Campaign Against Arms Trade

What Campaign Against Arms Trade does

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) is a UK-based non-profit organization founded in 1974 that campaigns to end the international arms trade. Headquartered in London with approximately 11 employees, CAAT operates as a charity that serves the public interest by challenging government arms export decisions, raising public awareness of the human cost of arms proliferation, and supporting affected communities. Its core activities include research and advocacy directed at the UK Government's Strategic Defence and Security Review, lobbying parliament, running petition drives, and engaging in strategic litigation against specific arms deals.

CAAT's core products are not technology platforms but rather campaign outputs and informational tools. The organization publishes analysis using open-source data browsers and maintains a public-facing website that aggregates information on UK arms exports, recipient countries, and licensing decisions. Its technical footprint is modest: web-based campaign infrastructure, data visualization of arms transfer records, and distribution of policy reports. The organization does not produce proprietary software or commercial products.

CAAT's business model is non-commercial, funded almost entirely by individual donations from supporters. It does not sell products or services; its "revenue" takes the form of charitable contributions. The organization extends its reach through partnerships with allied advocacy organizations, including Mwatana, the New Lucas Plan coalition, and Stop the Arms Fair. Notable outcomes include a 2019 Court of Appeal ruling that found UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia unlawful, a Right Livelihood Award in 2012, and a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 2021. CAAT also pursues thematic campaigns including opposition to arms exports to Israel and Iran, advocacy for an "arms-to-renewables" economic transition, and domestic lobbying within Scotland.

Name

Campaign Against Arms Trade

Legal name

Campaign Against Arms Trade

Website

https://caat.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) is a UK non-profit founded in 1974 that campaigns to end the international arms trade through research, advocacy, litigation, and public awareness, funded by individual donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arms Trade Advocacy

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (81331)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Peace, Security & Arms Control Organizations (BPADAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB), Human Rights Monitoring, Documentation & Advocacy (BPADAGAK)

Keywords

• Arms trade advocacy
• Export licensing research
• Peace campaign
• Arms embargo activism
• Military policy research

Headquarters

HQ city

London, London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Campaign Against Arms Trade is a non-profit advocacy organization that conducts research, coordinates campaigns, and pursues legal action to end the international arms trade. It maintains public databases on UK arms export licences and political influence, publishes a quarterly magazine, organizes protests at arms fairs, and supports grassroots activism through local groups and a universities network.

Product overview

Campaign Against Arms Trade operates primarily as a campaign organization rather than a technology company. Its digital offerings consist of a central website serving as a hub for campaigning activities, supplemented by multiple specialized data tools including an export licence browser, political influence database, country information portal, arms companies directory, and arms fairs listing. The organization publishes a quarterly CAAT News magazine and provides downloadable campaign materials and legal challenge resources. These products collectively support CAAT's mission to expose and challenge the international arms trade through research, advocacy, and public education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CAAT Website Primary digital platform providing access to CAAT's resources, data on UK arms exports, country information, arms company profiles, arms fair details, campaign actions, and publications for supporters, journalists, researchers, and policymakers.
• UK Arms Export Licences Browser Interactive online tool launched in 2012 that enables public access to searchable data on UK government-approved arms and controlled goods exports, supporting accountability and research for journalists, campaigners, and the public.
• Political Influence Browser

Quantifiable outcome

• In 2019, the Court of Appeal ruled in CAAT's favour, finding government decisions to allow arms sales to Saudi Arabia were 'irrational and therefore unlawful', resulting in hundreds of millions of pounds of arms sales being put on hold
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The New Lucas PlancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAAT is part of the New Lucas Plan coalition, calling on the Government to move support from military to socially-useful industries. This involves working with other organizations to promote the transition from arms to renewables and other peaceful industries.
• Mwatana for Human RightscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJointly nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize alongside Mwatana for Human Rights, a grassroots organization working in Yemen. The partnership represents collaboration between organizations documenting arms trade harms in conflict zones.
• Stop the Arms Fair CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAAT works as part of the Stop the Arms Fair (STAF) coalition to organize resistance to arms fairs, including the major DSEI event in London. This coalition coordinates week-long actions and direct disruption of arms fair operations.
• Smash EDOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Brighton-based campaign group Smash EDO working to resist the local EDO weapons factory. Supported actions and provided solidarity for protests at the arms company's facility.
• Edinburgh University CAAT GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStudent-led local group that campaigned to end university investment in arms companies (Ultra Electronics drone manufacturer). Part of the broader network of local CAAT groups across the UK.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Amnesty International:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CAATuk
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/wwwcaatorguk
• Facebookfacebook.com/campaignagainstarmstrade
• Instagraminstagram.com/caatuk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/campaign-against-arms-trade

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Campaign Against Arms Trade