zondag 26 augustus 2018

Week 33-34 in #wapenhandel25tweets

(Gaarne 'liken' of delen als je het nuttig of interessant vindt.
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1 – 250818: One of the key goals of the ATT is to prevent the diversion of conventional arms and ammunition to illicit actors. CAR’s latest report, Diversion Digest, highlights key actors in cases of diversion CAR has identified http://www.conflictarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/diversion-digest-01.pdf

Netherlands / Nederland (see also 14)

2 – 230818: The 'restrictive' Dutch government gave export licenses in June (latest reports) for weapon components to Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, Israel, and UAE. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-uitvoer-militaire-goederen In line with my analysis http://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2018/07/hidden-parts-of-dutch-arms-export-policy.html

EUROPE (see also 9, 14, 25)

3 – 250818: One of the conclusions from an EDA workshop: "The evidence of the last decade is that nations only cooperate once they have (almost) crashed against the wall, i.e. lost a capability." http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2018/603841/EXPO_IDA(2018)603841_EN.pdf

Belgium / België

4 – 250818: Belgium defence research organisation #GRIP dives deep into the Belgium defence industry: 71 companies and 11,403 jobs (8,600 in Wallonia, 2,000 in Flanders and 800 in Brussels. [in French] https://www.grip.org/fr/node/262

France (see 26)

Germany / Deutchland (see also 10, 13, 32)

5 – 250818: The German arms exports increased in ten years from €4,18bn in 2006 to €6,85bn in 2016. Remarkable is the value of exports to non-EU/NATO countries. Ten years ago this was € 1.15bn and increased to €3,67bn in 2016. https://www.fr.de/politik/ruestungsbranche-umwandlung-der-waffenfirmen-scheitert-a-1567417?GEPC=s3 via @fr

Ireland / Éire

6 – 130818: Licenses for the exports of Strategic goods from Ireland valued € 3.23bn in 2017: € 3.21 bn dual-use and the rest 11 % military, police or state security forces. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/us-is-biggest-buyer-in-25m-military-market-0vnx3cfg0

Spain / España (see also 17)

7 – 140818: In 2017 Spain supplied about € 361m worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia and its gulf allies, but Spain supplies to Riyadh and other members of the Saudi-led coalition, the Spanish Foreign Ministry said on Monday. https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/spain-may-limit-arms-exports-to-saudi-arabia-409886.html

Switzerland / Suisse

8 – 250818: Swiss lobby for relaxing arms export rules continues.

UK


REST of the world

Angola

10 – 240818: Angola's President Joao Lourenco is in Europe to promote the country as investment-friendly. In Germany, he is not only seeking ordinary investment in agriculture, technology or construction. Lourenco wants war ships. https://www.dw.com/en/angola-wants-german-investors-and-war-ships/a-45196227

Azerbaijan / Azərbaycan

11 – 230818: Azerbaijan shows off kamikaze Israeli Harop kamikaze drone in military exercises https://www.c4isrnet.com/unmanned/2018/08/21/azerbaijan-shows-off-kamikaze-drone-in-military-exercises/

Canada (see 20)

China / Zhōngguó

12 – 240818: #China now 2nd-largest spender on defence, Chinese companies are going to rank among the largest defence firms. But quantifying that number has proven incredibly difficult thanks to the opaque nature of both government spending and the firms themselves. https://www.defensenews.com/top-100/2018/08/23/these-7-chinese-companies-each-topped-5b-in-defense-sales-and-could-rival-american-firms/

India (see 25, 26)

Israël / Isra'il (see also 11)

13 – 160818: The Israeli Navy is set to receive four next-generation Sa'ar 6 corvettes between 2019 and 2024. The 300-feet-long warships, which are currently being built in Kiel, Germany. More on tasks and tech. https://en.globes.co.il/en/article.aspx?did=1001250065#utm_source=iglobes&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=iglobes

Japan / Nihon-koku (see 19)
New Zealand (see 27)

Pakistan / Pākistān

14 – 150818: Steel cutting ceremony of offshore patrol vessel for Pakistan navy held in Romania https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/355526-steel-cutting-ceremony-of-offshore-patrol-vessel-for-pakistan-navy-held-in-romania

