ICTOulu, together with BusinessOulu, participated for the second time at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2025 exhibition in London. Held at the ExCeL centre, DSEI is Europe’s largest defence and security event, gathering more than 1,600 exhibitors and vast amount of visitors from across the globe. It provides a unique platform where governments, armed forces, industry, and academia come together to showcase new technologies, discuss strategies, and forge international partnerships.
This year, the Oulu delegation brought along an impressive group of companies showcasing dual-use and defence-related innovations. Among them were FabPatch, Louhe, Creoir, and Dobbelgänger, representing agile technology development and creative solutions from Northern Finland. In addition, Top Tester joined from Oulu, alongside several other strong players such as Notel, Bittium, KNL, Senop, and more. Naturally, Nokia was also present with its renewed and expanded portfolio for the defense sector. Patria had a large stand at the exhibition and drew considerable attention by launching its brand-new TRACKX armoured personnel carrier, underlining Finland’s growing role in the allied defense technology landscape.
The exhibition once again gathered a vast number of participants from across the globe, including an impressive representation of government officials, customers, and key stakeholders. DSEI 2025 featured themed zones covering land, air, naval, cyber, and space domains, as well as live demonstrations both at sea and on land. The event themes were broad, but one of the most visible perhaps unsurprisingly was the rise of drones, with a particular focus on ground-based unmanned systems (UGVs) in addition to aerial platforms.
The overall atmosphere was influenced by the tense situation at the Alliance’s borders, which undoubtedly gave the exhibition an added sense of urgency. Presentations by leading experts and executives consistently underlined the need for faster development cycles and accelerated creation of new capabilities. This emphasis on speed, adaptability, and innovation resonated strongly throughout the week, setting the tone for discussions and collaborations.
As immediate feedback, Oulu-based and Finnish companies noted that the exhibition was highly valuable at least for some. A number of participants reported having found new customers or prospects, while others described the results as more moderate, depending partly on how well their product portfolios aligned with the specific focus of the event.
For ICTOulu and its partners, DSEI 2025 was both a showcase and a learning platform an opportunity to highlight Oulu’s unique expertise while also aligning with the international momentum shaping the future of defense and security.
If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to contact ICTOulu team!
