At last, I got a chance to pay a visit to the Soldier Technology, 2008 on Monday. Starting from 3rd Nov, it is a three day affair that would end on 5th Nov. The exhibition is scheduled to be held at the Intercontinental Hotel Eros, Nehru Place, New Delhi. It is organized by the Worldwide Business Research, New York, United States. I have always been interested in knowing about different defence related technologies, as my father was also in Indian Army. So, I was determined to visit the exhibition on its very first day.

Soldier Technology, 2008 has brought together system integrators, defence equipment suppliers and contractors, and distributors related to products and services applicable to infantry schools and SMP (Simultaneous Membership Program) program managers. I was thrilled to find exhibitors from different corners of the world, displaying advanced defence equipments. As the exhibition is on defence related applications and equipments, I was expecting to see some top military officials. I was right, as there were many top military figures from India's Infantry Directorate. To my surprise, the exhibition also marked the presence of top researchers from DRDO, senior managers from the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), and also purchase managers and R&D officials from Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). The presence of top researchers from DRDO indicates the importance of this exhibition. This is because DRDO functions as a wing of the Department of Defence Research and Development.

Soldier Technology, 2008 also witnessed the presence of some exclusive visitors in the form of some top government/police /military officials. There were also many other officials, who are associated with national infantry SMP or programs related to dismounted force modernization. As the exhibition is all about showcasing the latest equipment facilities directly from the industry leaders, it may offer a great opportunity to the prime contractors working with SMPs, and now want to bid to become the prime contractor for a national SMP or domestic defence force.

Visiting the exhibition was indeed a great experience, as it allowed me to see the advanced defence equipments and other facilities. I would like to visit such exhibitions again and again.