When President Barack Obama announced plans to send 30,000 more US troops to Afghanistan some business were likely quietly rejoicing. Although the toll of war is horrible on people’s lives and psyches, it can be good for business.
Several US companies (contractors, equipment makers, etc.) will benefit from the new surge of troops. Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Corp. is among them. The company (which recenty got a personal visit and thank you from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates) is building a new, more agile all-terrain armored vehicle for fighting in rugged Afghanistan. The government has ordered more than 6,000 MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (or M-ATVs) and will likely put another 4,000 on its wish list. I’m sure the 1,3000 people who help make those vehicles will happily oblige.
Others on the positive side of the troop surge: companies such as L-3 Avionics, Raytheon, that make radios and communications equipment for the military. Defense Web also suggests that companies like DynCorp, Fluor, and even KBR (which provide support services such as training, construction and engineering, transportation, and more) stand to benefit.
The Obama administration and other Washington leaders are meeting this week for a “jobs summit” in order to brainstorm on ways the government can spark job growth. But maybe, it already did.
Laura — Your comment “Although the toll of war is horrible on people’s lives and psyches, it can be good for business” comes off glib. Everybody knows war is profitable; why do you think we have so much of it? These dollars could be spend domestically to stimulate the economy, sparing peoples lives and repairing our own infrastructure. KBR is definitely NOT a military contractor you want to mention in a business newsletter. Just a suggestion.
War may benefit “some” business, but it results much damage. I agree to you Laura. War is “horrible on people’s lives and psyches…”. Only few are benefited but millions of lives are changed. But we can do nothing.
Thanks,
Linda Abrams
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