposal to procure 57 carrier-borne aircraft.

The company has already announced that it is ready to set up manufacturing facilities for its F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft if it bags the IAF contract.

"An important part of our India strategy is ensuring our defence customers have the most advanced platforms and capabilities, supported by a services model that optimises mission readiness, high performance and safety," said Boeing India president Salil Gupte.

"Another element of our strategy is to harness talent, innovation, engineering and productivity advantages that India offers to build a globally competitive aerospace and defence ecosystem that creates jobs and industrial capacity with Make in India," he said at the DefExpo.

On the Navy's plan to induct 57 jets, he said the F/A-18 on offer to India will be fully compatible with Indian Naval carriers.

At present, the Indian Navy has one aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, which is a Russian origin platform. The Navy's long-term plan is to have three aircraft carriers. Indigenously built aircraft carrier (IAC) INS Vikrant is expected to be fully operational by 2022.

At DefExpo, Boeing highlighted future investments to accelerate its "Make in India"&nbsp;efforts and the capabilities being proposed for the Indian armed forces, specifically the next generation F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet fighter that the company said will bring transformative capability and contemporary warfighter technologies to the country.

In April last year, the Indian Air Force issued an RFI (Request for Information), or initial tender, to acquire 114 jets at a cost of around $18 billion. It was billed as one of the world's biggest military procurement programme in recent years.

The top contenders for the deal include Lockheed's F-21, Boeing's F/A-18, Dassault Aviation's Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon, Russian aircraft Mig 35 and Saab's Gripen.

In 2018, the Indian Navy kick-started the process to procure 57 multi-role combat aircraft for its carriers.

At present, six planes are compatible for the aircraft carrier -- Rafale (Dassault, France) F/A 18 Super Hornet (Boeing, US), MIG-29K (Russia), F-35B and F-35C (Lockheed Martin, US) and Gripen (Saab, Sweden).

While F-18, Rafale and MIG-29K are twin-engine jets, the other three have a single engine.

Surendra Ahuja, managing director of Boeing's India operations, said the company is ready to expand its operation in the country and referred to the recent induction of

Boeing's Chinook heavy-lift and AH-64E Apache attack helicopters by the Indian Air Force.

He said the company will also focus on establishing local rotorcraft training and support facilities.

"We are committed to working with our customers to provide holistic solutions for their defence aircraft and services with the right capability, advanced technologies and cost structure. We have accelerated our efforts to set up a local sustainment support footprint in India to be more responsive to our customers' needs," said Ahuja.

Over the last five years, he said, Boeing has quadrupled its growth in India and sourcing up to $1 billion of products and services from the country.

With its over 200 suppliers employing 7,000 employees, complex components and subassemblies, some of Boeing's most advanced defence platforms, including the F/A-18, F-15, P-8I, CH-47 Chinook and AH-64 Apache, are made in India, he said.

The Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited joint venture has increased production of fuselages and aero structures for the AH-64 Apache, he added.&nbsp;

Eyeing two mega fighter jet deals worth over $25 billion, US aerospace major Boeing on Thursday said it is ready to bring transformative capability and contemporary warfighter technologies to India.

