Guidance

UKDSE events and exhibition support

Updated 2 March 2026

Events and exhibitions are an important part of delivering export success in the sectors we cover:

• defence
• physical and cyber security

UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE) offers events-based support to UK companies of all sizes, both at home and overseas.

Contact ukdse.events@businessandtrade.gov.uk for more information about our event support, including latest costs for hiring space and services at shows and at our Larkhill Exhibition Centre.

If you are a small or medium-sized business, you can find additional information about the support we offer at the UKDSE Export Faculty.

Exhibition pod system

Companies can purchase a showcase ‘pod’ as part of a UKDSE-organised UK pavilion at a given domestic or international event.

Benefits include:

• exhibiting under clear UK or His Majesty’s Government (HMG) branding
• increased cost effectiveness, in terms of stand space
• stand visits from senior UK and international stakeholders
• meetings with important UK and international decision-makers
• UKDSE staff on the stand alongside your company representatives
• access to a meeting room when available and on-stand refreshments

‘Soldier on stand’

Companies can request for a serving member of the British Army to accompany them to exhibitions. This can help companies to demonstrate particular products and provide insight and guidance to potential buyers, all based on their own real-world experience.

Equipment showcase area

At certain exhibitions and events, companies can purchase space to display equipment and capability supported by our embedded military personnel.

Defence and Security Industry Days (DSIDs)

Events where UK companies can display their products onboard a Royal Navy vessel and draw upon expert insights during their demonstrations.

Supply chain events

UKDSE regularly holds ‘meet the buyer’ events. These events give UK businesses the opportunity to discuss their goods and services with leading UK and overseas contractors, as well as overseas government, military and industrial procurement officials.

Trade missions

When buying countries identify a particular export need, we support groups of UK companies to meet with the overseas buyer face to face in their home country. This can often take place at multiple locations.

Larkhill Exhibition Centre

UK companies can benefit from use of our multi-purpose venue at Larkhill Garrison, Wiltshire, which is only available to government and industry.

Companies can host a range of activities here, taking advantage of:

• an exhibition hangar to display products and services
• a hospitality space to host workshops, training and smaller events
• a breakout area for private meetings

Larkhill UK capability showcase

For a small fee, businesses can purchase a space in our capability showcase at Larkhill Garrison, a dedicated location for businesses to display defence and security products for their audiences.

Benefits of being part of the showcase include:

• regular footfall from UK and foreign government stakeholders
• custom-made display space
• augmented reality showcase for stakeholders who can’t visit in person

Exhibition event calendar

Ministry of Defence UK (previously UKDSE) will be present at the following UK and international events in 2026.

Event name	Location	Dates	Presence	Expression of Interest
SAHA	Istanbul, Turkey	5 to 9 May 2026	Stand	Applications closed
BSDA	Bucharest, Romania	13 to 15 May 2026	Stand	Applications closed
SOF Week	USA	18 to 21 May 2026	Stand	Applications closed

Note that exhibition dates are subject to change.