DefExpo 2022 postponed at last minute

New Delhi: India has called off DefExpo 2022, the flagship defence industry event scheduled next week in Gandhinagar. Russia, waging a war against Ukraine, was to be a major participant. The unprecedented step comes amid severe economic sanctions on Russian entities by US-led Nato members after the invasion of Ukraine.

An official statement said that DefExpo 2022 was postponed due to 'logistics problems experienced by participants' and new dates would be announced later. A bilateral military industry conference with Russia was planned during the event and was to be attended by top defence ministry officials. An African defence ministers conclave too was planned. More than 900 companies and 55 nations had confirmed participation.

Officials said the largest number of foreign exhibitors were expected from the US, followed by Russia, France and Israel. Ukrainian companies too had booked space. The Russian delegation was to include senior representatives from Almaz Antey that supplies the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system, the United Shipbuilding Corporation, Russian helicopters, Kalashnikov Concern and Morinformsystem-agat. Besides, senior members from Rosoboron export and the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation were scheduled to attend.


The decision to call off the expo with less than a week left came as a major surprise to participants who booked stalls, ferried exhibition materials, including models and demonstration tools for weapon systems, and planned visits of foreign executives. Industry insiders who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that losses for participants would total several millions, given the last-minute decision.