25,000 visitors to DSEi
Reflecting the convergence of traditional defence and security needs, security products made up an important part of this year's Defence Systems & Equipment International (DSEi). A total of 464 companies displayed security-related technologies to an audience of 25,170 people attending the exhibition
DSEi, held 8-11 September 2009 in London's ExCel, attracted strong attendance from overseas governments with 71 individual military delegations representing 48 countries, plus a United Nations delegation.
With the minds of many nations currently focused on Afghanistan there was a particularly strong showing of the latest blast-protected vehicles that are coming onto the market. There were several examples of some of the new light protected patrol vehicles that are bidding to replace the British Army's current Land Rover Snatch vehicles.
More than 460 exhibitors showed products from the military aerospace sector while 1,200 companies were exhibiting equipment and technologies applicable to the marine environment. Outside the halls, next to the three visiting ships, which included Type 23 frigate, HMS Somerset, the waterborne demonstration was organised on a larger scale than before with a group of companies working together to organise a co-ordinated shipboarding activity.
The UK MoD used the exhibition to make an important announcement about the first stage of its Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) programme. Quentin Davies, the UK's Minister for Defence Equipment & Support, revealed that the award of a £150m prime contract, covering the delivery and in-service support of equipment for Increment 1a of the programme had gone to Thales UK. Mr Davies was one of 12 senior UK VIPs to attend DSEi 2009.
Looking ahead, the next DSEi takes place from 3 to 16 September 2011. For more information please contact the DSEi marketing team at Tel: +44 (0)20 7370 8551 or email: marketing@dsei.co.uk
