Thousand companies, 47 countries and legal troubles: Here are some key facts ahead of the defence expo

New Delhi - India’s biggest ever land, naval and homeland security exhibition will begin in Goa on Monday. It is the ninth edition of Defexpo India, a biennial exhibition and will be held from during March 28-31 at Naqueri Quitol in South Goa and will be inaugurated by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. Here’s an all you need to know about the exhibition: [caption id=“attachment_2698510” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Reuters[/caption] 1000 companies to participate: It will see participation of at least 1,000 companies from across the world, including Indian. They will showcase their products catering to not just one of the largest arms market India but also to other countries in the region. Also exhibiting their products will be a large number of domestic companies, especially small and medium scale enterprises. A total of 510 Indian companies are expected to be part of the expo, double from the 2014 count, which stood at 256 companies. Meanwhile, the number of foreign companies is 490 as against 368 in Defence Expo 2014. In all 47 countries will be taking part in the exhibition against 30 countries last time. They include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Russia, Sweden, UK, and the US. Make in India push: With changes in government policies on defence acquisition and Make in India campaign, considerable impetus is being given to indigenisation in the defence sector. The exhibition would also try and project India as an attractive destination for investment in defence sector. Joint ventures with foreign cos: India is among a handful of countries in the world with indigenous capabilities in the defence field such as multi-level strategic deterrence, ballistic missile defence, nuclear powered submarines, main battle tank, stealth destroyers, aircraft carriers and 4th generation fighter aircraft, a release from the ministry claimed. The event provides a platform for forging alliances and joint ventures in the defence industry. “The event also provides an excellent opportunity to the Indian Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), private sector and other defence-related industries to demonstrate their capability to design, develop and deliver a wide range of military and civil products/services,” a statement released by the Defence Ministry said. First time outside Delhi: This is the first time this expo is being held outside the national capital. The Defence Ministry said the expo would be the largest one in its history. “The exhibition would be showcasing India’s capabilities in Land, Naval and Security Systems as well as its emergence as an attractive destination for investment in Defence sector. This year’s exhibition will be the largest DefExpo held to date,” a release from the defence ministry said. And the legal trouble: The land was acquired for an industrial estate; it has been temporarily allotted to the Defence Ministry for the expo. The locals are opposed to the event claiming that they were not taken into confidence. Petitions have also been filed before the Goa bench of Bombay high court, opposing it. The HC, which would be hearing the matter on Monday, refused to stay the event.