UK Defence and Security Exports

The organisation was founded in 1966 by Denis Healey, the Secretary of State for Defence at the time. In January of that year he informed Parliament that "while the Government attach[es] the highest importance to making progress in the field of arms control and disarmament, we must also take what practical steps we can to ensure that this country does not fail to secure its rightful share of this valuable commercial market."[1] Founded as the Defence Sales Organisation, the organisation was renamed the Defence Export Services Organisation in 1985.[1]

On 26 July 2007 Gordon Brown announced that the DESO would be transferred to UK Trade & Investment from April 2008, and would be renamed to UKTI Defence and Security Group.[3][4]

The DESO has traditionally been headed by executives of defence companies who are officially seconded from their employer and continue to receive their salary.[5] Historically a third of the DESO's 500 staff were involved in support of the Al Yamamah contracts with Saudi Arabia.[5] DESO is involved in the Defence Systems & Equipment International exhibition. These contracts stayed within the remit of the Ministry of Defence when the DESO became part of UKTI.

In July 2020, the organisation was renamed UK Defence and Security Exports.[6]

DESO had an overall operating budget for 2006/7 of £51.438 million, largely covered by income received from customer governments, leaving a residue of just under £16 million provided by the British Government. For 2006/2007 it identified its priority markets as Greece, India, Japan, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United States.[7]

As of 1 February 2007, it had 466 staff on its books.[7][1] Nearly 400 are based in London with another 100 located in offices in 17 countries worldwide, including 65 based in Saudi Arabia.[1] The DESO also works with military attachés based in around 80 UK embassies when necessary.[1]

Each year, DESO carries out a 'Strategic Market Analysis' which provides world and regional market overviews as well as more detailed analysis of key country markets. According to its website, "Successive Customer Satisfaction Surveys of the UK defence industry revealed that over 75% of [arms export orders] would not have been achieved without the assistance of DESO".[10]

Since 1998, DESO has represented the Ministry of Defence in support of the UK Defence Industry at an average of 12 overseas arms fairs a year. In addition to its international marketing campaign DESO helps organise the UK's two main arms fairs, Defence Systems and Equipment International (DSEi), and Farnborough Airshow, which take place in alternate years.

DESO is responsible for inviting the international military delegations to both of these events.

The Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party of England and Wales as well as around 30 NGOs have signed a statement calling for DESO's closure. They allege that not enough concern is given to the impact of arms sales on human rights, development or conflict. For instance, in 2004, UK arms export licenses were granted to 13 of the 20 'major countries of concern' identified by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in its 2005 Human Rights Annual Report. (See Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Human Rights Annual Report 2005.)

In 2007, three campaigning groups - CAAT, the SPEAK Network and Fellowship of Reconciliation - organised campaigns for DESO to be shut down. On 26 July 2007 Gordon Brown announced that DESO would be closed.[3][4]

• UK Defence and Security Exports website
• former Defence Export Services Organisation website
• Campaign Against the Arms trade (an NGO opposed to DESO)
• Church Leaders call for closure of DESO
• UK Trade & Investment