My tweets for Aurgust 2025

Latest on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek) 

August 31

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Thousands rally in #German city of Frankfurt demanding action to stop #genocide in Gaza. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250831-thousands-rally-in-german-city-of-frankfurt-demanding-action-to-stop-genocide-in-gaza/

#Spain announced on Saturday that it had submitted an action plan to the European Union to stop the war in the #Gaza Strip. https://nna-leb.gov.lb/en/international/805457/spain-presents-a-plan-to-the-european-union-to-sto

***
Contracten met de dood in Oekraïne & Rusland. 1 milj Russische en 400.000 Oekraiense doden worden genoemd in dit overzichtsartikel over 't hoe & wat vd werving. https://www.rtl.nl/nieuws/buitenland/artikel/5525681/hoe-rusland-ondanks-massale-verliezen-toch-nieuwe-troepen-naar

Maar 't eindigt niet met 'n pleidooi voor vredesinspanningen, maar voor meer Europese wapens.

***
Stop Wapenhandel, HVB & Nieuwe Vredesbeweging organiseren 'n debat over vrede & veiligheid in Europa. Mmv Henk Overbeek (emeritus hoogleraar int. betrekkingen), Wendela de Vries & Artsen voor Vrede.

Datum 28 september
Kargadoor, Utrecht
Zaal open 13u, aanvang 13.30u sluiting 17u.

https://boeddhistischdagblad.nl/nieuws/952743-debat-over-vrede-en-veiligheid-in-europa/

August 30

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#Ukraine and #Denmark forge military production partnership to boost production of #kamikaze and other #drones, howitzers etc. https://www.smgconferences.com/editors-corner/6100-news--ukraine-and-denmark-forge-defense-partnership-to-boost-production-of-loitering-munitions-bohdana-howitzers-and-drones

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Nederland spekt een oorlogsindustrie die de vernietiging van Gaza mede mogelijk maakt. Dat is onacceptabel, schrijven Thomas van Gool en Frank Slijper. https://www.trouw.nl/opinie/opinie-israelische-wapens-die-in-gaza-getest-werden-die-mogen-we-niet-kopen~b02318ba5

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The #US amended the ITAR to classify large #UUVs as defence articles. This change will extend export controls to large UUVs used in #civil applications, including for the oil and gas industry, subsea infrastructure operations, and oceanographic #research. https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/new-u-s-export-controls-on-large-uuvs-9148410/

***
The militarisation of #Europe unfolds, driven by the German arms industry.

#German #Rheinmetall plans to invest more than €1.5bn in new munitions factories in #Romania and #Bulgaria, part of a broader European effort to boost weapon production.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/rheinmetall-to-invest-over-1-5bn-in-balkan-munitions-factories/

***
-- that stream is steadily rising more and more --

Even the UK bans Israeli officials from major arms exhibition. UK government says Israel’s decision to escalate war on Gaza ‘wrong’ as Israel decries ‘discrimination’. #DSEI2025

Its a minor beginning.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/29/uk-bans-israeli-officials-from-major-arms-exhibition

While campaigners have welcomed the news, they’ve also slammed the UK government for its “cowardly” handwringing – since it was actually the Israeli government that pulled its country pavilion from the event. https://www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2025/08/29/dsei-israel

***
MONEY WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR

Swiss F-35As could cost more than the anticipated additional CHF 1,2 billion. 
https://meta-defense.fr/en/2025/08/29/f-35a-suisses-plus-chers-lot-18-crise/

August 29

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#Cambodia has urged #Sweden to halt the planned sale of advanced #Gripen (E/F) fighter jets to #Thailand, warning that the deal could fuel further regional tensions and risk endangering civilians along the two countries’ disputed border. https://world.thaipbs.or.th/detail/58697

How surprising:

Sweden Defends Gripen Sale, Citing Compliance With International Rules. https://cambodianess.com/article/sweden-defends-gripen-sale-citing-compliance-with-international-rules

August 28

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An #Elbit-Bain Consortium is Nightmare Fuel: the #UK Government Must Not Award £2bn Contract to These Corporate Horrors. https://www.declassifieduk.org/labour-must-not-award-elbit-a-2-billion-military-deal/

***

Where does the money go? Not to better social welfare, rent reduction, proportionally tackling the climate crisis, but more&more to the military.

Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2014-25)
A number of tables & graphs on the finances behind NATO. https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2025/8/pdf/250827-def-exp-2025-en.pdf

August 27

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A coalition of over 100 grassroots organisations and activist groups will protest on the first day of the returning Defence and Security Equipment International #DSEI arms fair. https://www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2025/08/27/dsei-arms-fair-2025/

***
Is nationalizing the defense industry such a bad idea?

Removing the profit motive that has allowed private interests to abuse, corrupt, and metastasize the system might be a way forward — if done right.

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/nationalization-defense-industry/

***
Genocidal military does not stop Helsinki buying Israeli products. #Finland’s Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen has stated that there is no need to revise the country’s arms trade policy toward #Israel, despite the continuing conflict in Gaza. https://defensehere.com/en/finnish-defense-minister-no-change-in-arms-policy-toward-israel/

***
#Israel plans to acquire two #Boeing KC-46 aerial refueling tankers in a deal worth about $500 million. The purchase will be financed through US military aid, pending approval from an Israeli ministerial committee for defence procurement. https://www.mod.gov.il/en/press-releases/press-room/israel-mod-to-sign-contract-for-two-additional-boeing-refueling-aircraft-for-the-idf

***
Israeli PM Netanyahu threatened to stop exports of weapons to Germany as a reaction to Berlin plans to halt exports to Israel of arms which can be used in Gaza. https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-threatens-to-halt-arms-sales-to-germany-after-berlin-stops-weapon-exports-to-israel/

Berlin policy https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/08/08/germany-israels-no-2-arms-dealer-halts-exports-over-gaza-concerns/

More on the German imports here > https://verfassungsblog.de/the-other-side-of-trade/

***
US authorities have secretly placed location-tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips they see as being at risk of illegal diversion to China, according to 2 people with direct knowledge of the previously unreported law enforcement tactic. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-embeds-trackers-in-ai-chip-shipments-to-catch-diversions-to-china-sources-say

***
European military production triples since Russia-Ukraine war started.

The European arms industry has been expanding at a record pace — three times the rate since the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, according to the Financial Times. https://thedefensepost.com/2025/08/14/european-defense-production-tripled/

***
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale #FMS to #Nigeria of munitions, including precision bombs and rockets, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency #DSCA announced on 13 August 2025. https://www.dsca.mil/Press-Media/Major-Arms-Sales/Article-Display/Article/4273754/nigeria-munitions-precision-bombs-and-precision-rockets Despite https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/nigeria/

***
Online publication Indepen dives into the reports published by @ENAAT and provides a short overview (in Dutch). https://indepen.eu/de-centrale-rol-van-nederland-bij-bewapeningsstrategie-navo-en-eu/

***
Is the pot calling the kettle black (partly)?

Beware of #Japan returning to the wrong path of military expansion.

On arms trade: "In essence, [Japan] has effectively scrapped the 3 Principles on Arms Exports that had been in place for nearly ½ a century."http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/2025xb/O_251451/16402838.html

***
#ErikPrince, CEO of #VectusGlobal, confirmed the existence of a 10-year contract with the Haitian government to restore security & assist with tax reform. Since March 2025, his firm has deployed fighters, drones & heli's in gang-controlled areas. https://haitiantimes.com/2025/08/15/erik-prince-10-year-contract-with-haiti/ #Haiti

***
Rules they are for the other

German military contractor Renk considers continuing Israel exports, bypassing the embargo. Renk CEO, Sagel, told the FT that the company has a “responsibility” to ensure that Israel can “maintain its deterrence capabilities.” https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-864194

***
#China #arms #Burkina Faso as Sahel turns away from Western security promises. As region’s security ties with US, France unravel, China steps in to fill the void and position itself for greater influence in the Sahel. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3321831/china-arms-burkina-faso-sahel-turns-away-western-security-promises

***
More than 200 former European ambassadors and senior diplomats have angrily rebuked the EU for failing to take any “substantive measures” to pressure Israel to end the war in Gaza. They calls for member states to halt arms exports and introduce sanctions https://www.arabnews.com/node/2613116/middle-east

***
-- that stream is steadily rising more and more --

US Democratic National Council b panel blocked a resolution calling for the suspension of military aid to Israel, reflecting growing divisions within the party. https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-865412

August 26

***
#Azerbaijan destroyed armenian drones with Belarusian weapons, leaked report says. The arms sales to Azerbaijan have heightened tension between #Armenia and #Belarus, which are supposed to be allies as part of a military alliance.
https://www.occrp.org/en/news/exclusive-azerbaijan-destroyed-armenian-drones-with-belarusian-weapons-leaked-report-says

***
Police have made four arrests after a new direct-action group calling itself “Palestinian martyrs for justice” broke into UK weapons factory #Moog in Wolverhampton overnight.

