About DSEI

Land + Naval + AIR + Security + Unmanned + Medical

What is DSEI?

DSEI (Defence & Security Equipment International) is the world’s largest arms fair. It allows arms buyers and sellers to network and make deals. It happens once every two years, in the second week in September, at ExCeL – the huge exhibition centre in London Docklands.

You can find out more on the website of Campaign Against Arms Trade:

Can we actually stop the arms fair?

It may sound like a pretty big ask: shutting down a heavily policed, multi-million pound arms fair.

Still, it is possible. In 2008, the Asia-Pacific Defence and Security Exhibition was cancelled due to “the cost of security” and “the possible threats of violence” – apparently the irony of accusing the people peacefully protesting an arms fair of violence was lost on them. Read Campaign Against Arms Trade’s blog on the subject- “How to stop an arms fair”

Where is the ExCeL centre?

View Larger Map

The ExCeL centre is hidden away in London’s docklands.

Tube: nearby stations include Royal Victoria, Custom House, and Prince Regent on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). On the Jubilee line and DLR, slightly further away, isCanning Town.

Car: Follow signs for Royal Docks, City Airport and ExCeL (postcode E16 1XL).

If you’re from outside London: the TFL website explains how to get around London. If you want to share transport, or you have spaces to offer, then see our transport page.

For more transport information, see ExCeL’s website. They also have an interactive map so you can get a sense of what it looks like inside.