dinsdag 30 juni 2020

Arms watch or arms control

Annual reports on arms exports (see list) are published by almost all EU governments, but mostly not very timely. Reporting on arms exports is a mandatory part of EU transparency policy. Amazingly the reports concerning international trade are often published in national languages only. They also have different formats, sometimes caused by unwillingness to provide information, sometimes because differences of size of military industries and arms exports between EU countries. Only Germany, France and the UK are really large exporters of arms, smaller exporters include Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Sweden. Knocking on the door now and then are Belgium, Poland and the Czech Republic. Different formats of reporting have a reason.

After publication of French figures Aymeric Elluin, Amnesty International France's expert on arms trade notes that arms export policy itself does not change by reporting and transparency. US periodical Defense News reports that Paris signed €8.3bn worth of contracts, notably with European partners Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary and Spain, to-be-expected trading partners because allied NATO countries. The Amnesty expert however points out continuing deliveries to the Middle East: vehicles, tanks, and artillery for Saudi Arabia, missiles and launchers for Egypt, and Qatar. The UAE, involved in the war in Yemen, was an important client. Orderly listed facts give an overview, but what you pick from the facts makes a difference, as Defense News and Amnesty show.

Publication of Italian figures (I and II) led to respons of the Italian disarmament network. Egypt is leading with € 872 million of arms export licenses. Italian researcher Giorgio Beretta who studied the report pointed also at sales of 89,9 million and 105,4 million respectively to the UAE and Saudi Arabia (10 licenses including small arms, bombs and missiles). And at a thousand bombs, worth almost € 25 million, still exported from RWM Italia to Saudi Arabia despite suspension of sales to Riyadh. Leading news story in Italy however is the potential € 11 billion sale of frigates to Cairo announced by the Italian Foreign Minister. When an export license is provided the deal will only be officially reported in the annual export report of next year. Opposition cannot wait that long.

The European Commission itself also publishes annual figures on arms exports and licenses. It gives the most basic facts: a) the number of licences; b) value of licences and of c) arms exports; and the d) number of denials and the e) criteria from the EU common position on military exports motivating them. Currently Green MEP Hannah Neumann demands more transparency, because: “We have a right to know sufficient details about arms exports and be able to compare and assess the exports. With the information we currently receive from member states, this is not always possible.” Hence the European Parliament should be informed about “the exact type of weapon and the quantity exported, denomination of the munitions, the lot size and the specific end-user, revoked licences, and the value and duration of contracts regarding post-delivery services such as training and maintenance”.

The word 'convergence' is used over a hundred times in the amandments and convergence would certainly help in comparing information from different EU countries. But national reports are published earlier and have more information than the European report. Some countries even report more than the usual annual report (half year, individual licenses, transit etc.). The Netherlands reports individual arms and dual use exports and arms transits passing Dutch harbours on a monthly basis since 2005. A system which suits the Netherlands well, because 70% of arms exports are components or systems to be assembled on larger weapon systems. This is essential for understanding the Dutch role as a hub in the international arms trade (see e.g. the overview on tear gas exports, table 2) The same might apply for Denmark. Some countries publish nationally only what they also report to the EU and even that in a delayed way. The countries exporting most already have reports far ahead of the current EU report. A major step forward would be official translation for all national reports to leading EU languages, something the EU, with all its translation capacity, should be able to provide.

When police brutality in the US started against the anti-racist movement the NGO Vredesactie reacted to a report in US media on how Belgian developed weapons were used for crowd control: “Those are either foam-tipped projectiles fired from a 40mm launcher or a plastic projectile containing an inert powder and non-toxic chemical called bismuth that’s fired from an FN 303 air-powered launcher.” British organisations called to end exports of anti-riot gear and tear gas grenades to the US. Newspaper The Independent concluded from UK arms export records: “Ministers have issued export licences for such arms [tear gas, rubber bullets and riot gear] since 2010 to countries including Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Brunei and Bahrain, all of which have had concerns raised about human rights.” Action is taken, not in Brussels, but at a national level, because arms exports differ by member state, as does the political history and space for action. Not the information an sich is important, but how effectively it can be used in political action.

