Arms Fairs are crucial to the smooth running of the arms trade. Arms fairs help to promote weapons sales by giving arms dealers the chance to meet and greet military delegations, government officials, other arms companies and suppliers, and interested individuals. Unsurprisingly, the guest lists for arms fairs frequently include regimes who abuse human rights, and countries actively involved in armed conflicts.
Government support for arms fairs
The UK government even has a department dedicated to promoting weapons sales. The UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) is an essential part of UK arms fairs. UKTI DSO will offer arms companies funding to attend arms fairs, as well as loaning them British Army staff to demonstrate their weaponry. UKTI DSO also takes exhibition space at many international arms fairs to promote the UK trade in arms. You can find out more about UKTI DSO's work promoting the arms industry.
UK Arms Fairs
Find out more about the two biggest UK arms fairs. For more about forthcoming arms fairs, visit CAAT's arms fair calendar.
Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEi)
DSEi is one of the world's largest arms fairs, owned and organised by Clarion Events, a commercial company. DSEi takes place in the ExCel Center in the Docklands area of London and takes place every two years. It receives major financial, logistical and political support from the UK government, most notably through government arms sales unit UKTI DSO.
The most recent DSEi arms fair took place in September 2011 - the next is scheduled for September 2013. CAAT is campaigning to end DSEi and end the government support that makes it possible. Find out more about DSEi and join us in action to Stop the Arms Fair.
Farnborough International
Farnborough International displays civilian and military aircraft and is held at Farnborough Airfield in Hampshire. It is run by Farnborough International Ltd, a subsidiary company owned by the arms industry body ADS. The last Farnborough Airshow took place in 2010 - the next is scheduled for July 2012.
At Farnborough International booths of weaponry sit side-by-side with civil aerospace stands and the event finishes with a public air display, but it is still very much an arms fair. Farnborough features the world's top arms companies and military delegations from around the world. Find out more about Farnborough.
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