Profound changes are occurring in the structure of arms production in Western Europe. Concentration is increasing at a fast pace. Small producers are disappearing and even large ones are opting out of the market. The various national arms industries, long operating in protective environments, are rapidly internationalizing. Three factors combine to bring about this change: East-West detente, the creation of the Single European Market, and the constant pressure of increasingly complex technology.
In this book experts describe how the framework for producing arms in Western Europe is altered, and how various actors--firms, governments, and trade unions--are adapting to the new situation.
The book presents detailed analyses of all the arms-producing countries in Western Europe. In addition to describing recent changes, the authors speculate on the implications of these for the balance of power in Western Europe, the relations between Western Europe and the United States, arms exports to the Third World, and problems of converting from military to civilian production.
The appendices include the SIPRI list of the 50 largest arms-producing companies in Western Europe; data on mergers and acquisitions, procurement expenditure, and exports of major weapons; selections from treaties and other official documents relevant to current and future regulation of West European arms production; and a select bibliography.
Industry Reviews
`An invaluable overview ... the editors are therefore to be congratulated on their success in establishing, and sticking to, a narrow thematic focus.'
International Affairs
`written in the best SIPRI tradition: with an emphasis on detailed and reliable empirical data' NOD Conversion
`a mine of valuable information on changes in the industry in the major countries ... The appendices and numerous tables ... are particularly useful and include details of relevant EEC treaties and IEPG activities.'
Defence
`provocative and timely ... Anyone interested in the general topic of arms production and western Europe will find this book valuable.'
Political Studies
'This book is indispensable to a proper understanding of this complex process ... filled with detailed data on policy and commercial developments in this fast-moving sector, compiled by an impressive multinational team of leading academic and public policy experts ... those interested in the West European arms production will find this book a useful source of reliable data and interpretation.'
Andrew Moravcsik, Harvard University, American Political Science Review, Vol. 87, No. 1, March 1993
`This is both a timely and valuable contribution to the expanding debate about the future role of the arms industries of Europe, and indeed adds to the global discussion of these issues ... This book has many intriguing views and comments.'
Defense Analysis
`very interesting book ... should find a place in all libraries dealing with Defence, and should be read by all those connected with procurement of armament.'
USI Journal
`If you want to know how the defence business is faring in the current climate, its all here. The amount of facts and figures that are presented ... are staggering.'Millennium
