Flying the Flag, Arming the World

Flying the Flag, Arming the World, by John Pilger, looks at the magnitude of the British arms industry. It is one of the largest manufacturing industries in the country, and many arms deals are conducted in secrecy to supply dictatorships and corrupt regimes. The documentary follows British arms sales to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Indonesia.

Pilger interviews former Minister of Defence Alan Clark regarding Hawk aircraft that were sold to Indonesia and were believed to have been used in East Timor, despite assurances from the regime that this was not the case. He also travels to Paris to attend an arms fair, where he speaks to British salesmen about missiles and a new cluster bomb.

Back in Britain, Pilger turns his focus to the Trident nuclear submarine programme, arguing that the vast sums spent on it could instead be used to address pressing social issues, including healthcare and homelessness.