• https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/four-arrested-gaza-protesters-weapons-factory-moog-ttcswj9t
• https://www.thecanary.co/trending/2025/08/26/palestinian-martyrs-for-justice/

***
European military industrial production in support of Ukraine has overtaken US output for the first time since Russia’s invasion. According to the tally by the German Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Europe allocated at least €35.1 billion in military industrial output to Ukraine between the start of the war in February 2022 and the end of June 2025. This is €4.4 billion more than the U.S. committed in the same period. https://www.ifw-kiel.de/publications/news/ukraine-support-tracker-europe-now-leading-spender-on-weapons-production-for-ukraine/

***
#Rheinmetall bereidt plannen voor om voortaan ook systemen voor luchtverdediging in #Nederland te maken. Als productielocatie hiervoor heeft de Duitse defensiereus zijn dochteronderneming in #Ede op het oog.
https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1566268/defensiebedrijf-rheinmetall-ede-wil-in-nederland-systemen-voor-luchtverdediging-maken

***
The #CAAT UK #arms exports #browser has been updated to include data up to March 2025. https://caat.org.uk/data/exports-uk/faq

***
#Bias in Military Artificial Intelligence #AI and Compliance with International Humanitarian Law #IHL https://www.sipri.org/publications/2025/other-publications/bias-military-artificial-intelligence-and-compliance-international-humanitarian-law #SIPRI

***
#Melkveehouder Albert Piel vecht uitbreidingsplan #Defensie aan: 'Krankjorum dat dat in Nederland kan', Hij vecht aan dat Defensie een #voorkeursrecht heeft gevestigd op zijn bedrijf en omliggende percelen.’ https://www.rtvdrenthe.nl/nieuws/17731656/melkveehouder-albert-piel-vecht-uitbreidingsplan-defensie-aan-krankjorum-dat-dat-in-nederland-kan

***
#Nvidia chips don’t have and shouldn’t be required to have so-called “#kill_switches” that would allow exported #chips to be remotely disabled without the user’s consent, the #semiconductor company said this week. https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/nvidia-blasts-proposals-for-chip-backdoors-as-us-considers-kill-switch/

***
The battle between firms like #Lockheed and emerging military tech firms like #Palantir for dominance of the defence sector is well underway. The outcome will have a huge impact on the size and scope of the coming #Pentagon #budget, wrote @WilliamHartung
https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhartung/2025/08/07/palantir-as-revenues-rise-controversy-grows/

***
Is this satire? No its real.

#Meloni pressed #Leonardo, #Fincantieri on #spending #EU defense #cash. Italian PM Giorgia Meloni summoned the CEOs of state-controlled defense firms Leonardo and Fincantieri (on Aurgust 5) to discuss how to spend the cash. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/08/07/meloni-presses-leonardo-fincantieri-on-spending-eu-defense-cash/

***
For who missed it.

The #Dutch government has revoked three previously granted #licenses for the export of #naval components to Israel, citing "risk of unintended end-use" in the Gaza Strip and the worsening humanitarian crisis.

https://www.dutchnews.nl/2025/08/netherlands-withdraws-three-navy-export-licences-to-israel/

***

Another pub which starts to argument from the position that Europe has to defend itself more. That doesn't mean looking at more diplomacy, tackling climate crisis, but more military resources. These views are in the interest of the MIC not of citizens. https://swp-berlin.org/en/publication

***
The Trump Administration is reportedly negotiating to take a 10% stake in #Intel Corp., in what would amount to a de facto nationalization of the storied but struggling #semiconductor firm. https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-nationalization-of-intel-a59fb635 #US

***
Human Rights? No problem.

#US ACG Systems Inc. was awarded a $12,311,202 contract for the Ground to Air Transmit Receive (GATR) system and test equipment for the #Egyptian Air Force. https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4277745/

***
Criteria for Arms Exports must be tightened after #Swedish Jas #Gripen aircraft were used in active combat for the first time in the fighter jet’s history. #Thailand recently struck targets along the #Cambodian border during a conflict. https://www.dagensarena.se/opinion/freeze-weapons-sales-thailand-non-democratic-countries/

Cambodia Development Center has stepped up pressure over a Thai deal to buy Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets, pointing to their use in July’s conflict. https://cambodianess.com/article/thailand-sweden-fighter-jets-deal-draws-criticism

#Thailand's procurement of Swedish-made #Gripen fighter jets will not only strengthen the country's defence capabilities but also serve as a catalyst for the development of its own defence industry, Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3093569/gripen-jet-deal-a-boost-for-military

***
How to strengthen the US military industry in #Europe? Like this:

#Raytheon, #Germany’s #Diehl eye team-up on European #Stinger coproduction. Diehl looks or a location.
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/08/raytheon-germanys-diehl-eye-team-up-on-european-stinger-coproduction/

How to strengthen the US military industry in Europe? Like this:

#Norway to help #Germany pay for #Raytheon's #Patriot air-defense missiles for #Ukraine.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/08/25/norway-to-help-germany-pay-for-patriot-air-defense-systems-for-ukraine/

Hoe maak je de #wapenindustrie van de VS sterker?

#Nederlandse #Mariniers kijken uit naar komst Kaaiman. Ze worden geleverd door Oshkosh Defense uit de #VS, producent van militaire voertuigen en technologieën. https://magazines.defensie.nl/materieelgezien/2025/06/kaaiman-patrouillevoertuig-voor-amfibische-operaties

How to strengthen the US militarily in #Europe? Like this:

The #Polish Ministry of National Defense has signed a deal with the #US to upgrade its 48 #F16 C/D Block 52+ fighter jets to the F-16V standard. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/08/14/poland-awards-38-billion-f-16-modernization-deal-to-us/

August 25

***
To help readers better understand Chinese military developments in recent years, the South China Morning Post is launching the Red Arsenal, a multimedia databank examining China’s weapons systems today. https://multimedia.scmp.com/infographics/news/china/article/3322445/china-weapons/index.html

***
#Saudi General Authority for Military Industries #GAMI & #Rheinmetall are in talks for the establishment of a large-scale artillery ammo production facility in Al Kharj, S. Arabia.

The facility aims to fulfill Saudi needs & target export markets. https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/63784 Paywall

***
When Ian Foxley found evidence of corruption while working at a British company in Riyadh, he alerted the MoD. He didn’t know he’d stumbled upon one of its most closely guarded secrets. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/07/long-read-british-bribery-britain-arms-deals-saudi-arabia-ian-foxley

***
Spain has cancelled its F-35 fighter deal, Switzerland could soon follow. https://nationalsecurityjournal.org/the-f-35-has-a-double-trouble-problem-it-never-saw-coming/

Swiss politicians are calling to cancel purchase F-35 fighter jets from the US in response to tariffs by President Donald Trump, Bloomberg reported. https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/switzerland-considers-canceling-9b-f-35-fighter-1754564813.html

***
EP has filed a lawsuit against the Council of the EU over the adoption of the SAFE military program worth €150bn without its involvement. This is already being described as a sign of a split between the Union’s institutions.

• https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/brussels-clash-eu-parliament-takes-council-1755729578.html
• https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence/news/european-parliament-sues-council-over-e150-billion-defence-loan-scheme/

***
New US Arms Export Export Control Transparency Act.

For certain types of license requests, the name of the applicant, end user, type of product/technology, value, and other details will be reported to Congress. https://www.troutman.com/insights/export-control-transparency-act-words-of-caution.html

***
Edwin Ajahuana, a mine owner from high in the #Peruvian Andes, joined other business owners urging Erik #Prince, the founder and controversial former leader of #Blackwater, to bring law and order to the gold-laden mountains of the Puno region. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/blackwater-s-erik-prince-muscles-back-into-the-mercenary-business-touting-trump-allies/ar-AA1KEEFs

***
De beer is los:

ASR-topman wil beter systeem boekenonderzoek bij defensiebedrijven (zelfs kernwapens worden onder de term 'defensie' besproken).

Investeerders debatteren over in welke delen van de wapenindustrie wel en geen geld kan worden gestoken.

https://fd.nl/samenleving/1566703/asr-topman-beter-systeem-boekenonderzoek-nodig-voor-defensiebedrijven

***
#Saudi-#Spanish military cooperation has steadily evolved into a multifaceted strategic partnership, with a strong focus on naval modernization, cybersecurity, and industrial localization.

[Behind Paywall] Report https://www.tacticalreport.com/in-depth/63775

***
Firearms Parts Dealer Arrested in #US for Scheme to Illegally Export Weapons Parts and #Firearms Accessories to #Kazakhstan (which serves as a transhipment for #Russia). https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/firearms-parts-dealer-arrested-scheme-illegally-export-weapons-parts-and-firearms

***
Newsweek correctly put pacifist between ' '.

Many still portray a nation with a top-10 military budget in the world as if nothing changed in the past 70 years.

'Pacifist' #Japan Emerges As Major #Arms #Exporter'
https://www.newsweek.com/japan-weapons-exports-which-countries-2116742

***
#Rheinmetall CEO said the pace of building #Ukranian #ammo factory isn't as fast as he would like, but it will have a capacity 2x as large as earlier planned: “Unfortunately, the level of bureaucracy in Ukraine is very high.”

• https://www.technology.org/2025/08/22/rheinmetall-is-facing-obstacles-setting-up-an-ammo-factory-in-ukraine/
• https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/industrie/rheinmetall-papperger-rechnet-mit-auftraegen-von-bis-zu-300-milliarden-euro/100121904.html

Antimilitaristisch Actiekamp bij #Keulen van #Rheinmetall Entwaffnen door politie verboden. https://www.globalinfo.nl/nieuws/antimilitaristisch-actiekamp-bij-keulen-van-rheinmetall-entwaffnen-verboden/

Gemeinsam gegen Militarisierung und Sozialabbau! For an immediate stop of all armament projects and arms exports! Demonstration Event Datum: September 1, 2025 - 17:00 Stadt/Region: Dresden, Augustusbrücke. https://de.indymedia.org/node/534060

***
-- that stream is steadily rising more and more --

Major #Israeli military companies wont be allowed to participate this November in a defense exhibit in the #Netherlands, called #NEDS. That is what Israeli military industry executives told Defense News. https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2025/08/21/israeli-companies-blocked-from-joining-netherlands-defense-exhibit/

***
Part of a series article on Chinese power. This one describes how Beijing is stepping up its arms #export efforts to lower the cost of #arms production for its own armed forces and the #barriers it finds on its way unfolding this policy. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3322788/chinas-military-has-made-dramatic-about-turn-world-watching #China

***

Damen en Veiligheidsbeleid?

