Military hardware is big business

Military leaders and leading weapon-makers are among those being invited to the aerospace event, organised by MRO Europe.

But anti-war protesters have condemned the arms trade as "an immoral industry", and have vented their fury at the Welsh Development Agency and the Welsh Assembly Government for supporting the three-day show.

According to the event's main sponsor, Aviation Week, the event attracts "military leaders seeking the latest, most reliable sources for services, components, parts and equipment."

Civilian airline companies have also been invited to take part in the event - which is one of the biggest in the aerospace industry calendar.

Protesters said businesses which manufacture weapons were not welcome in Wales.

'Disappointment'

They say they will picket Cardiff International Arena during the event, which takes place from 16 to 18 September.

Ray Davies, vice-chair of CND Cymru, told BBC Radio Wales he was furious the exhibition was taking place.

"I'm bitterly disappointed with the WDA for supporting the event, but I'm more disappointed with our assembly members," he said.

"It's an immoral industry - a murderous industry - and it's one we don't want in Wales at all."

Despite the controversy surrounding the aerospace industry, it is one area on which Wales has been pinning its hopes.

Last month the WDA revealed it had paid �8m for more than 800 acres of land earmarked for an aerospace business park.

The purchase of Ministry of Defence land at St Athan, near Cardiff, paved the way for jet repair units providing thousands of highly-skilled jobs.

The Welsh Assembly Government said in a statement that the aviation and aerospace industry played "a major role" in the Welsh economy.

It said the proposal to develop an aerospace park in St Athan and the increasing number of flights to and from Wales meant the industry was likely to become even more important in the future.

"In this context, we are pleased to bring MRO to Wales," the statement continued.