Qatar

15 – 230818: Qatar’s government has finalised an order for 28 NH Industries NH90 military helicopters that are scheduled to be delivered between 2022 and 2025. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/qatar-inks-nh90-order-with-leonardo-451272/
NH Industries is jointly owned by Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo and Fokker

16 – 240818: The Ukrainian government during its meeting on Wednesday has approved an intergovernmental agreement with Qatar on cooperation in the military-technical sector, local media reported. http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2018-08/23/content_59804601.htm

Saudi Arabia / Al-Arabiyah as Sa'udiyah (see also 7)

17 – 240818: The Saudi navy buying a stronger fleet (in Spain and US) and its plans for the future. https://www.defenceiq.com/air-land-and-sea-defence-services/news/snep-ii-modernisation-of-saudi-arabias-navy

18 – 240818: States have an legal obligation to investigate alleged laws-of-war violations by their forces. Coalition members have sought to evade this by hiding behind the Saudi led coalition. https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/08/24/hiding-behind-coalition/failure-credibly-investigate-and-provide-redress-unlawful

Taiwan / Táiwān

19 – 250818: Retired submarine experts from Japan have been invited to Taiwan in September, to train the necessary personnel and present a report on Taiwan’s domestic submarine program. https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2018/august-2018-navy-naval-defense-news/6450-experts-from-japan-to-assist-taiwan-with-submarine-project.html

Ukraine / Ukrajina (see also 16)

20 – 140818: PGW Defence Technologies of Winnipeg is the #Canadian firm that will be selling #sniper rifles to #Ukraine’s military. https://montrealgazette.com/news/canada/winnipeg-firm-wins-1m-deal-to-send-sniper-rifles-to-ukraine/wcm/376e721c-27c7-4b44-911d-f0b1861f0f16

United States (see also 29, 30-31)

21 – 130818: Latest Defense News arms industry top-100. From Lockheed Martin to Oki Electric Industry. Here the 18 largest weapon military tech producers. For more see: https://www.defensenews.com/top-100/

22 – 130818: Infographic on defense industry top-100.

Yemen / Al-Yaman

23 – 130818: What is the international communities role in the war in Yemen and how to stop it?
With: Simon Mabon - Researcher and lecturer at Lancaster University
@PWezeman - Senior researcher at SIPRI

24 – 230818: After bloody air strike in Yemen early August, US Sen. Elizabeth Warren is challenging the top US commander for the Mideast to say whether the US military can track the purpose, mission and results of airstrikes in Yemen it supports. https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2018/08/16/can-the-us-track-how-its-weapons-are-used-in-yemen-elizabeth-warren-wants-to-know/

DEFENCE-INDUSTRY

Damen (see 14)

Fokker (see also 15)

25 – 240818: GKN Fokker Elmo and the State of Maharashtra (India) have signed an MOU for investment in a second manufacturing facility for wiring interconnection systems in India at the Farnborough Air Show today. https://www.gkn.com/en/newsroom/news-releases/aerospace/2018/gkn-aerospace-is-establishing-a-new-wiring-facility-in-india-to-support-expansion-in-asia/

Thales

26 – 150818: Interview CEO Thales: "Defence is 50% and civil is 50%." Position in: "5 markets where we are positioned - defence, aeronautics, space, security and ground transportation." 'We are changing gears and leveraging the Make in India policy' https://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/the-hub/we-are-changing-gears-and-leveraging-the-make-in-india-policy-says-patrice-caine/story/281018.html… via @BT_India

WEAPENS

Arms fairs

27 – 240818: New Zealand defence forum protesters say 'weapons expo' violates city's peace status. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/106425562/defence-forum-protesters-say-weapons-expo-violates-citys-peace-status

Drones (see 11)

F-35

28 – 130818: World Fighter Programmes and Requirements 2018-19. Booklet with overview over fighter programs and acquisitions. https://internationalfighter.iqpc.co.uk/landing/world-fighter-programmes-and-requirements-2018-19

Missile defence (see 13)

29 – 230818: The White House’s push to create a new armed service for space has a key opponent in Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2018/08/13/space-force-not-the-way-to-go-says-key-democrat/

Small Arms (see also 20)

30 – 230818: The 1 gun issue Americans agree on: they object to their distribution because guns made this way are untraceable and undetectable.

