International presence grows at DSEI 2023
The event hosts prominent companies in defense from over 50 countries
Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) returns to ExCel in London from 12–15 September, with international defense presence from over 50 countries.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the scale of the presence of international exhibitors has increased this year, particularly among Scandinavian companies. This comes after Finland joined the NATO alliance in April and Sweden is awaiting ratification for its membership.
The Swedish pavilion will be representing high-tech companies, including Carmenta, which has developed cutting-edge geo-spatial software that enables the visualization and analysis of geospatial information.
In the Estonian pavilion, meanwhile – which is three times larger than its 2019 edition – exhibitors include Milrem Robotics, an autonomous machine and system developer which delivered its flagship uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) to Ukraine last year.
Slovak Republic’s KONŠTRUKTA – Defence has to date supplied several self-propelled howitzers to the Ukrainian war effort. Making its first appearance at DSEI, KONŠTRUKTA will showcase new products in ammunition and electronic systems.
The Asia-Pacific region’s presence at DSEI is also reflecting the larger effort to bolster defense ties and capabilities. South Korean company Hanwha Systems will be demonstrating its solutions in the defense sphere, such as its involvement in military reconnaissance satellite programs and avionics solutions, both of which play key roles in fixed wing, rotary wing and uncrewed aircrafts. Its UK subsidiary, Hanwha Phasor, will be showcasing its satellite communications flat panel antenna for undisrupted multi-orbit connectivity.
The North American pavilion welcomes more than 225 companies that represent cross-domain capabilities, from uncrewed aerial systems to fire suppression systems to lightweight protective armor. Over 90 of the companies will be exhibiting for the first time, showing that the US and Canada is a growth market for DSEI. Outside the North American pavilion, household North American defense companies, such as Northrop Grumman, L3Harris and Raytheon, will also be exhibiting.
Grant Burgham, DSEI Director, said: “It is hugely encouraging to have so many international companies in attendance at this year’s DSEI. DSEI offers a valuable opportunity in the biennial defense trade show calendar to connect UK companies and their international counterparts, promoting cooperation and bilateral trade with international allies. Cooperation is a crucial component in stimulating technological advancement, and by giving companies from all over the globe this platform, it will no doubt further our own capabilities as a nation and those of our allies.”