The Global Security Conundrum: UK Security Exports and the Proliferation of Violence It Seeks to Stem

By Nikhil Liam Murphy

The power and influence of the principal arms trade is arguably well-known. Globally, the public are accustomed to hearing of goliath private organisations winning multimillion-pound deals to sell defence systems and equipment to “vetted and approved” polities around the world. Less recognised is the security trade.

Security exports, a vast bracket encompassing surveillance infrastructure to personal protection gear, is a booming industry inspired by exponential technological advancement. In 2009, the London-based arms fair Defence Systems and Equipment International (DSEI) rebranded as Defence and Security Equipment International, fortunately managing to retain their acronym. Similarly, the UK’s arms promotion unit, the Defence Export Services Organisation, has become UKDSE – UK Defence and Security Exports. The UK has been consistent in the top ten security exporters based on sales but has climbed from rank sixth in 2013 to third by 2019, boasting a market value of £7.2 billion. On the surface, products seem less devastating, but in how they are utilised are proving equally violent.

Global security exports by country 2019 ($ billion). With the exception of China in second, it is interesting to note all G7 countries bar Canada occupy the top positions.

Source: UK Defence and Security statistics 2019.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Let us focus on the undemocratization process in Hong Kong. The PRC’s implementation of new national security legislation has swallowed the city into Beijing’s central rule and triggered prolific protests in the name of democratic freedoms. The British government responded by granting special visa status to three million Hong Kong residents, allowing them to settle in the UK. Conveniently ignored, was that treatment of protesters at the hands of the Hong Kong police force was guided by UK security exports and training. Tear gas and crowd suppression equipment originating from licensed British dealers have been used throughout the state’s attempts to quash the protests, with thousands of arrests made and multiple violent attacks on peaceful protesters. Rubber bullets, anti-riot shields and body armour were among items exported to Hong Kong, giving state forces supreme advantage. China has been successful in eradicating civil resistance thanks to British training institutions and equipment.

Source: Security and Policing 2021

Similar cases can be observed in other states listed as ‘Countries of Concern’ due to their human rights records, yet are formally invited to security fairs. In Bahrain there is reason to believe there were higher levels of violence and abuse after training. Furthermore, ties with Nigeria were revealed this year (2020) after empowered state forces shot dead at least 12 protesters in the capital and have been accused of serious abuses to civilians in military detention camps. All aided by UK exports.

Almost unknown is the British protest suppression equipment in use in the US – 18% of exports cross the Atlantic. Thus, underregulated sales licences are providing the resources for state actors to exact brutal retribution on populaces around the world.

Securing the Near Abroad

This being said, the largest market for UK security exports is Europe, making up third of all sales. ‘Screening and detection’ is a technology segment the UK leads, and with cyber security and surveillance, make up the top exports heading for border authorities within the continent. Externalising border systems is crucial to the European migration agenda, transforming the concept of a border to a much wider system of identification, categorisation and accessibility beyond international crossing points. The portrayal of migrants as national security risks saturates state discourse. Feeding the populist behemoth that took over the Brexit debate, this has given a mandate for stricter methods of administration and border security upgrades.

The introduction of biometric identifying has led to self-harm and desperation. Some migrants burn their fingerprints off in order to sidestep the Dublin agreement and continue their journeys. Yet the situation in the Mediterranean is immeasurably worse. Europe’s walls, fortified by UK tracking and surveillance technology, means migrants are risking increasingly perilous irregular routes whilst suffering dehumanisation and abuse. For example, equipping the Libyan coastguard has led to appalling accounts of violence and exploitation (watch here). The trade is therefore complicit in both ousting migrants from their homes and restricting their flight from persecution.

We Must Not Fail to Recognise its Grave Implications

Security by its very definition entails freedom from danger. However, UK security exports and armed forces training contracts are leading to unquestionable dangers to human rights around the globe. Notably, it is the amalgamation of militaries and police into one sinister and lucrative market that is indirectly fostering violence. Veiled behind the ‘good nature’ of national security, states can buy tools to facilitate the repression of protest and dissent while increasing their monopoly of ‘legitimate’ violence and borders. Not surprisingly, nowhere on the UKDSE list of priorities is it alluded to that the department will ensure responsible vending.

At time of writing, a cut to UK overseas aid has been announced, diminishing the budget by £4 billion. MP’s have already voiced concern, claiming it will lead to “more child marriages, more instances of early childbirth FGM, more domestic violence, and millions not being vaccinated”. It comes during an unprecedented global health crisis devastating economies. However, a week before the spending review, the Ministry of Defence announced a colossal investment injection. The implications here are stark concerning the future of security, what this means and for whom. Ironically, the same leading defence and security exporters are by and large the main shareholders of the World Bank.

This begs the question, to what end will profits be prioritised over progress? Or is a deeper state manoeuvre at play under a national security façade? Security exports are a cause for concern for civil resistance worldwide that is essential for the checks and balances that attempt to hold the state accountable. An already murky market that relies on discretion has become even more entrenched into our structures of power.

IBRD: shareholder equity. A similar representation can be found for the IDA.

Source: finances.wordbank.org