War in Ukraine is expected to lead to a surge in visitors at a British arms fair, organisers revealed today.
The bi-annual Defence and Security Equipment International conference takes place next September at London’s ExCel - and Vladimir Putin ’s invasion of Russia ’s neighbour has fuelled interest in the event.
An estimated 25,000 people are due to visit 730 “main stand holders”.
DSEI director Grant Burgham told a Whitehall briefing: “The context in which DSEI23 will be held is unlike any of its 24-year history.
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“As such, we are preparing for the most significant presence from global defence and security, as well as three days of exclusive insight from the UK and allied forces.
“DSEI is almost entirely sold out.”
Retired Air Vice Marshal Gary Waterfall, DSEI’s military adviser, said: “It’s no surprise to us that we have had in excess of 200 new companies sign up for DSEI23, which is pretty remarkable.”
He added: “The world’s changed much since 2021 and nobody here has to stand and talk about the events operating on Europe’s eastern border in Ukraine.”
Mark Goldsack, director of UK Defence and Security Exports, a unit within the Department for International Trade, said there was “no other show quite like it”.
He added: “The reason DSEI matters so much to us is that it happens every couple of years but it is genuinely a world-leading event.”
Drumming up support for the “exciting” fair, Mr Goldsack went on: “We have got people coming in from all around the planet.”
Campaigners have previously criticised the fair.
Andrew Smith, of the Campaign Against Arms Trade, said of the 2017 event: "It is shameful that the Government is welcoming despots and dictatorships to the UK to buy weapons.
"The weapons being promoted at DSEI are deadly and could be used to fuel war and conflict for years to come.
“If the Government cares for human rights and democracy then it's time to end its support for arms fairs like DSEI."
