Firms such as Vickers and Armstrong resembled large technology conglomerates more closely than narrow modern defence contractors. These companies could supply bridges, roads, industrial machinery, army equipment, naval guns and complete warships. Britain had several firms with this breadth, including Palmers as well as Vickers and Armstrong. Only a few years after companies had built entire warships on speculation, private industry was still developing major naval gun systems without a corresponding Royal Navy order. Official naval requirements therefore give only part of the picture of Britain's available technology.
Notable Point · 34:19-37:36
Vickers and Armstrong as industrial conglomerates
The breadth of Britain's prewar armament companies let customers buy infrastructure, machinery, weapons, and complete warships from the same industrial networks.