Nederlandse marinebouw #monopolist #Damen staat voor de #rechter (2 zaken) voor malversaties & steun aan Rusland. 't Ziet aan de andere kant 'n goed gevulde overheidsruif om de wankelende bedrijfsvoering glad te strijken. https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1565658/deze-vier-klippen-moet-scheepsbouwer-damen-omzeilen

***
Article in Turkiye Today describes how Ukraine can be a kick off towards greater cooperation between Ankara and Paris in the Near East and Africa. Military sales are a major part of this. https://www.turkiyetoday.com/region/how-ukraine-tests-compartmentalized-franco-turkiye-rapprochement-3205798

***
To make the world a safer place?

#German arms exports rose 75% during the first nine months of the year. They reached €6,35 bn at the end of September. The three major clients: #Hungary, #Egypt and #UAE.

https://indeksonline.net/en/gjermania-rrit-eksportin-e-armeve/

***
-- that stream is steadily rising more and more --

Hundreds of thousands marched in Australia to demand Labor sanctions Israel, and end arms trade. https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/photos-hundreds-thousands-nationwide-demand-labor-sanctions-israel-end-arms-trade

#Australia will recognise Palestinian statehood in September, but at the same time continues to supply parts for #F35 fighters used by Israel against #Gaza.

This contradiction between diplomatic positioning & export policy raises questions.
https://publish.pearlsandirritations.com/paper-promises-real-weapons-transparency-accountability-and-arms-transfer-policy/

Australian PM Albanese Must Back His Words with Action by Halting the Supply of Australian F-35 Parts to Israel. https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/albanese-must-back-his-words-with-action-by-halting-the-supply-of-australian-f-35-parts-to-israel/

***
Extremist Hindu nationalist state #India to develop fighter jet engines with #French company #Safran. https://www.newsofbahrain.com/world/117711.html

***
#Israel’s #arms exports reached a peak of $15bn in 2024. 54% was sold to #Europe. How can?

But even in the Jersalem Post it is questioned wether Europe would end these imports as reaction to the war – especially the humanitarian situation in Gaza. https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-865162

August 6

***
De oorlogsvoorbereiding in het westen gaat in razende vaart door. De #NAVO waarschuwt dat er binnen enkele jaren een grote oorlog kan uitbreken. Gezien het gedrag van NAVO-landen lijkt de kans vooral groot dat ze die zelf beginnen, stelt Wendela de Vries. https://www.doorbraak.eu/stop-de-oorlog-nu-het-nog-kan/

***
On Gaza, Germany’s government faces pressure. Germany, after the Holocaust, has a special bond with Israel. But a hunger crisis in Gaza is creating a demand for Berlin to take bolder action.

Stopping arms trade with Israel is one of the demands. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/05/world/europe/germany-gaza-israel-hunger-merz.html

***
When even the US allied brutes start to call for an end...

#Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman #MBS on Tuesday called on all countries during an extraordinary summit of the #BRICS group of nations to stop exporting #weapons to #Israel.

https://bk.arynews.tv/saudi-crown-prince-calls-on-all-countries-to-stop-arms-exports-to-israel/

***
Latest #ENAAT Newsletter, with info on

#EU funding for the arms industry, like:
-EC proposes fivefold increase for the military in 2028-34 EU budget
-EDF benefiting Israeli Aerospace Industries

Other aspects of EU #militarisation

& More. See 4 yourselve➡️https://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ENAAT-NBB-2025-4_18.07.2025.pdf

***
Dutch arms trade

The Colombian Navy has embarked on an ambitious project to build a new class of #frigates in #Colombia, in so doing becoming only the third South American country, after Brazil and Mexico, to build ships of this type. Based on #Damen’s #SIGMA 10514 design, previously built for Indonesia and #Mexico, the PES frigates will replace the Colombian Navy’s ageing Amirante Padilla-class frigates, and will be built in Colombia with technical support from the #Dutch yard. https://rina.org.uk/publications/the-naval-architect/frigate-building-first-for-colombia/

***
Peace organisations such as Campaign Against Arms Trade #CAAT and the European Network Against Arms Trade #ENAAT have stepped up their criticism of European rearmament plans, considering them to benefit the arms industry at the expense of social spending. https://www.equaltimes.org/eighty-years-after-the-atomic

***
Only criminals sell arms to Israel

(not to mention buying weapons from Israeli arms industries, part of the genocidal apparatus).
UN experts have recommended that states impose a arms embargo on Israel due to its multiple violations of international law. https://en.ypagency.net/365262

In the first 6 months of 2025, the value of #Serbia’s #arms exports to #Israel stood at around €55.5m, up from €47.9m in entire 2024, which was then a record-breaking amount, said Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Aug. 5. https://betabriefing.com/news/politics/32002-birn-serbias-arms-exports-to-israel-surge-in-h1-of-2025

August 5

***
Dat wisten we in grote lijnen al, maar ze hebben er schijt aan in Washington

#VS wapens dragen in grote mate bij aan het massale #bendegeweld in #Haïti. Zo lijkt uit 'n reconstructie van de FT, de krant onderzocht de toeleveringsketens van de #wapenhandel.

https://www.bnr.nl/nieuws/internationaal/10579785/amerikaanse-wapens-drijvende-kracht-achter-bendegeweld-haiti

***
Sjoemelen met #wapens?

In ere herstelde #Oekraïense #corruptiewaakhonden pakken politici op wegens gesjoemel met militaire orders.

https://fd.nl/politiek/1564531/in-ere-herstelde-oekraiense-corruptiewaakhonden-pakken-politici-op-wegens-gesjoemel-met-militaire-orders

***

Comment: Was ever an export license for the sale of this #Damen designed naval vessel, armed with 20 mm gun (http://www.cmano-db.com/ship/2802/), reported?

I cannot find the design, but equipment deliveries are listed in the XL spreadsheet with monthly Dutch ML permissions https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-uitvoer-militaire-goederen.

Retweet with comment @JorgeDBL (https://x.com/JorgeDBL/status/1952070634286235709): The Dutch Damen Shipyards Group has been positioned as the main Naval builder(in Cuba) of the Venezuelan Navy. Damen has built it in recent years, and is building it, 51 boats of different types. I think of Eric and a burning promise of DAMEX, Santiago de Cuba.

***

Acquisition policy of Indonesian navy creates "a logistics and training [costly] nightmare" for itself.

Next class of frigates will be introduced. Now 2 from Turkey, after 2 from the Netherlands, two from the UK and 2 multi-purpose vessels from Italy. https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/indonesian-navy-looks-for-variety-to-add-capability/

***
Trump administration plans to maintain export controls on the most advanced chips and its manufacturing equipment to China, a senior White House official said, adding that the US also doesn’t plan to automatically greenlight all H20 chip exports to China. https://exportcompliancedaily.com/article/2025/08/04/us-still-planning-to-deny-china-highestend-chip-tech-white-house-official-says-2508010002?BC=bc_6891c29ee8840

***
An example to follow in other harbours and harbors?

‘We will not work for war’: Genoa, Italy, union stops arms shipment https://www.workers.org/2025/08/87216/

***
Nederland levert wapens aan Oekraine en financieert en passant de wapenindustrie van de Verenigde Staten, terwijl dit land steeds meer een kapitalistische concurrent wordt met een onvoorspelbare politieke koers.

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/08/04/nederland-1e-navo-land-dat-oekraine-steunt-via-nieuw-amerikaanse-initiatief

The Netherlands announces weapons package for Ukraine under the new sponsor 'US military industry of Trump initiative'. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/08/05/the-netherlands-announces-weapons-package-for-ukraine-under-new-trump-nato-initiatives

August 2

***
A Brussels plan to suspend Israel’s participation in the Horizon research program needs to win more backing from countries. https://www.politico.eu/article/israel-war-in-gaza-humanitarian-crisis-eu-penalties-horizon-research-program/

***
Marine Forum published 4 ways out of the #German #frigate crisis around the F-126 frigate which is build under the guidance of #Damen.

In all 4 there is no place for the Dutch shipbuilder anymore. It seems the Netherlands & #Damen overpalyed their hand.
https://marineforum.online/en/f126-on-legerwall-ways-out-of-the-german-frigate-crisis/

***
Publicatie rapport ‘Toezicht op buitenlandse inlichtingen- en veiligheidsdiensten’.

https://jjoerlemans.com/2025/07/25/publicatie-rapport-toezicht-op-buitenlandse-inlichtingen-en-veiligheidsdiensten/

Zie ook:https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7354529298428358656/

***
Dangerous game in the corridors of power with the other 8 billion as pawns.

US President Trump ordered the deployment of 2 nuclear subs in an extraordinary escalation of what had been an online war of words with a Russian official over Ukraine & tariffs.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/08/01/trump-deploys-nuclear-submarines-in-row-with-russia-a90077

August 1

***
After US President Trump suggested the EU would be buying “hundreds of billions” of dollars-worth of US weapon systems, analysts differed over how much of that claim was bluster — but all agreed it Europe has an interest in US military products. https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/eu-to-spend-hundreds-of-billions-on-us-arms-maybe-not-but-demand-is-real-analysts-say/

***
Psst Herr Wadephul: The time for warnings is past. Its time for real measures. Stop e.g. buying in and selling arms to Israel.

