12-17-2003, 03:18 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The point I am trying to make is why cant we utilize defence institutions for infrastructural needs of the nation?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Most R&D In defense is classified. If and only if it is declassified will it be used for commercial purposes. It might be interesting to note that even in the Arthashastra there is mention of 'Biological' and 'chemical' warfare. Kautilya states that "After one's own soldiers have been given the antidote, and are immune to the disease/smoke, can the biological/chemical agents be released."
If you make defense technology public in real-time, the enemy will be the first to benefit. <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Now the army has a surplus in its budget. It can hire private R&D for new weapon systems while civilian applications can be used as well.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This is possible if and only if the private firm hired is reliable, and is exclusively serving the army with maximum penalty for breach of contract. While Boeing, GE, Mitre etc do take up defense contract, the amount of security clearance needed by it's employees in quite high. Defense contracting is a game where stakes are high, and trust is low.
Most R&D In defense is classified. If and only if it is declassified will it be used for commercial purposes. It might be interesting to note that even in the Arthashastra there is mention of 'Biological' and 'chemical' warfare. Kautilya states that "After one's own soldiers have been given the antidote, and are immune to the disease/smoke, can the biological/chemical agents be released."
If you make defense technology public in real-time, the enemy will be the first to benefit. <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Now the army has a surplus in its budget. It can hire private R&D for new weapon systems while civilian applications can be used as well.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This is possible if and only if the private firm hired is reliable, and is exclusively serving the army with maximum penalty for breach of contract. While Boeing, GE, Mitre etc do take up defense contract, the amount of security clearance needed by it's employees in quite high. Defense contracting is a game where stakes are high, and trust is low.