What DSEI does

DSEI (Defence and Security Exhibition International) is a biennial defence and security exhibition organised by Clarion Events Ltd under its Clarion Defence & Security division. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in London, the company operates the flagship DSEI UK show at ExCeL London and complementary wholly-owned exhibitions in Germany and Japan. The show is structured across eight specialised zones — Aerospace, Land, Naval, Space, Medical, Manufacturing, Tech, and International Pavilions — with visiting warships, waterborne demonstrations, static displays, and the NextGen Agenda for emerging defence professionals.

DSEI monetises through five primary streams: exhibition stand sales to 1,600+ exhibiting companies, tiered sponsorship packages (Platinum VIP, Strategic Collaboration, International, Gold, Silver, Bronze, plus Forum, Zone, and Maritime Suite sponsors), year-round digital advertising across its 1M+ visitor website, two paid newsletters (Defence Contracts Digest and Defence Supplier Brief) with 15,000+ subscribers, and the DSEI Gateway paid annual membership. DSEI Gateway, operated by Clarion Defence Digital Ltd, extends the franchise between physical editions with news, special reports, supplier directory listings, a jobs board, webinars, and member events.

The customer base spans global defence primes (Babcock, Rolls-Royce, Thales, DXC), professional services firms (Deloitte, PA Consulting, EY, Fujitsu, Capita), dual-use and SME technology providers, and government delegations including the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and British Army. Recent editions have drawn 45,000+ attendees, 3,300+ global VIP delegations, 460+ starred officers, and representation from 90+ countries, with the 2025 edition described as record-breaking and DSEI UK 2027 reported as near full capacity.

Name

DSEI

Legal name

Clarion Events Ltd

Website

https://dsei.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DSEI is a biennial defence and security exhibition organised by Clarion Events Ltd at ExCeL London, convening 1,600+ exhibitors, 45,000+ attendees, and 90+ country delegations for B2B defence procurement across land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defence Trade Shows and Exhibitions

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

akta.pro primary industry

Defense Acquisition, Procurement & Contracting (BPAIAHAB)

Keywords

• Defence exhibitions
• Defence trade shows
• Event management
• Defence industry networking
• Business matchmaking

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Exhibition Stand Sales: Revenue generated from renting exhibition space to defence manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers. Stand bookings range from standard floor space to premium locations and sponsored zones.
2. Sponsorship Packages: Tiered sponsorship offerings including Platinum VIP, Strategic Collaboration Partner, International Partner, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Forum Sponsors, Zone Sponsors, and Maritime Suite Sponsors. Includes branding opportunities, thought leadership sessions, lead generation, and networking receptions.
3. Digital Advertising: Year-round digital advertising solutions including website placements, newsletter sponsorships, social media, retargeting, directory listings, and thought leadership content partnerships.
4. Newsletter Subscriptions: Defence Supplier Brief (monthly) and Defence Contracts Digest (weekly) newsletters providing industry news, tenders, and funding opportunities to subscribers.
5. DSEI Gateway Membership: Annual membership program providing access to procurement events, networking sessions, webinars, exclusive content, and defence community resources for SMEs and defence sector participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

DSEI organizes and operates the flagship biennial UK defence and security exhibition at ExCeL London, bringing together 1,600+ defence manufacturers, governments, military officials, and procurement organisations across eight specialised Zones (Aerospace, Land, Naval, Space, Medical, Manufacturing, Tech, International Pavilions). The company sells exhibition stand space, tiered sponsorship packages, digital advertising, newsletter subscriptions, and year-round DSEI Gateway membership, complemented by sister events DSEI Germany and DSEI Japan.

