Citation

Taylor T. Defence economics 1993; 4(2): 113-121.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10430719308404754

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The article first notes the pressure on defence industries in the 1990s resulting from reduced defence spending in Western Europe, before going on to analyse the strategic responses open to companies, including the range of ways they can develop a more international nature. There is brief consideration of the problems for companies of moving away from defence production before issues are raised by defence companies for European governments. These include the extent to which defence industrial considerations should play a part in future defence policies, especially as they involve some provision for the reconstitution of defence capabilities. The US debate on this issue is analysed and the absence of such a debate in Western Europe noted. Whatever policy West European states adopt towards their defence industrial sectors is likely to involve the European Community, and the final section of the piece outlines the current and potential involvement of the Commission in defence industrial issues.