31 – 240818: Judge to Congress, executive branch: Face up to problems of 3-D printed guns. We don't wait for heroin to be produced and than try to find it. http://www.thedailyworld.com/nation-world/judge-to-congress-executive-branch-face-up-to-problems-of-3-d-printed-guns/

32 – 240818: The German government has approved less small arms exports during the first six months of 2018 compared to last year. But critics have cast doubt on the decrease, saying light weapons sales have grown significantly. https://www.dw.com/en/germany-small-arms-exports-down-light-weapons-up/a-45153298

Submarines (see 19)

OTHER

Research and activism (see 27)

This is a selection from a larger amount of tweets. Tweets with a relation the Netherlands, arms trade and defence-industry weight heavier in the selection. If you want to have them daily see http://twitter.com/martinbroek

zondag 12 augustus 2018

Week 31 en 32 in #wapenhandel37tweets

(Gaarne 'liken' of delen als je het nuttig of interessant vindt.
Please like or share if it is helpful or interesting for you.)


Netherlands / Nederland (see also 22, 23)

1 – 300718: Dutch government published factsheet on examples of export via the Cloud and answers if licenses are needed in the given cases. [in Dutch] https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/publicaties/2017/09/01/export-via-de-cloud

2 – 080818: It is a crime in the Netherlands to make plastic weapons with a 3D printer. The provision of blueprints can also be punishable the Public Prosecution Office said in connection with the US corp that wanted to publish blueprints for 3D weapons online. https://www.nu.nl/gadgets/5395328/openbaar-ministerie-3d-geprinte-wapens-maken-strafbaar-in-nederland.html

3 – 020818: Of all transit notifications, July 2018, in the Netherlands, most are for hunting rifles and ammo. Remarkable are 4 notifications on German military caliber rifles ( 2 x 5.56 and 2 x 7.72) to Israel (and visa versa) at the same day (July 3). https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-doorvoer-militaire-goederen

4 – 080818: In July 2016 Dutch Dual-use exports e.g. #nanosatellite exports to #India and the US and #optech for military use to South #Korea. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-dual-use-vergunningen

5 – 100818: How the US exports the knowledge about its export control policy e.g. to the Netherlands. Washington follows its unilateral rules and teaches the world to follow theirs. #Amsterdam. https://www.learnexportcompliance.com/seminar/amsterdam-2018/

6 – 100818: Another course in the Netherlands on US regulations concerning the export of military technology. Session II: International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) https://fullcirclecompliance.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FINAL-Awareness-Course-U.S.-Export-Controls-2-Oct-2018.pdf

EUROPE

7 – 080818: UK’s new Tempest fighter, planned as Britain nears its exit from the European Union, may still benefit from funding provided by the EU, according to one of the partners https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/08/03/despite-brexit-leonardo-see-a-way-the-uk-tempest-fighter-could-win-eu-funding/

8 – 100818: Uncertainty about the US is affecting EU countries' "impulse to spend more on the military, but instead of using that money to buy US, they're going to buy European," Townsend (#CNAS) said. But look at fighter acquisitions to nuance this. https://www.businessinsider.in/Trump-gives-European-countries-the-willies-about-buying-US-weapons-but-hes-not-their-only-concern/

France (see also 16, 20, 24, 28, 34)

9 – 020818: European nations will need to buy a little less from America to slightly reduce US supremacy as arms exporter, French Minister of Defence Parly said. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/08/01/a-jet-sale-to-egypt-is-being-blocked-by-a-us-regulation-and-france-is-over-it/

Germany / Deutchland (see 2, 15)

10 – 080818: The next German fighter bought acquired in the US or Europe. Fighter conference in Berlin from 13th – 15th November? https://internationalfighter.iqpc.co.uk/landing/international-fighter-2018-agenda

