This building is an important tech structure with many important upgrades and it unlocks a number of very useful units. You will need a Arms dealer in every game, (sometimes even two) as the GLA relies heavily on vehicles. It produces a host of light armored and heavy armored vehicles as well as some special units that are very unique.
This is the GLA equivalent of the USA or Chinese war factory. Five or six workers at one supply is usually enough for a stable income It can create workers that can build buildings, the same as the workers from the Command Center, so this makes it that extra bit useful. The primary resource drop of point for the GLA. You will need a barracks in almost every match up as most build orders involve one. This is where you get many important units though and it also unlocks tunnels and stingers. The GLA Barracks is a small building with very little health. The differences are you do not get radar here and its not the only place you can train workers from. The GLA Command Center is similar to the USA and Chinese equivalents as it builds worker units and gives you access to your Generals points.