Concern grows over government’s inability – or reluctance – to prevent sale of established defence firms
Defence industry bosses have missed out on a year’s worth of hobnobbing with customers at trade fairs like the Farnborough and Paris air shows, but will have the chance to make up for lost time this week when Europe’s biggest arms fair returns to the ExCeL centre in London.
Amid tight security and demonstrations by protestors, a vast array of weaponry will be on sale at the UK’s most controversial trade fair, DSEI, which opens on Tuesday. However, it is the purchase of UK companies that is likely to occupy the thoughts of bosses – and the government – in one corner of the arms fair.