Blacklisted firms can take part in Defexpo

There will be no restriction on participation of blacklisted companies in the “Defexpo” defence exhibition being held in Goa next week, the largest-ever hosted by India that will see participation of over 1,000 companies from across the world. Officials said that participation of the number of companies has seen a dramatic increase from 624 companies two years ago to about 1,000 now. The four-day event begins on March 28 and this will be the first time when the event will be held outside the national capital. Officials also said that there would be live demonstrations of defence products for the participants this time.

“Is there any bar on participation of blacklisted companies This is a commercial exhibition. You can come and participate. Debarment is from the point of view of purchase by the ministry of defence. They can showcase their products to other countries and enter into collaboration,” secretary (defence production) at ministry of defence A.K. Gupta said.

According to news agency reports, in February 2014, when the DefExpo was held in Delhi, the defence ministry had then decided to keep 27 Indian and foreign firms, including those facing CBI inquiries, out of the biennial military exhibition.

Defence Exhibition Organisation director M.D. Singh said Finmeccanica — the Italian company which is the parent company of the UK-based Agusta Westland — is participating in the event. The previous UPA-2 government had scrapped the deal for acquisition of helicopters for VVIP-use from Agusta on grounds of alleged irregularities.

In response to a question on why some companies were barred from participation in the last Defexpo show two years ago, Mr Gupta said, “It was not last show but last to last show. Since last show, we have been allowing the participation of these companies”.

Talking about speculation on whether the next ‘Aero India’ (to be held in February, 2017) will be held as usual in Bengaluru or somewhere else, Gupta said no decision has been taken yet.

The largest contingent from abroad this time will be the US. As many as 93 American companies are participating in the exhibition followed by 71 Russian firms, 46 from UK, 39 from Germany, 28 each from France and Israel, besides others.

In total 490 foreign defence firms are attending the 9th edition of DefExpo, the first time it is being held outside the national capital. In 2014, 369 foreign companies had participated. Among the Indian companies too, there has been a significant jump. While in 2014, 256 domestic companies had come, the figure is already 540 this time.