Eyeing two mega fighter jet deals worth over $25 billion, US aerospace major Boeing on Thursday said it is ready to bring transformative capability and contemporary warfighter technologies to India. Boeing is a strong contender for Indian Air Force's proposed deal to acquire 114 fighter multi-role fighter jets and Indian Navy's proposal to procure 57 carrier-borne aircraft. The company has already announced that it is ready to set up manufacturing facilities for its F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft if it bags the IAF contract. "An important part of our India strategy is ensuring our defence customers have the most advanced platforms and capabilities, supported by a services model that optimises mission readiness, high performance and safety," said Boeing India president Salil Gupte. "Another element of our strategy is to harness talent, innovation, engineering and productivity advantages that India offers to build a globally competitive aerospace and defence ecosystem that creates jobs and industrial capacity with Make in India," he said at the DefExpo. On the Navy's plan to induct 57 jets, he said the F/A-18 on offer to India will be fully compatible with Indian Naval carriers. At present, the Indian Navy has one aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, which is a Russian origin platform. The Navy's long-term plan is to have three aircraft carriers. Indigenously built aircraft carrier (IAC) INS Vikrant is expected to be fully operational by 2022. At DefExpo, Boeing highlighted future investments to accelerate its "Make in India" efforts and the capabilities being proposed for the Indian armed forces, specifically the next generation F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet fighter that the company said will bring transformative capability and contemporary warfighter technologies to the country. In April last year, the Indian Air Force issued an RFI (Request for Information), or initial tender, to acquire 114 jets at a cost of around $18 billion. It was billed as one of the world's biggest military procurement programme in recent years. The top contenders for the deal include Lockheed's F-21, Boeing's F/A-18, Dassault Aviation's Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon, Russian aircraft Mig 35 and Saab's Gripen. In 2018, the Indian Navy kick-started the process to procure 57 multi-role combat aircraft for its carriers. At present, six planes are compatible for the aircraft carrier -- Rafale (Dassault, France) F/A 18 Super Hornet (Boeing, US), MIG-29K (Russia), F-35B and F-35C (Lockheed Martin, US) and Gripen (Saab, Sweden). While F-18, Rafale and MIG-29K are twin-engine jets, the other three have a single engine. Surendra Ahuja, managing director of Boeing's India operations, said the company is ready to expand its operation in the country and referred to the recent induction of Boeing's Chinook heavy-lift and AH-64E Apache attack helicopters by the Indian Air Force. He said the company will also focus on establishing local rotorcraft training and support facilities. "We are committed to working with our customers to provide holistic solutions for their defence aircraft and services with the right capability, advanced technologies and cost structure. We have accelerated our efforts to set up a local sustainment support footprint in India to be more responsive to our customers' needs," said Ahuja. Over the last five years, he said, Boeing has quadrupled its growth in India and sourcing up to $1 billion of products and services from the country. With its over 200 suppliers employing 7,000 employees, complex components and subassemblies, some of Boeing's most advanced defence platforms, including the F/A-18, F-15, P-8I, CH-47 Chinook and AH-64 Apache, are made in India, he said. The Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited joint venture has increased production of fuselages and aero structures for the AH-64 Apache, he added.

Ready to bring transformative capability to India: Boeing

India's biennial DefExpo has started in Lucknow on Wednesday and this is perhaps one of the largest defence expos that India has ever organised.

More than one thousand companies are there. For the sake of comparison — the last edition had 700 odd companies — it was held in Chennai.

This time, defence ministers from 38 countries are attending. 172 foreign companies are making their pitch-- last time, there were 160 but — the emphasis is not on foreign companies.

It's on the Indian ones. The idea is to showcase India. The theme is India — an emerging defence manufacturing hub.

More than 800 Indian defence companies are participating. Companies like the Mahindra group, Adani defence aerospace, Hinduja group and reliance defence also have experience in building defence equipment.

But India is far from a manufacturing hub, much less for defence. Make in India for the defence was a great idea. But it has failed to take off.

As of December, last year projects worth more than Rs 3.5 lakh crore had not been cleared. This includes contracts for fighter jets, infantry combat vehicles, transport aircraft and more.

They are all stuck at different stages. Some of them are just waiting for a final contract to launch production.So no major "Make in India" defence project has taken off in the last six years.

According to experts, Indian defence companies are not yet ready to take up big-ticket projects. Bureaucratic delays and long processes are holding back defence deals.&nbsp;

There is also a fund crunch. India's defence budget got a marginal increase of nine per cent this year. But, most of it goes towards paying pensions and salaries of personnel.

The armed forces might not have enough money left to pursue modernization plans.This, in turn, impacts the Indian government's plans to push more indigenous defence projects.

India's biennial DefExpo has started in Lucknow on Wednesday and this is perhaps one of the largest defence expos that India has ever organised. More than one thousand companies are there.

India's biennial DefExpo has started in Lucknow on Wednesday and this is perhaps one of the largest defence expos that India has ever organised. More than one thousand companies are there. For the sake of comparison — the last edition had 700 odd companies — it was held in Chennai. This time, defence ministers from 38 countries are attending. 172 foreign companies are making their pitch-- last time, there were 160 but — the emphasis is not on foreign companies. It's on the Indian ones. The idea is to showcase India. The theme is India — an emerging defence manufacturing hub. More than 800 Indian defence companies are participating. Companies like the Mahindra group, Adani defence aerospace, Hinduja group and reliance defence also have experience in building defence equipment. But India is far from a manufacturing hub, much less for defence. Make in India for the defence was a great idea. But it has failed to take off. As of December, last year projects worth more than Rs 3.5 lakh crore had not been cleared. This includes contracts for fighter jets, infantry combat vehicles, transport aircraft and more. They are all stuck at different stages. Some of them are just waiting for a final contract to launch production.So no major "Make in India" defence project has taken off in the last six years. According to experts, Indian defence companies are not yet ready to take up big-ticket projects. Bureaucratic delays and long processes are holding back defence deals. There is also a fund crunch. India's defence budget got a marginal increase of nine per cent this year. But, most of it goes towards paying pensions and salaries of personnel. The armed forces might not have enough money left to pursue modernization plans.This, in turn, impacts the Indian government's plans to push more indigenous defence projects.

