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Today the Strategic Exports Annual Report 2001 has been released by the Foreign and Commonwealth office (www.fco.gov.uk). The report is the official record of licenses granted for arms exports for the January – December 2001 period. Since 1997 the Labour government has done more than any of its predecessors in making

The foreign secretary, Jack Straw, announced this week that the government would grant export licenses for head-up displays to US-made F-16 jets. Some of these jets will then be supplied to Israel. The export of goods which are to be included in the manufacture of arms in a second country, which thereafter

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) will be joining the protest against Eurosatory: this year’s largest arms fair for land-based equipment, that takes place from 17th to 21st of June at Villepinte, Paris. Eurosatory brings together 800 exhibitors and 36,000 visitors from around the world – most with the aim of buying and selling weapons.

Stop Week highlights government support for the arms trade The UK is the world’s second largest arms exporter, exporting over £5bn of arms every year to around 150 countries. This year, for Stop the Arms Trade Week, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) are focusing upon the amount of public money

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) will be attending this year’s BAE AGM, concerned at where the company derives its profits. CAAT will be releasing an alternative annual report, which calls into question the company’s pledge to follow a code of conduct. Among many issues charted are: The sale of Hawk

This week CAAT is releasing figures on shareholdings – held by public organisations, trade unions, political parties and charities – in British arms companies that trade their weapons abroad. Richard Bingley of CAAT said: It is wrong that organisations promoting social good at home, earn money from investing in companies that sell

CAAT are worried about the government sending out mixed messages over its policy to India and Pakistan. Tony Blair visited India at the start of the year on a peace-building mission. UK policy actions seem to contradict the Prime Minister’s rhetoric. Over the past two years – whilst the situation with Kashmir

A report due out today from academics and Ministry of Defence economists shows that the economic costs of reducing defence exports are relatively small and largely one-off. Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) have estimated that UK arms exports are subsidised directly and indirectly by around £820m. Some of this comes through the