Farnborough International 2006

Farnborough International sells itself to the public as an airshow and family day out. However the public days are preceded by a full trade exhibition for aerospace and military products. It is organised by the UK's Society of British Aerospace Companies, with international invitations managed by DESO (the Defence Export Services Organisation) which is funded by the tax-payer.

In 2004, 47 of the world's top 100 arms companies were there, and the government's export support machine swung fully into action behind it. Happening every other year, it is a major date on the international arms fair circuit. By marketing the event as a family-friendly airshow, the organisers are attempting to normalise arms sales and portray these events as publicly acceptable.

Farnborough is yet another example of blatant corporate welfare provided by the UK Government in the form of DESO. No other exporting industry gets the kind of support that arms companies receive and it is shocking that public money is being used to subsidise events which promote weapons around the world.

90% of victims of war are civilians and that 50% of these are children, a terrifying statistic which makes Farnborough's 'International Youth Day' especially cynical. Farnborough's website boasts that 'over 1000 youths will be making their way' to Farnborough to take part in 'an eye-catching, mind opening programme of events that demonstrates vividly the employment, the environment and the careers opportunities of the aerospace sector'. It also admits that 'the parallel aim of International Youth Day is to provide the aerospace industry with the opportunity to inspire, educate and integrate with a wide range of young people/students and their gatekeepers, inspiring and encouraging their personal developments in the field of aerospace'. Inspiring young minds to take part in an industry focused on conflict and killing, is totally abhorrent.

CAAT protested against Farnborough on its opening day (Monday 17th July) and called on the Government to end its support for arms exports and to shut DESO for good. More about the protest will be available soon.

Read about CAAT'S protests at Farnborough 2004

More on arms fairs