DSEI 2025: ‘Future force’ a focus but questions remain on core UK air programmes
Leonardo’s AW149 is the sole helicopter platform in the running for the NMH contract. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Focused on shaping the armed forces for the fight ahead, DSEI will hone in on new technology and small and medium enterprises to help lead the sector forward.
With the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) now published and its commitment to increase defence spend to an historic 2.5% of GDP by 2027 announced, backdropped by the Ukraine war, the landscape ahead of this year's DSEI exhibition has reached a pivotal juncture.
Given the theme of ‘Preparing the Future Force’, DSEI 2025 is set to be bigger and broader than previous years. Eighteen of the top 20 Western defence companies will be hosted, with around 40 countries in attendance and Ukraine given a more senior representation reflecting the concentrated focus on defence in the UK and across Europe.
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