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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBusiness is booming: US arms makers strain to meet demand as Mideast conflicts rage
Global demand for U.S.-made missiles and so-called smart bombs has grown steadily since their use in the first Gulf War. But the United States and a host of allies are now rushing to ensure a stable supply of such weapons for what is expected to be a long fight against Islamic State, whose rise has fueled conflict in Syria and across a swathe of the Middle East.
U.S. officials say arms makers have added shifts and hired workers, but they are bumping up against capacity constraints and may need to expand plants or even open new ones to keep weapons flowing. That could create further log-jams at a time when U.S. allies are voicing growing concern that Washington's processing of arms sales orders is too slow.
Islamic State's deadly attacks in Paris last month have added urgency to the U.S.-led bombing campaign against the group in Iraq and Syria. The campaign had resulted in 8,605 strikes at an estimated cost of around $5.2 billion as of Dec. 2.
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Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President Bruce Tanner told the conference his company will see indirect benefits from the war in Syria, citing the Turkish militarys recent decision to shoot down a Russian warplane.
The incident, Tanner said, heightens the risk for U.S. military operations in the region, providing an intangible lift because of the dynamics of that environment and our products in theater. He also stressed that the Russian intervention would highlight the need for Lockheed Martin-made F-22s and the new F-35 jets.
And for expendable products, such as a rockets, Tanner added that there is increased demand, including from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia because of the war in Yemen.
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branford
(4,462 posts)Last edited Sat Dec 5, 2015, 05:51 PM - Edit history (1)
If there's going to be worldwide conflicts, and there will be even if these American and allied companies didn't exist, I'm glad American labor will strongly benefit, and the belligerents will use well-made precision US armaments to reduce collateral damage.
Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)That's an issue
branford
(4,462 posts)of the USA or these companies, and often belligerents in certain conflicts do indeed warrant American support, such as the Kurds against ISIS and Assad. We do not live in a world of rainbows and unicorns.
I am a realist, and would much prefer parties utilize well-made precision armaments, made by unionized American workers, than Chinese, Russian or other crap manufactured by companies or powers hostile to the USA and our allies.