Defence Expo 2020 showcases India's potential to become a manufacturing hub

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Chennai, actor Kamal Haasan released a video on Twitter where he sought justice for Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery issue.

"People of Tamil Nadu are fighting for justice. Justice has been given but it is not being executed. People have started to believe that this delay is due to Karnataka elections, and your interest in it. I want this belief to be dispelled for people are more important than elections," Haasan said in his video.

"With your previous experiment with Narmada Water Authority, you could easily deliver the justice that Tamil Nadu is asking," Haasan said. "Please do justice with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka," he added in nearly 2-minute-long video.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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To my Honourable Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KamalAppealToPM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KamalAppealToPM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/FXlM7dDO9x">pic.twitter.com/FXlM7dDO9x</a>
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) <a href="https://twitter.com/ikamalhaasan/status/984299305182806016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Though the PM is in Chennai to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/protests-in-chennai-over-cauvery-row-as-pm-modi-arrives-in-city-129994">inaugurate the DefExpo</a>, political parties have chosen his visit as an occasion to stage protests over the Cauvery issue.

Since April 1, the state has been witnessing protests by political parties, pro-Tamil outfits, student groups and voluntary organisations seeking setting up of the Cauvery Management Board.

Last week, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth had said that Centre would <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cauvery-row-rajinikanth-says-centre-will-earn-tamil-nadus-wrath-if-it-drags-feet-galaxy-of-actors-at-protest-129097">earn the wrath of Tamil Nadu people</a> if it fails to constitute the Cauvery Management Board on an urgent basis. Rajinikanth, along with other actors like Kamal Haasan, Dhanush, Vijay, Surya, Sathyaraj, Sivakumar, Nassar, Vishal, Karthi and Sivakarthikeyan took part in a day-long protest over demand for formation of the board.

The ongoing protests over the issue have led the shifting of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cauvery-protests-all-matches-moved-out-of-chennai-confirms-ipl-chairman-129912">Indian Premier League matches out of Chennai</a> due to security reasons. Three policemen are attacked during an anti-IPL protest over the Cauvery issue on Wednesday after which the decision was taken to move all the matches from Chennai to Pune.

On February 16, the Supreme Court had raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin.

The court had granted six weeks time to the Centre to formulate a scheme to ensure compliance of its 465-page judgement on the decades-old Cauvery dispute, which modified the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award of 2007.

The six-week period ended on March 29.

Since April 1, the state has been witnessing protests by political parties, pro-Tamil outfits, student groups and voluntary organisations seeking setting up of the Cauvery Management Board.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Chennai, actor Kamal Haasan released a video on Twitter where he sought justice for Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery issue. "People of Tamil Nadu are fighting for justice. Justice has been given but it is not being executed. People have started to believe that this delay is due to Karnataka elections, and your interest in it. I want this belief to be dispelled for people are more important than elections," Haasan said in his video. "With your previous experiment with Narmada Water Authority, you could easily deliver the justice that Tamil Nadu is asking," Haasan said. "Please do justice with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka," he added in nearly 2-minute-long video. To my Honourable Prime Minister #KamalAppealToPM @narendramodi @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/FXlM7dDO9x — Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) April 12, 2018 × Though the PM is in Chennai to inaugurate the DefExpo, political parties have chosen his visit as an occasion to stage protests over the Cauvery issue. Since April 1, the state has been witnessing protests by political parties, pro-Tamil outfits, student groups and voluntary organisations seeking setting up of the Cauvery Management Board. Last week, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth had said that Centre would earn the wrath of Tamil Nadu people if it fails to constitute the Cauvery Management Board on an urgent basis. Rajinikanth, along with other actors like Kamal Haasan, Dhanush, Vijay, Surya, Sathyaraj, Sivakumar, Nassar, Vishal, Karthi and Sivakarthikeyan took part in a day-long protest over demand for formation of the board. The ongoing protests over the issue have led the shifting of Indian Premier League matches out of Chennai due to security reasons. Three policemen are attacked during an anti-IPL protest over the Cauvery issue on Wednesday after which the decision was taken to move all the matches from Chennai to Pune. On February 16, the Supreme Court had raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin. The court had granted six weeks time to the Centre to formulate a scheme to ensure compliance of its 465-page judgement on the decades-old Cauvery dispute, which modified the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award of 2007. The six-week period ended on March 29.

