Pentagon Continues Controversial Approval of Advanced Weapons Exports

 
The Pentagon has approved foreign sales of the Boeing F/A-18/E/F Super Hornet, a decision likely to continue the controversy over U.S. military technology exports. In March, the Pentagon approved the export of F-16 fighter jets to Chile, which delayed purchase of the planes due to domestic opposition. The Super Hornet is the Navy's newest advanced multimission fighter.

Critics argue that foreign sales of state-of-the-art combat equipment cancel out the United States' military advantage, spurring increased military spending to produce still more advanced weapons. This vicious cycle bloats the defense budget and advances the agenda of domestic political interests, endangering national security at the same time.

For more information, see Arms Trader Insider #51, the newsletter of the Council for a Livable World Education Fund's Conventional Arms Transfer Project, at www.clw.org/atop.html.