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.[1]
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.[2] It is a “tri-service” defence and security exhibition, meaning it showcases military equipment for all kinds of land, sea and air needs.
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Between 1976 and 1991, the British Army Equipment Exhibition and the Royal Navy Equipment Exhibition were held on alternate years in Aldershot 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.
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) that former owners Reed Exhibition's decision to sell followed substantial criticism both from healthcare professionals and academics, as well as pressure from campaigners.[3]
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.
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 Police have spoken out about the cost of policing the event.[4]
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.[5] The police were granted permission by David Blunkett, 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.[6]
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On the first day of the fair in 2005, CAAT organised a march through the streets of East Ham towards the ExCeL centre in which hundreds participated. Newham residents also took part in a silent candle-lit vigil for peace. Though the protests are non-violent, nonetheless over a thousand police were deployed as security for DSEi 2005, at a cost of £4.4 million.[4] |
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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."[4]
DSEi 2007 was held on 11-14 September at the ExCeL centre.
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.
DSEi 2009 was held 08-11 September 2009 at the ExCeL centre.
DSEi 2011 was held 13-16 September 2011 at the ExCeL centre, and was attended for the first time by a Type 45 destroyer, HMS Dauntless.