DISCOVER THE FUTURE OF MARITIME DEFENCE AT THE NAVAL ZONE
Welcome to the Naval Zone at DSEI 2023, a crucial cornerstone of the event that spotlights the latest advancements in maritime defence. This dedicated area is proudly supported by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE, and the Royal Navy, showcasing cutting-edge vehicles, weapons, sensors and equipment from global innovators.
A visit to the Naval Zone provides an unrivalled opportunity to engage directly with the Royal Navy, meet industry-leading exhibitors including Thales, JFD, MSI and Atlas Elektronik, and connect with a vast network of suppliers and partners.
NAVAL ZONE BENEFITS
Interactive Showcase
View cutting-edge vessels and maritime technology up close in our unique dockside setting, featuring maritime capabilities and international warships.
Networking Opportunities
Broaden your connections by meeting over 65 naval-specific companies and VIP military and government delegations from more than 90 countries.
Tour of International Warships
Experience an exclusive look into naval operations by touring international warships visiting the dock.
Exclusive Industry Insight
Discover the latest trends and technologies, understanding the impact of platform availability, capability improvements, and sustainability on naval operations.
The Naval Forum
Engage with Top Exhibitors
Attendees have the opportunity to connect with leading industry players, such as Thales, JFD, MSI and Atlas Elektronik.
By visiting the Naval Zone, you are not only immersing yourself in the heart of Naval defence innovation, but also signifying your potential for a strong partnership with the Royal Navy. Uncover opportunities, foster valuable connections, and propel your business forward in this dynamic environment. Be a part of the future of defence at the Naval Zone, DSEI 2023.
Visiting Ships at DSEI 2023

HMS Iron Duke
The Royal Navy’s HMS Iron Duke has recently returned to frontline service after undergoing the most complex overhaul of any Type 23 frigate to date. With more than 1.7 million hours of work completed by the collective efforts of shipwrights, engineers, technicians and experts – both civilian and Royal Navy; HMS Iron Duke returns to service as the most technologically advanced frigate.
With technological upgrades taking centre stage at this year’s DSEI, the Iron Duke represents the first of a series of successful technological upgrades to older ships with the LIFEX programme. This includes significant upgrades to electronic equipment, including communications, navigation and weapon systems to counter more sophisticated threats of 21st century warfare. The refit will enable HMS Iron Duke to remain at the forefront of naval operations until her successors, the Type 26s and 31 frigates begin to enter service later this decade.

HNLMS De Ruyter
Echoing a push across allied NATO maritime forces to revitalise naval capabilities, the Netherlands ship, HNLMS De Ruyter is a De Zeven Provinciën-class air defence and command frigate, has also received a mid-life technological upgrade. These upgrades have expanded the versatility of the ship, expanding its capabilities to protect a fleet across the environments and host a complete operational staff on board.

HMS Puncher
Also set to be at DSEI are two Royal Navy inshore patrol vessels, HMS Pursuer and Puncher. As part of Coastal Forces Squadron which operate across the UK and as far as the Baltic Sea and Gibraltar, the P2000 Archer Class patrol crafts are unique in their ability to operate in ports and confined waters that are not accessible to warships and can be used to support roles from safeguarding Britain’s nuclear fleet and maritime security to participating in NATO overseas operations and training the next generation of naval officers. More recently, HMS Puncher has played a key role in expanding the UK’s underwater warfare (UW) capabilities with recent Autonomous Underwater Vehicle trials.

