THE organisers of a defence industry expo in Malvern are cancelling this year's event due to Covid restrictions.

The Three Counties Defence and Security Expo (3CDSE) had been set to go ahead on July 7 and 8, has had to be cancelled in order to keep exhibitors safe.

A statement from the organisers said: "As the nation gathers together to celebrate Armed Forces Week, the organisers of the Three Countries Defence and Security Expo are immensely proud and grateful for the ongoing commitment by those who serve to keep us safe, around the world and at home.

"We recognise and thank the serving personnel, and veterans, who have stepped up to support the UK’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic over the past 18 months.

"In light of the delay in the Government’s ongoing Covid-19 Roadmap,and following extensive discussions with the Ministry of Defence, we have taken the difficult, but necessary, decision to postpone this year’s event until November."

3CDSE allows defence companies, based predominantly within the region, to engage directly with the Ministry of Defence to understand the current and future threats to our country.

In 2019, the last live event, more than 100 exhibitors and 1500 delegates, including senior military figures, met to understand the requirements for future technologies.

These focus on IT and communications, drone technology and cyber security.

The MOD adopted the event as a vehicle for their own briefing to the UK Defence Industry to ensure innovative technology requirements were being developed not only for current, but future threats.

These technologies are also used in disaster response to assist communities around the globe when natural disasters cause threat to many thousands of lives.

3CDSE focuses on surveillance and intelligence gathering, secure communications and protecting UK infrastructure against cyber-attack, the importance of which was detailed in the Integrated Defence Review, published in March this year.

The Three Counties, known as the ‘golden triangle’, have long established links with defence and intelligence agencies, with Special Forces, GCHQ and Qinetiq all based in the region.

The area is home to some forty-thousand ex-forces personnel and their families.

Many of these specialists are engaged in the very businesses 3CDSE is supporting.

Richard Morgan, president of 3CDSE, said: “It is reputed that 90% of the small to medium sized businesses in defence and security reside in the Three Counties of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, making a significant contribution to the local economy.

"The Three Counties Defence and Security Expo (3CDSE) was set up in response to the desire of local businesses to foster closer relationships with those who sought to procure their products and services which are developed for specialist users, and which includes the MOD and Prime contractors.

"3CDSE also recognises the importance of supporting our forces.

"In 2019’s event, the 3CDSE organisers signed the Armed Forces Covenant, a pledge which acknowledges that those who serve and their families should be treated with fairness and respect in the community, the economy and the society they serve with their lives."

Vikash Patel, head of IBOC special projects at the Ministry of Defence, said: “A decision to postpone 3CDSE until November was taken following the government’s decision to delay the COVID-19 Roadmap.

"This decision has not been taken lightly, and while benefits from the event remain as strong as ever, the health and safety of our staff and attendees remain our top priority."

Ken Nottage, CEO, Three Counties Showground, said: "Three Counties Showground operates and hosts shows and events that regularly attract 1 million visitors in a normal year. The annual economic benefit of these activities supports over 400 jobs and includes roles for retired and ex-service personnel, such as site safety and security.

£We are hugely supportive of third-party events as these have a vital role to play in encouraging and supporting business enterprise.”

The Three Counties Defence and Security Group (3CDSG), is a not-for-profit organisation which was established to significantly raise the commercial and industrial capacity of the sector across the Three Counties.

30% of its profits are distributed to military charities and a further 55% are donated to the 3CDSG trade association to support small and medium-sized enterprises to attend future business development events.