Citation

James AD. Def. Peace Econ. 2006; 17(3): 223-238.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10242690600645134

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper describes the huge gap in defence R&D expenditure between the United States and Western Europe, considers the causes and consequences of this transatlantic defence R&D gap and analyses some of the controversies that surround it. The paper notes that concerns about the R&D gap are as old as NATO itself and should be placed in the context of wider debates about transatlantic burden-sharing. Current efforts to promote European cooperation on defence R&D may help Europe to spend more wisely in the future but will do little to reduce a transatlantic gap that has at its heart profound differences in strategic outlook between the United States and Europe.