Parrikar supports defence exhibition relocation to Goa

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday defended the ministry's decision to shift the Defence Expo to Goa, which was criticised by the opposition and a section of civil society.

The Defence Expo will give the Goans an opportunity to see a wide range of defence equipment manufactured by the world's leading companies, he said at a function organised by the union ministry for road transport, national highways and shipping in Goa.

"Goans have not seen much. Goans will now get a chance to see a wide range of defence-related equipment," he added.

Parrikar said he was surprised by the opposition to shifting of the Defence Expo to Goa, even as he said eight other states were keen to host it.

Held alternately in national capital Delhi and Bengaluru, the prestigious Defence Expo for 2016 will be held on Naqueri plateau in the picturesque coastal village of Betul in south Goa since a new convention centre is coming up at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.

The Defence Expo 2016 is the ninth in a series of biennial exhibition of land, naval and internal homeland security systems organised by the defence ministry.