Joseph Gleeson reviews "The International Arms Trade: Reconfiguration of the Defence-Industrial Landscape" by Kenneth Boutin

The International Arms Trade: Reconfiguration of the Defence-Industrial Landscape by Kenneth Boutin. University of Exeter Press (2025), pp 304. ISBN 9781804131268

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 Any observer of recent military developments in the last few years will have certainly noticed how the political rhetoric in the West has advocated investment in defence and increased military spending. Domestically, one cannot but notice the amount of media that now delves into Ireland’s plans to expand and properly equip its military to a level that was previously unthinkable. It was only recently that Ireland’s defence budget passed €1 billion and now, due to the belated realisation that the current security situation requires addressing, the Government are openly talking about a €3 billion spend in the next number of years. Additionally, with the EU looking to spend on member states own arms industries, it is also something that Irish companies with specific or duel use technology have started to look at. Not only will these plans impact on Ireland’s position in the arms industry as both an importer and exporter, but the latter has some relevance when one considers the amount and types of equipment that Ireland has donated to Ukraine. With such a large number of wide ranging matters, a book on the international arms trade is timely for, as the author has pointed out, that trade in conventional arms also includes ‘what are sometimes referred to as non-lethal, as well as lethal arms’.

Kenneth Boutin is a PhD graduate in Political Science who has written previously on industry and security. His book, ‘The International Arms Trade: Reconfiguration of the Defence-Industrial Landscape’ aims to consider key features of what he refers to as ‘the international arms transfer system’, noting that ‘transfers of armaments are an important and complex feature of international security and economic relations’. This complexity is underscored by his acknowledgement that arms transfers can be controversial for many reasons, such as their impact on economies, as well as the linkages with ‘off shore capability partners’, which further convolutes arms transfers in the international system. In order to explore these themes, Boutin has focussed on an analysis of a number of key areas such as the relationships between the state and industry, supply and demand, emerging arms suppling states, and the international arms transfer system.

Boutin’s book is at its strongest when he underscores the linkages between these various agencies and companies, with some good discussion on the adverse impact that the efforts to develop an arms industry in poor nations may have. His exploration of the intricacies of the provision and ownership of components, sub-components and technology between nations, companies and non-state actors provides much food for thought, especially in the modern environment where technological advances in modern systems now have the potential to provide greater effects than at perhaps anytime previously. These issues are further complicated by the need for profits which are leveraged by companies or arms dealers, or for political gain by states, both of which can be applied either positively or negatively, points which Boutin touches on throughout.

However, regardless of the currency of the topic under examination, Boutin’s vagueness and lack of concrete discussion is maddeningly frustrating. Throughout the entire book, he sets up his argument with ambiguous statements such as constantly referring to ‘states’ or ‘arms suppliers’ without specifying the relevant countries or the suppliers themselves. As he often reminds the reader, this is a complex industry, so clear examples as a method for discussion would not only support his arguments, but show an expected level of required rigour and analysis that is constantly undermined by sweeping statements. These not only include assertions that lack data to support them, but when examples are used, they are not recent or only given a cursory mention. Perhaps, must disappointing of all, is that for a book published in 2025, there is no worthwhile engagement around the war in Ukraine caused by the Russian invasion and the subsequent mass transfer of arms to the region. Considering all the industrial, legal and logistical connections that would have provided an updated and a very relevant case study, he has missed an opportunity to bolster and clarify his arguments. Despite the oft mentioned ‘complexity’ of this subject, it is unfortunate that the author has not provided clarity but has instead inadequately engaged with such a topical and contemporary subject.

Joseph Gleeson, May 2025.