DefExpo2020, the next edition of the biennial Indian Defence Exposition (DefExpo) spanning the entire gamut of India's aerospace, defence and security interests - will be held in Lucknow, the capital of the largest Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. During its last two (2016, 2018) editions, DefExpo has focused increasingly on defence manufacturing tie-up as opposed to weapon system procurement.
This is clearly evident from the theme of the DefExpo 2020, which is - India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub. According to the Indian MoD, the aim of the expo is to bring the leading defence technologies to India in order to provide opportunities for the government, private manufacturers and startups.
The sub theme of the exhibition is ‘Digital Transformation of Defence’ focusing on the use of software in battlefields as well as for aerospace and defence manufacturing.
India has adopted a two pronged approach in order to improve its defence manufacturing capability.
1. It is encouraging jointness between the public and private sector, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)/Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to create a versatile defence manufacturing ecosystem
2. It's encouraging foreign arms manufacturers to leverage the improved ecosystem to ensure availability of spares and maintenance support for weapon systems that they have exported to India in the past or intend to export in the future.
The Indian MoDalso hopes to use DefExpo 2020 to showcase a Defence Industrial Corridor that the central government is setting up in Uttar Pradesh with six nodes. defence manufacturing within the corridor would be made easy for foreign companies with Indian tie ups through streamlining and concessions.
Russia participation in DefExpo 2020 emphasizes the long enduring special strategic relationship between the two nations. Russian companies participating in DefExpo 2020 include
1. Admiralty Shipyards JSC
2. Almaz Design Bureau JSC
3. Almaz Antey Air and Space Defence Corporation JSC
4. Baltic Shipyard JSC
5. Concern Morinformsystem - AGAT JSC
6. Malachite Design Bureau JSC
7. Nevskoe Design Bureau JSC
8. PO Sevmash JSC
9. Rosoboronexport JSC
10. Rubin Design Bureau JSC
11. Rubin JSC AC
12. Russian Helicopters JSC
13. Severnoye Design Bureau JSC
14. Shiprepairing Center Zvyozdochka JSC
15. Shvabe JSC
16. Sredne-Nevsky Shipbuilding
17. Tecmash JSC
18. United Engine Corporation JSC
19. United Shipbuilding Corporation JSC
20. Uralvagonzavod JSC
The impressively long list is indicative of how well Russia has adopted to the shift in the Indian focus from defence procurement through outright purchase of weapon systems to collaborative manufacture within India on the Brahmos Aerospace Joint Venture pattern.
Most of the Russian companies are offering India help with developing major subsystems - Combat Management System (CMS), Automated turrets for Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICV), Electro-Optical systems, Nuclear propulsion for submarines, etc. - rather for major weapon systems.
Indeed, a surprisingly limited number of major Russian weapon systems are being plugged at DefExpo 2020. These include:
1. Amur-1650 (with an AIP plug) and Project 636 (Varshavyanka-class) subs to meet the Indian Navy's Project 75I requirement.
2. Buk-M3 medium range missile system to meet Indian Army's MR-SAM requirement.
3. MiG-35 to meet the Indian Air Force's medium weight fighter requirement
It is evident from the pattern of its participation in DefExp 2020 that Russia has adapted well to the shift in Indian defence priorities.
Source: Vijainder Thakur,
Correspondent "The New Defense Order. Strategy" Magazine in India
