In some ways it is if framed as one of the largest national expenditures for many/most nations.

When resources are directed in narrow channels on that vast of a scale there will be issues.

Police best way

It's a difficult question, as there's nothing to compare it to.
The only established communist state on the planet is the USSR.
Considering the low standard of living of the population, despite the country's impressive economic development indicators, the source of the military-industrial complex's development in the USSR—its impoverishment—becomes clear.
Well, it's not that there was absolute poverty, but the standard of living was several times lower than in the US.

Regarding your question: "Is the military complex simply a communist branch of democracy?"

The answer is definitely "no."

The USSR and the US definitely achieved parity in their armed forces. This means that both the US and the EU placed great emphasis on military development. Another thing is that for them, this was an insignificant few percent of their budget.
The arms race ruined the USSR. The economy couldn't withstand it, and then came "perestroika," and then what we have today.

Not any more, last regime just used it for tax-funded medical surgery to those who wanted it. The penal system still does it.

I would agree with the military complex acting, engaging and mobilising in accordance with orders from their Democracy masters. However once receiving their orders from an elected government they become a vacuum only accountable to themselves.

And once in that vacuum they act with impunity and nobody is accountable for their actions. A totalitarian regime seeks to squash any and all opposition in any way possible. Lie, steal and cheat if necessary as long as objectives are achieved with no opposition to their actions.

It is hard to deny that the military complex is a power onto themselves and the internal structures of command are not exactly transparent and answerable to those that mobilise them. A well trained soldier follows orders or they die and there is no moral common sense other than following orders blindly.

Originally posted by Professor:

Is it just the Communist arm of Democracy?

are you ready to isolate human right violators or make your way the opposite side of the fences for some reason you can't explain in english? so to speak. i mean not you in this context.