Germany warns Israel of “diplomatic isolation” over Gaza humanitarian crisis.https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250801-germany-warns-israel-of-diplomatic-isolation-over-gaza-humanitarian-crisis/

***
#Palantir gets $10 #billion contract from #US Army

The award covering the next decade is one of the largest DoD contracts ever, cementing the tech firm’s role in warfighting for years to come.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/07/31/palantir-army-contract-10bn/

***
#EU and hindu #extremist #India strengthen military ties. https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/global/india-and-eu-strengthen-defence-ties-amid-growing-global-challenges

***
“European components used to harden #Myanmar weaponised #drones.” Through formal tracing operations, CAR (Conflict Armament Research) alerted the module manufacturer—based in Europe & not named in the Dispatch—that the product has been used for militarily. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/75430e34391741d9bb2e7d7b8d1d7c4c

EU Drone Technology Found in Myanmar Military Drones. https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmars-crisis-the-world/eu-drone-technology-found-in-myanmar-military-drones.html

***
#Slovenia bans #arms exports to #Israel

“Slovenia is the first European country to ban the import, export and transit of weapons to and from Israel,” the government said. https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence/news/slovenia-bans-arms-exports-to-israel/

***
@WilliamHartung I just never imagined it would actually hit a trillion — yes, a trillion! — dollars. I’m thinking, of course, about what’s still called the “defense” budget. It’s now estimated that, for the first time in history, does include a trillion dollars for the Pentagon.

The writer argues what is needed, is a new surge of public engagement and a genuine debate about what kind of world we want to live in and how the US could play a constructive (rather than destructive) role in bringing it about. https://tomdispatch.com/entering-a-golden-age-for-war-profiteers/

My tweets for July 2025

Latest on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek) 
Bij de tweet van 18 juli over Nevesbu

July 31 

***
A link to the informative and interesting Shadow World Investigations Newsletter. https://f7ec0.r.sp1-brevo.net/mk/mr/sh/SMJz09SDriOHUnfnmZCbwguKN2D2/UR6nP681cND2

***

Making Europe unsafe for all

EU members expressed interest at least €127bn in EU-backed loans to pay for military procurement.

18 countries including Italy, Poland, Spain & France want the loans under the so-called Security Action for Europe or #SAFE. https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry/safe-security-action-europe_en

***
The US DoD considers reliance on foreign sources for items a national security risk. DoD estimates that over 200,000 suppliers help produce advanced weapon systems and noncombat goods. The primary procurement database provides little visibility into where these goods are manufactured or whether materials and parts suppliers are domestic or foreign. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26035801-gao-25-107283/

***
Flemish universities go for a growth in military & dual-use research. Although it has never been strictly prohibited, uni's have traditionally handled it with caution. This is changing amid rising EU military budgets & growing interest from researchers. https://www.belganewsagency.eu/flemish-universities-loosen-restrictions-on-military-research

In Dutch (De Morgen original source): https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/vlaamse-universiteiten-sturen-aan-op-meer-militair-onderzoek-de-omstandigheden-zijn-gewijzigd~b5962024/

***
Bravo!

#European #dockworkers are calling on EU governments to halt arms shipments and withdraw diplomatic support for #Israel.

They stress that international treaties state that #weapons should not be exported to war zones where human rights are violated.
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/30/european-dockworkers-take-on-arms-exports-to-israel

***
#Israel faced a shortage of #THAAD interceptors as Iranian missiles came in during the Israeli-Iranian War in June. The US is said to have requested #Saudi's to transfer a portion of its Thaad stockpile to Israel. However Ryad declined the request. Paywall https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/63719

***
#US doesn't care about the rest of world.

UN expert on #Myanmar has criticised the US for lifting sanctions on allies of the military regime.
“It is unconscionable to undermine...efforts by rolling back sanctions on Myanmar arms dealers & junta cronies.” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/30/un-expert-condemns-us-rollback-of-sanctions-on-myanmar-regime-allies

July 30

***
#F35 noise disturbances

#Japan’s Ministry of Defence is reviewing plans to temporarily train F-35B Lightning II fighter jets at Nyutabaru Air Base following concern from local residents that the training will cause noise #disturbances. https://news.usni.org/2025/07/28/japan-reviews-noise-impact-of-f-35b-vertical-landings-on-nyutabaru-air-base

***
In early July, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made a striking claim: Russia is now producing "three times as much ammunition in three months as the whole of NATO is doing in a year," effectively suggesting a twelvefold Russian advantage in ammunition production.

To verify or challenge this assertion, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, in collaboration with the Conflict Intelligence Team, analyzed publicly available data.

Contrary to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s dire assessment, the data we examined presents a more nuanced picture of the current arms production balance between Russia and the West. https://notes.citeam.org/russia_vs_nato_en

***
US NAVY IS AGGRESSIVELY
TELLING STARTUPS, ‘WE WANT YOU’ (16/06/25)

While Silicon Valley CEO's like those from Palantir, Meta and OpenAI are grabbing headlines , a quieter transformation has been underway in the U.S. Navy. 
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2025/06/16/us-navy-is-aggressively-telling-startups-we-want-you/

***
#Saudi interest in Turkeys #hypersonic missile #Tayfun block-4 (https://www.ssbcrack.com/2025/07/what-is-tayfun-block-4-turkeys-first-hypersonic-missile.html), & its conditions for advancing bilateral defence coop. https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/63716 [paywall]

However #Turkey’s arms production is dependent on foreign machine tools. https://www.foi.se/rest-api/report/FOI%20Memo%208568

***
Israeli arms firm could lose #EU funds over Gaza drone-kill video https://euobserver.com/EU%20&%20the%20World/ar3d4c0186

EU Commission to propose partial suspension of #Israel research coop. https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/eu-commission-to-propose-partial-suspension-of-israel-research-cooperation/

European Commission wants to suspend Israel from parts of Horizon Europe https://sciencebusiness.net/news/european-commission-wants-suspend-israel-parts-horizon-europe

***
Hollow words

#Canada never stopped arming #Israel despite pledge to halt new permits, report says.
Ottawa fast-tracked weapons #shipments to Israel via indirect #routes to reportedly avoid scrutiny after announcement of a pause.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/canada-never-stopped-arming-israel-despite-pledge-halt-new-permits-report-shows

***
Support for Israel’s military operations in #Gaza has declined substantially among #US adults, while still about 1/3 approves, according to a new Gallup poll —this is a drop from the beginning of the war, when +/- ½ of US citizens approved of Israel’s ops. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2025/07/29/what-americans-think-about-israels-military-action-in-gaza-poll/

July 29

***
#Berlin deaf and blind for #controversy

#Israel's #Elbit Systems will supply missile defence technology worth $260 million for #Germany's military transport planes, expanding its footprint in Europe despite controversy over its role in the #Gaza war.

https://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/2025-07-28/ty-article/.premium/israels-elbit-systems-lands-260-million-deal-to-equip-german-air-force-planes/00000198-51f3-dae7-abbb-ddf77bb50000

#Airbus Defence and Space - with its official headquarters in #Leiden, the Netherlands - has contracted #Elbit Systems to supply a self-protection suite for the #German Air Force’s #A400M transport aircraft, a $260-million deal over a period of 6 years. https://www.elbitsystems.com/air-space/airborne-self-protection/dircm-systems/j-music

***
Voorgestelde Wet op de defensiegereedheid is aanslag op klimaat, natuur, veiligheid, privacy, democratie en arbeidsrechten. https://stopwapenhandel.org/voorgestelde-wet-op-de-defensiegereedheid-is-aanslag-op-klimaat-natuur-veiligheid-privacy-democratie-en-arbeidsrechten/

Zie rapport: https://stopwapenhandel.org/app/uploads/2025/07/analyse-wodg.pdf

***
't Zou tijd worden

The Rights Forum TRF wil een volledige stop van de #wapenhandel en economische sancties tegen #Israël en #sancties tegen alle leden van het kabinet van premier Benjamin #Netanyahu en de kolonisten op de bezette Westelijke Jordaanoever. https://www.volkskrant.nl/buitenland/israel-gaza-hamas-trump-netanyahu~b27fd8b3/

***
Regelrecht uit een #Enschedese huiskamer: #glasvezeldrones voor Oekraïne. Nederland telt zo’n vijftien dronebouwers. Start-up #Hyllus, als enige Nederlandse partij, #drones die niet elektronisch gestoord #EW kunnen worden door de Russen. https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1563346/regelrecht-uit-een-enschedese-huiskamer-glasvezeldrones-voor-het-oekraiense-front

***
#Turkey has secured a landmark defense export agreement with #Indonesia, signing contracts for 48 KAAN fighter #aircraft and two İstif-class #frigates – a sign of Ankara’s growing defense industry footprint in Southeast Asia. https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2025/07/28/turkey-indonesia-sign-multibillion-dollar-warplane-frigate-deals/

July 28

***
Retweet @Campagnebds: Le 30/07/25, le Cosco Shipping Pisces, transportant du matériel de guerre pour , doit faire escale à Fos-sur-Mer. Ce transit est une nouvelle violation des obligations internationales de la France. Notre communiqué avec Stop Arming Israel 13 et Aser : https://www.bdsfrance.org/la-france-complice-de-la-flotte-de-la-mort/#c88e79ab-9825-4e3b-9403-ea38d5123b40

(On 07/30/25, the Cosco vessel Pisces (https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/9789647), carrying military equipment for, is scheduled to make a stopover in Fos-sur-Mer. This transit is another violation of France's international obligations.)