... text continues under table ...
Table 2: Dutch export and transit of tear gas (items 2010-2020)
Export licenses
Date
No.
SGP
CAT
description
Def/
Temp
Export/
Transit
origin
country of destination
country of final destination
value (€)
31-1-2012
28950969
ML7d
B05
tear gas grenades
D
T
UK
Oman
Oman
420,522
31-10-2013
29330433
ML4a
A09
tear gas grenades
D
T
Macedonia
Kenia
Kenia
68,587
27-8-2019
NL0074
CDIU
0122039
ML7d2
B5
Several tear gas items
D
E
Netherlands
(also Dutch origin)
Italia
Italia
1,100,000
Source: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-uitvoer-militaire-goederen
Consents for transit
Date
Consent no.
No. itmes
description
Country of origin
country of destination (**)
Mode of transport
Place of exit
29-11-2010
28712375
1,500
500 tear gas grenades cal .38mm and 1000 hand grenades
UK
Oman
Plane
Schiphol
28-10-2011
28908628
14,640
7320 tear gas grenades, 4320 fuzes and 3.000 delay elements
France
Cameroun
Plane
Schiphol
11-11-2011
28940440
9,400
tear gas cartridges
France
Indonesia
Plane
Schiphol
25-11-2011
28946589
5,336
tear gas cartridges
France
Indonesia
Plane
Schiphol
12-12-2011
28948662
8,008
480 tear gas grenades and 2.304 Smoke grenades and 1.344 pyrotechnical items and 196 torches and 3.684 signal cartridges
UK
Oman
Plane
Schiphol
30-12-2011
28969112
15,000
tear gascartridges
France
Indonesia
Plane
Schiphol
23-5-2012
29061998
0
16530 tear gas grenades, 6105 delay elements, 1250 Rubber bulets, 25 Smoke grenades and 10 flashlight grenades
France
Qatar
Plane
Schiphol
13-6-2012
28987293
1,280
1000 cartridges cal. 5.56x45mm and 280 tear gascartridges cal. 12
UK
Oman
Plane
Schiphol
13-12-2012
29200467
200
tear gas ammunition cal. 40mm
US
Oman
Plane
Schiphol
22-11-2018
NL0074CDIU0099215
10
tear gas grenades
Spain
Jordan
Plane
Schiphol
Source: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-doorvoer-militaire-goederen

Arms export reports show transactions with a delay often of more than a year. The weapons may already be used in war of to quell social unrest. Knowing which export licenses for riot control equipment were granted in 2018 is valuable information (according the EU report mainly France – generously handing out export licenses –, but also Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Romania, and the UK provided licenses for over one million Euros). But even more important is what is sold right now. Timely reporting, as asked in amendment 113 to the EP report, is thus essential. The ultimate goal of reporting is to oppose exports which are hampering development or have negative consequences for human rights or security, and this is something that cannot have delay.


Martin Broek 06/2020

List of EU member states' annual reports as on June 11, 2020

Austria Last 2010
Belgium Flanders last 2018
Wallon last 2018
Brussels last 2014
Bulgaria Last 2017
Croatia Last 2019
Cyprus None
Czech Republic Last 2018
Denmark Last 2017
Estonia Last 2015
EU Last 2018
Finland Last 2018
France Last 2019
Germany Last full year 2018 /Last 1st half 2019
Greece NA
Hungary Last 2018
Ireland Last full year 2018 /Last 1st half 2019
Italy Last 2019 Volume (I and II)
Latvia NA
Lithuania NA
Luxemburg NA
Malta NA
Netherlands Last in 2018
Poland Last in 2018
Portugal Last in 2014
Romania Last in 2017
Slovakia Last in 2018
Slovenia Last in 2019
Spain Last full year 2018 /Last 1st half 2019
Sweden Last in 2019
UKLast in 2018

dinsdag 2 juni 2020

Tweets for June 2020

Latest on top:

