Defense and Armaments

The right defense and armaments can save money and save lives
By Octavia McFerrin The global arms industry spends upwards of 1 trillion dollars each year on military technology, military test equipment and research. Many countries, including the U.S., award contracts to companies that supply weapons and equipment to their militaries. These contracts are worth millions -- even billions -- of dollars and companies bid for contracts and even submit designs for new equipment.
 

A military equipment list is often broken down into 3 categories: land-based weapons, aerospace systems and naval systems. The U.S. sells the most weapons to developing countries though any military manufacturer is regulated by international trade law to prevent the weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists in countries with large-scale political instablility.

The World Policy Institute can keep you up-to-date on weapons trade policies but consider the following to get the most out of a purchase that is often very expensive:

1. New military equipment coatings

2. Military equipment auctions for unique or surplus items

3. Online directories with a multitude of vendors

Save money by coating new military equipment

Pretreating metal used in manufactguring defense and armaments can produce long lasting, durable equipment. And powder epoxy coatings can not only reduce wear and tear to your military equipement but can provide life-saving camouflage to military personnel. Many companies offer patented processes that are automated for easy application and hardening.
Try: UCT Defense provides a nickel boron coating that both protects and boosts performance. Rollo Powder Coatings offer chemical agent-resistant coatings that meet strict military specifications.

Frequent military equipment auctions to find unique supplies and save big on surplus

Looking for something specicfic? Let your arms manufacturer know exactly what you're looking for with specs and visual aids, and bid on the exact equipment you need through military equipment auctions. Various types of defense and armaments are available through surplus auctions, and you may be able to find a better deal through this kind of venue than through a traditional arms manufacturer.
Try: Find surplus government equipment of every Federal Supply Class (FSC), search the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service or Government Liquidation and shop online, or in person with state-by-state listings in some instances. You can also browse listings by manufacturer at Government Liquidation.

Find both new and used military equipment via online defense and armaments directories

Your options for a military manufacturer, both new and refurbished, are endless. Websites dedicated to providing products the defense industry as well as industry directories can find contractors of any kind as well as services you need to make the best of weapons or military equipment you already have.
Try: Business.com can get you both contact information and pricing from international and American military equipment manufacturers. Army-technology.com breaks down contractors into more than 45 categories for all you need in defense.

• Ask your military equipment manufacturer for a list of recommended armament repair specialists. The repairs are often costly but not as costly as replacing new equipment. And many specialists will travel to your site for repair since armament repair is such a highly specialized field.