Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 03/2012

Defence Firms Facing Liberalization: Innovation and Export in an Agent-based Model of the Defence Industry

Martin Blom, Fulvio Castellacci, Arne Fevolden

January 2012

Norwegian Institute of International Affairs

Abstract

The paper presents an agent-based simulation model of the defence industry. The model resembles some of the key characteristics of the European defence sector, and studies how firms in this market will respond to the challenges and opportunities provided by a higher degree of openness and liberalization in the future. The simulation analysis points out that European defence firms will progressively become more efficient, less dependent on public procurement and innovation policy support, and more prone to knowledge sharing and inter-firm collaborations. This firmlevel dynamics will in the long-run lead to an increase in the industry’s export propensity and a less concentrated market.