***
#Radioactive #waste from the development of the 1st nuclear bomb will no longer be sent to Wayne County, Michigan, after a group sued to block the landfill from accepting 6,000 cubic yards of the material. It will be shipped to #Andrews in #Texas instead. https://eu.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2025/07/23/new-york-radioactive-waste-wont-be-coming-to-michigan-landfill/85346583007/

July 27

***
At the #Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, the UK announced a major contract with #Thales to supply 5,000+ missiles, valued at up to €324m. The package supports frontline Ukrainian forces & sustains advanced #UK manufacturing, including jobs in Belfast. https://www.marketscreener.com/news/rearming-for-resilience-thales-and-the-next-phase-of-european-defence-cooperation-ce7c5cd3dc89fe2d

***
#Airbus Helicopters is begonnen met de vlucht tests met de #H160M Guépard. Deze #gemilitariseerde versie van de H160 wordt ontwikkeld voor de Franse strijdkrachten als onderdeel van het Joint Light #Helicopter programma. https://www.pilootenvliegtuig.nl/luchtvaart/helikopters/airbus-helicopters-gestart-met-testvluchten-h160m-guepard/

***

Australian government has been caught out again lying about their arms trade with Israel. Despite claims to the contrary, it has been revealed that it signed & vetted all stages of a $900m contract with Elbit Sys, which makes drones used to kill in Gaza. https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/we-will-not-be-silenced-end-genocide

***
#Corruption Concerns

The EU said on Friday that it would withhold €1.5 bn from an overall #Ukraine Facility fund of €4.5 bn whose disbursement is dependent on achieving good governance standards and that can’t be used for #military purchases. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/world/europe/eu-ukraine-corruption-aid.html

***
US IT-startups betting on the great re-industrialisation of US’s military base. Dozens of other Silicon Valley industrial companies are building out large manufacturing operations, at the same time the Trump administration pushes to bulk up military spending.

Venture Capital has ploughed more than $70bn into the top 100 defence startups, which have so far secured about $29bn total in contracts, according to a July report (https://www.natsec100.org/) by the Silicon Valley Defence Group. https://www.gulf-times.com/article/707891/opinion/silicon-valleys-4bn-gamble-on-defence-manufacturing

July 26

***
In de #Amsterdamse Laraisestraat zit 'n financiële holding van #MBDA, maker van raketten & aanverwante wapens. Onlangs meldde The Guardian MBDA's 'bijdrage' aan de #bommen die 't #IDF op #Gaza dropt. Vele topshots zitten in 't bestuur van MDBA BV, incl CEO https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2025/07/mbda-and-gaza-genocide.html

***
#Germany and #France to #EU: Stay out of #arms_export_policy.

Germany joined France in telling the European Commission that weapons sales decisions belong squarely in the hands of capitals.

https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence/news/germany-and-france-to-eu-stay-out-of-arms-export-policy/

July 25

***
#Germany Plans to Nearly Triple Military Spending to $175 Billion. Germany is going through a major shift in its approach to defense, with the government prioritizing innovation, startup engagement, and AI integration. https://propakistani.pk/2025/07/24/germany-plans-to-nearly-triple-defense-spending-to-175-billion/

***
Over 30 activists gathered outside the #Leonardo UK factory in #Millbrook on July 23, demanding an end to the company’s involvement in the #Israeli arms trade.

Protesters are calling on an arms manufacturer to stop supplying weapons and staged a protest. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/protesters-call-arms-manufacturer-stop-140836863.html

***
How to help the #IDF? By buying Israeli weaponry and so strengthening its military #industry.

#Rafael Advanced Systems will supply short-range air defense systems to #Romania for well over $2 billion, the MoD of the EU member announced this week
https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2025/07/23/romania-buys-spyder-air-defense-suites-from-israel-for-over-2-billion/

***
Not all happy with the show pony of the Dutch military industry, as is shown here on the Romanian website Bursa.

Dutch wharf Damen -under criminal investigation in the Netherlands, the Mangalia shipyard it formerly participated in- stuck in uncertainty. https://www.bursa.ro/damen-under-criminal-investigation-in-the-netherlands-the-mangalia-shipyard-stuck-in-uncertainty-00824655
Based on FTM article ↓

The #Romanian state is accusing the Netherlands’ largest shipbuilder, #Damen Shipyards, of financial mismanagement and “illegal transactions” at a large, strategically located shipyard on the Black Sea coast. https://www.ftm.eu/articles/damen-shipyard-brink-of-collapse

July 24

***
Retweet @StavrianakisA: Calling all researchers without a university affiliation! You can get 100 free articles a month via JSTOR: https://support.jstor.org/hc/en-us/articles/115004760028-How-to-Register-Get-Free-Access-to-Content . With thanks to Moya Lothian-McLean of the @novaramedia

If I Speak podcast for the tip! 

***
Will drone become part of nuclear warfare?

How?

What extra danger will this bring?

https://theloop.ecpr.eu/advancing-drone-technology-and-the-future-of-nuclear-weapons/

***
The military will not fight the climate crisis

Europe is rearming. Laëtitia Sédou of @_ENAAT explains why she sees support for Ukraine as a "legitimate exception" and why the arms buildup is slowing down civilian investment.

https://www.profil.at/ausland/friedensaktivistin-militaer-wird-wohlstand-nicht-erhalten-und-klimakrise-nicht-bekaempfen/403060516

***
Helping Ukraine is also supporting the genocide?

During a meeting, #Ukrainian President #Zelensky and #Israel's FA Minister #Saar discussed cooperation, particularly in the economic & military spheres, as well as opportunities for joint #arms #production. https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/4018202-zelensky-discusses-joint-arms-production-with-israels-fm.html

***
Against war and militarisation - Meeting by Disarm #Rheinmetall Berlin, 28 of July 2025 Do you want to get active against rearmament and militarization? Then come by! https://de.indymedia.org/node/527532

***
#Welsh government accused of funding companies exporting arms to #Israel despite public assurances

Freedom of Information #FOI request reveals £500,000 grant to weapons supplier. Weapons components supplied for #F35s and #Apache gunships heli's. https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/wales-welsh-government-accused-funding-companies-exporting-arms-israel-despite

***
The #German government has authorized the export of #Eurofighter combat aircraft to #Turkey, following a lengthy deliberation period. The Ministry of Defense has sent a formal confirmation to the Turkish government regarding the approval of the export. https://themunicheye.com/germany-approves-eurofighter-jet-exports-turkey-24811

***
Oh When The Arms Go Marching In

#Germany’s cabinet approved a draft #law aimed at accelerating #military procurement and construction on military bases. https://www.freedom969.com/world-news/germany-to-ease-expand-defence-procurement-to-quickly-boost-military

July 23

***
After the F-35 vs Rafale clash, #France takes on the American Patriot SAMs: Is Macron looking to challenge the US’ Military Industrial complex? https://tfiglobalnews.com/2025/07/22/after-the-f-35-vs-rafale-clash-france-takes-on-the-american-patriot-sams-is-macron-looking-to-challenge-the-us-military-industrial-complex/

***
#Lockheed’s #F35 fighter jet programme has been under scrutiny recently after the Pentagon reduced its purchases in its 2026 budget. #European nations have continued to purchase the fighters despite arguments to purchase fewer #US-made weapons. https://www.ft.com/content/b43d3ad8-8794-4a39-b63b-13b5f86112b9

***
BBC fact finding

Professor @StavrianakisA, an expert in #UK Arms Export, described the UK government's decision to allow for the exemption of #F35 parts as "an enormous loophole" & the UK export #bans on #Israel were quite limited in their effectiveness. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz09k48z9v0o

***
(Old 31/03/25) Next step in Damen Romania saga?

Romania in talks with Turkish firm Desan to revive Mangalia shipyard.

Union leader Gobeaja said that internal tensions between the Romanian state and Damen have contributed to the deadlock, they have failed to cooperate. https://www.turkiyetoday.com/business/romania-in-talks-with-turkish-firm-desan-to-revive-mangalia-shipyard-138525

(11/06/25) Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC), the world’s largest containerline, has expressed interest in acquiring one of Europe’s largest shipyards—Mangalia https://breakbulk.news/msc-eyes-mangalia-shipyard-takeover-for-cruise-and-ropax-expansion/

July 22

***
‘When #AI-Machines Control Who Lives, Human Rights Die’

#Gaza is a reminder that the fight against AI warfare happens not in UN halls but on the ground. It's both a stand against the #algorithmic erasure of Palestinians & a defence of #rights everywhere. https://www.ipsnews.net/2025/07/the-lesson-from-gaza-is-clear-when-ai-powered-machines-control-who-lives-human-rights-die/

***
The banning of protest group #PalestineAction has made the #UK government an “international #outlier” when it comes to political protest, lawyers representing one of its co-founders told the High Court in London on Monday. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/palestine-action-court-case-uk

***
Why not?

Three women have appeared in court charged with malicious mischief after a van was allegedly driven into the fence at the #Leonardo factory in the Crewe Road North, an #Edinburgh arms factory. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/three-women-appear-court-after-35593352

***
Falling apart?

As #Trump’s tariffs and demands for higher defence budgets roil US’s allies, there is a growing debate in #Australia if the #US can be counted on — and whether the submarine program known as #AUKUS is still in Canberra’s best interests. https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/criticism-questions-mount-about-aukus-us-relations-in-australia/

***
#GKN Aerospace has signed a six-year follow-on contract with #BAE Systems for the continued manufacture and supply of transparencies for the #Eurofighter Typhoon. "The contract offers long-term stability to the Luton site," Defence Review Asia states. https://defencereviewasia.com/slug-gkn-aerospace-baesystems-typhoon-transparencies-contract-2025/

***
Naast de aanschaf van de F-35, overweegt #België nu ook het nieuwe - in ontwikkelings- en ruziestadium - #gevechtsvlieguig van #Dassault/#Airbus, de #FCAS te kopen. https://www.upinthesky.nl/2025/07/21/belgie-overweegt-aanschaf-nieuw-gevechtsvliegtuig/

