Out and about with Inform: Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) Conference

The Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) conference is the largest fully integrated defence and security hybrid event that connects governments, the armed forces, and the wider industry on a global scale.

The theme of this year’s event was the future of defence, emphasising collaboration, innovation, and integration.

At Inform we’ve a real sense of pride working with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) – that’s why we make sure headline events like DSEI are firmly in our team’s diaries to attend. Championing our clients means absorbing everything that’s going on within their industry and sharing insights with our colleagues back at Inform ‘HQ’.

And it seems there’s no event quite like DSEI, as you’ll uncover by reading Ezme’s event day diary.

9am

Excitement builds

9.10am

Safe passage

10.30am

Exploring BNS Castor

Now for the panel discussion.

Accelerating Digitisation – the Campaign Advantage presented by Digital Exploitation for Defence (DX4D).

The headlines:

Charlie Forte, Chief Information Officer, is chairing and Caroline Bellamy, our key stakeholder in Data for Defence Office is a panel speaker. The messaging’s aligned and clear: Data is the new ammunition in executing defence and warfare effectively.

Air Vice-Marshal David Arthurton OBE, Director Military Digitisation, Defence Digital, stresses the importance of Campaign Advantage which has a focus on delivering three key areas for Defence: DX4D (a data exploitation programme owned by the 2nd Permanent Secretary), Command and Control (the efficient application of military power), and kill chain (delivering timidly decisions in warfare). He also notes DDAP (Defence Data Analytics Platform) as the platform ready to unlock the power of data for Defence.

Director of Capability, Strategic Command, Major General Robin Anderton-Brown says having an outcome-focused mindset, especially in a world of fast paced technology, is key. He tells us that strategic command isn’t just about responding to threat, but always being prepared for the next threat.

Next up, Andy Start, Chief Exec Officer, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) highlights the need for integration and collaboration in following the ‘Today, tomorrow, together’ strategy – driving platforms today, spinning in new systems tomorrow, together with allies and industries.

Dr Nina Cope CB, Chief Operating Officer at MOD, urges a shift towards outcome-focused thinking and partnerships with allies. She advocates for a more holistic approach, emphasising that the defence system should be interconnected rather than in isolated structures. She talks about the importance of how we’re designed; the types of diverse people and the thinking we need to attract and retain to reach a collective ambition.

Caroline Bellamy, Chief Data Officer, MOD speaks last, but with the most clarity. Caroline shares that data underpins military outcomes and success, so that those who need it, behind a desk, or in a fighter jet, have the intel they need. She states that data isn’t an afterthought – it’s at the heart of what they’re building at MOD for future readiness.

1.30pm

Stands and stakeholders

After the panel discussion, we’re feeling inspired and clear on MOD’s ambition and outcomes. We mooch around the exhibition stands, not just to gather free merch (although our new bags and pens are handy).

We visit DE&S, ADS Group, Bae Systems, Palantir, and more. We have some good conversations around hot topics (data and AI) and meet some of the key stakeholders we work with, including Defence Digital Comms.

We grab some lunch and fight for a seat (there are thousands of people). Careful, Michele has sushi chopsticks.

We head towards another DSEI keynote session in the aerospace arena, but wait, is that a full-size tank?

Wait again. It’s been upstaged by a helicopter.

I have so many questions. How did they get this in the exhibition?

Focus Ezme. We move on…

4pm

Modern cloud, modern warfare

We listen to a discussion on Modern Cloud for Modern Battlefield.

The panel includes thought-leaders from Oracle and Brigadier Stefan Crossfield, Chief Data Officer for the British Army.

We hear about the necessity of dealing with legacy systems, the shifting mission focus from the battlefield to data centres, the critical advantage of gathering intelligence rapidly, and the importance of sharing information – especially through cloud capability.

The talk ends with a closing remark about modern warfare being fought through Python code, more than on the battlefield, and the need to adapt by hiring the best next generation of talent, and quickly.