DSEi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Defence Systems and Equipment International (DSEi) is a defence equipment exhibition held every two years in London Docklands, which draws thousands of visitors, both trade and military. It is an important event in the international military equipment sales calendar and is organised in association with the government's Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO). It is the world’s largest fully integrated international defence exhibition.[1]
In 2005 DSEi confirmed its position as one of the leading defence systems and equipment trade events in the world with around 1200 exhibitors from 35 countries.[2] It is a “tri-service” defence exhibition, meaning it is a forum for selling military equipment of all kinds for land, sea and air.
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[edit] DSEi's history
Between 1976 and 1991, the British Army Equipment Exhibition and the Royal Navy Equipment Exhibition were held on alternate years in Aldershot and Portsmouth respectively. Overseas delegations attended by invitation only, but those invited often included governments with such poor human rights records as Indonesia and Chile. Despite having been at war with Iran for almost six years, a five-strong delegation from Iraq attended in 1986.
In 1993 the two exhibitions were combined and held every other year until the British government decided to privatise the exhibition. Exhibitions company Spearhead launched the first DSEi in 1999 at Chertsey in Surrey. In 2001 it moved to its current location at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in London Docklands.
[edit] Reed Elsevier's withdrawal
DSEi's current organiser, Reed Exhibitions, a subsidiary of Reed Elsevier, released the following statement on 2007-06-01, committing to a withdrawal of its defence exhibition portfolio in the second half of 2007;
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Our defence shows are quality businesses which have performed well in recent years. Nonetheless, it has become increasingly clear that growing numbers of important customers and authors have very real concerns about our involvement in the defence exhibitions business.[3] |
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It is suggested by CAAT (Campaign Against Arms Trade) that the move follows substantial criticism both from healthcare professionals and academics, as well as pressure from campaigners.[4]
[edit] Political controversy
The government's DESO draws up the official invitation lists for DSEi, with a supplementary list drawn up by the organisers. Many of the nations attending have been accused of human rights violations,[citation needed] leading to concerns over their involvement. Arms conventions such as these have also been accused of furthering intra- and international conflicts by providing the weapons used.[who?]
[edit] Protests
The event has attracted much attention from activist groups. The fairs in 2001, 2003, and 2005 were all targets of sizeable protests. Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone has been critical of the event and even the Metropolitan Police have spoken out about the cost of policing the event.[5]
[edit] 2003
At DSEi 2003, 54 people were arrested around the site. 2,600 security guards and police officers were guarding the site. Scotland Yard spent £1m on policing the event.[6] The police were granted permission by David Blunkett, then Home Secretary, to use special powers under the Terrorism Act 2000 against protesters at the fair. The grant was criticised by Liberty and opposition politicians.[7]
[edit] 2005
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On the first day of the fair in 2005, CAAT organised a march through the streets of East Ham towards the ExCeL centre in which hundreds participated. Newham residents also took part in a silent candle-lit vigil for peace. Though the protests are non-violent, nonetheless over a thousand police were deployed as security for DSEi 2005, at a cost of £4.4 million.[8] |
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[edit] DSEi 2005
DSEi 2005 was held from September 13-16. It was 30% bigger than 2003's event, and in addition to traditional military systems & equipment, displayed "products and services related to Homeland security, anti-terrorism, access control, and personal security."[9]
[edit] DSEi 2007
DSEi 2007 was held on September 11-14 at the ExCeL centre.
The Space Hijackers protest group managed to successfully drive a tank up to the front doors of the fair after fooling police into swooping on a decoy vehicle. The tank was then auctioned off to the highest bidder outside the fair in front of the press in order to highlight the lack of controls over the arms trade.
[edit] External links
[edit] Official sites
[edit] Anti-DSEi links
- Disarm DSEi co-ordinates actions against the arms fair
- Campaign Against Arms Trade Arms Fairs Campaign
- Indymedia UK coverage of 2003 protests
- Indymedia UK coverage of 2005 protests
[edit] References
- ^ DSEi Defence Systems & Equipment International Exhibition 2009
- ^ DSEi - Video
- ^ Reed Elsevier - Reed Elsevier to exit the defence exhibitions sector
- ^ CAAT - Arms Fairs
- ^ ArmsFairs.com
- ^ £1m police operation guards London arms fair | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited
- ^ Activists plan legal challenge to arms fair policing | The Guardian | Guardian Unlimited
- ^ ArmsFairs.com
- ^ ArmsFairs.com
