The Danish city of Ballerup in the capital region hosted the DALO Industry Days exhibition on August 20 and 21, 2025.
According to the Danish Ministry of Defence's procurement and equipment agency fmi.dk, the organizers announced that the event is the largest in Northern Europe, with nearly 700 companies from more than 24 countries participating and nearly 12,000 attendees over two days, with live demonstrations and field technology trials.
What made the 2025 version special?
According to the official event promotion page on Invest in Denmark, this year's edition aimed to strengthen supply chains and alliances within NATO and its allies, while also facilitating direct contact between industry and military procurement officials. The page also noted a nominal fee for visitors (€15 per day).
Who participated in the exhibition and what type of technologies did they use?
Numerous international companies have confirmed their participation (naval systems, air defense, drones, cyber solutions, etc.), including Denmark's Terma, which announced offerings in "multi-domain operations" and aircraft self-defense solutions. Other companies that have announced their attendance include High Eye (drones) and Infodas (cybersecurity), among others.
Israeli companies' involvement and public debate
Israel's participation in the arms fair this year has sparked considerable debate, according to a Facebook post by Danish broadcaster DR's newsroom. The participation of seven Israeli arms companies in the fair, which opened on August 20, has been criticized. Other media outlets and platforms have also published calls for protests outside the fairgrounds in Bærløp. It is worth noting that Israeli arms companies have participated in the fair in previous years.
Differing stances from MPs and parties
- Trine Pertou Mach of the Unity List party (Enhedslisten)
Prior to the exhibition, Trine Berto Mache submitted a direct parliamentary question to the Minister of Defence regarding whether Israeli companies should be permitted to exhibit offensive weapons at DALO Industry Days (Question §20 No. S 1260 dated 17 June 2025). According to the Danish Parliament website ft.dk, she sought clarification in light of a similar move in France.
As reported by DR in its coverage on August 20, Trine Berto Mach called for the invitation to Israeli companies to be withdrawn and strongly criticized the participation, in a report published on the DR Newsroom Facebook page.
- Martin Lidegaard, leader of the Radical Party (Red Venstre)
According to the DR coverage mentioned above, Martin Lidegaard considered allowing Israeli companies to bid “unworthy of Denmark,” and called on the minister to reconsider and withdraw the invitation, which he also reiterated in a post on his social media pages on August 18.
- Peter Have of the Moderate Party
According to DR's coverage, Peter Haffeh described the issue as "heated and full of trade-offs," but stressed Denmark's need to strengthen its "fighting power" and that his party "has no qualms" about buying from Israel if it meets defense needs.
- Lise Bech of the Danish Democrats (Danmarksdemokraterne)
According to the same DR report, Lise Bich stated that she saw no problem with the Israelis participating historically, while emphasizing the priority of accelerating rearmament.
The Minister of Defense and the government responded
On June 23, 2025, Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen provided an official response to parliamentary question S 1260, according to the parliament's website ft.dk. He explained that Denmark is experiencing a security situation that necessitates accelerating defense procurement, that the market is being explored "widely among allies and partners, including Israel," and that "there is no basis for excluding Israeli suppliers in general." Consequently, "there are no plans to exclude Israeli companies from the presentation at DALO Industry Days."“
Broader legal context: The controversy surrounding Danish arms exports to Israel
The debate surrounding the participation of Israeli companies in the exhibition coincided with a legal and political battle over the export of Danish weapons components for Israeli fighter jets. According to Reuters and local sources, Danish and international organizations announced a lawsuit in March 2024 seeking to halt arms exports/military technology to Israel. On April 11, 2025, the Østre Landsret Court of Appeal dismissed the two lawsuits, citing insufficient "legal interest" on the part of the plaintiffs, according to press and legal reports. Amnesty International's Danish branch confirmed it would appeal to the Supreme Court. The government's response in Parliament also referenced the April 11, 2025, ruling, stating that the cases were dismissed for lack of standing and interest, according to correspondence from the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, as reported by the sources.
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