Title: Defence technology management: the effect of the manufacturing base on arms exports

Authors: Shacheng Wang; Xiaoxi Zhu

Addresses: Institute for Finance and Economics, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, 100081, China; Intelligent Policing and National Security Risk Management Laboratory, Luzhou 646000, China ' Institute for Finance and Economics, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, 100081, China

Abstract: Discussions on the impact of the manufacturing base on the arms trade have primarily been based on case studies and focused on major global arms suppliers. In this study, we argue that a solid manufacturing base is a balanced ecosystem providing a suitable environment for the development of the defence industry. We use the random-effects Tobit model to examine four emerging (Brazil, India, South Korea and Turkey) and six established (Australia, Israel, Japan, Poland, Singapore and Ukraine) arms-producing countries. Our econometric analysis reveals that arms exports are regulated by a country's degree of development; moreover, the development of medium- and high-tech industries is accompanied by timely technical protection rather than arms exports. Finally, developing countries' main obstacles to exporting arms are basic technology, an industrial-related system, and a weak capacity for industrial technological innovation.

Keywords: manufacturing base; medium- and high-tech industries; arms exports; technical protection; defence technology; defence economics; defence management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2025.144823

International Journal of Technology Management, 2025 Vol.97 No.4, pp.500 - 516

Received: 16 Feb 2024
Accepted: 03 Jul 2024
Published online: 03 Mar 2025 *

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