Week 17 in #wapenhandel25tweets

(Gaarne 'liken' of delen als je het nuttig of interessant vindt.)

Onder de volgende tekst – waarin één of meer tweets zijn verwerkt – 

staan de 25 tweets van deze week.

Het conflict tussen Turkije en Griekenland (beide NAVO-bondgenoten) leidt volgens sommige bronnen tot Griekse wapenaankopen, zoals de modernisering van de F-16 vloot. Die analyse wijst erop a) dat een militair conflict binnen de NAVO dat al decennia lang woekert niet opgelost lijkt te kunnen worden, en b) het antwoord meer wapens naar beide partijen die oplossing niet dichterbij brengt en alleen ten koste van andere uitgaven waarmee de bevolking meer gediend is.

Opvallend is ook dat de leveranties voor de Turkse F-35's even niet vanzelf spreken. In de VS is er oppositie tegen vanwege de aanschaf van een Russisch luchtverdedigingssysteem. Het leidt binnen het VK meteen tot commentaar dat dit wel eens ten koste kan gaan van Britse exporten: “When you rattle your sabre, you should be careful you don't accidentally whack your mates with it.”

Tijdens het samenstellen van deze aflevering van de tweets vraag ik me af of het duidelijk zal zijn waarom ik tweets opneem. Anti-wapenhandel activiteiten lijken vaak een verlengstuk van activiteiten om de mensenrechten in landen aan te kaarten.Dat is belangrijk, maar er is meer: omvang militaire uitgaven, spanningen in regio's of landen etc. Kijk er het gezamenlijke standpunt van de EU maar op na.

Maar als antimilitarist sta ik er toch ook voor om te benadrukken dat militaire antwoorden vaak in dienst staan van hen die aan de rijke, de machtige kant van de streep staan. Wapens zijn er vooral om de bestaande orde te verdedigen en zijn niet die van Henk en Ingrid, of Glenn en Soeraja te verbeteren.

Als antimilitarist sta ik ervoor te waken dat militairen aan de rand van de overheidsmacht staan en niet er midden in. Niet alleen de kosten die de krijgsmacht met zich meebrengt moeten beschreven worden, ook de macht en invloed. Hier en elders in de wereld. Daarom gaat het in deze lijst niet alleen over Jemen en Turkije, maar ook om marine-industrie en gevechtsvliegtuigen.

Nederland (zie ook 17, 22)

1 – 230418: Dutch Parliamentary Q&A on border equipment for Turkey from EU funds. Materiel includes unarmed, but armoured vehicles for border surveillance. The European Commission is responsible to control equipment isn't used for other tasks. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2018/04/23/beantwoording-kamervragen-over-bericht-dat-eu-meebetaalt-aan-dodelijke-grensbewaking-in-turkije

2 – 240418: Dutch government downplays the no. 10 rank of the Netherlands in the latest SIPRI arms exports list, because the scope of weapons researched, the TIV-methodology and the Dutch transparency not hiding the export of surplus arms. [in Dutch] https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2018/04/23/kamerbrief-over-het-rapport-trends-in-international-arms-transfers-2017

3 – 250418: The US sells F-16 pilot training to the Netherlands, cost US$ 110 million. Duration: ? http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/netherlands-f-16-formal-training-unit-tucson-air-national-guard-base-angb-arizona

The US sells 3,500 M1156 Precision Guided Kits to the Netherlands, cost US$ 70 million. http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/netherlands-m1156-precision-guided-kits

EUROPA (zie ook 1, 16)

4 – 240418: Presidential Memo for the Secretary of State eligibility of the Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation en matiere d’Armement (OCCAR) to receive US defence articles and defence services under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 & the Arms Export Control Act. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-memorandum-secretary-state-9/

5 – 280418: EU Extends Myanmar Arms Embargo, Prepares Individual Sanctions http://jakartaglobe.id/international/eu-extends-myanmar-arms-embargo-prepares-individual-sanctions/ via @thejakartaglobe

