About Campaign Against Arms Trade

Protestors at DSEi 2003

The Campaign Against Arms Trade has been working since 1974 to end all international arms sales, focussing on exports to oppressive regimes and developing countries, and for the conversion of military industry into civil production.

We work with the media to expose the arms traders' dirty deals, as well as lobbying government and MPs to restrict the arms trade and end subsidies that support weapons exports. We also research the devastating effects of the arms trade, whilst our national network of activists carries our message across the country.

CAAT and the Arms Fairs

For all the reasons that CAAT opposes the arms trade, we oppose the presence of arms fairs. This mini-website is part of our on-going campaign to oppose arms fairs around the world.

CAAT has long been campaigning for the closure of DSEi, one of the world's biggest arms fairs, and in June 2007 won an important victory with the commercial organiser, Reed Elsevier pulling out of the arms fair business.

In May 2008 DSEi, along with two other arms fairs, was sold to Clarion Events. We are now campaigning to make the public distaste for arms fairs tangible to the new owners. We will be putting pressure on Clarion and will continue to call on the government to end its support for DSEi.

Join CAAT today

Without our supporters, we wouldn't be able to continue with this vital work. Whether you want to join our action network, or could simply help with a financial contribution, you can find out more here.