The military industrial complex is the close, self-sustaining relationship between a nation's military, its government, and defense contractors that supply weapons, equipment, and technologies[1][2].
It is a system in which these groups have shared interests in keeping military spending high, influencing policies and public opinion, and sustaining their own power and profits.
In summary, the military industrial complex describes the power and influence held by interconnected military, political, and industry actors—helping each other gain money and power but often at the cost of transparency, peace, and broader public interest[1][2][3][6].