6 – 300418: EDA & EIB aim to finalise their envisioned “co-operative financial mechanism” (CFM) by the end of 2018, thus placing the EIB’s vast borrowing muscle at the service of multination defence research and acquisition activities across the EU. http://www.janes.com/article/79631/eu-defence-agency-and-investment-bank-to-finalise-lending-accord-before-2019

Duitsland (zie ook 9, 21)

7 – 270418: Lockheed Martin executives Thursday dismissed critics’ claims that a German move to buy the F-35 fighter jet now would jeopardize future German-French combat aircraft cooperation. But it wouldn't help the European aeronautic industry neither. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2018/04/26/lockheed-tries-to-steer-clear-of-german-f-35-politics/?

8 – 250418: Lets hope so: Germany moving to limit arms sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey @AJENews https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/germany-moving-limit-weapons-export-saudi-arabia-uae-180428072944493.html

Frankrijk (zie ook 7, 10, 11, 21, 28)

9 – 250418: Paris and Berlin have been rivals in the fighter business. That should change now. For the new fighter compromises are needed - at least from one side. France probably won't. https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/plus175753140/Eurofighter-Erbe-Superkampfjet-ueberfluegelt-sogar-die-F-35.html

Griekenland (zie 14)

10 – 230418: Quarrel among NATO allies is good for French naval shipbuilding industry, but for population of Greece living in poverty it is bad news. https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2018/Apr-20/446123-greece-to-lease-french-warships-amid-aegean-tensions-with-turkey.ashx

11 – 300418: Not only outside threats also internal turmoil in NATO leads to ..... weapon acquisitions. Making the world more secure? (Greece to upgrade its US F-16 military jets amid tensions with Turkey) http://www.dw.com/en/greece-to-upgrade-its-us-f-16-military-jets-amid-tensions-with-turkey/a-43582335

Italië (zie 25, 28)

Turkije (zie ook 1, 8, 10, 11)

12 – 240418: "Ankara to purchase Russian S-400 missile systems. "this could potentially lead to sanctions under article 231 of the CAATSA and negatively affect Turkey's participation in the F-35 program," US Assistant Secretary of State, Wes Mitchell said. https://en.trend.az/other/commentary/2891804.html

13 – 260418: US sanctions on Turkey for Russia purchases could ground Brittish F-35's. https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/04/23/sanctions_of_usa_affect_on_supply_turkey_f35_euro_engine_supply/ via @theregister

14 – 240418: magnets allow the naval mine to attacks to the hull of an enemy vessel and detonate on command. And now? Waiting for the counter measures of Greece? Http://www.defenseworld.net/news/22387/Turkey_Develops_First_Indigenous_Stingray_shaped_Armed_Underwater_DroneElectromagnetic

VK (zie ook 13, 18, 24, 25, 31)

15 – 290418: Chengtong Trading, a company registered in Northamptonshire has become embroiled in suspected shipment of chemical weapons supplies from North Korea to Syria. The address on outskirts of Daventry = feared to be one of several NK front operations in the UK. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/british-firm-masks-kim-jong-un-s-chemical-weapons-supply-to-syria-0fkg2rqfm

16 – 300418: The connections between palm oil, environment, Brexit, arms exports and the EU. The world seen through the eyes of Brexiteers. EU UK commerce conflict: Brussels dangers £ 7 billion in British defence contracts | Politics | Information - NEWPAPER24 https://newpaper24.com/eu-uk-trade-war-brussels-risks-7billion-in-british-defence-contracts-politics-news-newpaper24/

17 – 300418: Tories under pressure build navy support vessels and to produce its steel in the UK because the ships are a strategic asset, because they are ships build for war. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/tories-under-pressure-build-navy-12452361#ICID=sharebar_twitter

REST VAN DE WERELD

Israël

18 – 250418: Campaign Against Arms Trade’s Andrew Smith is right to note that arming governments like Israel’s sends a message of support for its actions. https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/we-have-stop-deadly-trade-arms

