Admiral Sir George Zambellas, First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, said: "The Royal Navy is intensely proud to welcome the Indian Navy back to London on their first visit in recent times to our great global capital. The UK and India are both great maritime trading nations, with fast growing economies. We are both investing in our navies as highly practical contributions to hard and soft defence power, as well as reflecting our strategic ambition, but also because we both know that you cannot have prosperity without proper security. So, as historic maritime friends, there is a huge amount we can learn from one another, whilst we seek to contribute to the stable, peaceful and rules-based world order. The visiting warship has already participated in exercises with the Royal Navy, together with visits to Portsmouth and Plymouth. Their presence at DSEI now presents an ideal opportunity to demonstrate their technology and capability to a global audience".

India, under the Modi government, has been looking to create an extensive defence manufacturing capability. India has made significant advances in terms of technology and capability in recent years; DSEI will offer a valuable platform for Indian companies to tap into export markets and build relationships in the defence sector, supporting the aim of Modi's 'Make In India' strategy, which is targeted to transform India into a manufacturing leader. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the main driver behind the initiative, has confirmed it will have a significant presence at DSEI. CII is a non-government, non-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organisation that works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India, partnering industry, Government, and civil society, through advisory and consultative processes.

Traditionally an importer of defence hardware, India has the capability to design and develop complex military products. The country is seeking world markets for its capabilities, which include missiles, radar, avionics equipment and naval systems. Exhibitors at DSEI 2015 will include AGLAYA, Applied Systems, Bharat Dynamics (BDL), Bharat Electronics (BEL), Brahmos Aerospace, Dhatu Nigam (MIDHANI), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), Mishra Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), MKU Private, Offset India Solutions and Zen Technologies.

Applied Systems will be displaying a range of anti-riot body protectors designed for different climatic conditions; and a traffic laser speed gun with camera. The latter can measure speed at a distance of up to one mile and provide clear images of vehicle registration plates from 150 to 200 metres.

Zen Technologies, a simulation technology company, will be displaying a broad range of simulators and training equipment. The company's product portfolio includes an Anti-Aircraft Air Defence simulator, UAV mission simulator, Tactical Engagement Simulator, Medium Machine Gun simulator, Weapons Simulator, 81mm Mortar Training Simulator, Armour Combat Training System and a Smart Target system. A Combat Training Centre concept will also be featured.

Sharing his company's plans for DSEI 2015, Ashok Atluri, Managing Director, Zen Technologies explained, "Zen Technologies has over the years emerged as a strong player in the field of land and aviation forces simulation. DSEI 2015 gives us the opportunity to display our robust portfolio on a global stage. As a pioneer in simulation technology, we are committed to offering a blend of cutting-edge technology, world-class robustness and competitive pricing to our existing and potential customers. We look forward to playing a crucial role in addressing the burgeoning needs of global customers, who are looking for customisable military simulation and training solutions to combat the increasing internal and external threats".

Duncan Reid, DSEI Event Director, said: "We look forward to hosting a significant Indian presence at DSEI this year. The importance that senior procurement and operational decision makers from India attach to DSEI underlines the fact that this is a truly international forum for defence and security".