UCD's links to the arms industry

Wednesday February 26, 2003 22:12

by Cian - UCD College Tribune

Below is an edited version of an article that was publsihed in UCD's College Tribune a few weeks ago. I meant to publish it a bit sooner but things were a bit hectic in UCD with the Student Union elections. Its not on the web anywhere esle so I can't put up a link.

Arms Industry linked to UCD

Extensive links between the arms industry and UCD have been revealed. In particular firms that supply military forces are funding a number of projects in UCD’s engineering department including, research, awards and competitions. The UCD careers office is also advertising internships with arms manufacturers (Rolls Royce). It has also been learned that UCD is listed by the U.S. Department of Defence as an arms supplier.

An investigation published by Ireland on Sunday (1/7/01) revealed that UCD is listed as a military contractor by the US Department of Defence (US DOD). The US DOD administers a code called a CAGE to identify all its contractors and suppliers. According to the US DOD, any company or organisation that has, or is seeking a contract from them, must apply for this code. UCD is listed as having an active code since 1999.

Also listed by the US DOD as one of its contractors is Meath firm Timoney Holdings - producer and designer of armoured personnel carriers for military customers around the world.

Timoney Technology and UCD have enjoyed a very close relationship. The late Professor Seamus Timoney of the engineering faculty of University College Dublin established Timoney Technologies in 1968. Today Sean S. Timoney, brother of the late founder of the company, is currently employed by UCD’s Mechanical Engineering Department. Sean Timoney’s research interests include automotive design and vehicle suspension design, which coincidentally are also areas of expertise for Timoney Technology. Timoney Technology also sponsors the UCD racing programme, which involves a competition to build a Formula racing car.

In an interview with the UCD College Tribune Pat Frain, Director of the University Industry Programme (UIP), described Timoney technology as UCD’s first spin off company. He stated that UCD and Timoney Technology have enjoyed a good relationship. The Director of the UIP explained that Timoney technology have been aware of the expertise available to them in UCD and graduates have been aware of job opportunities due to the links between the firm and UCD. Furthermore over the years “there would have been joint research projects”. In a report entitled “Exploiting the Universities and Research Labs”, which is aimed at attracting corporate investment into universities, Pat Frain, describes Timoney Technology as “Ireland's first campus Company”.

Timoney Technology has a long track record of supplying military forces and their contractors around the world. The Timoney Armoured Personnel Carrier was sold directly and under licence as early as 1978 in Belgium. Since then sales have expanded across the U.K., South America, the Middle East and Africa. In the mid eighties the U.S. Airforce placed an order amounting to more than US$100 million for 8250 Timoney designed vehicles.

In early 1999, Timoney licensee ADI Ltd won a contract to manufacture 350 Infantry Mobility Vehicles for the Australian Defence Forces. Timoney engineering staff ensured a transfer of technology and know-how to facilitate the construction of the ironically titled “Bushmaster”.

Other recent developments have seen the Timoney Independent Suspension System incorporated into vehicles for the U.K. and U.S.A. armies. Textron Marine and Land Systems have recently commenced production of the Armoured Security Vehicle (ASV) for the U.S. Army fitted with the Timoney Independent Suspension System.

Not content with their involvement in the military industry Timoney Technology of Navan, has also broken international precedent by been the first company in the world to conclude a multi million pound contract with the state owned Chinese transport company. This is despite the appalling human rights record of the totalitarian Chinese government who have suppressed both their own people and dissidents in Tibet.

The second company involved in the arms industry that has links to UCD is Analog Devices B.V., based in Limerick. Analog Devices is listed by Action from Ireland (Afri) as one of several Irish Companies involved in the Arms Trade. It has a history of producing components for US fighter aircraft and the British Ministry of Defence.

Analog Devices enjoys a good relationship with UCD sponsoring essay competitions and awards for excellence for engineering students. Through these promotions and the UCD Careers and Appointments office it manages to attract a substantial number of UCD graduates. Analog Devices have also funded at least two research projects in the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering. These projects were headed up by Orla Feely and Peter Kennedy, who has since left the Department.

Far from been ashamed of its connections with the arms industry UCD has boasted about its connection with Analog Devices, often giving them free promotional space in its official publication UCD News. In its October 1998 edition the college devotes space to UCD graduates who have been recruited to Analog Devices, clearly proud of its association with this company.

Professor Tom Brazil head of the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering stated that the involvement of Analog Devices with his department was “small but welcome”. He argued that the parts they manufacture could be used in anything and are not simply geared towards military use. He also stated that his Department wouldn’t see Analog Devices “as part of the arms industry at all”. When asked about whether the Department has any ethical codes or standards, Professor Brazil informed the College Tribune that he in fact sits on UCD’s ethics committee.

The UCD Careers Office, in keeping with the apparent ethos of UCD, is doing its bit to promote the arms industry. It is currently advertising internships in Rolls Royce for 2003. Rolls Royce, which earns $2,150 million from its military operations, supplies the engines for Hawk Jets as well as owning Vickers the armoured vehicle makers. In 1987 Rolls Royce signed an arms contract with Indonesia’s state run aerospace company. This deal was signed amidst continuing terror in Indonesia. In 1983-85 Army death squads murdered 3,500-4,500 people. The Indonesian army has also led the genocide of 200,000 East Timorese people.

Asked by the College Tribune about the internships offered in Rolls Royce Colm Tobin, UCD Careers and Appointments Officer stated that he was not aware of any links between Rolls Royce and the arms industry. He also stated that it was unlikely that UCD students would be involved in “sensitive” areas of production. Instead they were mainly involved in the car business and aeroplane engines. When told that it was the aeroplane engine business that was key to Rolls Royce’s supply of military contractors, he also stated that he was unaware of this.

Asked if there were ethical considerations given about the selection of internships, Tobin confirmed that there were. These ethical considerations however focused on the welfare of students, ensuring that they gained “genuine experience”. Tobin also confirmed that the Careers and Appointments office enjoys a good relationship with Analog Devices in Limerick, helping secure employment for UCD graduates with this firm. Again when questioned he stated that he was unaware of their involvement in the arms industry.