On Friday July 2nd the Clarion Defence DSEI Team gave an upbeat brief to the press on the progress of opening up DSEI 2021 to visitors and exhibitors.
Clarion Defence Managing Director Sally de Swart said that Clarion had lobbied hard with the government to allow DSEI special measures to open up in September, but no exemptions were allowed. However, she said that Clarion had full MoD and DSO support to hold the event with certain restrictions. There will be a number of VIP Delegations attending the event all of whom will abide by current and future quarantine requirements.
“The biennial defence and security event, DSEI, will proceed as planned in September 2021 with a new digital offering running alongside the much-anticipated live exhibition. Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) has confirmed it will take place as originally scheduled from 14-17 September at ExCeL London. The decision to proceed follows close consultation and discussion with the UK Government and industry stakeholders. After a lengthy global shutdown of the exhibition sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, feedback from across the defence and security industry has shown a strong appetite to come back together in person at DSEI – an event that provides a critical and unmissable forum for many thousands of companies. A range of new online opportunities to complement the live event will be introduced. ‘DSEI Connect’ is a digital platform that will bring participants from around the world together with those attending the event in London to create a flexible and accessible “hybrid” format. The new digital offering gives registered participants a secure and regulated platform to build relationships, share knowledge and develop business. DSEI’s connection portal, MeetMe, enables users to view recommended contacts through its supply chain listings, identify networking opportunities and arrange secure online or in-person meetings at the event. DSEI Connect will feature an exclusive series of live and on-demand presentations from eminent international guests, including keynote speeches from military figureheads outlining pressing equipment requirements and opportunities, in addition to podcasts and exclusive interviews with senior government officials discussing key policies and strategies. The DSEI team is working very closely with all stakeholders and the venue to deliver DSEI 2021. Using the latest industry guidelines – All Secure – a full plan is being mapped out in accordance with government requirements. With large events anticipated to reopen post 19 July, our plans will be updated as and when more guidance is available.” Sally de Swart said.
DSEI Event Director, Grant Burgham explains, “The DSEI team has been in constant communication with our customers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the decision to run a live event reflects their feedback. We’ve taken into account the increasing confidence in the improving public health situation and we’ll continue to work closely with our partners to ensure we deliver a safe and valuable event for our customers. DSEI has been shown to accelerate the trajectory of businesses that attend. The last year has encouraged us to think more imaginatively about our long-term offering to the defence and security sector and analyse what makes DSEI so important for the industry. As such DSEI will now provide a wider range of opportunities for those who don’t normally – or this time cannot – attend in-person, and we are pleased to take this opportunity to introduce DSEI Connect to the market.”
Clarion has received support from right across senior armed forces figures
“On behalf of the Army, I’d like to extend my thanks and best wishes to Clarion for their help in delivering the Army’s part in DSEI 2021.” General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, Chief of the General Staff, British Army.
“In a world of constant competition, the conversations that we are able to have at DSEI are more important than ever. The Royal Navy remains committed to being at the forefront of technological development, maintaining our battle-winning edge through innovation.” Admiral Tony Radakin, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, Royal Navy.
“To continue making a leading edge contribution to the UK’s place in the world, the Royal Air Force must be at the leading edge of technological innovation in all that we do; DSEI 2021 offers an excellent international platform on which to explore those challenges alongside our industry partners.” Air Chief Marshal Wigston, Chief of the Air Staff for the Royal Air Force.
“UK Strategic Command looks forward to being a key participant in DSEI 2021, setting out our responsibilities and our thinking – as UK Defence’s integrator and responsible for key strategic capabilities – against the rapidly changing character of warfare.” General Sir Patrick Sanders, Commander United Kingdom Strategic Command.
Admission Policy
DSEI is open to Official Delegations, Exhibitors’ Guests, DSEI VIPs, Ministry of Defence, Government visitors (UK and overseas), Media and Trade visitors. Visitors should be engaged in legitimate areas of defence and associated industry, the government, equipment procurement organisations, defence colleges and research establishments. Anyone wishing to attend the exhibition (including those who have been invited by an exhibitor) must pre-register via the DSEI website and include the Exhibitor Guest Code, if invited. Registrations should be completed as soon as possible to ensure there is adequate time to process the application prior to the event. Visitors who have accepted a VIP invitation to attend may have some personal data shared with government agencies for the purposes of programming.
Multi Domain Integration
In 2021, the main theme of DSEI is Integrated Response to Future Threats, with a focus on Multi Domain Integration. The recent publication of the UK Ministry of Defence’s Integrated Review has placed renewed emphasis on the importance of efficient inter-force collaboration, and the resulting impact on current and required platforms. The DSEI 2021 forums will explore what this means for future operational requirements, and how best to manage collaboration across the supply chain to deliver them.