Cauvery issue: Kamal Haasan seeks 'justice for Tamil Nadu' in video message to PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hit out at the previous UPA government for "policy paralysis" in the defence sector and told foreign companies that it will not take a decade to take a decision on procurement of a batch of 110 fighter jets.

In his address after inaugurating the four-day Defence Expo here, Modi said "laziness, incompetence or perhaps some hidden motives" of the previous government had badly impacted the defence sector.

Policy paralysis in the defence sector during the previous regime had affected the country's military preparedness, the prime minister said, adding that the NDA government's efforts to build a partnership with defence industries will be guided by the "highest ideals of integrity and probity".

"There was a time when the critical issue of defence preparedness was hampered by policy paralysis. We have seen the damage such laziness, incompetence or perhaps some hidden motives can cause to the nation. Not now, not anymore, never," he said.

Modi also took a dig at the UPA regime for failing to conclude a deal to procure 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) after a long-drawn selection process.

"You would also recall the long-drawn process of procurement of fighter aircraft that never reached any conclusion. We have not only taken bold action to meet our immediate critical requirements, but have also initiated a new process to procure 110 fighter aircraft. We do not want to spend 10 years in discussions without any tangible outcomes," he said.

The government last week began the process to procure around 110 fighter jets by issuing an RFI (Request for Information) or initial tender. It is the first mega procurement initiative for fighter jets after the government scrapped the process to acquire 126 MMRCA for the Indian Air Force about five years ago.

"We will work with you with a sense of mission to keep our defence forces equipped with state-of-the-art systems, and to create the necessary domestic manufacturing ecosystem to achieve this. And, in all our efforts to pursue efficiency and effectiveness in partnership with you, we will be guided by the highest ideals of integrity and probity," he said.

Following scrapping of the MMRCA deal, the NDA government in September 2016 signed a Euro 7.87 billion (approx Rs 59,000 crore) deal with the French government for the purchase of 36 Rafale twin-engine fighter jets.

Ramping up its attack on the government over the Rafale issue, the Congress claims that the deal negotiated under its rule was much cheaper than the contract signed by the Modi government to procure the Rafale jets.

The UPA government floated a tender in 2007 for the purchase of 126 MMRCA for the Air Force. After negotiations, only Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon remained in the reckoning. However, the deal could not be finalised by the UPA regime

Modi said the government was committed to making India a leading manufacturer of defence equipment and building two defence industrial corridors, "with room for everyone".

"We are committed to establishing two defence industrial corridors: one in Tamil Nadu and other in Uttar Pradesh. These will utilize defence manufacturing ecosystems in the regions and further build upon it. The corridors will become engines of economic development and growth of defence industrial base," he said.

Modi said venture capital and start-ups in defence sector will be encouraged.

'There was a time when the critical issue of defence preparedness was hampered by policy paralysis. We have seen the damage such laziness, incompetence or perhaps some hidden motives can cause to the nation. Not now, not anymore, never,' Modi said

