Tamil Nadu to host first ever defence expo in April
Nirmala Sitharaman said the exhibition will take place from April 11 to 14 and nearly 80 countries are expected to take part in it.
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu will host its first-ever bi-annual defence exhibition in April this year with the defence ministry announcing on Thursday that the gala event will be held on the scenic East Coast Road.
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the exhibition will take place from April 11 to 14 and nearly 80 countries are expected to take part in it.
“There have been queries regarding the expo... As to why it got delayed.. I must say that there was no delay.. After the cabinet reshuffle in September last year, we (Ministry) started the process,” she said in her address at the two-day Defence Industry Development Meet here.
Sitharaman said the ministry officials had earlier visited several states to hold the event and the Tamil Nadu government immediately came forward and alloted land for the same on the East Coast Road near Mahabalipuram.
“Usually, the event is conducted by February end. Because of certain changes in the ministry, we had to take a call and I am grateful to the Tamil Nadu government for having helped us by providing land,” she said.
Sitharaman said arrangements will be made for the Navy, Army and Air Force to display their equipment in the exhibition.
In a bid to promote small industries, huge discounts would be offered to them to set up stalls at the exhibition, she said. Referring to the two-day meet, Sitharaman appealed to the defence firms to utilise the opportunity as officials of the ministry were available to offer any assistance.
Rescue operations called off after intense search
Chennai: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said the Defence Ministry off operations to trace missing fishermen following ‘Cyclone Ockhi’ only after days of intense search. The Indian Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard conducted search operations along with some fishermen. “But there were no sign of any debris or any boat. Since there was no result for more than 7-8 days, the search operation was called off on December 27 after intense search,” she told reporters.
