Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice President M Jusuf Kalla officially kicked off the 2016 Indo Defense Expo and Forum in the Kemayoran area, here, Wednesday.

The international exhibition will see participation from the defense industries of various countries.

This years expo is themed "Realizing the Global Maritime Axis and World Peace."

The Indo Defense Expo and Forum is one of Southeast Asias biggest, touching on topics relevant to the defense, aerospace, and marine industry.

The expo and forum activities will include a defense industry product exhibition, a seminar on technology and industry, a technical product presentation, a gala dinner, courtesy calls, courtesy visits, an air show, a live demo, and exhibition receptions.

More than 25,000 delegates and visitors are expected to attend.

As many as 817 companies from 55 countries and 30 pavilion countries, such as Germany, India, Italy, Australia, South Korea, France, Turkey, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Belarus, Indonesia, Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Slovak, are taking part in the expo.

Among the world-class companies taking part in the expo are Airbus, Yugoimport, Damen Schelde, SAAB, Rheinmetall , Lockheed Martin, Otokar, KAI, PT Dirgantara Indonesia, PT Pindad, Lundin, Sritex, SSE, Thales, Rocketsan, FNSS, Aselsan, UKTI, Denel, Avibras, UAC, Rossoboronexport, Norinco, ALIT, and CETC.

Indonesian industry giants such as aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia and arms producer PT Pindad will display their latest products at the expo.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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