19 – 280418: Israel: Arms embargo needed as military unlawfully kills and maims Gaza protesters https://www.amnestyusa.org/press-releases/israel-arms-embargo-needed-as-military-unlawfully-kills-and-maims-gaza-protesters/

20 – 280418: Hamas engineer 'negotiated arms deals with North Korea, assassinated by Mossad' in Malaysia https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-hamas-engineer-killed-in-malaysia-negotiated-arms-deals-with-koreans-1.6030971

Japan

21 – 250418: In a fresh bid to win its first major foreign arms deal since World War Two, Japan is proposing its P-1 submarine hunter for a French-German project to develop a marine surveillance aircraft #MPA, two Japanese government sources said. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-defence-germany-france/japan-seeks-role-in-french-german-marine-surveillance-plane-project-sources-idUSKBN1HW088

Maleisië (zie 20)

Myanmar (zie 5)

Noord-Korea (zie 15, 20)

Pakistan (zie ook 23)

22 – 240418: While Dutch government downplays Netherlands role in the international arms trade it are also exports like those naval vessels to Pakistan which give it a major role in arms export statistics. Naval equipment (ships, systems) is even the most important. https://nation.com.pk/24-Apr-2018/keel-laying-ceremony-of-opv-i-for-pak-navy-held-in-romania

Roemenië (zie 22, 23)

Rusland (zie 12-13)

Saoedi-Arabië (zie 8)

Syrië (zie 15)

VAE (zie 8)

DEFENSIE-INDUSTRIE

Airbus (zie 4, 25, 28)

Damen (zie ook 17, 22)

23 – 230418: Steel cutting ceremony held for Pakistan’s 1st Damen warship (1800 OPV). https://quwa.org/2018/04/22/steel-cutting-ceremony-held-for-pakistans-first-damen-1800-opv/ via @QuwaGroup

Fokker

24 – 230418: Entire GKN board resigns following Melrose takeover. What does this mean for Dutch Fokker? http://www.janes.com/article/79462/entire-gkn-board-resigns-following-melrose-takeover

MBDA

25 – 300418: European missile maker #MBDA (Airbus, BAE Systems, Leonardo) prefers to form cooperation agreements with U.S. companies instead of using takeovers to gain access to the large U.S. arms market, Chief Executive Antoine Bouvier told Reuters in an interview. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-airshow-mdba/missile-maker-mbda-plans-tie-ups-not-takeovers-in-u-s-push-idUSKBN1HX26N

WAPENS

Drones

26 – 240418: US marines want to have longer range kamikaze drone. https://www.c4isrnet.com/news/your-marine-corps/2018/04/23/the-corps-is-looking-for-a-tube-launched-suicide-drone/

27 – 250418: 19 NGO's vragen Europese landen, waaronder Nederland, hun betrokkenheid bij het Amerikaanse #drone programma te herzien. We deden er met #DutchArms eerder onderzoek naar. Nederland is een belangrijke toeleverancier. https://twitter.com/lisadupuy/status/989163198786998272

28 – 270418: Airbus, Dassault and Leonardo have revealed the first full-scale model of an envisioned European drone at the Berlin Air Show, upping the the visibility ― and scrutiny ― of a project meant to epitomize the continent’s growing military profile. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2018/04/26/companies-unveil-eurodrone-model-at-berlin-air-show/

F-35 (zie 7, 12-13)

Vluchtelingen (zie ook 1)

OVERIG

Defensiebudget

29 – 280418: Global defense spending is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of about 3.0 percent over the 2017–2022 period, crossing US$2 trillion by 2022. Global Aerospace & Defense Outlook 2018 | Deloitte | C&IP https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/manufacturing/articles/global-a-and-d-outlook.html via @Deloitte

