By IANS
New Delhi : With 20 companies participating, Britain will have a major presence at the DEFEXPO-2008 international defence exposition here Feb 16-19 to demonstrate its industrial capabilities and technology to potential customers and partners in India and the wider region.
In addition, a British Army demonstration area will showcase a range of equipment covering peacekeeping, border security and explosive ordinance disposal activities.
“I am extremely pleased that UK companies have such a strong presence at DEFEXPO-2008,” said Britain’s head of defence exports Tony Pawson, who will lead his country’s delegation to the exposition.
“The United Kingdom and India have an important strategic, defence and industrial relationship, a relationship we greatly value and this has led to important successes and valuable cooperation over many years,” Pawson added.
“British companies continue to be at the forefront of technological innovation, offering highly capable equipment at competitive prices. This has helped them achieve a major share of the global defence market.
“By attending this exhibition in such strength they show their commitment to the important Indian market,” Pawson maintained.
During his visit, Pawson will meet with Indian defence officials and discuss a wide range of defence procurement and industrial issues.
He will also attend the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and UK Defence Manufacturers Association (DMA) defence industry seminar in New Delhi on Friday.
Other British officials visiting DEFEXPO-2008 are Malcolm Howarth, director general Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) and Air Vice Marshal Gavin Mackay, his senior military adviser.
BAE Systems and Rolls Royce are among the British companies participating at DEFEXPO-2008.
The India-Britain defence co-operation goes back many years and there are currently many products of British origin in service with the Indian armed forces.
“With the support of the two governments, Indian and British companies are increasingly working together on a range of key equipment programmes from aircraft to electrical components,” a British High Commission statement said.
“These joint ventures and other collaborative activities are aimed at meeting the equipment requirements of India, UK and other countries,” the statement added.