Introduction

This introduction chapter presents an overview of the key concepts discusses in this book. The book examines three of the most important regional powers of the late twentieth century, assessing the relationship between changing security calculations and military experiences on military-industrial policy. It provides a security-based context for evaluating arms industries of Less-Developed Countries (LDCs). The security focus of most of these states, however, remains rooted in existing regional military competitions, and military and national security perceptions center on the capabilities of neighbors and traditional rivals. The book deals with a model of security-based military-industrialization, suggesting new methodologies for analyzing the evolution and effectiveness of LDC military industries in the emerging international system and some policy implications. Analysis of regional systems illuminates the primary security relationships in the developing world. Assessing the nature of the security threat to an LDC is often problematic. The procurement of weapons reflects a state's perceptions of and response to security threats and political ambitions.