The UK Ministry of Defence used to hold two separate defence equipment shows, one featuring Army equipment held at Aldershot, and the other hosted by the Royal Navy at Whale Island, Portsmouth. A few years ago the decision was taken to amalgamate the Army and Navy elements into a combined defence equipment showcase and opened up to international participation, with the new venue at the Excel Exhibition Centre in London’s Docklands, which was considered a more convenient location, with the bonus of a deep-water quayside right alongside, allowing ships up to frigate–size to be displayed. More recently, the show content has been expanded to include air systems and also security products and services, thus it has grown to become an extremely large and comprehensive event, attracting worldwide exhibitors and visitors.

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