11 – 100818: German Naval Yards (GNY) shipyard group would co-operate with former competitor ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) to bid for the German Navy’s future MKS 180 multirole combat ship programme. Remaining competitor is Blohm&Voss, bidding with Dutch Damen. https://www.janes.com/article/82269/german-naval-yards-takes-thyssenkrupp-marine-systems-on-board-mks-180-project#.W21PjoQABuk.twitter

Turkey / Türkiye

12 – 300718: Erdogan sole decision-maker on S-400 deal https://www.defensenews.com/smr/space-missile-defense
/2018/07/27/shaking-hands-with-the-russians-erdogan-sole-decision-maker-on-s-400-deal/

UK (see also 7, 21)

13 – 100818: The DSO singled out sales of components for the F-35 joint strike fighter - of which BAE Systems has a 15pc share - as a major contributor to aerospace's dominance. https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-daily-telegraph/20180810/282617443575763

REST of the world

Canada

14 – 090818: Sending arms into the ongoing conflict is the wrong direction for Canada to take, argued Peggy Mason, a former disarmament ambassador to the United Nations and a security adviser to the Mulroney government. https://montrealgazette.com/news/canada/canadian-sniper-rifles-expected-to-be-in-the-hands-of-ukrainian-military-by-fall-mp-says/

Egypt / Mişr

15 – 300718: Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems negotiates with Egypt credit sale of 2 MEKO A-200 frigates worth 1 billion euros. Navy requests integrating MBDA Aster 30 VLS system on board.

16 – 080818: #France is looking for a way around the US’ blocking of #Scalp cruise missile technology for #Egypt, & explores the possibility of replacing American components with alternatives so it can deliver the missiles as well as additional Rafale fighters to Egypt http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52683%3Afrance-looking-to-circumvent-us-components-in-scalp-missile

India (see also 4)

17 – 090818: ‘Israeli Aerospace Industries, Rafael taken off Indian blacklist’ Still listed are: Singapore Tech Kinetics (STK),
Israel Military Indus (IMI)
Rheinmetall Air Defence (Zurich)
Corp Defence (Russia)
T S Kisan & Co (New Delhi)

Israël / Isra'il (see 2, 17, 25, 35)

Mexico / México

18 – 100818: To get peace in Mexico focus on development, the fight against poverty and community investment, according to http://stopusarmstomexico.org/ and http://cmdpdh.org/. Read in Spanish: http://www.milenio.com/opinion/maite-azuela/contracorriente/pacificacion-comprando-armas

19 – 110818: The US State Department has approved a #FMS of 8 Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (#ESSM) to #Mexican frigate build by Dutch #Damen for an estimated cost of $41 million. http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/mexico-evolved-seasparrow-missiles

Russia / Rossija (see 28)
South Korea / Hanguk (see 4)

UAE / Al-Imarat Al-Arabiyah Al-Muttahidah

20 – 030818: The former legendary manufacturer, now a specialist in ammunition machines, was on the brink of bankruptcy. Emirates Defense Industries Company (Edic), the UAE arms group headed by the former boss of Thales, Luc Vigneron, will revive the firm. http://www.lefigaro.fr/societes/2018/08/02/20005-20180802ARTFIG00294-manurhin-sauve-par-les-emirats-arabes-unis.php

Ukraine / Ukrajina (see 14)

Yemen / Al-Yaman

21 – 110818: How arms control regulations spoils the paper they are written on. David Pratt: How bombs made in Scotland are helping to fuel death toll in Yemen. http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16412459.david-pratt-how-bombs-made-in-scotland-are-helping-to-fuel-death-toll-in-yemen/

DEFENCE-INDUSTRY

Damen (see 19)

Fokker

22 – 090818: General Atomics has recently completed performance testing of a part of its MQ-25 stingray drone proposal. The component is the Hold Down Damper (HDD) for the aircraft’s arrester hook, produced by GKN Aerospace’s Fokker division in Helmond, Netherlands. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2018-08-03/ga-asi-progresses-mq-25-program

