More than 1,600 exhibitors from over 40 countries are displaying their latest weapons and defence systems at Defence & Security Equipment international (DSEi).
By David Sim
The world's biggest arms trade fair officially opened in London on Tuesday 12 September. More than 1,600 exhibitors from over 40 countries are displaying their latest weapons and defence systems at the show, which allows buyers and sellers of arms to network and make preliminary deals.
Ammunition and military vests are displayed at the Defence and Security Equipment International trade show in LondonHannah McKay/Reuters
Ammunition and military vests are displayed at the Defence and Security Equipment International trade show in LondonHannah McKay/Reuters
A man chats on his phone as he leans on a CV90 Battle Station in the BAE Systems display areaLeon Neal/Getty Images
A visitor looks at an MP5K sub-machine gunHannah McKay/Reuters
The Defence & Security Equipment international (DSEi) show, which is held every two years, is expected to attract over 34,000 attendees, including arms manufacturers and foreign military delegations and representatives of international governments.
A delegation from the Botswana military watch as a member of the SAAB team explains their latest rocket-propelled weapons
Even before visitors enter the vast halls, they pass tanks and military helicopters parked outside the ExCeL centre, and are greeted by warships barking: "You are approaching a restricted area". Inside, they can inspect submachine guns, missile systems, drones and the latest high-tech surveillance technology.
A salesperson poses with an AR series rifle Hannah McKay/Reuters
A salesperson shows off a Delft Dynamics Drone Catcher Hannah McKay/Reuters
Two men talk as they sit inside a VBCI armoured personnel carrierLeon Neal/Getty Images
Various rounds of ammunition are displayed on the Sniper Extreme munitions company stand
A delegate looks at the effects of 40mm CTAI cased telescoped ammunition on the BAE Systems standLeon Neal/Getty Images
A man wears the X-teraso wearable rechargeable LED floodlight systemLeon Neal/Getty Images
A visitor tests a Safran Joint Fires Support SystemHannah McKay/Reuters
Medical staff demonstrate first aid on an injured mannequinHannah McKay/Reuters
A medically-accurate dummy is seen in the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) demonstration area. (Photos: Hannah McKay/Reuters, Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Delegates try out handguns on the Heckler and Koch display standLeon Neal/Getty Images
A handgun recoil suppression system is seen on the Eli standLeon Neal/Getty Images
Delegates shoot at targets with non-lethal rounds on the Ultimate Training Munitions display standLeon Neal/Getty Images
DSEi organisers claim the event itself brings £300m into Britain's economy. The defence industry is said to generate £35bn annually and employ up to 300,000. Campaign groups have accused DSEi organisers and the government of "rolling out the red carpet" to despotic regimes, including some of the worst human rights abusers, such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan. More than 100 protesters have so far been arrested this year for trying to disrupt proceedings.
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