DSEi
Encyclopedia
Defence Security and Equipment International (DSEi) is a defence and security equipment exhibition held every two years in London Docklands, which draws thousands of visitors, both trade and military. It is an important event in the international military and national security equipment sales calendar and is organised in association with UK Trade & Investment's Defence & Security Organisation (UKTi DSO). It is the world’s largest fully integrated international defence exhibition featuring land, sea and air products and technologies.
In 2007 DSEi confirmed its position as one of the leading defence systems and equipment trade events in the world with 1350 exhibitors from 40 countries. It is a “tri-service” defence and security exhibition, meaning it showcases military equipment for all kinds of land, sea and air needs.
and Portsmouth
respectively. Overseas delegations attended by invitation only, but those invited often included governments with such poor human rights
records as Indonesia
and Chile
. Despite having been at war with Iran
for almost six years, a five-strong delegation from Iraq
attended in 1986.
In 1993 the two exhibitions were combined and held every other year until the British government decided to privatise the exhibition. Exhibitions company Spearhead launched the first DSEi, then known as Defence Systems and Equipment International, in 1999 at Chertsey
in Surrey
. In 2001 it moved to its current location at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre
in London Docklands. DSEi's name was changed in 2009, replacing the word Systems with Security.
It was suggested by CAAT (Campaign Against Arms Trade
) that former owners Reed Exhibition's decision to sell followed substantial criticism both from healthcare professionals and academics, as well as pressure from campaigners.
have spoken out about the cost of policing the event.
, then Home Secretary
, to use special powers under the Terrorism Act 2000
against protesters at the fair. The grant was criticised by Liberty
and opposition politicians.
The Space Hijackers
protest group managed to successfully drive a tank up near to ExCeL after distracting police with a decoy vehicle. The tank was then "sold" to the highest bidder in a mock auction outside the fair in front of the press in order to highlight the lack of controls over the arms trade.
, .
In 2007 DSEi confirmed its position as one of the leading defence systems and equipment trade events in the world with 1350 exhibitors from 40 countries. It is a “tri-service” defence and security exhibition, meaning it showcases military equipment for all kinds of land, sea and air needs.
DSEi's history
Between 1976 and 1991, the British Army Equipment Exhibition and the Royal Navy Equipment Exhibition were held on alternate years in AldershotAldershot
Aldershot is a town in the English county of Hampshire, located on heathland about southwest of London. The town is administered by Rushmoor Borough Council...
and Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
respectively. Overseas delegations attended by invitation only, but those invited often included governments with such poor human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
records as Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
and Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
. Despite having been at war with Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
for almost six years, a five-strong delegation from Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
attended in 1986.
In 1993 the two exhibitions were combined and held every other year until the British government decided to privatise the exhibition. Exhibitions company Spearhead launched the first DSEi, then known as Defence Systems and Equipment International, in 1999 at Chertsey
Chertsey
Chertsey is a town in Surrey, England, on the River Thames and its tributary rivers such as the River Bourne. It can be accessed by road from junction 11 of the M25 London orbital motorway. It shares borders with Staines, Laleham, Shepperton, Addlestone, Woking, Thorpe and Egham...
in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
. In 2001 it moved to its current location at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre
ExCeL Exhibition Centre
ExCeL London is an exhibitions and conference centre in the London Borough of Newham, England. It is located on a site on the northern quay of the Royal Victoria Dock in London Docklands, between Canary Wharf and London City Airport.- History :The centre was built by Sir Robert McAlpine, opened...
in London Docklands. DSEi's name was changed in 2009, replacing the word Systems with Security.
Current ownership
In April 2008 DSEi was acquired by Clarion Events, the largest independent event organiser in the UK. At the same time Clarion also acquired ITEC - a conference and exhibition dedicated to military simulation, training and education - and Latin American Aerospace and Defence.It was suggested by CAAT (Campaign Against Arms Trade
Campaign Against Arms Trade
Campaign Against Arms Trade is a UK-based NGO and campaigning organisation working towards the abolition of the international arms trade. Founded in 1974 by a broad coalition of peace groups, CAAT is united in opposition to the military industrial complex and the growth of the private military...
) that former owners Reed Exhibition's decision to sell followed substantial criticism both from healthcare professionals and academics, as well as pressure from campaigners.
Political controversy
DSEi works closely with UKTi DSO to invite foreign military delegations. Some of the nations attending have been accused of human rights violations, leading to concerns over their involvement. Defence exhibitions such as these have also been accused of furthering intra- and international conflicts by providing the weapons used.Protests
The event has attracted much attention from activist groups. The fairs in 2001, 2003, and 2005 were all targets of sizeable protests. Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone has been critical of the event and even the Metropolitan PoliceMetropolitan police
Metropolitan Police is a generic title for the municipal police force for a major metropolitan area, and it may be part of the official title of the force...
have spoken out about the cost of policing the event.
2003
At DSEi 2003, 54 people were arrested around the site. 2,600 security guards and police officers were guarding the site. Scotland Yard spent £1m on policing the event. The police were granted permission by David BlunkettDavid Blunkett
David Blunkett is a British Labour Party politician and the Member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, having represented Sheffield Brightside from 1987 to 2010...
, then Home Secretary
Home Secretary
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the Home Office of the United Kingdom, and one of the country's four Great Offices of State...
, to use special powers under the Terrorism Act 2000
Terrorism Act 2000
The Terrorism Act 2000 is the first of a number of general Terrorism Acts passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It superseded and repealed the Prevention of Terrorism Act 1989 and the Northern Ireland Act 1996...
against protesters at the fair. The grant was criticised by Liberty
Liberty (pressure group)
Liberty is a pressure group based in the United Kingdom. Its formal name is the National Council for Civil Liberties . Founded in 1934 by Ronald Kidd and Sylvia Crowther-Smith , the group campaigns to protect civil liberties and promote human rights...
and opposition politicians.
2005
DSEi 2005
DSEi 2005 was held from 13 to 16 September. It was 30% bigger than 2003's event, and in addition to traditional military systems & equipment, displayed "products and services related to Homeland security, anti-terrorism, access control, and personal security."DSEi 2007
DSEi 2007 was held on 11-14 September at the ExCeL centre.The Space Hijackers
Space Hijackers
The Space Hijackers is a group originating in the United Kingdom that defines itself as "an international band of anarchitects who battle to save our streets, towns and cities from the evils of urban planners, architects, multinationals and other hoodlums"...
protest group managed to successfully drive a tank up near to ExCeL after distracting police with a decoy vehicle. The tank was then "sold" to the highest bidder in a mock auction outside the fair in front of the press in order to highlight the lack of controls over the arms trade.
DSEi 2011
DSEi 2011 was held 13-16 September 2011 at the ExCeL centre, and was attended for the first time by a Type 45 destroyerType 45 destroyer
The United Kingdom's Type 45 destroyer is an air defence destroyer programme of the Royal Navy which will replace its Type 42 destroyers. The first ship in the class, HMS Daring, was launched on 1 February 2006 and commissioned on 23 July 2009. The ships are now built by BAE Systems Surface Ships...
, .
Official sites
Anti-DSEi links
- Disarm DSEi co-ordinates actions against the arms fair
- Campaign Against Arms Trade Arms Fairs Campaign
- Indymedia UK coverage of 2003 protests
- Indymedia UK coverage of 2005 protests