Abstract
Since 2003, the Brazilian government and certain sectors of Brazilian society have been debating the revitalization of the Brazilian defense industry (BDI). This article analyses some of the arguments in these debates (the rights of nations and duties of governments as regards defense, the possibility of coercive action by the great arms exporters, evidence that the defense industry has always run a deficit, and the export needs the country would have if it decided to revitalize its defense industry) and analyzes other questions that merit scrutiny (the causes of the crisis in the BDI that occurred in the 1980s, the causes of low internal demand, the economic and technological impact of the BDI). This is done by comparing these arguments and exploring these questions based on an analysis of documents. In this way, we aim to provide reliable information from Brazil and elsewhere to contribute to this debate.
Highlights
In a pioneering initiative, the Ministry of Defense (MD) invited civil society and members of the military to rethink various questions connected to national defense and security (Almeida Pinto et al, 2004)
The present work is the fruit of an invitation from the MD to prepare an analysis of the potential of revitalizing the Brazilian defense industry
The dynamic of imports was given by the readiness needs decided by the military command. These were situated in a third zone, of medium technological intensity, not exploited by the Brazilian defense industry (BDI). This third zone in reality was not accessible to the country, either for reasons linked to the technological capacity of Brazilian industry in general, or by the questions already discussed related to the power of retaliation of the large arms producers
Summary
The Ministry of Defense (MD) invited civil society and members of the military to rethink various questions connected to national defense and security (Almeida Pinto et al, 2004). Since 2003, various debates and meetings have been held to foster discussion of the themes involved. This has been an exemplary initiative, because those in attendance have included the main echelons of the MD and the military services, along with important members of industry and universities and civil society in general, making a fertile ground for discussion. The first section analyzes a series of arguments involved in this overall debate: the right of nations and duties of governments regarding defense; the possibility of coercive action by the large arms-exporting countries; evidence that the defense industry has always produced deficits; and the country’s need to export should there be a decision to revitalize its defense industry. The intention is to provide information and analyses capable of fostering greater reflection, since what is basically at issue is the need to deepen this discussion process regarding R&D and production activities related to national defense
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