New Delhi, Jan 31 (IANS): India and African countries are expected to ink big ticket defence business deals during Defexpo 2020 scheduled to be held from February 5-9 in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow, an official said.

Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar said on Friday that India-Africa Defence Conclave is also scheduled to take place during Defexpo 2020.

"India-Africa Defence Conclave will be held. Fourteen Defence Ministers from the African countries have confirmed participation in this event till now and the number is likely to go up," Kumar said.

Kumar also said that India shares a very good relationship with African countries and the Defence Conclave will further strengthen the bonding.

He also said a lot of business would take place during the mega event.

"Defence Ministers of nearly 40 countries have confirmed their participation for the DefExpo20, including Czech Republic, Mexico, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, and others," Kumar siad.

He also pointed that the number of companies registered for participating in DefExpo 2020 has increased to 1,000 from 702 in the last edition held in Chennai.

Defence Secretary said that there was huge 96 per cent jump in the booked exhibition space by exhibitors in DefExpo 2020 to over 53,000 sq. metres, compared to around 27,000 during the last edition.