Belgium also will continue to push for a wider role in the pan-European Future Combat Air System #FCAS with France, Germany & Spain and has put aside €300m to participate as a full partner in the next development phase, Phase 2, planned for 2026-30. https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/belgium-acquiring-11-more-f-35s-eyes-larger-role-european-fcas

July 21

***
Tomorow US Congress will vote on 2 bills that will make it easier for the US government and US arms makers to push weapons out the door to foreign clients more quickly, with less time for congressional scrutiny, and, in some cases, with Congress not even being informed that the sales are happening. At a time when arms sales are a centerpiece of U.S. foreign policy, for good or for ill, this is a misguided approach that will increase the risks that U.S. arms transfers will sow instability, fuel conflicts, and enable violations of the laws of war... https://responsiblestatecraft.org/arms-sales-2673354428/

***
Trump demands Germany transfer Patriot from its stocks to Kiev. This means that Berlin not only transfer Patriots, but replenish them from the US https://en.apa.az/europe/trump-demands-germany-transfer-patriot-from-its-stocks-to-kiev-bild-473234

Trump will, daß Deutschland selbst Flugabwehr liefert, um die Ukraine zu unterstützen. https://www.bild.de/politik/inland/deutschland-muss-flugabwehr-liefern-trump-ueberrascht-mit-entscheidung-687a46d2554a3718a6c1eaa2

***
#Damen Shipyards has formally asked the Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie, #OM) to drop one of the charges against the company involving alleged circumvention of #sanctions against #Russia, a company spokesperson confirmed Friday. https://nltimes.nl/2025/07/19/damen-shipyards-seeks-dismissal-russia-sanctions-charge-amid-corruption-probe

***
If #Germany or any significant arms provider imposed an #arms #embargo on #Israel, its effects for Israel would be immediate and devastating. And that’s why they should do it, @andrewfeinstein in german-foreign-policy. https://www.german-foreign-policy.com/en/news/detail/10066

July 18

***
‘Factory of Death’: Report Links Chinese Firms to Myanmar Junta’s Bomb Production. The regime has conducted more than 3,000 airstrikes, killing at least 3,242 people, including 478 children, between 2023 and June 2025. https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/factory-of-death-report-links-chinese-firms-to-myanmar-juntas-bomb-production.html

***
Al 90 jaar levert 't in #Alblasserdam gevestigde #Nevesbu oplossingen voor onderzeeboten...

https://www.maritimetechnology.nl/nl/actueel/het-best-bewaarde-geheim-van-de-scheepsbouw-onthuld/

Juist die 90 jr is interessant. In 1935 had de Duitse marine-industrie vestigingen in #Nederland om 't verdrag van #Versailles te omzeilen.

https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2018/09/onderzeeboten-in-troebel-vaarwater-een.html

tweet of 23/09/21

***
Bravo!

Workers from the trade union #USB & other anti-#arms trade activists #protested yesterday in Brescia (#Italy) against attempts to intimidate trade unionists who speak out & take action against the use of civilian transport hubs for arms deliveries. https://peoplesdispatch.org/2025/07/17/activists-in-italy-defend-trade-unionist-targeted-for-opposing-arms-transfer/

***
A Dutch court sentenced a chip engineer to 3 years in prison in the 1st-ever prosecution for digital exports of tech assistance under Dutch sanctions law.

On the same day, the Amsterdam District Court ordered a Dutch company to forfeit €1,013,956 in profits from providing goods and services for construction of the Kerch bridge connecting Crimea to mainland Russia, in violation of EU sanctions imposed after Russia’s 2014 annexation. https://www.worldecr.com/news/netherlands-prosecutes-first-digital-technology-transfer-case-in-landmark-sanctions-conviction/

***
A US bipartisan group of four House members (Chris Pappas, Gus Bilirakis, Dina Titus and Nicole Malliotakis) reintroduced a bill July 15 that would ease defence export restrictions on Cyprus. https://cyprus-mail.com/2025/07/16/congressmen-seek-to-improve-terms-of-lifting-of-cyprus-arms-embargo

***
Eisers vorderen in de dagvaarding:

- de #Vlaamse regering te gebieden per direct iedere #doorvoer te (doen) staken van defensiegerelateerde producten en ander voor militair gebruik dienstig

materiaal naar #Israël; etc. https://www.rechtbanken-tribunaux.be/sites/default/files/media/bru/files/beschikking-20250717-25-69-c-forum-vredesactie-ea-tg-vl-gew-pseudo-def_0.pdf

En de rechter gaf de eisers gelijk.

A Belgian court has ordered the Flemish regional government to suspend all military transit to Israel via its territory, citing violations of international humanitarian law, Belgian news agency Belga reports. https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence/news/belgian-court-halts-arms-transit-to-israel-via-flanders/

Bruselas Un tribunal belga ha ordenado al gobierno de Flandes (la comunidad neerlandófona) que suspenda el tránsito de material militar a Israel a través de su territorio, alegando violaciones del derecho internacional humanitario, según informó la agencia de noticias Belga. https://euractiv.es/section/politics/news/belgian-court-halts-arms-transit-to-israel-via-flanders/

#Vlaams #wapenverbod raakt #Israël amper, maar schept wel precedent. https://fd.nl/politiek/1563183/vlaamswapenverbod-raakt-israel-amper-maar-schept-wel-preceden

July 17

***
#Pentagon taps four commercial tech firms to expand military use of AI. The four firms — #Google, #Anthropic, #OpenAI and #ElonMusk's #xAI — will help the DoD to develop #AI workflows for key US security missions. https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2025/07/15/pentagon-taps-four-commercial-tech-firms-to-expand-military-use-of-ai/

***
Details of ongoing talks between #Thales and Emirati defense and technology stakeholders to establish an artificial intelligence #AI research and development (R&D) center in #AbuDhabi. [paywall] https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/63682

***
Due to US #chips and other emerging tech-related export controls to #China programs, the #Dutch imposed unilateral export controls on SME. Thereby steering away from the #EU and other int. #export #control regimes.

Article describes this paradigm shift.

https://globalinvestigationsreview.com/review/the-european-middle-eastern-and-african-investigations-review/2025/article/netherlands-unilateral-export-controls-tool-safeguard-national-security-and-foreign-policy-objectives

***
Trump administration will allow #semiconductor firm #Nvidia to sell its previously restricted advanced H20 chips to #China as part of an agreement Washington and Beijing reached during trade talks in recent months, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. https://techwireasia.com/2025/07/nvidia-ai-chip-china-export-ban-lifted/

***
De #GIUK-kloof wordt nu niet alleen gebruikt om Russische #onderzeeërs op te sluiten in het Noordoostelijk deel van de Atlantische oceaan, maar als argument om #NAVO-lidstaat #IJsland ook te bewegen het geld uit te geven aan wapens en militairen. https://www.rtl.nl/nieuws/buitenland/artikel/5518585/ijsland-navo-lid-geen-leger-uitvalsbasis

***

MBDA B.V. Financial Holding Amsterdam.

Europe’s largest missiles maker #MBDA is selling key components for bombs that 've been shipped in their 1000s to Israel & used in multiple airstrikes where research indicates Palestinian children & other civilians were killed. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/17/european-missile-group-mbda-selling-parts-for-bombs-that-have-killed-children-in-gaza

***
When you've to pay to military strengthen your opponent.

#France reportedly does not plan to join a NATO-backed initiative for European countries to finance #US arms shipments to #Ukraine. https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/France-withdraws-from-NATO-plan-to-finance-US-weapons-for-Ukraine/

July 15

***
Retweet @lvandenassumTake note: Myanmar now takes third place for drone warfare use, after Russia and Ukraine.https://acleddata.com/2025/07/01/the-war-from-the-sky-how-drone-warfare-is-shaping-the-conflict-in-myanmar/

***
Not very subtle written, but the problem is recurring over and over again; that has far worse effects than blunt language:

How #Rheinmetall Uses South Africa to Evade European Arms Controls https://allafrica.com/stories/202507140873.html

Still European leaders see the company as providing security.

July 14

***
Partner with military industries of autocrats who violate human rights, target their own population, to improve security, isn't it.

Talks between #Saudi #SAMI and #NavalGroup to establish a R&D center focused on underwater warfare systems.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/63674

***
Which side are you on?

Some think it is better to murder a complete population than to oppose this crime against humanity.
Thirteen arrested under terror laws at Cardiff protest released on bail.
https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/117114/thirteen-arrested-at-cardiff-palestine-protest-as-backlash-grows-over-terrorism-charges/

***
Is that the fighter claimed to defend 'us'?

#Amnesty Int. Australia is gravely concerned by new reports confirming that Australia has directly supplied parts for #F35 fighters to Israel, which have been used in its #genocide against Palestinians in #Gaza. https://www.amnesty.org.au/disturbing-reports-confirm-australias-supply-of-f-35-parts-used-in-israels-genocide-against-palestinians/

July 12

***
Negotiators from the DR #Congo and the #M23 armed group were in Qatar Wednesday for talks. The Rwanda-backed M23 had called last week for more talks to address problems left out of a peace #agreement between Kigali & Kinshasa inked in Washington in June. https://jordantimes.com/news/world/dr-congo-m23-rebels-in-qatar-for-talks-on-broader-truce-diplomat

***
Een hapsnap artikel over oorlogsvoorbereiding, militaire productie, wapenhandel en overslag en de '#Rotterdamse haven', mensen met Palestijnse achtergrond in Vlaardingen en bevoorrading Russen door een bedrijf uit Schiedam. https://www.bnnvara.nl/joop/artikelen/de-oorlog-in-mijn-regio

July 11

***
Despite the denial of major crimes in some High Places #steel shipment from the port of Barcelona to #Israel's main arms manufacturer canceled. The Basque steel company #Sidenor didn't ship steel Israel Military Industries #IMI were not shipped on July 1st https://en.ara.cat/international/steel-shipment-from-the-port-of-barcelona-to-israel-s-main-arms-manufacturer-canceled_1_5440061.html

***
Interim-FNV-voorz Koerselman geeft belangrijkste punten al weg, zonder ook maar 1 lid te hebben geraadpleegd en steunt de militaire uitgaven door het naar achteren schuiven ervan. https://fd.nl/opinie/1561580/nee-we-hoeven-niet-te-bezuinigen-op-de-nederlandse-samenleving-om-te-investeren-in-defensie

De problemen zijn daarmee verrre van opgelost. https://esb.nu/oplossen-van-de-begrotingspuzzel-vraagt-om-kiezen-in-de-zorg-en-bij-defensie/

***
A warning:

If military might become the ruling power “the consequences will be grave: a global arms race, renewed wars of conquest, shrinking trade, and the collapse of the cooperation needed to confront shared global threats.”

