The DefExpo 2018 starting tomorrow in Chennai will see close cooperation between the US and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly its growing strategic partnership with India should be on display prominently.

The event is the largest and most diverse defence and security business gathering conducted so far in the country and will reflect the booming Indian economy as well as geo-political influence. Thousands of visitors, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are expected to attend the event to be on till April 14.

The collective presence of major US manufacturers, technology innovators, supply-chain leaders and even firearms producers exhibiting at the show would be a strong indication of how important India was to the US. Buyers and influencers throughout the region were looking to the US for innovative solutions and partners to help ensure their economic and homeland security.

US Commerce Minister Patrick Santillo said, “This is a dynamic period in our bilateral relationship as the US and India develop the major defence partner relationship and increase cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.”

India has purchased more than $15 billion worth of US defence equipment in the past and companies there were cooperating closely with the Indian armed services to deploy these systems to enhance military capabilities and improve interoperability.

Of the nearly 20 US companies exhibiting at the show, a majority were located in the USA Partnership Pavilion, organised by Kallman Worldwide, Inc., in coordination with numerous government agencies, including US departments of Commerce, Defence and State. Kallman has represented DefExpo in the US since 2012, and this is its first under the `USA Partnership Pavilion’ banner, which President and CEO Tom Kallman says reflects a global trend.