Denmark’s state-backed arms fair has more than doubled to over 700 defence companies in a decade, drawing protests as activists plan a “peaceful counter-voice” at what may be the last edition in Ballerup before the event relocates to Jutland.
As DALO Industry Days prepares to open in Ballerup on August 20, peace groups are organising demonstrations outside the closed-door event. The fair, run by the Defence Ministry’s procurement agency, has grown from roughly 300 exhibiting firms in 2015 to more than 700 exhibiting companies in 2026, according to archived exhibitor lists and current agency overviews. That expansion mirrors a broader shift: the value of approved Danish military export licences rose from around DKK 1.5 billion in 2018 to approximately DKK 4.5 billion in 2023, the most recent full-year figure available.
Available exhibitor lists from major Swedish defence fairs show around 250 to 300 companies, suggesting DALO now hosts more exhibitors than comparable Swedish events, although no official Nordic ranking exists. For activists, the numbers represent Denmark’s deepening role in global arms supply chains. For the government, they reflect the success of a policy designed to strengthen NATO interoperability and equip Ukrainian forces.
What’s happening this week
Protesters from TID TIL FRED and FredsVagten will gather from 08:00 to 11:00 on August 20 and 21 at Ballerup Idrætsby. They will greet fair attendees with banners and symbolic actions. The organisers describe it as a peaceful demonstration under the slogan “Våben skaber ikke fred,” weapons do not create peace. A second rally is planned for 16:00 on August 20 at Ballerup station square, aiming to inform commuters about how their tax money funds arms procurement.
The event is strictly business-to-business. Media access is tightly controlled, and the public cannot buy tickets. Attendance requires registration with the Defence Ministry’s procurement arm, which describes DALO as the Nordic region’s largest defence industry exhibition. Industry agendas for 2026 emphasise drone systems, cyber defence, and ammunition supply for Ukraine. The closed-door format frustrates activists, who argue the public has no way to see which weapons are marketed or which deals are negotiated.
The relocation decision
After ten years in Ballerup, the fair will move to Herning Messecenter in Jutland from 2027. As reported by Altinget, the Defence Ministry announced the decision in June, citing space constraints and growing security demands. Messecenter Herning offers more than 50,000 square metres of hall space compared to Ballerup Idrætsby’s single main hall. The move signals that the agency expects continued expansion, not retrenchment.
For protesters, the relocation complicates logistics. Ballerup is a short train ride from Copenhagen; Herning requires a three to four hour journey each way. This year may be the last opportunity for internationals in the capital to join a demonstration by simply taking the S-train to Ballerup. In future, making your voice heard at DALO’s gates will demand a day trip across the country.
Why internationals care
DALO Industry Days can be seen as one of the few local flashpoints where abstract defence budgets become visible on the street. For expats from conflict zones, the event can feel personal. Activists have criticised the participation of Israeli defence firms at Danish fairs while the Gaza war continues. Many protesters argue that Denmark is materially enabling wars that affect their families and communities. According to Eurostat data from 2023, around 70 to 75 percent of Denmark’s military technology exports by value went to other EU and NATO countries, many of which are home countries of residents here.
Foreign-owned defence firms with Danish subsidiaries also participate to showcase their equipment to Danish and allied military customers. That makes DALO an important, if opaque, node in Denmark’s role within NATO and EU rearmament efforts. According to FMI’s 2026 defence-policy agenda, DALO remains a central meeting place between the armed forces and industry, particularly for supporting materiel investments and deliveries to allies including Ukraine.
How to participate or respond
Legally resident foreigners can join the peaceful protest, sign up with established peace groups, or contact members of the Folketing defence committee. The protest call provides detailed directions: take the S-train from Vanløse towards Frederikssund, change at Malmparken to bus 350S for one stop to Tempovej, then walk one kilometre. Organisers have provided mobile numbers for questions about banners, timing, and accessibility. Several Danish peace groups offer limited English-language information on their websites, though most communication defaults to Danish.
Beyond street demonstrations, residents can submit written input to Folketing committee hearings on arms exports and defence agreements. There is no citizenship requirement for submissions. Individuals concerned about police interaction can consult Rigspolitiet’s public guidelines, which confirm that peaceful, unarmed gatherings do not require prior authorisation. The right of assembly applies to foreign residents as well as citizens.
The bigger picture
Denmark’s 24 March 2026 general election produced a fragmented parliament: parties backing stronger defence commitments still hold a majority of seats overall, while left-green parties such as the Socialist People’s Party and the Red-Green Alliance increased their representation on platforms that include stricter export controls. The government also announced a strategic security partnership with France in March, deepening coordination on advanced weapons systems while clarifying that it does not involve hosting French nuclear weapons. That broader rearmament context explains why the Defence Ministry is expanding DALO rather than winding it down. For activists, the Ballerup fair represents the domestic face of Denmark‘s growing role in global arms supply chains, and this week offers a chance to challenge it.