23 – 090818: #Fokker Elmo manufactures 40% of #F35 Electrical Wiring & Interconnection System (EWIS) & will deliver/support Turkish Aerospace with wiring systems and develops the EWIS for the F135 engine, for which a major share is produced in Fokker Elmo in Izmir #JSF https://www.defenceturkey.com/en/content/lockheed-martin-opens-f-35-jsf-production-base-to-turkish-journalists-3118

MBDA (see 16)

WEAPENS

Drones (see also 22)

24 – 110818: US #Reaper #drones for #France weapons capable. 100 GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway dual mode GPS and laser guided bomb kits 650 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, with active warheads 51 Hellfire training missiles https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2018-17154 #federalregister

F-35 (see also 11, 13, 23)

25 – 020818: Why the Israelis want a larger, F-15 fleet, besides the F-35. “The Boeing F-15 can be equipped with Israeli-developed systems, an upgrade that can be performed on the Lockheed F-35 to a clear limit.” http://aviationweek.com/defense/why-israelis-want-larger-more-modern-f-15-fleet via @aviationweek

Missile defence

26 – 0207818: The head of US Strategic command in Japan dismissed Russian worries about two US-designed Aegis missile defense systems headed to Japan as “political messaging,” insisting that the weapon is only for defense. (Only needed the end of the ABM-treaty). http://www.defensedaily.com/stratcom-commander-dismisses-russian-suspicions-japan-aegis-ashore-sites/

27 – 080818: A return to Star Wars? Congress intensifies push for reluctant #MDA to focus on space-based missile defence. https://www.defensenews.com/land/2018/07/27/congress-intensifies-push-for-reluctant-mda-to-focus-on-space-based-missile-defense/

Satellites (see also 4)

28 – 100818: The payload on Russian military communication satellite "Blagovest" is created, with the participation of Thales Alenia Space. The proportion of Russian and imported parts unknown. Ria Novosti 10/08/18 [in Russian]

Small Arms

29 – 080818: A State Department nomination that should have been a victory lap for the Trump administration’s efforts to boost U.S. arms sales abroad instead has become caught up in a separate domestic controversy, likely for weeks to come. https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2018/08/07/trumps-arms-sales-nominee-bogged-down-by-3d-gun-debate/

Submarines/Torpedo's

30 – 110818: MK 48 Mod 7 torpedo upgrades sold to Canada, Netherlands, Turkey, and USN. https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1599617/

OTHER

Corruption

31 – 310718: There is a risk in FMS Overhead Funds of unallowable or unapproved payments, that could lead to fraud, waste, or abuse of funds. GAO advises strengthened financial oversight. https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/693507.pdf

Refugees

32 – 080818: Government Accountability Office report (https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/693488.pdf) "on President Trump’s completely unnecessary and wasteful border wall." https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/gao-report-trump-s-wall-set-waste-billions-provide-no-measurable-benefit

Research and activism

33 – 020818: More than 40 artists have today removed their artwork from the @DesignMuseum's #HopeToNope exhibition in protest after it hosted an arms company reception. Join them in saying #nopetoarms http://caat.org.uk/hope-to-nope

34 – 020818: French arms exports & the banks: "Export deals require bank support, but commercial banks are “rather nervous” about lending for arms contracts, reflecting regulatory pressure and demands for corporate social responsibility from shareholders, Parly said." https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2018/08/02/french-armed-forces-minister-reveals-arms-export-details-roadblocks-to-lawmakers/

35 – 090818: Missed it: Report: Israel exports weapons to 30 countries, worth $9 billion annually http://english.pnn.ps/2018/08/05/report-israel-exports-weapons-to-30-countries-worth-9-billion-annually/

36 – 090818: Student activists call on UOW to break ties with weapons companies http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5574914/student-activists-call-on-uow-to-break-ties-with-weapons-companies/ via @illawarramerc

37 – 090818: Climate change, oil, and military industry brought together in one alarming article which positively urges for a movement in a more sustainable direction. ‘In trying to save the planet, this is how we will dramatically change global politics’ https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/climate-change-fossil-fuels-saudi-arabia-uk-america-russia-china-a8486316.html



This is a selection from a larger amount of tweets. Tweets with a relation the Netherlands, arms trade and defence-industry weight heavier in the selection. If you want to have them daily see http://twitter.com/martinbroek