PMCI December 2019 | Page 6

pmcimagazine.com In 1993 the British Army Equipment Exhibition and the Royal Navy Equipment Exhibition 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 and Systems 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 Clarion Events’ portfolio of defence and security events is acknowledged as the world’s leading forums where high level government officials and senior military personnel converge. Leading global equipment and services providers meet to share ideas, discuss industry developments, conduct business, and develop partnerships and network for future growth. Whilst military systems and technology are at the core of the industry and the events, the sector is also diversifying and adapting to meet the changing needs of the world. In addition to the threat of war, national security can be threatened by humanitarian disasters resulting in mass displacement of people or food and water shortages, terrorism or pandemic. All defence and security exhibitions in the UK including DSEI can serve only the legitimate defence and security industry which is the most tightly regulated industry in the 6 world. This means exhibitors and visitors must adhere to the highest regulatory scrutiny, complying with UK and international laws, treaties and conventions. DSEI itself works closely with government departments including MOD, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, BIS and Home Office to ensure this strict compliance with all rules, regulations and laws. Furthermore, the UK Government itself is responsible for inviting international delegations. 2019 CAPABILITY ZONES DSEI is divided into dedicated capability zones to make it more manageable to navigate, as it truly is a gargantuan show! DSEI 2019 featured its strongest aerospace offering to date, comprising fixed, rotary wing, and unmanned platforms. The popular Aerospace Zone was fully supported by the Royal Air