» 06/01/2009 11:56 SINGAPORE - ASIA Asian nations talk peace, but race to arm themselves The 8th Asian Security Conference ended yesterday. All nations involved insisted on the need for peace. And yet they all say they want more arms for better self-defence. China is well ahead in the arms race.
Singapore (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The annual Asian Security Conference ended yesterday in Singapore, with all delegates from the different participating nations insisting on the need for peace, while on the sidelines of the summit in a luxury hotel they negotiated arms sales.Many States are concerned by the moves of neighbouring nations and want to inprove their own defence systems.The Japanese Defence Ministry says that Tokyo is worried by North Korea’s recent nuclear test and wants to strengthen its air power with F-22 fighter jets.Rohitha Bogollagama, the Sinhalese Defence Minister, whose government recently quashed a 20 year long Tamil rebellion, did not deny to reporters from his nation that the government wants to strengthen its armaments.In 2009, China increased its military spending by 15% and is a leader in the arms race, even if it maintains that its army is only for purposes of self-defence and regional stability.India plans to spend over 30 billion dollars over the next 5 years to modernise its military force, which by and large dates back to the Soviet era.The Indonesian Defence Minister announced a national project to bring military spending from the current 0.68% of gross domestic product to 1.2% within the next 5 years, buying fighter jets and submarines.Comapanies such as Boeing, the 2nd biggest provider of armaments to the Pentagon in the US, were also present at the Conference, in search of new markets, following the announcement of a reduction in military spending by the administration of the newly elected President Obama.Jim Albaugh of Boeing explained that the increase in demand for ships and planes in Asia is down to a rising need to defend trade and territory.Jonathan Pollack, professor of Asian and Pacific Studies at theNaval War College in the United States, commented “Defence suppliers find it very important to be here to make a set of contacts”.Tim Huxley, executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, observed “There are many players, each of which is looking over their shoulders”.
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