The study follows the development of Hungarian arms production since the 1980s until the early 2000s. 

It presents how it shifted from a state-regulated, highly protected sector, geared to accomplish its targets within the system of Warsaw Pact division of labor to a significantly diminished, largely privatised sector eager to meet NATO membership criteria and explore new export markets.  Based on extensive field research, the study higlights the importance of human factors, industrial heritage, the changing role of the state, the increased impact of company and regional level decisions and the far-reaching economic and social consequences of the collapse and partial restructuring of the sector.