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/might-unmakes-right-hathaway-shapiro

Do those in power care?

***
South Korea appears ready to scrap plans for acquiring additional #Boeing AH-64E #Apache attack heli's, as defense leaders mull the changing requirements of warfare & aim for different weaponry, seen the vulnerability of the heli's in the war in Ukraine. https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/07/09/south-korea-backtracks-over-follow-on-apache-helicopter-buy/

***
The EU is split on UK joining its weapons fund - and France is saying non

Some countries are sceptical about full British involvement in the EU's defence investment fund - with senior officials saying it will undermine the bloc's supply chain.

https://inews.co.uk/news/world/eu-split-uk-joining-weapons-fund-france-saying-non-3791737

July 10

***
#Purmerend/Neck/Wormerland willen aanpassingen in het plan van Defensie voor extra territorium voor laagvliegende #helikopters. De toestellen scheren wat hen betreft dan te laag over dorpskernen en werelderfgoed, zoals #Neck en de #Beemster.’ Zie https://www.noordhollandsdagblad.nl/regio/zaanstreek-waterland/waterland/purmerend-en-wormerland-niet-blij-met-plan-om-helikopters-vlak-boven-de-huizen-te-laten-vliegen-het-kanaal-is-een-logische-harde-grens/76397055.html

***
You tend to think he has share in the booming arms industry.

Allies need to ramp up arms production, #NATO's spokesman (the chief has his office in the White House) Mark #Rutte says in Berlin. https://www.euronews.com/2025/07/09/allies-need-to-ramp-up-arms-production-natos-chief-mark-rutte-says-in-berlin

***
@CDS_Defensie: "Nederland blijft zich inzetten voor #vrede en veiligheid in het Midden-Oosten," zo schrijft de hoogste Nederlandse militair. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/07/08/eichelsheim-stabiliteit-in-het-midden-oosten-belangrijk-voor-europa

Tja, wat zijn we goed. De wapenhandel met #Israel floreert. Niet alleen is er veel belangstelling

voor #Israëlische wapens. Ook verdient #Nederland, aan de levering van wapens en militair materieel aan Israël en gaat daarmee door ook als de rechter het afwijst. https://www.oneworld.nl/mensenrechten/getest-op-palestijnen-israelische-wapens-zijn-wereldwijd-populair/

Zo werkt men aan stabiliteit en vrede.

July 9

***
Retweet @Tapol_UK: Prabowo’s planned and realised militarisation of Government has been extensive, suggesting a level of involvement in social, economic and political affairs far greater than changes seen since 2014. https://tapol.org/publications/prabowos-programme-militarisation-takes-shape

***
Retweet @GKNAero and @ArianeGroup: strengthen partnership on #Ariane6 with new frame contract. We’ll continue supplying key components for Vulcain 2.1 and Vinci engines. More: https://www.gknaerospace.com/news-insights/news/gkn-aerospace-and-arianegroup-strengthen-partnership-with-new-ariane-6-contract/

"Geopolitical developments show us that we can no longer separate military and civilian use, between Ariane 6 and [the nuclear SLBM] M51," says Martin Sion CEO of Ariane. https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article256151024/ariane-6-europa-macht-tempo-im-wettlauf-um-den-weltraum-doch-der-rueckstand-ist-enorm.html

***
Leve de vrije markt! maar niet als over militaire poducenten gaat, blijkbaar.

Kabinet trekt € 270m uit om een Nederlands bedrijf dat actief is in de militaire industrie overeind te houden. Volgens een goed ingevoerde bron gaat het om scheepsbouwer #Damen. https://www.ad.nl/politiek/reddingsboei-van-270-miljoen-voor-scheepsbouwer-damen~af84e95b/

Free market? Not fot the military industry.

The Dutch government has made €270 million available to help Damen Naval shipyards out of financial difficulty, various sources close to the agreement have told broadcaster NOS. https://www.dutchnews.nl/2025/07/dutch-bail-out-damen-naval-with-e270m-bridging-loan-media/

***
Annalena Baerbock’s election as President of the UN General Assembly has caused protests, academic condemnation, and political opposition because of her defence of Israeli ops in Gaza, past political conduct & integrity controversies have prompted . https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/world-int/27349-baerbock-presidency-at-un-sparks-global-criticism.html

See also petition advertised here: https://x.com/andrewfeinstein/status/1942279018218176906

***
Israeli #genocide supported by #Europe.

More than half of Israel's arms exports last year went to Europe, up from 35% in 2023, as countries replace donated equipment and invest heavily under #NATO’s expanded military spending commitments.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/4465867-israel-s-defense-exports-hit-record-as-war-fueled-startup-surge-targets-europe

***
Greens glad, militarists cheerful and Ursula-bit-beside-the-rules can stay.

Von der Leyen moves to merge green, military, space funds in new EU budget law.

The EC is pushing to create a massive industrial policy fund by merging 14 existing budget lines. https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/von-der-leyen-moves-to-merge-green-defence-space-funds-in-new-eu-budget-law/

***
#Japan will #export six 2nd hand navy destroyers to the #Philippines to strengthen its deterrence against #China, the Yomiuri newspaper reported. The 2 US allies increase cooperation to counter Beijing. https://oodaloop.com/briefs/arms-trade/japan-to-export-used-destroyers-to-philippines-to-deter-china/

***
From 2020 to 24, 54% of the Pentagon's discretionary spending of $4.4 trillion went to private firms.

It is described as a “continuing and massive transfer of wealth from taxpayers to fund war and weapons manufacturing”.

• https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/08/pentagon-military-spending
• https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/papers/2025/MilitaryContractors

***
Shadow looms over #Mexico’s former president Peña Nieto as a fresh investigation is launched into allegations that he accepted a $25 million #bribe from #Israeli businessmen to secure contracts for #Pegasus spyware during his 2012–18 presidency. https://www.jfeed.com/news-world/mexico-pegasus-spyware-bribery-scandal

***
#Switzerland exported 20% more #war materiel in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Among the buyers of Swiss military equipment were authoritarian regimes such as #Qatar and #Saudi Arabia (and rose by 95.5% & 57%, respectively. https://menafn.com/1109775416/Swiss-Weapons-Exports-Grew-20-In-First-Half-Of-2025

***
Security of the other, F*ck Them.

THE company #Rheinmetall Denel Munition #RDM — an arms manufacturer operating in #SouthAfrica — has once again come under the spotlight following claims that its products may have been used in the ongoing war in #Sudan. https://sundayindependent.co.za/news/2025-07-08-rheinmetall-denel-faces-scrutiny-over-allegations-of-arms-use-in-sudan-conflict/

***
Retweet @leoncastjan: ReArm Europe = not a word on human rights due diligence and downstream damage risk assessments? https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence/news/rheinmetall-sees-bundled-europe-wide-military-orders-as-path-to-better-prices/

***
#US building air bases and #ammunition #warehouses in #Israel.
The current projects total more than $250m, with future ones expected to exceed $1bn.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-building-air-bases-and-ammunition-warehouses-israel

***
Rheinmetall Ede bloeit weer op nu zware pantserwagens zoals hun Boxer passen in de strijd in Oekraïne.  https://fd.nl/economie/1561585/rheinmetall-ede-bloeit-weer-op-nu-zware-pantserwagens-hun-nut-in-oekraine-bewijzen

Enige tijd geleden schreef ik dit blog over Rheinmetall in Nederland: https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2021/03/rheinmetall-german-dutch-connection.html

July 8

***
How to make the USA Stay Powerful and Great?

Buying US arms will 'help' Europe unlock trade deal with Washington, EU leader says. António Costa, one of the bloc’s top officials, says pledge to spend more on defense will cut US trade deficit. https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/buying-u-s-arms-will-help-europe-unlock-trade-deal-with-trump-eu-leader-says-f6f29238

***
The #UAE is interested in the procurement of #Russian military aircraft, especially the Su-35 #fighter jet and the Ka-52 attack #helicopter. https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/63658 [paywall]

***
Defence of Europe to gain national income. New europen fighter aircraft FCAS pestered by conflict between Germany and France. Now it becomes clear France wants 80% of the production.

• https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/paris-demands-80-workshare-franco-german-fighter-jet-says-source-2025-07-07/
• https://www.hartpunkt.de/fcas-erhaelt-frankreich-80-prozent-am-neuen-new-generation-fighter/
• https://nl.marketscreener.com/koers/aandeel/AIRBUS-SE-4637/nieuws/Parijs-eist-80-werkverdeling-in-Frans-Duitse-gevechtsvliegtuig-aldus-bron-50447853/

***
Despite #Spain’s public statements to an embargo, sources within the MoD admit a full break would be “highly difficult”, as key parts of the military tech still rely on #Israeli systems.