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hit out at the previous UPA government for "policy paralysis" in the defence sector and told foreign companies that it will not take a decade to take a decision on procurement of a batch of 110 fighter jets. In his address after inaugurating the four-day Defence Expo here, Modi said "laziness, incompetence or perhaps some hidden motives" of the previous government had badly impacted the defence sector. Policy paralysis in the defence sector during the previous regime had affected the country's military preparedness, the prime minister said, adding that the NDA government's efforts to build a partnership with defence industries will be guided by the "highest ideals of integrity and probity". "There was a time when the critical issue of defence preparedness was hampered by policy paralysis. We have seen the damage such laziness, incompetence or perhaps some hidden motives can cause to the nation. Not now, not anymore, never," he said. Modi also took a dig at the UPA regime for failing to conclude a deal to procure 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) after a long-drawn selection process. "You would also recall the long-drawn process of procurement of fighter aircraft that never reached any conclusion. We have not only taken bold action to meet our immediate critical requirements, but have also initiated a new process to procure 110 fighter aircraft. We do not want to spend 10 years in discussions without any tangible outcomes," he said. The government last week began the process to procure around 110 fighter jets by issuing an RFI (Request for Information) or initial tender. It is the first mega procurement initiative for fighter jets after the government scrapped the process to acquire 126 MMRCA for the Indian Air Force about five years ago. "We will work with you with a sense of mission to keep our defence forces equipped with state-of-the-art systems, and to create the necessary domestic manufacturing ecosystem to achieve this. And, in all our efforts to pursue efficiency and effectiveness in partnership with you, we will be guided by the highest ideals of integrity and probity," he said. Following scrapping of the MMRCA deal, the NDA government in September 2016 signed a Euro 7.87 billion (approx Rs 59,000 crore) deal with the French government for the purchase of 36 Rafale twin-engine fighter jets. Ramping up its attack on the government over the Rafale issue, the Congress claims that the deal negotiated under its rule was much cheaper than the contract signed by the Modi government to procure the Rafale jets. The UPA government floated a tender in 2007 for the purchase of 126 MMRCA for the Air Force. After negotiations, only Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon remained in the reckoning. However, the deal could not be finalised by the UPA regime Modi said the government was committed to making India a leading manufacturer of defence equipment and building two defence industrial corridors, "with room for everyone". "We are committed to establishing two defence industrial corridors: one in Tamil Nadu and other in Uttar Pradesh. These will utilize defence manufacturing ecosystems in the regions and further build upon it. The corridors will become engines of economic development and growth of defence industrial base," he said. Modi said venture capital and start-ups in defence sector will be encouraged.

'Laziness, incompetence' of previous govt hurt India's defence: Modi

Maldives has declined an invitation by India to send a ministerial-level delegation to the Defence Expo, a biennial exhibition of weapons and military hardware, which will be held in Chennai next week, official sources said.

The decision by Maldives is seen as an apparent snub to New Delhi which was critical of the Abdulla Yameen government for imposing emergency in the island nation earlier this year.

Sources told PTI that Maldives has conveyed to New Delhi that its defence minister would be travelling abroad and it would not be possible for him to lead a delegation to attend the expo, which will be held from April 11-14 in Thiruvidandai, south Chennai.

In February, Maldives had declined India's invitation to participate in the eight-day mega naval exercise - Milan - from March 6-13.

Ties between India and Maldives nosedived after Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen declared emergency on February 5 following an order by the country's Supreme Court to release a group of Opposition leaders, who had been convicted in widely criticised trials.

On February 21, India had reacted strongly over the extension of emergency by a month. The emergency was lifted 45 days later.

China has been trying to expand its influence over Maldives and it had appeared to be supportive of President Yameen's decision to clamp emergency.

Interestingly, Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa paid a rare visit to Maldives this week. Bajwa met Maldivian defence minister Adam Shareef Umar and called on Maldives President Yameen.

Sources said India has also invited China for the Defence Expo but there has not been any response from Beijing.&nbsp;

In February, Maldives had declined India's invitation to participate in the eight-day mega naval exercise — Milan — from March 6-13

Maldives has declined an invitation by India to send a ministerial-level delegation to the Defence Expo, a biennial exhibition of weapons and military hardware, which will be held in Chennai next week, official sources said. The decision by Maldives is seen as an apparent snub to New Delhi which was critical of the Abdulla Yameen government for imposing emergency in the island nation earlier this year. Sources told PTI that Maldives has conveyed to New Delhi that its defence minister would be travelling abroad and it would not be possible for him to lead a delegation to attend the expo, which will be held from April 11-14 in Thiruvidandai, south Chennai. In February, Maldives had declined India's invitation to participate in the eight-day mega naval exercise - Milan - from March 6-13. Ties between India and Maldives nosedived after Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen declared emergency on February 5 following an order by the country's Supreme Court to release a group of Opposition leaders, who had been convicted in widely criticised trials. On February 21, India had reacted strongly over the extension of emergency by a month. The emergency was lifted 45 days later. China has been trying to expand its influence over Maldives and it had appeared to be supportive of President Yameen's decision to clamp emergency. Interestingly, Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa paid a rare visit to Maldives this week. Bajwa met Maldivian defence minister Adam Shareef Umar and called on Maldives President Yameen. Sources said India has also invited China for the Defence Expo but there has not been any response from Beijing.

Maldives snubs India again, says will not attend Defence Expo

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