HMS Pursuer
The second Royal Navy inshore patrol vessels, HMS Pursuer was built at Vosper Thorneycroft and commissioned in 1988.
Pursuer was sent to Cyprus ahead of Operation Telic, the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, transported on board the CEC Mayflower. The Royal Navy Cyprus Squadron was created in February 2003 to protect ships around the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus, a vital staging post in the British logistic chain to Iraq.
From 2020 to 2022 she was posted to Gibraltar Squadron. In July 2020, Pursuer escorted the Spanish patrol boat Serviola out of Gibraltar's territorial waters.
Visiting Ships at DSEI 2023
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BNS Castor
The Belgian Navy’s BNS Castor reinforces the Coastguard structure and operates predominantly within the Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) but can be deployed wider within Europe. BNS Castor conducts the following tasks: security of critical maritime infrastructure, monitoring of non-NATO units, fishery and customs inspection, anti-pollution operations, MARPOL inspections and search and rescue operations at sea.
Alongside the visiting ships, the maritime domain is well represented with the Naval Zone set to entice visitors with an interactive showcase of the latest vessels and naval technology. The Royal Navy will have a strong presence at DSEI and will host a stand that will focus on the Future Air Dominance System concept, surface and underwater UAVs, missile systems and will feature interactive displays.
STAY INFORMED ON KEY TECHNOLOGICAL PROJECTS
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DSEI's world-class programme highlights thought leaders from military, government and industry across the globe as they outline their greatest challenges, requirements and the ground-breaking developments they're proposing in an increasingly contested and challenged world stage. Enhance your industry insights and delve into the present and future needs of the Front Line Commands and see how your knowledge fits into their challenges.
FEATURED FORUM SESSIONS
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Brigadier General (res) Dr. Danny Gold, Head of Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D), Ministry of Defense, IsraelNaval Forum
Live-streamed from Strategic Command & Keynote Forum
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James Cartlidge MP, Minister for Defence Procurement, UK GovernmentNaval Forum
Live-streamed from Strategic Command & Keynote Forum
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- Sustainability & Climate Change
Naval ForumSession Sponsor:
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General Sir Patrick Sanders, Chief of the General Staff, British ArmyNaval Forum
Live-streamed from Strategic Command & Keynote Forum
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- Sustainability & Climate Change
Naval ForumThe ways in which maritime forces deploy, undertake future activity and conduct combat operations wh ...Session Sponsor:
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General Sir Jim Hockenhull, Commander, Strategic CommandNaval ForumLive-streamed from the Strategic Command & Keynote Forum
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- Sustainability & Climate Change
Naval ForumThis panel will explore how Western militaries can use novel technologies to better manage equipment ...Session Sponsor:
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Forum emptyNaval Forum
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Erika Kuročkina, Vice Minister of Economy and Innovation, The Republic of LithuaniaNaval ForumLive-streamed from Strategic Command & Keynote Forum
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- Technology Innovation
Naval ForumThe RN’s CTO (Brigadier Jaimie Roylance RM) and CDIO (Dr Leon Douglas) will present a brief descript ...Session Sponsor:
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Admiral Sir Ben Key, First Sea Lord, Royal NavyNaval ForumLive-streamed from Strategic Command & Keynote Forum
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- Technology Innovation
Naval ForumHow the rapidly developing threat environment is shaping the need for the delivery of technology at ...Session Sponsor:
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Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton KCB ADC, Chief of the Air Staff, RAFNaval ForumLive-streamed from Strategic Command & Keynote Forum
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- Technology Innovation
Naval ForumAutomation and autonomy are fascinating technologies which are being used operationally in the marit ...Session Sponsor:
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Admiral Sir Keith Blount, DSACEUR, NATONaval ForumLive-streamed from Strategic Command & Keynote Forum
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- Technology Innovation
Naval ForumDelve into the significance of Mission Data in the development, generation and successful employment ...Session Sponsor:
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- Technology Innovation
- Agile Acquisition & Rapid Delivery
- Supplier Engagement
- Achieving an Integrated Force
Naval ForumCategory Management offers a strategic approach to procurement and supply chain management, unlockin ... -
Vice Admiral IMAYOSHI Shinichi, Director General Naval Systems, ATLANaval ForumLive-streamed from Strategic Command & Keynote Forum
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- Agile Acquisition & Rapid Delivery
Naval ForumTraditionally, procurement in defence has an absence of interaction with innovative startups and SME ...Session Sponsor:
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Andy Start, CEO - Defence Equipment & Support, UK Ministry of DefenceNaval ForumLive-streamed from Strategic Command & Keynote Forum
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- Agile Acquisition & Rapid Delivery
Naval ForumTechnological change is continuing to accelerate, with maritime forces needing to absorb and operate ...Session Sponsor:
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Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, UK Ministry of DefenceNaval ForumLive-streamed from Strategic Command & Keynote Forum
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- Agile Acquisition & Rapid Delivery
Naval ForumWith circa 140 platform types and over 1.6million assets, the British military’s future support appr ...Session Sponsor:
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- Agile Acquisition & Rapid Delivery
Naval ForumAs navies evaluate their future capability demands to achieve affordable military advantage, common ...Session Sponsor:
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- Training & Talent Management
Naval ForumCDP will outline the People Strategy and then within context of DCPR will focus his speech on how we get the right people, with right skills, in right place at the right time to deliver defence outputs. A key part of this will be digitalisation as an enabler and the HRAFI recommendations to consider the opportunities the 'generational review' gives us in policy and process simplification and improving the wider "Offer" to both our military (Reg & reserve) and our civilian workforce - taking a truly wholeforce approach.
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- Training & Talent Management
Naval ForumEnsuring the right people, with the right skills are available at the right time means we need to bu ...Session Sponsor:
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- Training & Talent Management
Naval ForumSession Sponsor:
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- Training & Talent Management
Naval ForumThis panel will focus on the skills and capabilities needed to build a cohesive and adaptable force. ...