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back to article Tech biz must be more export-focused, says defence kit minister

Britain should ramp up exports of defence tech wares after Brexit - and this means more than the traditional guns ‘n’ spyware, according to defence procurement minister Harriett Baldwin MP. Speaking at the Defence Security Exhibition International (DSEI) yesterday morning, Baldwin highlighted the Ministry of Defence’s £80m-a- …

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  1. John Smith 19 Gold badge
    Coat

    Because remember folks, good business is where you find it.

    Along with "I had guaranteed orders. Who cared if it didn't work?"

    Just think, the Shoreditch incubator could give birth to the next BAe Systems.

    Let's hear 3 rousing rounds of "Hip, Hip Hussar" for that.

    Yeay.

    1 1 Reply
  2. oxfordmale78

    Selling more defense tech and arms to seems to be the governments post-Brexit strategy. We will just sell to the highest bidder, regardless who they are. It can't possible backfire, can it ?

    9 0 Reply
    1. Warm Braw
      Reply Icon

      It can't possible backfire, can it ?

      It's not really in the interests of the military-industrial complex if it even fires forwards - that would be the end of the R&D funding...

      2 0 Reply
    2. John Smith 19 Gold badge
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      Unhappy

      We will just sell to the highest bidder, regardless who they are.

      You mean as HMG did with various ships to the Argentinians before the Falklands War?

      Yes that sounds an admirable plan.

      1 1 Reply
  3. Nick Kew

    Our strengths

    Along with bankstering, weapons are the UK's long-term great export strength. That's why we, usually with the US, have mongered so many regional wars since the end of the Cold War threatened a decline in the sector. They're trade fairs for a great export industry!

    5 0 Reply
    1. Dan 55 Silver badge
      Reply Icon

      Re: Our strengths

      Well, look on the bright side, if nobody takes our diplomacy seriously any more it might be more difficult to engineer conflicts in the first place.

      1 0 Reply
  4. Christoph

    "We've made an utter hash of the entire economy, but it's all your fault for not pulling more exports out of thin air!"

    9 0 Reply
  5. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Erratum and correction

    “Winning ideas included robotic ground vehicles, Uber-like delivery apps, unmanned air vehicles, including autonomous hoverbikes,” said the minister.... who was clearly talking out of her arse, and demonstrating the total ignorance of technology that could only come from a modern languages graduate.

    You can just imagine her sitting watching Star Wars with the kids, and thinking, ooh, we ought to make and sell some of those big four legged walking tank thingies the baddies use! And those hoverbikes, yes, they must be this "technology" of which scientists speak! " Presumably she considered a request for a Death Star, but was told that had already been handed to BAES without a written contract

    4 0 Reply
    1. Anonymous Blowhard
      Reply Icon

      Re: Erratum and correction

      @Ledswinger

      Given the Death Star's abysmal performance in asymmetric warfare, it sounds just the kind of thing the MOD would want...

      6 1 Reply
      1. Anonymous Coward
        Reply Icon
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Erratum and correction

        Or maybe she was told "we've already got something that fits the bill" ?

        Something that will project power, an demonstrate the might of the Empire, vastly expensive, complex, huge, unmanouevrable, requiring a vast crew and an entire fleet of smaller vessels to defend itself; Of immense destructive power when its finished, but really very vulnerable.

        1 0 Reply
        1. John Smith 19 Gold badge
          Reply Icon
          Coat

          Or maybe she was told "we've already got something that fits the bill" ?

          "Something that will project power, an demonstrate the might of the Empire, vastly expensive, complex, huge, unmanouevrable, requiring a vast crew and an entire fleet of smaller vessels to defend itself; Of immense destructive power when its finished, but really very vulnerable."

          <DV>

          "I find your lack of faith in this death star BAe Systems product, disturbing"

          </DV>

          It's a full length, oversize black cloak.

          1 1 Reply

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