WHAT'S HOT?
––
ANALYSIS OF
RECENT HAPPENINGS
DEFEXPO 2002 - FINAL REPORT
An IDC Analysis
New
Delhi, 26 February 2002
The
DEFEXPO 2002 at New Delhi was a total success as the CII spared no effort
to see
that
the quality of the stalls, furnishings and the get up of the show was
World Class. Added with the traditional warmth of Indians the Exhibitors
were generally very happy. Many of the foreigners and Indians IDC met
explained that if all goes well India could be an exporter of arms and
technologies in a few years with DEFEXPO 2002 as the turning point. Since
CII was the lead showman
the bureaucracy was limited and for the first time the secrecy generally
shown at such shows in the past was shunned. It was evident that DRDO,
Defence PSU’s and many other agencies have realised its time to crow
about your abilities and speak out your problems so that Indian Defence
moves ahead and India gets the best Buck for the Bang.
The
two social functions organised by CII and the MOD were full of good
spirits which flowed generously, the food was of quality and there was bonhomie
all round. The Hiccups that we heard about were about the glum CII
incharge in the media area who told you about events after they had
happened.
Janes
claimed to have lost an expensive publication and Israel were very worried
about a Radar erroneously found in the DRDO's huge area. These are
forgivable because IDC knows bigger snafus take place in shows elsewhere
in the world. During DSEi in the UK the guests never got there in time and
some went back to London and losses do take place if persons responsible
are casual and
leave stalls unattended.
Finally
let IDC say the young Attendants at the stalls were very attractive and
very well turned out. IDC complements Ordnance Factories Board for
ensuring that their stalls had lovely Yellow and Blue dressed girls, ever
so polite even on the public day.
Highlights
Britain
and USA –– GE, BELL and RAYTHEON: The Brits have suffered in
the defence business with India as they have followed the coattails of the
Americans, so India has been angry with Westlands and BAe but the AJT deal
is still breathing. However UK brought a big team and they only serviced
their traditional customers –– leading with Rolls Royce, Racal and the
host of British suppliers –– as India buys enormous equipment and
spares from UK. The Brits said they would hold another show.
Russians: As usual the Russians know they have Indian
Defence in their pocket and any questions one asked was replied with
‘ask the Official Agency’. They displayed ship designs from Servonoye,
rifles, missiles and torpedoes from Kazakistan from Kirov the build
ers.
The Russians generally enjoyed the weather and spoke to officials only.
The $80 million Krasnapol deal was announced and the big Hovercraft that
the Navy may buy were on display in pictures. The T-90 deal, the Krivack
deal and the coming Gorshkov and TU 22-M deals as also the SU-30 MKI deal,
keep them happy. Now they are wooing the private industry like L &T to
team up for Defence Business, including the Amur submarine deal.