30 – 280418: 1+1=2

1. US makes it cheaper for foreign nations to buy American weapons (https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2018/04/27/us-makes-it-cheaper-for-foreign-nations-to-buy-american-weapons/)
2. Newly confirmed Pompeo stresses defense spending target at first NATO meeting (https://www.defensenews.com/global/the-americas/2018/04/27/newly-confirmed-pompeo-stresses-defense-spending-target-at-first-nato-meeting/)

Onderzoek en activisme

31 – 290418: Contrary to the Times’ ravings about universities being hotbeds of left-wing and anti-war sentiment, the institutions and their leaderships are already deeply integrated with the armed forces and private military contractors, World Socialist Site state. http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2018/04/28/mili-a28.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

Week 16 in #wapenhandel25tweets

(Gaarne 'liken' of delen als je het nuttig of interessant vindt.)

Onder de volgende tekst – waarin één of meer tweets zijn verwerkt – 

staan de 36 tweets van deze week.

Slordige praktijken

Vorige week vond in België een hoorzitting plaats over de levensduur van de F-16. De vliegtuigen zouden langer meekunnen dan tot voor kort bekend in het Belgische parlement. Al een maand houdt de aanschaf België bezig. De Belgische luchtmacht hield stukken onder de pet en de Minister van Defensie leek op aangeschoten wild. Voor de hoorzitting waren de medewerkers van Lockheed Martin uitgenodigd die bekend zijn met het Belgische F-16 dossier.

De Amerikaanse wapenfabrikant besloot echter de verkoop mensen voor de F-35 te sturen, zo stelt SP.A-voorzitter John Crombez vast. De

Belgische sociaal democraten van de SP.A voelden zich vernacheld. Niet alleen vanwege die overduidelijke minachting voor het karakter van de hoorzitting ook omdat er een antwoord werd gegeven op een niet gestelde vraag. Het moderniseren van de F-16's tot 2040 zou miljarden kosten, maar de vraag was of ze nog langer mee zouden kunnen niet of de levensuur met ruim 20 jaar verlengd kon worden.

Al met al zijn de Belgen in het kritisch tegen het licht houden van de aanschaf verder gekomen dan het Nederlandse Parlement. In Nederland verwaterde de aanzet die Frans Timmermans gaf al snel. De kritiek was vrijwel beperkt tot de SP.

Maar ook in Zuid-Korea haalde de Joint Strike Fighter weer het nieuws. Er is een onderzoek gestart naar het er doordrukken van de aanschaf (mogelijk met hulp van gepensioneerde luchtmacht generaals) ten koste van een ander gevechtsvliegtuig en rond de ontwikkeling van de prijs die Seoel voor de vliegtuigen moet betalen.

Het duurste wapenprogramma ooit kampt met nogal wat voorbeelden van vuilspel. Niet gek als je in een rapport van de Amerikaanse Rekenkamer (GAO) leest dat het in zijn geheel om 400 miljard dollar voor aanschaf gaat en meer dan één biljoen voor onderhoud gedurende de zestig jaar dat het vliegtuig vliegt. Dat is een 14 met daarachter 12 nullen. Een bedrag dat overeenkomt met bijna twee jaar het totale het Bruto Binnenlands Product van Nederland en en honderd maal dat van Nicaragua. Een idioot en gezien de armoede in de wereld, misdadig bedrag.

O ja en dan nog moet de Amerikaanse overheid besluiten de verwerving op te schoten vanwege slordige (sloppy) praktijken bij Lockheed en het Pentagon.

****

By the way protest music takes different shapes. 
Here Music on autonomous weapons by Tin Men and the Telephone 

****

Nederland (zie ook 18, 23, 28, 33, 34-35, 36)

1 – 150418: See for yourself which companies will particpate in Defence Services Asia. For the Netherlands it is 12 and a Holland Pavillion. http://www.dsaexhibition.com/Exhibitors/Participating-Company-List

2 – 190418: Arms Export Denials (Dutch: weigeringen) 2010-2016 in English http://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2018/04/arms-export-denials-dutch-weigeringen.html

