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Arms fair fuels controversy over trade in weapons Arms fair fuels controversy over trade in weapons
(7 days later)
We have looked into the future and the future is in selling more arms. Despite military retreat and opinion polls reflecting concerns of of a war-weary public, this is the key message from British government ministers this week.We have looked into the future and the future is in selling more arms. Despite military retreat and opinion polls reflecting concerns of of a war-weary public, this is the key message from British government ministers this week.
First, David Cameron launched "Securing Prosperity", promoted by the "Defence Growth Partnership" and described as a "strategic vision for the UK defence sector".First, David Cameron launched "Securing Prosperity", promoted by the "Defence Growth Partnership" and described as a "strategic vision for the UK defence sector".
Well over 100,000 people in Britain are employed making weapons and military-related equipment worked in high value, high tech jobs, in companies with a turnover of more than £22bn a year, he said.Well over 100,000 people in Britain are employed making weapons and military-related equipment worked in high value, high tech jobs, in companies with a turnover of more than £22bn a year, he said.
Then on Tuesday Philip Hammond, the defence secretary, gave a rousing speech praising arms companies.Then on Tuesday Philip Hammond, the defence secretary, gave a rousing speech praising arms companies.
The government already helps them — British arms exports increased by more than 60% last year with a guaranteed loan of £2bn encouraging Oman to buy 12 Typhoon warplanes. The loan to Oman represented nearly half the total guaranteed last year under the government's entire export finance guarantee fund.The government already helps them — British arms exports increased by more than 60% last year with a guaranteed loan of £2bn encouraging Oman to buy 12 Typhoon warplanes. The loan to Oman represented nearly half the total guaranteed last year under the government's entire export finance guarantee fund.
Earlier on Tuesday at the large arms fair (official title, DSEi, standing for Defence and Security Equipment International, in London's Extel centre in the docklands), the first sea lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas, said two large new aircraft carriers being built for the navy would provide Britain with the "full range of diplomatic, political, and military, options".Earlier on Tuesday at the large arms fair (official title, DSEi, standing for Defence and Security Equipment International, in London's Extel centre in the docklands), the first sea lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas, said two large new aircraft carriers being built for the navy would provide Britain with the "full range of diplomatic, political, and military, options".
Maybe, but just a few days ago the Commons public accounts committee described the multibillion-pound contract signed by the previous Labour government to build the carriers as "not fit for purpose" and warned it needed urgent renegotiation if projected costs are not to rise further.Maybe, but just a few days ago the Commons public accounts committee described the multibillion-pound contract signed by the previous Labour government to build the carriers as "not fit for purpose" and warned it needed urgent renegotiation if projected costs are not to rise further.
In 2007, the cost of building the ships was put £3.65bn. It is now estimated they will cost more than £5bn. The cost of developing the short-takeoff and vertical landing (Stovl), F35B version, of the US- made Joint Strike Fighters to fly from them has more than doubled and is now put at more than £60m a piece.In 2007, the cost of building the ships was put £3.65bn. It is now estimated they will cost more than £5bn. The cost of developing the short-takeoff and vertical landing (Stovl), F35B version, of the US- made Joint Strike Fighters to fly from them has more than doubled and is now put at more than £60m a piece.
Noone really knows how much the whole programme will cost. As if they feel a bit guilty about it, navy officers say that the carriers could always carry helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles — drones or "remotely piloted air systems" (RPAS) as the RAF prefers to call them now.Noone really knows how much the whole programme will cost. As if they feel a bit guilty about it, navy officers say that the carriers could always carry helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles — drones or "remotely piloted air systems" (RPAS) as the RAF prefers to call them now.
The carriers will be built, and the market for drones will continue to increase.The carriers will be built, and the market for drones will continue to increase.
Controversy abounds.Controversy abounds.
The Russians, suppliers of weapons to Bashar al-Assad's Syria, has a large pavilion at the arms fair. One of its brochures says that Rosoboronexport deserved a "special mention". It is described as a well-known company, "the only company in Russia licensed to to import and export all the range of weapons and military equipment".The Russians, suppliers of weapons to Bashar al-Assad's Syria, has a large pavilion at the arms fair. One of its brochures says that Rosoboronexport deserved a "special mention". It is described as a well-known company, "the only company in Russia licensed to to import and export all the range of weapons and military equipment".
Arms companies throughout the world are given privileged treatment by their governments. Countries of course have the right to self-defence, but the special emphasis placed on these companies is in danger of promoting a new arms race, and promoting conflict, as they vie with each other to fight for the spoils.Arms companies throughout the world are given privileged treatment by their governments. Countries of course have the right to self-defence, but the special emphasis placed on these companies is in danger of promoting a new arms race, and promoting conflict, as they vie with each other to fight for the spoils.
Campaign Against the Arms Trade, which has been protesting around the arms fair, has launched a map of the British companies involved.Campaign Against the Arms Trade, which has been protesting around the arms fair, has launched a map of the British companies involved.
And the hidden dangers of drones are being dramatically portrayed in Grounded, in a small London theatre in London's Notting Hill.And the hidden dangers of drones are being dramatically portrayed in Grounded, in a small London theatre in London's Notting Hill.
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