On reading the comments of Peter Watts (Letters, September 27), it would seem it is he who has little logic. While this country undoubtedly makes and sells arms to other countries, it does not deal in weapons of mass destruction.

From Mr Watts' comments, you could be forgiven for thinking this is the only country in the world that makes and sells weaponry.

The former USSR makes and exports the AK47, the most widely used weapon in the world, followed by the US M16 and its follow-on models.

The former USSR made and sold more tanks than anyone else in the world and gave China the platforms for its nuclear weapons. Iraq uses the same weapons platforms for its arsenals.

The British Empire, founded for whatever reason, was not known for systematic killing of populations, unlike the US in its slaughter of its own indigenous population there.

Spain tried to slaughter the indigenous population of South America, France tried to take this country and all others into its fold more than once and Germany did the same. Even little Belgium had its empire, as did Holland, Portugal and others.

It was the lot of the British Army to fight and defend this country from such aggressors. The British Army has an excellent record as a peacekeeper and many have died in that role while wearing the blue beret of the United Nations.

Ill-informed comment from those such as Mr Watts is a slur to the memory of these people.

Remember that the Belgians are known as some of the best rifle-makers in the world, FN being their trade mark for the automatic rifle known as the SLR used by British troops and favoured by many Africans.

Few countries in the world are free from trading or manufacturing arms. To single out Britain as the villain of the piece just because, like everyone else, we had an empire and, just like every-one else, we make and sell weaponry is insulting to the war dead of this nation.

-A J Rowland, High Street, Brighton