Biggest ever DSEI opens doors to the world’s defence and security community.
Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI), the world-leading integrated event for aerospace, land, maritime and security capabilities, is now open. The event, which runs until 18th September, provides a unique global business development platform where the world’s defence community will come together to do business, network, and listen to the most comprehensive conference programme to date. Event organisers, Clarion Events, are set to accommodate 1500 exhibitors representing over 50 countries, 32,000 visitors, 300 programmed delegations and more than 2,800 VIPs within the halls of ExCeL London.
Among the senior military and political figures attending will be UK Government ministers and the Chiefs of the Royal Navy, the British Army, Royal Air Force and Joint Forces Command. The event’s ever growing strength across the spectrum of defence and security is evidenced by the anticipated attendance of record numbers of top-level figures from the procurement and operational communities, as well as government representatives and prominent speakers from major military powers around the world. DSEI is set to be the global high level gathering of senior government, military and industry.
The three new strategic conferences on Monday highlighted the increased level of content of this year’s event, and coupled with over 300 seminar sessions and keynotes due to take place over the next four days, DSEI firmly stamps its mark as one of the industry’s most influential platforms for the discussion of agenda-topping issues. Representatives from think tanks, military, government and industry will provide a full spectrum of fascinating perspectives across the diverse range of issues currently facing the sector from future maritime strategy and UAV technology to counter terror initiatives, and medical innovation.
The exhibitor line-up is a Who’s Who of the prime contractor sector, featuring such industry giants as Airbus Defence & Space, BAE Systems, Bell Helicopters, Boeing, CAE, Finmeccanica, General Dynamics, L3, Lockheed Martin, MBDA, Northrop Grumman, Rafael, Rolls-Royce, SAAB and Thales. DSEI is also a crucially important sales arena for SMEs, who will be there in record numbers this year. A matchmaking scheme helps SMEs access the primes’ supply chains, while visitor and exhibitors alike can benefit from free workshops on how to do business in major markets, both mature and emerging.
The air power dimension of DSEI has grown, there are an abundance of aerospace platforms on display including Apache, Chinook, Merlin, Puma 2, Sea King and Wildcat helicopters; Eurofighter Typhoon, multi-role combat aircraft; and ScanEagle and Watchkeeper UAVs.
Moored in the dock adjacent to the exhibition halls will be eight outstanding examples of maritime capability. The UK Royal Navy is represented by the Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke, Hunt Class MCMV HMS Hurworth and River Class OPV HMS Tyne. The other vessels are the Royal Canadian Navy Halifax Class frigate HMCS Winnipeg; Belgian Navy coastal patrol vessel BNS Castor; German Navy K130 Class corvette FGS Ludwigshafen; Indian Navy Talwar Class frigate INS Trikandm and from France the Sea Owl Naval Training Ship VN Partisan. The dock will also host the renowned waterborne demonstrations by Special Forces small craft. A major highlight will be 43 Commando Royal Marines providing a demonstration of their boarding capability on two ORCs (Offshore Raiding Crafts), with the VN Partisan acting as the target.
DSEI 2015 will see the largest Land Zone to date. One of the traditional strengths of DSEI, this focus area has evolved to feature even more suppliers, content and diversity, while an increased number of exhibitors are displaying land systems capabilities across the halls. Land domain exhibitors include such leading players as BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Esterline, Jankel Armouring, JCB Government & Defence, Land Rover, Patria Oyj, Rheinmetall, Streit and Supacat. A powerful new feature is the Future Soldier Showcase highlighting innovation in this important area.
Security is another growth area with the Security Zone incorporating the highest ever number of first time exhibitors and providing a broad spectrum of security and counter terrorism products, equipment and technologies for police and paramilitary organisations. Evidence of DSEI’s position on the cutting edge of defence and security trends is apparent with cyber defence set to feature prominently.
DSEI’s policy of having themed zones will make it easier for visitors to meet exhibiting companies and view their offerings, either on their stand, in a static display or in a realistic demonstration scenario. Each dedicated zone has its own theatre hosting a programme of seminars that will run throughout the show. The four core components – aerospace, land, maritime and security – have now been joined by zones focused on important newer areas, such as unmanned systems and military medical innovation. The vital contribution that military medicine is making to human welfare will be highlighted by a DSEI Strategic Conference which will take place on 15 September at ExCeL London. The event, which is entitled ‘Ebola Learning Exploitation’, will be addressed by Air Marshal Paul Evans, Surgeon General of the UK Defence Medical Services.
DSEI Event Director, Duncan Reid, said,
“This week DSEI will be the focal point for the global defence and security communities. We are delighted with the level of interest from senior procurement and operational decision makers from nations around the world, and unparalleled level of interest will obviously be beneficial for our record number of exhibitors”.
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