23 May 11. A record number of UK SMEs have booked stand space at Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEi), the world leading exhibition for air, land and sea applications of defence and security products and technologies, which takes place at ExCeL London from 13th – 16th September. To date 315 SMEs have signed up, representing some 25 per cent of the total number of companies from around the world that have committed to the event. Drawn from all parts of the UK, they will be displaying a broad spectrum of capabilities, from advanced software solutions to protective equipment for soldiers. They include specialists in electronics, metals and composites engineering. DSEi organisers, Clarion Events, attribute part of this positive response to the measures they have taken to assist smaller companies benefit from the global market place that the show provides. The First Time Exhibitor (FTE) zone has been divided up into separate focus areas for land, maritime, air and security. To enable visitors to locate exhibits of specific interest quickly and easily, each FTE focus area will be situated close to one of the high profile feature and demonstration areas. Thus the stands of companies specialising in air capability products and systems will be adjacent to the Unmanned Systems feature area, while the maritime capability stands will be located near to the entrance that leads out to the dock where the waterborne displays will take place. Also new is a prearranged appointments scheme to bring SMEs together with targeted prime contractors and other organisations with defence and security industry supply chains.
Head of the UKTI Defence & Security Organisation, Richard Panaguian, said: “The importance of SMEs to the UK’s export market is well documented. We are delighted to see so many companies committing to DSEi, which we view as one of the most important international export platforms for UK SMEs.”
DSEi Exhibition Director, Duncan Reid said, ‘At a time when the government is placing such emphasis on the manufacturing sector in general and SMEs in particular to help the UK economy recover from the recent downturn, it is very encouraging to see so many companies are using DSEi to grow their businesses’.
23 May 11. The Future Mortar Systems conference, Monday September 26 to September 28, 2011.
Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, London W1J 7BX GB
Website: http://www.future-mortars.co.uk
Defence IQ, IQPC
The Future Mortar Systems conference is returning for its second year following the huge success of the inaugural event in 2010 and our hugely influential Future Artillery conference series. With over 80 attendees from 19 nations, the attending delegations met other requirements setters, procurement staff and weapons specialists from infantry headquarters to discuss the future of mortar weapons.
The 2011 conference will once again explore the developments that are revolutionising this weapon