But Madrid is pressured to back rhetoric & enforce a full #embargo. https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence/news/spains-arms-embargo-on-israel-hits-enemy-lines-at-home/

July 7

***
#Germany is will procure thousands of new 2.500 armoured #vehicles #IFV's and 1.000 battle tanks #MBT's valued €25bn, aimed at fulfilling #NATO’s force generation targets, bolstering deterrence against Russia and burning more #fosil fuels. https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/germany-considering-purchase-of-1000-tanks-and-2500-ifvs/

***
The #Dutch city of #Papendrecht witnessed a protest demonstration on Saturday against "#GKN #Fokker" company's export of spare parts for #F-35 stealth multirole fighter jets to the Israeli entity. https://www.saba.ye/en/news3511668.htm

Nederlandstalig: https://www.ad.nl/papendrecht/mars-van-gemeentehuis-papendrecht-naar-gkn-fokker-protest-tegen-leveringen-aan-israel~a8355d8c/

***
#Damen Naval has contracted Alewijnse (https://www.alewijnse.nl/) to serve as its primary partner for electrical system integration for the #Colombian Navy’s PES-#frigate, which is currently under development. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/damen-naval-onboards-alewijnse-to-support-colombia-s-pes-frigate/ar-AA1GZexw

***
Even the slightest hint of restricting the use of some of the Israeli military technology - like here in the UK - creates opposition in favour of the Israeli industry which is enabling the genocide.
https://worldisraelnews.com/uk-labour-faces-backlash-over-reported-plan-to-drop-israeli-defense-tech/

***

What do the members of the #F35 consortium (https://www.f35.com/f35/global-enterprise.html) think about delivering them to Turkey? Or they don't have an opinion?

President Erdogan has reiterated #Turkey’s determination to proceed with the acquisition of F-35 fighter jets.
https://defence-industry.eu/erdogan-expects-f-35-deliveries-during-trump-presidency-rejects-greek-concerns/

***
#NATO accounts for 34% of all #US #arms exports globally. No wonder, Trump came away from the Hague saying he enjoyed himself at the NATO event. The NATO summit didn’t utter a word about Russia. It was, in reality, about fuelling #Trump’s MAGA movement. https://www.eurasiareview.com/07072025-natos-mega-spending-pleases-trump-oped/

***
The murky world of arms exports:

#French #intelligence has concluded that #China deployed its embassies to discredit the #Rafale fighters after its combat debut in the #India-#Pakistan clashes this May, in a bid to derail French arms exports.
https://swarajyamag.com/news-brief/morning-brief-china-spread-disinformation-to-back-pakistans-claim-of-rafale-kills-french-intel-india-us-near-mini-trade-deal-ahead-of-9-july-deadline-and-more

The Chinese Global Times: Tying the gains & losses of the #Rafale in specific markets rigidly to #China is merely self-dramatization; it isn't only an evasion of reality and also a recurring issue of "shifting the blame to China" when faced with problems. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1337841.shtml

July 6

***
Review 'Onder ons' (book & database, by Birte Scholhaus en Bas van Beek of Follow the Money) with a focus on foreign and military affairs connections in the confidential clubs of the elite. https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2025/07/secret-societies-and-foreign-affairs.html

Voor een Nederlandstalige versie zie hier: https://broekfoto.blogspot.com/2025/07/geheime-verenigingen-en-buitenlandse.html

Vier van de 14 secretarissen-generaal van de NAVO waren Nederlander en lid van een vertrouwelijke 'vriendenclub' voor de eilte, zo blijkt uit boek Onder ons en bijbehorende database. Zie mijn bespreking ↑

July 3

***
How to support the military industry of a country committing genocide?

Buy weaponry from that country (& continue to claim your are defending democracy rights), like eg #Romania does.

Budapest bought at #Israel’s #Rafael Advanced Defense Systems $2.23bn. https://mapn.ro/cpresa/18908_informa%C8%9Bie-de-presa

***
De provincie Gelderland is onaangenaam verrast door het plan van het demissionaire kabinet om Defensie makkelijker te laten oefenen en trainen. Gelderland noemt de plannen een ,,bestuurlijke oekaze waardoor de Veluwe verder op slot wordt gezet”. https://www.barneveldsekrant.nl/lokaal/maatschappelijk/1181660/gelderland-niet-blij-met-vrijbrief-voor-oefeningen-defensie

***
'In de voormalige autofabriek van VDL in Born start nog dit jaar de grootschalige productie van militaire drones. Ook zullen er defensievoertuigen worden onderhouden en gemoderniseerd.’ https://www.ad.nl/eindhoven/vdl-sluit-deal-met-defensie-militaire-drones-en-voertuigen-in-voormalige-autofabriek-in-born~a0e405bd/259526249/ m.d.a @GLeemput

***
#Bewapeningsgolf gaat mogelijk ten koste van uitbreiding Neerlands mooiste. Kan #ASML wel nieuwe fabrieken bouwen op de beoogde plek bij de #Eindhovense luchthaven? #TNO onderzoekt het. Dat blijkt uit vrijgegeven stukken van #Defensie. https://www.ed.nl/asml/defensie-waarschuwde-asml-f35s-helis-en-passerende-tanks-kunnen-problemen-geven~a0a8010e/

July 2

***
#WRI posted a blog about an action by an action group called #GeefTegengas at the port of #Rotterdam during the NATO summit last week. It mentions the transport of F35 parts between the USA and #Israel as one of the motivations for the action: https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2025/why-dutch-activists-are-targetting-port-rotterdam

***
#UAE Delisted from #EU High-Risk Countries: A strategic turning point in bilateral relations.

https://www.tacticalreport.com/in-depth/63633 [paywall]

And is the EU also sure the UAE does not illegally export military materiel to entities at war? Or is that a minor issue? (eg: https://x.com/martinbroek/status/1938155196984549856)

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#Australian #container company Royal Wolf lands $51 million defence contract to deliver 300 personnel restraint modules meant to safely transport crews between locations as part of military operations. https://www.thedcn.com.au/news/royal-wolf-lands-multi-million-dollar-defence-contract #harbour #Brisbane

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"While life in Gaza is being obliterated & the West Bank is under assault," report shows "why Israel's genocide continues: because it is lucrative for many," like corporations "financially bound to Israel's Apartheid & militarism."

• https://ca.news.yahoo.com/lucrative-business-deals-help-sustain-101912280.html
• https://www.un.org/unispal/document/a-hrc-59-23-from-economy-of-occupation-to-economy-of-genocide-report-special-rapporteur-francesca-albanese-palestine-2025/ 

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Which foreign arms manufacturers are already operating in #Ukraine?

Companies from #Germany, the #Czech Republic, #Canada, and #Turkey have already invested in local manufacturing. Other countries are currently in the planning stage.

https://ubn.news/which-foreign-arms-manufacturers-are-already-operating-in-ukraine/

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Arms to hug,
arms to kill and 
arms to commit genocide

An important part of the problem:
EU Buying #Weapons Tested on #Palestinians

Israel sees an opportunity in a Europe rearming because of the supposed threat of Russia, writes Jessica Buxbaum. https://consortiumnews.com/2025/07/01/eu-buying-weapons-tested-on-palestine/

July 1

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De NAVO wekt de verwachting dat ze voor veiligheid zorgt. Maar met de VS sleept ze ons mee naar chaos en gevaar. Het is een gedwongen huwelijk met een roekeloze, machtsbeluste mogendheid die zich niks van internationale verdragen aantrekt.’ https://www.bnnvara.nl/joop/artikelen/waarom-laten-we-ons-meeslepen-in-de-ramkoers-van-trump

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European states continue to impose substantial barriers to transparency in arms transfers. This has significant implications for international efforts to enhance accountability in the global arms trade, especially as defence spending escalates worldwide. https://www.asser.nl/about-the-asser-institute/news/new-report-the-transparency-deficit-in-european-arms-exports/

The secrecy of European arms sales, a practice justified in the name of national security.
A report reveals that a lack of information on arms exports hinders access to justice and fuels doubts about the role played by arms-producing powers in conflicts.
https://english.elpais.com/international/2025-07-10/the-secrecy-of-european-arms-sales-a-practice-justified-in-the-name-of-national-security.html

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Military production requires continuously high levels of investment to maintain technological progress. This sucks public investment from other parts of the economy.

Unlike defence, where the repurposing of civilian technologies for military uses carries a cost to society, many green investments involve beneficial substitutions that reduce the cost of a green transition.

...the current drive for deterrence-based military spending carries with it a huge cost for society that could ultimately prove economically wasteful and geopolitically destabilising.
https://theconversation.com/nato-leaders-pledge-increased-defence-spending-is-this-really-the-price-for-peace-and-prosperity-255989

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#European leaders’ responses to the recent Israeli and #US attacks against #Iranian #nuclear facilities have been striking for both their muted tone and their apparent acceptance of violations of international law. https://www.sipri.org/commentary/essay/2025/europe-should-help-repair-damage-non-proliferation-and-international-law-attacks-iran #SIPRI #NPV

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A comprehensive guide to #sanctions in the #Netherlands amid legislative overhaul and increased enforcement efforts. https://globalinvestigationsreview.com/guide/the-guide-sanctions/sixth-edition/article/comprehensive-guide-sanctions-in-the-netherlands-amid-legislative-overhaul-and-increased-enforcement-efforts#footnote-001

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The mix of #drones and #AI is now becoming more prevalent in new designs proposed by European manufacturers e.g. from Czechia, Finland and Germany. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/06/30/european-drone-builders-tinker-with-ai-in-navigation-and-targeting/