arms trade

A tough year but business as usual

‘Tough year’ doesn't quite capture the extent to which our lives have been shaped by crises in 2020. Militarism, however, has not been locked down. Here is some of what we have been keeping an eye on this year as we look towards 2021.

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Boris Johnson’s government and the military: a look ahead at 2020

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Could you take a seat for the next generation?

Our Peaceworker, Jen Harrison, writes about attending the DSEI arms fair and how arms companies target young people as future employees and supporters.

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Arms industry spends millions to promote brands in schools

Defence groups sponsor lessons that promote building and sale of military hardware

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Misguided aim of weapons show

The following letter was sent to the Sunday Times and a version is published here.

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Arms companies and immorality in education

As the largest arms fair in the world takes place in London, we explore how arms companies have become part of the education system in the UK, despite the concerns for human rights and corruption that surround the defence and security industry.

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Concern over activities for school children at Farnborough arms fair

ForcesWatch is raising ‘serious concerns’ about aspects of the Farnborough International Air Show designed to engage children and young people in careers and ‘exciting’ activities. The‘air show’ is taking place this coming weekend. Associated events this week include a major arms fair, civil aerospace exhibition and hosting of military delegations from some of the world’s most repressive regimes.

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Visits to schools by BAE Systems and the RAF

Evidence suggests that the BAE Systems-RAF team that visits primary and secondary schools ostensibly to encourage students to take an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, gives students a sanitised, glamourised image of both BAE and the RAF.

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