Military Economy

Abstract

Chapter 4 is concerned with economic issues and is divided into three parts. The objective of the first is to comparatively analyze the six GCC states’ military expenditures. It begins with a brief review of contemporary Gulf economies, then compares the six monarchies’ defense outlays. The next section focuses on questions of weapons acquisition: how, from whom, what, and for what reason do they purchase—corresponding to the political-structural explanatory variables outlined above. The absence of substantive oversight engenders corruption in weapons deals and its effects on the militaries. In the last part the attention shifts to the Gulf armies’ arsenals, as I look at the issue of the compatibility of weapons with missions, the curious neglect of naval forces, and offer a brief discussion on maintenance and facilities. Finally, a relatively new development, the build-up of indigenous defense industries in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is comparatively appraised.