3 – 190418: On agenda of the Dutch Parliament April 24: 3 SP amendments, 1) targetted sanctions against those Saudi's complicit in crimes against Yemen, with GreenLeft 2) Stop on arms transits to Saudi Arabia, and 3) stop on exports of equipment used in Saudi tanks. https://www.tweedekamer.nl/debat_en_vergadering/plenaire_vergaderingen/details?date=18-04-2018#2018A01618

EUROPA (zie ook 16)

4 – 200418: The European Commission is having difficulty finding adequate military experts to sit on an advisory group - raising questions about the implementation of a controversial defence research programme. https://euobserver.com/institutional/141646

5 – 200418: A new step in the consolidation of the European arms industry. France should limit its international partners to 2-3 nations when entering a cooperative arms program, and just one prime contractor should be picked a report proposed. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/04/20/is-european-cooperation-a-drag-on-arms-programs-france-audit-office-says-yes/

België (zie ook tekst)

6 – 190418: Three Belgian companies in court over chemical exports to Syria https://www.reuters.com/article/mideast-crisis-syria-belgium/three-belgian-companies-in-court-over-chemical-exports-to-syria-idUSL8N1RV3FL

Duitsland (zie ook 11)

7 – 180418: Official newsletter on German arms exports, April 2018. http://www.bafa.de/SharedDocs/Kurzmeldungen/EN/Foreign_Trade/Newsletter_Export_Control/2018_04_newsletter_export_control.html

8 – 200418: Wert der Rüstungsexporte aus NRW auf Rekordhoch Value of arms exports from North Rhine-Westphalia on a record.

Countries mentioned: Afghanistan, DRCongo, Irag, Libya, KSA, Algeria, Israel, Libanon, Oman and Jordan.

http://www.rp-online.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/mehr-ruestungsexporte-aus-nrw-aid-1.7524256 via @rponline

Frankrijk (zie ook 5)

9 – 170418: Activist Explains How French Weapons End up in Saudi Hands Warring in Yemen: https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201804161063626779-french-weapons-saudi-yemen/ via Russian @SputnikInt @t_fortin

10 – 200418: Les députés veulent mieux protéger les industries stratégiques. [in French]

French MP's want better protection of strategic industries. http://lirelactu.fr/source/le-monde/85c39bf3-9fd4-45b0-acfa-5a62d5f39ae8

Italië

11 – 190418: Italian officials and German firm face legal action over Saudi arms sales https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/18/italian-officials-and-german-firm-face-legal-action-over-saudi-arms-sales

Roemenië (zie 24)

Turkije (zie ook 14)

12 – 170418: Justice and Development Party (AKP) provides tax breaks for weapon manufacturers. In an effort to boost indigenous defense programs, Turkey is providing incentives, which include generous tax breaks, tax reductions and exemptions from import duties. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2018/04/16/turkey-provides-tax-breaks-loans-to-attract-investment-in-local-defense-programs/

13 – 230418: Threat comes from strategic partners. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on April 21 complained that the US and its allies are “supplying weapons to militants for free” while refusing to sell them to Turkey. http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/threat-against-turkey-comes-from-strategic-partners-erdogan-130671

Hmmmm? See: http://enaat.org/eu-export-browser/licence.en.html?destination=Turkey

VK (zie ook 15)

14 – 190418: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: a dictator in all but name, to whom the UK sells weapons, seeks complete control | Simon Tisdall https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/19/recep-tayyip-erdogan-turkey-president-election-dictator-seeks-total-control

REST VAN DE WERELD

Bahrein

15 – 190418: Tell the Queen not to help whitewash Bahrain's human rights abuses.

