This is a thought experiment, just a question out of the blue for intellectual thinkers, no other intention should be inferred. The question which garners this title is a real one, and although at first glance, most military professionals, citizens and our political leaders would say; Hell No! And, that would be their final answer, but is it the best possible answer? Let’s discuss several reasons why this question isn’t so crazy after all and why a paradigm shift in the thought process surrounding such a question might be slightly flawed.
Below are 4 reasons why sharing advanced weapons technology of this type with other nations’ militaries, both adversaries and allies might be a good idea:
1.) If our enemies are all using smart munitions there will be less collateral damage, fewer innocent lives snuffed out for no reason.
2.) Less loss of vital infrastructure which must be repaired after the conflict is over to bring stability back to the region which was once considered in military terms; the battlespace.
3.) It keeps terrorist organizations, rogue nations, and other enemies from resorting to WMD – chemical, biological or nuclear weapons when not necessary.
4.) It allows nation-states to achieve their political and military objectives without wasting vast amounts of resources and money on ominously expensive military hardware – $100+ Million Fighter Planes, Aircraft Carriers in excess of many billions of dollars.
We already know why this isn’t a good idea, and hardly need to even state such reasons, but let’s do it anyway.
1.) Rogue nations might use this technology to target our leadership, military leaders or key figures in our government.
2.) These technologies might give way to other innovative developments along the same lines of thinking and enemies would leverage this technology which they currently do not possess to create more ominous weaponry.
3.) Why bother helping your enemy who might use it against your allies.
4.) Our allies will buy these weapon systems from our defense contractors since they cannot produce it themselves, thus, return money to make up for trade deficits we have, as export such products to them.
Do the positives of future wars with fewer casualties, less loss of human life make up for any negatives associated with giving away these trade secrets? Further, since we cannot keep a secret who is to say rogue nations, enemies or even quasi-allies haven’t already stolen these innovation secrets and intellectual property from us through computer cyber tactics already – or won’t in the near future anyway?
Well, that’s all for now, glad to make you think again.