Spanish weaponry industry: something more serious that what many think

Spain has a formidable weapons’ industry and exports a lot. Did you know that? We are one of the first producers in the world. For example, we are the 4th European investor in military R&D. After UK and France, Spain is the third navy in Europe -it has not nuclear capabilities as those ones of these countries.

Few years ago we were selling rifles to developing countries. Today most of the Spanish weaponry exports are directed to Europe. And the business is profitable. However, the military research is not seen with distrust by the rest of the Spanish scientific community. Spanish scientists see the industry as evil. This feeling aggravated in 1999 with the so-called “rebellion of the white coats”. It was found that 54% of the Spanish R&D money was devoted to military research. Some argue this should not be a problem since military technology can be applied for civil purposes as it has been shown throughout history. Some argue that this hostility is a product, among others, of the association between Fraquism and military R&D.

There is definitely a contradiction between the pacifist Spanish society -before the recession few applied for the Army- and her highly advanced and profitable miliary industry.

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