Product overview

DSEI operates as a global defence and security exhibition and year-round digital platform. The core offering is the DSEI UK Exhibition — a biennial flagship event held at ExCeL London — supplemented by DSEI Germany and DSEI Japan exhibitions. The event is structured across eight specialised Zones: Aerospace, Land, Naval, Space, Medical, Manufacturing, Tech, and International Pavilions, each with dedicated exhibits, forums, networking, and conference theatres. Supporting the physical events, DSEI Gateway serves as a year-round digital membership platform providing news, special reports, supplier directories, event calendars, newsletters (Defence Contracts Digest weekly, Defence Supplier Brief monthly), and member events. Commercial offerings include tiered Sponsorship Packages (Platinum to Bronze), Digital Advertising Solutions, and the DSEI Gateway Partner Programme. DSEI's product portfolio also includes static and waterborne displays, the NextGen Agenda for emerging professionals, and UK MoD Static Display showcasing British Army and Royal Navy equipment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DSEI Gateway: Digital membership platform providing defence news, insights, procurement opportunities, and networking for SMEs in the defence sector
• Defence Supplier Brief
• Defence Contracts Digest

Products and services

• DSEI UK Exhibition Flagship biennial UK defence and security exhibition held at ExCeL London, bringing together 1,600+ defence organisations, decision-makers, military officials, and industry innovators across all defence domains. The event features live demonstrations, static displays, forums, and networking opportunities.
• DSEI Germany Exhibition International defence exhibition operated by DSEI in Germany, complementary to the UK flagship event and open for bookings.
• DSEI Japan Exhibition International defence exhibition operated by DSEI in Japan, complementary to the UK flagship event and open for bookings.
• DSEI Gateway Year-round digital membership platform operated by DSEI providing defence industry news, special reports, market navigators, webinars, on-demand content, a supplier directory, jobs board, member event calendar, and newsletters (Defence Supplier Brief and Defence Contracts Digest) to SMEs and defence professionals.
• DSEI UK Sponsorship Packages Tiered sponsorship packages at DSEI UK including Platinum VIP Sponsor, Strategic Collaboration Partner, International Partner, Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers, plus Forum Sponsors, Zone Sponsors, Tech sponsors, Maritime Suite Sponsors, and Waterborne Demo Sponsors, offering brand exposure, thought leadership sessions, lead generation, and networking opportunities.
• DSEI UK Digital Advertising Solutions Year-round digital advertising solutions including website placements (1M+ visitors), newsletter sponsorships (15,000+ subscribers), social media (LinkedIn reach up to 23K), retargeting, mobile advertising, directory listings, roundtables, sponsored articles, and thought leadership/white papers, targeting 18,400+ defence decision-makers across 100+ countries.
• DSEI Gateway Membership Paid annual membership programme offering access to premium procurement opportunities, defence news, member events (procurement series, networking, thought leadership, investor events), a supplier directory listing, jobs board, and exclusive access to the DSEI Annual Gala Dinner and other social events. Targeted at SMEs and defence sector participants.
• UK MoD Static Display Static display area at DSEI UK featuring equipment from the UK Ministry of Defence and British Army, including Proteus (autonomous VTOL UAS), Foxhound protected patrol vehicle, Boxer 8x8 armoured vehicle, Ajax tracked armoured fighting vehicles, Jackal high-mobility weapons platform, Typhoon aircraft, K3 Scout USV, Challenger 3 main battle tank, and soldier equipment.
• Defence Contracts Digest A weekly newsletter delivering global updates on military contracts, international defence budgets, aerospace advancements, and cutting-edge technologies to subscribers.
• Defence Supplier Brief A monthly newsletter curated for defence suppliers, delivering a selection of news, tenders, and funding opportunities, covering industry deals, partnerships, procurement news, and emerging technology trends.
• Year Ahead in Defence 2026 A special report by DSEI's Editor in Chief Olivia Savage providing top predictions on global defence technology trends for 2026, part of the DSEI Gateway Insights library.
• DSEI Gateway News Year-round news coverage from DSEI Gateway across categories including Budget & Investment, SME, Strategy & Policy, Technology, Land, Air, Naval, Space, and Uncrewed, covering global defence developments across EMEA, Americas, APAC, and Europe.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, major and supporting.

