According to the latest ranking by SIPRI, General Dynamics is the fifth-largest arms company in the world (SIPRI rankings 2020).
General Dynamics states that it “is a global aerospace and defense company… [it produces] submarines to wheeled combat vehicles to communications systems” (company website).
The company is divided into four main divisions: aerospace, combat systems, IS&T (information systems and technology) and marine systems. Its “combat systems” division manufacturers armoured vehicles, tanks, artillery and ammunition, and is comprised of three business units: European Land Systems, Land Systems and Ordnance and Tactical Systems.
General Dynamics manufactures the Abrams Tank. It says, “the Abrams remains the top tank choice today for the U.S. Army, U.S. National Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps. It is also popular with several international armies, including Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Iraq” (company website). On 9 August 2016, the US Department of Defense revealed that 153 more of these “popular” tanks were to be sold to Saudi Arabia, of which 133 were to be “additional”, the others being “battle damage replacements for their existing fleet” (DSCA News Release of 9/8/2016).
Its “IS&T division” has “an established global presence in secure communications systems, command and control systems, imagery sensors and cyber products.” (company website)
General Dynamics’ “marine systems” division manufacturers some of the US Navy’s most “formidable” surface warships and submarines. It built the Ohio-class submarines which carry the US Navy strategic nuclear strike force missiles, Trident, and is developing the 12 Ohio Replacement submarines which “will provide strategic deterrent capabilities well into the 2080s.” (company website)
