Defence companies are often seen by the public and NGOs as corrupt and self-serving—there is a strong feeling that companies need to ‘clean up their act.’  But the reality is far more complex. Particularly since 2005, the defence industry has become far more willing to engage in counter-corruption reform, and our team has worked closely with companies to accelerate that process.

In reality, corruption hurts the defence industry.  According to a 2006 survey by Control Risks, one third of defence sector respondents felt that they had lost out on a contract in the previous year due to bribery by a competitor. Defence companies shun corrupt economies and the risks they pose.

In our work with defence companies, we aim to:

• Assist the international defence industry in creating an international industry anti-bribery forum that requires high standards of anti-bribery behaviour from all its member companies.
• To encourage all such companies to implement high standards of anti-bribery compliance programmes.
• To work with the industry to ensure that Defence Integrity pacts are a tool that is effective in raising standards and enabling high integrity behaviour on both company and government side.

Companies can raise standards through better compliance programmes, collective action, and collaboration with other companies to raise anti-corruption standards in tendering. They can play strongly constructive roles in addressing and reducing corruption through engagement with governments—by sending clear signals that the company does not engage in bribery or corruption, they can exert a positive influence over officials and national organisations. Many defence companies are supportive of the work of Transparency's Defence and Security Team, and are ready to engage with other defence companies to promote integrity and counter bribery in international arms sales.