Would you work in defence? (The UK arms trade)

Member Name: emmalg

Product:	The UK arms trade
Date:	27/06/01 (20 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Wealth, Defence, Science

Disadvantages: Could be seen as aggressors

I am just finishing my university placement year at BAE Systems (formerly British Aerospace), one of the largest aerospace and defence companies in the World (employing over 100,000 people worldwide).

Personally i have no qualms about working in the defence industry. As long as there are humans, religions, races, politics, borders, chemical weapons plants, nuclear weapons, fossil fuels.... you name it, there will always be something which can cause war. Why not make sure that you are at least even with the best out there? I do think that we should get rid of weapons of mass destruction like nuclear and chemical weapons. However, I think that since there will always be wars we may as well all be prepared for them.

The industry brings thousands of jobs - hundreds are being created here in Bristol because there is a new contract for military transport planes. Each new project brings the country recognition, expands our scientific knowledge, increases the wealth not only of the company, but of the area...

Although our weapons, planes... etc are sold through out Europe and the US, the English government still holds a share of £1 in the company to keep it under government control.

My father is a quality consultant for satellite chips and often has the opportunity to work in defence. He, however, does not want to as he thinks it is morally wrong.

I don't really know what that says about me. Am I immoral for not wanting to be killed in a hurry?! I would have gone into the forces if I had been healthy enough. I suppose that is worse!

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