BUT consider this: For most of Destiny ORB has been fighting against the ArchAngel & crew under the direction of Yuna Roma. Do you think they'd just let Morgenrate supply weapons to their enemy? Countries develop weapons because they have billions of tax dollars and human resources to use to research and develop massive weapons. They also keep a tight lid so that their best secrets and recent developments aren't stolen by random do-gooders & other factions.
Consider this: Almost everyone in ZAFT believed that Dullindal's Meer Campbell was the real Lacus FOR ALMOST ALL OF DESTINY! There is no explanation how/if/when the Clyne faction people found out which Lacus was the real one, it is totally left out. Also, if ZAFT has any kind of modernized banking system Lacus' purchasing of military hardware would draw a zillion red flags. Also, who in ZAFT would sell them weapons to develop IJ and the new Justice? Who in the Clyne faction would even be in the position to disobey Dullindal, steal and sell ZAFT's military secrets to Lacus? This is also never explained. Who are her spies who can access Dullindal's dubious Destiny Plan? How come nobody else could find anything about it? This is also not explained.
A big Factory floating in space that ZAFT has no idea about? A splinter group of Morgenrate working under who to supply the AA? Top of the line military hardware being smuggled outside of two nations THAT ARE AT FREAKIN WAR PEOPLE and handed over to a popstar and her cohorts who have been slipping around in the background and never come forward with a formal statement until episode 44? TOP OF THE FUCKING LINE MILITARY HARDWARE PEOPLE! Anyone have any clue how fucking impossible it'd be for some popstar and a dethroned ORB ambassador to pay for all that?