Chinese researchers warn against US-style defence contractor influence over security policy

A Shanghai university study has cautioned Beijing against allowing defence contractors to dominate security policy, citing the way profit-driven interests in the United States have captured military decision-making.

Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University's National Institute of Strategic Studies identified Washington's "iron triangle" – linking the Department of Defence, private contractors and congressional committees – as having hijacked US national security policy. The study was published on Monday.

Self-perpetuating cycle of expansion

Defence contractors, the military and politicians have formed a mutually reinforcing alliance where profits, expanded budgets and political capital align, according to the study.

Lead author Gu Jianyi, previously a researcher at a military institute, warned that "their interests create a self-perpetuating cycle of 'military expansion, increased revenue, mutual benefit, further expansion' that drives armament growth independent of external security pressures".

Capital overriding security

"The core flaw of the US military-industrial complex is that capital profit-seeking overrides national security and public interest," Gu wrote.

He cautioned that lobbying, manufactured conflicts and threat perception created an inherent risk of "expanding armaments merely for profit".

The study serves as an implicit warning for China as it rapidly modernises its own defence sector, where state-owned enterprises have historically dominated but private contractors are gaining a growing foothold.

Source: South China Morning Post