Military-linked exports on the increase

The number of licences for the export of dual civilian-military use goods issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has increased significantly to an average of 200 per month, according to the department.

The increase is mainly due to the number of computer, electronic and telecommunications products which are being made here for export and which can be used for military purposes.

Details of the licences issued released by the department show 160 licences being issued in July, for the export of items to locations as varied as Germany, El Salvador, China, Russia, Egypt and Yugoslavia.

The figures for June and May are 160 and 433 respectively. The type of products licensed for export include bacteria which have been contaminated with certain listed cultures, telecommunications equipment designed to ensure information security through the use of cryptography, and a range of high-performance integrated electronic circuits.

A detailed and constantly updated list of dual use goods which are subject to export controls is published at EU level. Companies wishing to export such items must receive a licence to do so. The licences, which detail the country or countries to which the goods may be exported, last for six months. The department does not release details on the quantity or value of the goods being exported, nor does it release the names of the companies concerned.

Companies wishing to export goods which have a military use must also apply for licences. In May, June and July, the number of military licences granted were 45, 50, and 35 respectively. However many of these are licences granted to persons who wish to bring guns and ammunition abroad on shooting holidays or to shooting competitions.

According to data released by the department for the months May to July, military equipment exported included components for military aircraft (Northern Ireland), weapon fire control equipment (Germany and Norway), pressure refuellers for combat aircraft (Peru, Turkey), and runway aircraft arrester barriers (Brazil, UK, Italy, Malaysia, Chile, Singapore). It is understood the latter is produced by Befab Safeland, which is based in the Shannon Industrial Estate, Co Clare.

A company based in the industrial estate in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, Moog Ltd, is understood to make equipment for the control of the movements of military turrets. Licences for the export of such equipment were issued for Germany and Norway in June and July. Moog is a multinational electronics and electronic equipment company which employs about 3,000 worldwide. It employs over 160 people in its Cork plant and received a £4.4 million grant from IDA Ireland last year as part of an expansion programme.

Another company based here exports robotic equipment used in bomb disposal. A licence for the export of such equipment to Austria was issued in July.

Information on dual use and military use licences is contained on a departmental website, www.irlgov.ie/entemp/export, and includes the capacity to process applications over the web.