Sign the petition: http://caat.org.uk/bahr via @CAATuk

https://www.caat.org.uk/get-involved/act-now/petition/bahrain-royal-whitewash

Egypte (zie 25)

Israël

16 – 170418: Yesterday over 150 European trade unions, political parties, human rights organizations and faith groups from over 16 European countries urged the EU to uphold its legal responsibilities and exclude Israeli military companies from EU Framework Programs. http://imemc.org/?p=84907

Jemen (zie 3)

Jordanië

17 – 190418: Dutch arms export policy on Jordan the major weakness in behaviour towards anti-Yemen coalition partners. Exports to Jordan seems to be mostly driven by partnership in anti-ISIS efforts and not HR. After e.g. F-16 fighters, new load of surplus arms to be exported. https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/kst-22054-294.html

Liberië

18 – 210418: Poor he. Guus Kouwenhoven, war criminal 'laid up in Cape Town hospital with broken leg' https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-04-20-war-criminal-laid-up-in-cape-town-hospital-with-broken-leg/ via @TimesLIVE

Malaysia (zie ook 1, 34-35)

19 – 160418: The traveling arms bazar opens its stalls this week in Kuala Lumpur. With the welknown sellers: such as Airbus, BAE Systems, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Thales. Xinhua http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/16/c_137114884.htm#0-twi-1-17193-7250227817ecdff034dc9540e6c76667

20 – 180418: DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies (Deftech) expects to sell Saudi's its AV-8 8x8 armoured vehicle by year's end. (https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/new-straits-times/20180418/282355450334664)It is based on the Turkish FNSS Pars (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DefTech_AV8, see also for armaments, Belgian FN-Herstal, SAfrica Denel, German Deutch engines).

Saoedi-Arabië (zie 2, 3, 9, 11)

Senegal (zie 33)

Syrië (zie ook 6)

Taiwan

21 – 180418: Taiwan Expects a Wait before Acquiring US Submarine Technology https://www.voanews.com/a/taiwan-us-trade-agreement/4349820.html

DEFENSIE-INDUSTRIE

Damen

22 – 170418: Dutch students build a virtual naval vessel in a program between the Dutch Navy, Thales Nederland, the Technical University of Twente and Damen. https://www.tubantia.nl/tubbergen/twentse-studenten-bouwen-deel-patrouilleschip-na-marine-staat-versteld~aa397225/

23 – 170418: New blog for @CTWnl on Dutch submarine acquisition, the danger of proliferation and submarine tech exports to Taiwan. (See eg. criterion 4 of Common Position: Preservation of regional peace, security and stability.) http://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2018/04/submarines-for-swap.html

24 – 180418: Romanian corvette program bidders: German ThyssenKrup Marine Systems, French Naval Group (associated Constanta SY) Dutch Damen Shipyards (owns Galati shipyard & acquiring Mangalia SY), Italian Fincatieri (controls Tulcea and Braila SYs), Turkish group STM, https://www.romania-insider.com/bidders-romania-military-corvette-program/

MBDA

25 – 170418: European missiles for Cairo why not. Egypt is a peaceful country, isn't it?

MBDA have shown support for #EDEX2018 by increasing their sponsorship to Gold. Pictured: Brigadier Amgd Abdelshafi, Chief of International Cooperation, Ministry of Defence - Egypt, Daniel Petit, Corporate Marketing Director, MBDA and Thomas Gaunt, Event Director, EDEX #Defence

Thales

26 – 160418: India is among the top three priority countries for Thales, the French multinational company is involved in various sectors, including aerospace, transport, defence and security markets. https://cio.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/corporate-news/thales-sees-india-operations-headcount-at-3000-in-2-3-years/63777627

WAPENS

AI

27 – 200418: The artificial intelligence in military market is projected to grow from USD 6.26 Billion in 2017 to USD 18.82 Billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 14.75% during the forecast period. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-artificial-intelligence-in-military-market-2018-2025-focused-on-the-integration-of-ai-with-unmanned-weapon-systems-300632271.html

Drones

28 – 190418: Amnesty report on US drone warfare includes roles by others. E.g. Germany, Netherlands and UK share intelligence which allows the US to locate potential individuals for drone strikes. Germany and NL provide metadata that could be used for such targeting. https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/ACT3081512018ENGLISH.PDF

29 – 210418: US Department of State factsheet on the US Policy on the Export of Unmanned Aerial Systems #drones https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2018/04/280619.htm (from @StateDept)