• DXC TechnologyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum VIP Sponsor of DSEI UK 2027. As the highest-tier sponsor, DXC Technology receives maximum brand exposure, VIP networking access, and thought leadership positioning at the flagship UK defence exhibition.
• PA ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Collaboration Partner, providing thought leadership and strategic advisory services positioning to DSEI UK attendees.
• DeloittecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Partner with global reach in defence consulting and advisory services, supporting DSEI's international audience engagement.
• Babcock InternationalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor and Gallery Suite participant. Major UK defence contractor showcasing capabilities across maritime, land, and nuclear sectors.
• CapitamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor. UK-based professional services company with significant defence and government service offerings.
• FujitsusupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Sponsor providing digital transformation and technology services to defence organisations.
• EYsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Sponsor and Maritime Suite Sponsor. Professional services firm with defence advisory capabilities.
• Rolls-RoycesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Sponsor and power systems provider for aerospace, naval, and land defence platforms.
• Ultra MaritimesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Sponsor specialising in maritime electronic systems and naval combat solutions.
• ICEYEcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerZone Sponsor for Tech, Aerospace, and Space zones. Provides synthetic aperture radar satellite imagery for defence and security applications.
• ThalesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGallery Suite participant and major defence contractor across aerospace, naval, land, and digital security domains.
• Defense NewscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Media and Show Daily Partner. Trusted source for world defence decision-makers providing news on defence policies, legislation, market developments, and technologies.
• Aviation Week NetworkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier provider of defence, aerospace, and aviation intelligence serving 1.2 million professionals globally. Part of Informa Markets.
• ADS (Advance Magazine)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPolicy Media Partner. Official quarterly magazine of ADS, the trade organisation advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space industries.
• Naval NewssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia Partner specialising in naval and maritime domain news with nearly 1 million monthly digital audiences.
• Armada InternationalsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia Partner covering global defence technology and procurement since 1976, serving decision-makers in armed forces and industry.
• Clarion Events LtdcoreOthersParent company and organiser of DSEI events. Clarion Events is part of Clarion Defence & Security division, managing global defence and security exhibitions.
• ExCeL LondoncoreOthersVenue partner for DSEI UK exhibitions. ExCeL (Exhibition Centre London) located at Royal Victoria Dock provides 868,000 sq ft of exhibition space.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Clarion Defence & Security: Parent division of Clarion Events Ltd that organises DSEI and other defence/security events. Provides operational infrastructure (venues, marketing, sales) and adjacent product lines that benefit from DSEI's brand.

Direct peers

• IMDEX Asia: Biennial international maritime defence exhibition held in Singapore. Direct peer to DSEI's Naval Zone, competing for the same naval OEMs, Asian navy delegations, and maritime defence procurement budgets.
• Paris Air Show (Salon International de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace): Biennial aerospace and defence exhibition and airshow held at Le Bourget. Direct peer to DSEI for aerospace primes, combat air programmes, and international government delegations across the aerospace/defence crossover.
• Eurosatory: Biennial defence and security exhibition held in Paris, France. Direct peer to DSEI UK in scope (land, air, naval, security) and audience (defence ministries, militaries, primes), and is the principal competing European defence trade show.
• Farnborough International Airshow: Biennial aerospace and defence trade show and airshow in the UK. Direct peer competing with DSEI's Aerospace Zone for air-defence OEMs, government air force delegations, and tier-1 sponsors in the UK ecosystem.
• AUSA (Association of the United States Army) Annual Meeting: Annual US Army conference and exhibition in Washington, D.C. Direct peer for land defence exhibitors and army-focused procurement decision-makers; sets the cadence against which DSEI's Land Zone competes.
• DefExpo (India): Biennial defence exhibition in India organised with the Ministry of Defence. Direct peer for Asian defence suppliers, Indian military procurement delegations, and offset-driven international partnerships.
• LAAD Defense & Security: Biennial defence and security exhibition held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Direct peer for Latin American defence suppliers, regional government buyers, and security-focused exhibitor line-ups.
• IDEX (International Defence Exhibition): Biennial defence exhibition in Abu Dhabi, UAE, focused on land, sea, and air defence technologies. Direct peer competing for the same global defence primes, government delegations, and procurement budgets that DSEI UK serves.
• MSPO (International Defence Industry Exhibition): Annual defence industry exhibition held in Kielce, Poland. Direct peer competing for Central and Eastern European defence suppliers, NATO-aligned buyers, and the Central European procurement community.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dsei
• Xx.com/dsei_event

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DSEI