military-industrial complex

American  

[mil-i-ter-ee-in-duhs-tree-uhl] / ˈmɪl ɪˌtɛr i ɪnˈdʌs tri əl /

noun

1. a network of a nation's military force together with all of the industries that support it.

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military-industrial complex British  

noun

1. (in the US) the combined interests of the military establishment and industries involved in producing military material considered as exerting influence on US foreign and economic policy

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military-industrial complex Cultural  

1. A general term for the cooperative relationship between the military and the industrial producers of military equipment and supplies in lobbying for increased spending on military programs.

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In his farewell address, President Dwight Eisenhower warned that the growth of this relationship would increase the militarization of American society and endanger the principles of democracy.

Etymology

Origin of military-industrial complex

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

It aimed to adopt commercial-based technologies such as advanced sensors, cyber capabilities, drones and lasers to address the challenges posed by China’s growing military-industrial complex.

From The Wall Street Journal

As with previous waves of attacks, Russia's defence ministry said it struck "enterprises of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex and gas and energy facilities that support their operation."

From Barron's

To them, he embodied a dangerous fusion of politics and the military-industrial complex — and they viewed his every move with deep suspicion.

From Los Angeles Times

"The Bryansk Chemical Plant is a key facility of the aggressor state's military-industrial complex", the Ukrainian military said in an X post on Tuesday.

From BBC

With respect to drones or UAS, I can hear the wheels of the military-industrial complex grinding away.

From Salon