F-35 (zie tekst)

Kleine wapens

30 – 180418: Exporting social havoc. US gunmakers, with sales slumping at home, ready for eased export rules. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article209070534.html

31 – 230418: European Report Points to Polisario’s Collusion with Terrorist Groups, is a message widely distributed. http://medafricatimes.com/15670-european-report-points-to-polisarios-collusion-with-terrorist-groups.html Better read report yourself (under the correct title) for a wider perpectieve of the Magreb and unsetled conflict between Morocco-Western Sahara and different angle. http://www.flemishpeaceinstitute.eu/sites/vlaamsvredesinstituut.eu/files/wysiwyg/boek_safte_bw_lowres.pdf

Onderzeeboten (zie 21, 23)

Satellieten

32 – 180418: Four years after the Obama administration began loosening rules on space technology exports, companies experiencing the benefits are looking to the Trump administration for further regulatory relief. http://spacenews.com/companies-look-to-trump-administration-to-further-ease-export-rules-for-space-technology/

Speciale Troepen

33 – 210418: Dutch SOF (Marines) train Forces Spéciales de la marine Sénégalaise (SOF marines Senegal) in the framework of #Flintlock the annual special forces exercise in the enormous area of Northwest Africa. [in Dutch] https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2018/08/01_marsof-senegal_08

Wapenbeurzen (zie ook 1, 19-20, 25)

34 – 180418: Another day at the #DSA2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Maleisië. De Nederlandse bedrijven die deelnemen aan de Holland Paviljoen zijn nu al erg tevreden.

OVERIG

Lobby

35 – 170418: Onmisbare support Defensie aan NLD defensieindustrie zoals deze week met Directeur DMO in Kuala Lumpur, Maleisië. Belangrijke ambassadeur voor NLD kwaliteit + innovatievermogen. Gouden driehoek .....uh ....

ecosysteem in optima forma. Wederom veel bezoekers bij Holland Paviljoen.

36 – 170418: Dutch former Minister of Defence (Hans Hillen) lobbies the current Minister of Defence (Ank Bijleveld) for a better position of the domestic defence industry. [in Dutch] https://www.mkb.nl/forum/hans-hillen-ank-bijleveld-moet-ook-aan-nederlands-belang-denken

Onderzoek en activisme (zie 15, 22, 31)

Vluchtelingen

Bron

37 – 210418: How War and Weapons Trading Are Fueling the Global Refugee Crisis https://lobelog.com/how-war-and-weapons-trading-are-fueling-the-global-refugee-crisis/

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

Submarines for swap

April 2018 the US promised Tapei technology to be used for a domestic Taiwanese submarine program. Only technology, because the largest superpower of this era has no capacity for building diesel submarines; it sails only subs withnuclearengines.The major builders and exporters of non-nuclear submarines are located in Europe. Nine nations have diesel submarine building capabilities, all EU/NATO countries except Russia:

•		Thyssen Nordseewerke, Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW), Germany,
•		Naval Group, France (cooperation with Spain),
•		Fincantieri SpA, Italy (building German design),
•		Hellenic Ship Yard, Greece (building German design),
•		Admiralty Shipyard, St. Petersburg, Russia,
•		Navantia, Spain (cooperation with France),
•		Kockums, Sweden,
•		Gölcük Naval Shipyard in Turkey (controversially building German design), and
•		BAE Systems Submarine, UK.

In the period 2013-2032 just over 300 submarines are globally constructed, planned, and projected. That is an average of fifteen a year, included those for China, Japan, Russia and the US who are all building them domestically. It is clear that the market is relatively small for so many suppliers.

Domestic sub

However, the Netherlands seems on a path to reestablish its own capacity. Dutch shipbuilder Damen established contacts with SAAB in Sweden to cooperate on this. Cost estimates for the project run towards € 4 billion. To compare, the cost of the submarines planned by Norway and Germany are roughlyestimated at € 280-560 million each.

