Small states and defense offsets : When size doesn't matter

This paper addresses the question whether small member states of the European Defence Agency use protectionist tactics such as arms trade offsets in different ways than large member states. It argues that the differentiation between small and large states cannot be used to explain industrial compensation in Europe. While offsets can be seen as a way to strengthen the domestic defense industrial base, other objectives such as regional distribution or employment seem to play at least the same role and need to be considered as well in future discussions towards a European Defense Technological and Industrial Base.