Innovative map reveals extent of arms industry in the UK

A new arms trade map of the UK, developed by Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), will enable easy public access to a wide range of information on arms company locations, products and services. The map enables members of the public and media to learn more about the activities of the often secretive arms industry and to take action against the arms company on their doorstep.

The map will assist journalists to find out more about the arms trade at local level as well as the bigger national picture. The map is released one year before Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI), one of the world’s largest arms fairs, is due to return to the UK. In 2011 countries attending included Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and 11 other authoritarian regimes.

Ian Mackinnon, who developed the map in collaboration with CAAT, says:

When we revealed the full details of British arms export licences earlier this year the sheer volume of military goods was astounding – at least £10 billion in 2011. These destructive products originate from all corners of the UK and the next step in revealing Britain’s arms trade is to expose the manufacturers so citizens know what horrors are being made on their doorstep and peaceful campaigners can take action at the local level.

Background

The data behind the map was based on information about companies that exhibited at the 2011 Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI), one of the world’s largest arms fairs, held biannually in London. Currently the map lists over 600 arms company locations but numbers will increase as more information comes in from the public and CAAT’s own research.

The salient features are:

• Open access – anyone can view the map and search the information on CAAT website without registering.
• Easy to use as users can search via name and location of the company, and learn more about the company’s products and activities.
• Local search feature allows users to find hyper-local information in their area as well as seeing the bigger picture.
• Background explanation on the arms trade, arms fairs, exhibitions, products and services.
• Easy-to-find Information on local anti-arms trade protests and events. Activists can add their own or join with others.

Notes

1. Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) in the UK works to end the international arms trade. The arms business has a devastating impact on human rights and society and damages economic development. Large-scale military procurement and arms exports only reinforce a militaristic approach to international problems. Around 75% of CAAT’s income is raised from individual supporters.
2. The map is best viewed in the following browsers: Firefox, Chrome or Safari.
3. The month of action signals the intention of campaigners to stop the DSEI arms fair, which is scheduled for 10-13 September 2013. Actions are planned in six locations so far, including a critical mass cycle protest between arms company sites in London, and protests at BAE Warton in Lancashire, EDO MBM Technology in Brighton, Heckler and Koch in Nottingham, Selex Galileo in Edinburgh and elsewhere. More are expected to be announced throughout September.

ENDS