Catch-22

This much cheaper submarine project will force the Netherlands government to decide how to continue. The Netherlands is successful on the export market in over twenty countries worldwide with small and frigate size surface vessels and with Damen SYfacilities. Now the shipbuilder wants to add submarines to its portfolio. But it also wants to build new surface vessels for the German navy. 

Deal  

Now here's the deal: During a recent meeting between German and Dutch national armament directors and defence industry representatives the Germans have most probably proposed that Damen takes the lead in the German frigate program and that in return the Dutch will buy Germansubmarines. The design will be done by Damen, but the ships will be built inHamburg and jobs are thus secured for Germany.70 Percent of the revenues stay in Germany. For Germany, an additional advantage will be that this will weaken the position of SAAB on the submarine market.

European rationale 

DefenseNews cites officials who say that: “seeking avenues to bring the Netherlands in alignment with the German-Dutch sub buy may make sense in the spirit of coordinating such acquisitions Europe-wide.” So it will be in line with an European arm isndustry consolidation policy. Moreover it fits into the German policy which declared submarines to be a key field for German naval industry which leaves surface vessels for import from European or global producers.

If this is the deal to be made, the dream of Dutch subsurface vessel production will burst twofold: the German submarine is not of the expeditionary size of the Dutch navy ambition and there will be no new 'made in Holland' submarine construction capacity build - almost from scratch.

Lobby 

But the good news for the armed forces is that the MoD spares billions on its acquisitions. His gives new opportunities to Damen which is already lobbying for more naval orders to direct the saved billions of euro's to the shipbuilder for new projects.

Caveat

The current German Norwegian future submarine program is based on the type-212CD-class submarine, developed jointly between Italy and Germany. Norway already stated that new participants have to be quick because the door is closing for adaptations on the configuration.

214-class

As Germany offers a bigger variant for the export market the knowledge to expand the boats already exists. Recently India bought this 214-class export version of the 212-class, without the un-magnetic steel hull, but with greater diving depth capabilities. The 214 is already in use with South Korea, Greece, Portugal and Turkey and even bigger version is sold to Israël. Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems advertised it as a capable boat equipped to undertake missions ranging from operations in littoral waters to ocean-going patrols. It can be used for anti-surface ship and anti-submarine operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks and Special Forces operations. Also on SOF the Dutch seem to aim for more robust capabilities.

Proliferation

The fact which is often forgotten in the stories on the German U-boot export success is that the ships are among the most dangerous weapon systems around. Submarine proliferation is seen as a serious threat to security by Western Ministries of Defence. Torpedo's can be used to covertly sink vessels, but the torpedo tubes probably will be more often used to bring Special Forces ashore for secret missions. Both the 212 and 214-class are capable of doing such operations.

Market parties

Subs proliferation is not limited to Europe. French and Spain jointly exported its latest diesel boats to Brazil, Malaysia, India and Chile and the Naval Group develops a diesel electric submarine for Australia. Russian submarines are present in the fleets of a number of countries from China to Iran. China is the newcomer and exported recently to Bangladesh, Pakistan and Thailand. Creating even more competition on that market, involving enormous government expenditures and in the advance of narrow defined national industrial and military interest, only endangers an already volatile world.

Government licenses for Dutch Sea Dragon submarine exports, Taiwan, 2017
Date of issue	Description	waarde (€)
11-01-17	Parts for radar and C3 systems	718.474
13-01-17	Parts for radar and C3 systems	2.299.640
02-02-17	Part of a periscope of a Sea Dragon submarine	272.499
21-04-17	Parts for Sea Dragon submarines	8.920.000
24-05-17	Technology for Sea Dragon Project	8.000.000
27-09-17	Technologie for Sea Dragon submarines	11.694.500
09-10-17	Parts for Sea Dragon submarines	99.450
27-11-17	Parts for Sea Dragon submarines	15.848
Source: Dutch Government https://bit.ly/2qjMgDn		32.020.411

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