PMCI December 2019 | Page 8

pmcimagazine.com products and innovations servicing the whole Defence and Security Community with 3 key hubs: Communication, Medical and Innovation. The Zone offered a real plethora of products from exhibitors within the following sectors: C4ISTAR, Communications, DIO, Electronic Warfare, Joint Enablers, Logistics, Medical, Robotics & Telemedicine. GOOD BUSINESS FOR LONDON As with any major defence show DSEI has its share of critics, but in a world where borders and allegiances are shifting seemingly on a daily basis, the importance of the show as a benefactor to the UK economy should not be undervalued. The UK defence industry represents ten per cent of UK high technology manufacturing and is the number one exporter in Europe, second only to the US globally. DSEI, which is based at ExCeL London, is a crucial part of that industry. The industry employs over 300,000 people and generates billions of pounds per year for the UK economy. The industry also works hand-in-hand with the UK Armed Forces from factory to frontline, for example over 6,000 industry personnel that worked directly alongside troops in Afghanistan, and in other theatres. The economic benefits are not just about the defence industry either, but directly benefit the London economy itself. The thousands of exhibitors, visitors and contractors attending DSEI occupy over 100,000 room-nights at London hotels during the week of the event, generating an estimated £23m direct benefit to the London economy in the process, even before taking into account all of their associated expenditure on travel, restaurants and the like across the capital during their stay. As in 2017 we live in a world today where defence and security budgets are all under scrutiny, if not direct attack, and the DSEI show brings together the relevant “players” in the community in one place at one time. If we are to be protected we must support such shows as DSEI, not 8 protest against them. It would be a naivety not to acknowledge that millions, if not billions change hands at shows of this nature, but if that money is well spent to support a safer future for all then it should be seen as an investment, and not a draw on increasingly limited funding. DSEI 2019 takes place again in September 2021; once again the PMCI Team certainly enjoyed their time at this year’s DSEI, and we would like to thank everyone that made time to speak with us and increase our understanding of complex global security and defence issues. We are a humble publication, most of us simple “footsloggers”, in a vast marketplace; whilst others look to the “bigger picture”, and we are thankful that they do, our priority as ever is on the individual, the guys that will have their boots in the mud on the front line, and it always will be! With that in mind, we hope that you’ll enjoy our gallery of images from the 2019 show.