UK Ministry of Defence to focus on the Integrated Response to Future Threats At DSEI 2021
DSEI 2021 will put integration in the spotlight as the UK Ministry of Defence and the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and UK Strategic Command work to develop and maintain organic integration at all levels and across all domains. As British forces modernise to meet the demands of the information age, they do so with the understanding that success on the future battlefield requires integration across land, sea, air, cyber and space. Under the theme of ‘Integrated Response to Future Threats’ DSEI 2021 will be shaped to support this strategic shift with input from industry, academia, international partners and delegates. With the newly formed Strategic Command leading ambitious plans to deliver a step-change in the way British commands interoperate, UK Defence is driving integration efforts to mesh the way individual armed services operate in the battlespace. Winning the fight no longer depends on success in the air, land or sea; it requires a force that is integrated by design and instinct, that uses defence resources efficiently across multiple domains at an optimum pace to stay ahead of threats and adversaries. On the industry side, this will require an accelerated pace of change to deliver a competitive advantage. It will see increased demand for the disruptive application of technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data in the cyber domain, increased focus on defeating adversaries in the ‘grey zone’ through special operations, and support for improved decision making aided by data analytics and information technologies. The focus on integration has been highlighted by the immense global impact of COVID-19, and the enforced understanding that robust national resilience relies on more than fire power. With our adversaries increasingly posing non-military threats, greater instinctive integration is required at all levels of the defence community to ensure the UK remains ahead of the challenges that lie ahead. DSEI 2021 will offer a forum for Defence UK to meet with its industry partners to strengthen relationships, share knowledge, and discuss the technological innovations that will support the British forces in these efforts as they look toward 2030 and beyond, powering progress and defining the future of defence.
Minister for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin MP, commented, “Once again, DSEI is showcasing the best of British defence technology and innovation on a world stage. Bringing together strategic partners, international governments and pioneering defence companies this show offers a unique opportunity to collaborate, partner and cooperate to further our collective global defence and security agenda.”
DSEI Connect
To complement the live event in September 2021, DSEI Connect will provide a secure platform for the global defence and security community to build relationships, share knowledge, raise brand awareness, and develop business. Running over seven weeks through August and September, DSEI Connect has been developed to provide a time-efficient and user-friendly experience for our audience to access live and on-demand keynote sessions, conduct meetings with key contacts and engage with supply chain listings.
DSEI Zones & Hubs
The Land Zone
DSEI’s Land Zone is the largest and fastest growing zone featuring the latest in weapons, ammunitions and equipment. Supported by the British Army, the Land Zone is a key platform to see first-hand the latest developments and innovations from international exhibitors.
The Aerospace Zone
Fully supported by the RAF, DSEI’s expanded Aerospace Zone attracts an unrivalled number of international air force delegations, government officials, OEMs, system manufacturers, integrators, Primes and SMEs.
In 2021 the Aerospace Zone will also feature a Hub dedicated to Space – a platform for showcasing the next generation of technology.
The Naval Zone
The Naval Zone is an interactive showcase of the latest vessels and maritime technology. DSEI’s distinctive dockside setting delivers a showcase of maritime capabilities and international warships.
Fully supported by the Royal Navy and First Sea Lord, the Naval Zone provides unrivalled networking opportunities, insights from key decision makers and the opportunity to see the industry’s latest vessels in action.
The Security Zone
The Security Zone is a dedicated showcase of security equipment, technologies, strategies and systems to counter priority threats; such as cyber-attacks, hybrid warfare and terrorism.
It provides an opportunity for security professionals from industry, government, policing/military and the private sector to examine the latest capabilities available.
The Joint Zone
The Joint Zone features the latest products and innovations servicing the whole Defence and Security Community. The Joint Zone offers a plethora of products from exhibitors within the following sectors: C4ISTAR, Communications, Defence Infrastructure, Big Data and Information, Electronic Warfare, Joint Enablers, Logistics, Medical, Robotics & Telemedicine.
The Space Hub
Following its successful launch in 2019, The Space Hub will be returning to DSEI in 2021. It recognises the ever-growing dependency on the domain as global militaries creating dedicated branches for space operations.
With the British Prime Minister’s commitment of an additional £16.5billion for UK defence budgets and the launch of a new Space Command set to launch the country’s first rocket by 2022, DSEI is poised and aptly timed to provide a platform to share and discuss next generation technologies.
Future Tech Hub
DSEI 2021 will be introducing the ‘Future Tech Hub’, bringing together the Innovation, Cyber and Communication Hubs to provide a meeting place for the defence community to discuss topical subjects such as: Digitalisation, Cyber Security, Networks & Communications, AI, Big Data & Analytics and developments in IT Infrastructure.
The Manufacturing Hub
The manufacturing industry is a key part of the UK and world economy. UK manufacturing currently employs 2.6 million people, accounts for 44% of total exports and represents 70% of business research and development. After a successful launch in 2019, DSEI’s Manufacturing Hub will return in 2021, supporting UK manufacturers to break into the defence sector and strengthen their relationships within this industry, including with prime contractors who rely on skills and technology to deliver complex equipment programmes.
The Medical Hub
A robust and responsive defence medical capability is essential to both military and civil contingency operations. The service is being called upon to meet an increasingly broad set of challenges, ranging from support of forward deployed operations to large scale pandemics, both abroad and at home.
The Medical Hub at DSEI will provide a dedicated area for those at the forefront of military medicine, ranging from senior commanders, policy advisers and planners to doctors and medics operating on the front line.
“DSEI 2021 falls during a time of great change for the British forces as they implement their heightened integration doctrine, both internally and externally with the wider UK defence landscape,” Grant Burgham, DSEI Event Director, Clarion Defence & Security, commented. “DSEI offers the single best opportunity to foster that integration between Defence UK and industry partners. Our exhibitors are keen to meet with all branches of the British Commands and show their capabilities in support of ‘Integrated Response to Future Threats’ at DSEI 2021. DSEI recognises the increasingly decisive role information plays in the future battlespace, and how it must develop as a platform in order to cater for the entire defence and security audience. Given the COVID pandemic, we have given Exhibitors a choice to attend in 2021, pass over to 2023 or be given a full refund. We expect 10,000 visitors in 2021 and at least 30 Pavilions. We will keep everyone abreast of any new developments regarding COVID quarantine and travel issues.”