June 30

***
She is wrong there are a few good reasons. No reason why SA should stop selling arms to Turkey - Mapisa-Nqakula https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/no-reason-why-sa-should-stop-selling-arms-to-turkey-mapisa-nqakula-20200630

***
US declared to stop exporting sensitive military equipment to Hong Kong just before China passed controversial National Security Act against the special territory. The US will stop all arms exports to HK from sophisticated ammunition to military hardware. http://world-today-news.com/us-to-stop-arms-exports-to-hong-kong-china-threatens-to-respond/

***

Retweet @NIDVnews: Afgelopen week is voorzitter Hans van Hillen herbenoemd voor een termijn van 1 jaar. Daarnaast is Michiel van der Maat van GKN @Fokker

***
BORIS Johnson has come under pressure to halt exports of British arms and riot gear to the US after Donald Trump called for the authorities to "dominate" protesters and threatened to deploy the military. https://www.thenational.scot/news/18493426.watch-ian-blackford-grills-boris-johnson-arms-sales-us/

*** 
Retweet @WilliamHartung: Contractors out of control -- half of Pentagon budget goes to contractors, and more contractors than military personnel in war zones @CostsOfWar
#CamoEconomy

***
With the rising exports of Israeli weapons, the identity of the victims will no longer be confined to Palestinians in the West Bank or besieged Gaza, but will spread to the marginalised and oppressed classes all over the world. https://gulfnews.com/opinion/op-eds/why-israeli-weapons-should-scare-everyone-1.72314275

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 India’s immediate neighbour in SE Asia Myanmar has alleged that ‘one foreign country’ is arming the Arkan Army, a rebel group, with sophisticated military technology indicating China's active role in arming insurgent groups.

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broekstukken blog: Arms watch or arms control https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2020/06/arms-watch-or-arms-control.html

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Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems won a sole-source contract in the amount of $2.3 billion under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2234393/

June 29

***

Damen being offered coordinating role in European military industrial development project. https://nlnavy.damen.com/damen-being-offered-coordinating-role-in-european-defence-industrial-development-project/

Addition: The consortium consists of the following partners: DAMEN, Nl; FINCANTIERI, Italy; NAVAL GROUP, France; NAVANTIA, Spain; SAAB KOCKUMS, Sweden; SEA EUROPE, Belgium; THYSSENKRUPP MS, Germany; ODENSE MARITIME TECH, Denmark; LÜRSSEN DEFENCE, Germany; TNO, Nl, MARIN, Nl; CTN, Spain.
 
*** 
The price of the #EFA reached $110m per plane in deals entered into by others, while in case of #Kuwait it was $321m. In addition: the original contract included several appendices for various facilities, which could have kept the door open for corruption. https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/kuwait/kuwait-parliament-asks-why-eurofighter-deal-is-so-expensive-1.72293777

***

Development of 6th-generation combat jets is in its infancy, yet competition to supply prospective global requirements is already ramping up. In terms of number of aircraft procured, the European #FCAS is globally the largest next-generation programme. https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/air-warfare/fcas-leads-next-generation-combat-aircraft-market/

June 28

***
1/... China has one surveillance camera for every seven citizens. Then, in January, London police announced they would start using cameras that can recognise faces in real time. The technology was on a roll. Defence and Security giant Thales predicted .../2 https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-times-of-india-new-delhi-edition/20200626/282364041943512

2. the market for face recognition would touch $7 billion (Rs 53,000 crore) by 2024. Internet security firm Norton expected it to reach $7.7 billion (Rs 59,000 crore) by 2022. Then, the coronavirus struck. A medical mask covers up about half of your face, but for a face recognition camera it's the part where most of the information for identification lies.

***Dutch daily De Volkskrant can't get a grip on reasons for the quarrel in the ruling coalition on the submarine acquisition.
Aanbesteding onderzeeboten splijt coalitiepartners

***Airbus delivers first H145M helicopter to Serbian Armed Forces – Moma Stanojlovic plant certified for Gazelle maintenance. https://www.ekapija.com/en/news/2551181/airbus-delivers-first-h145m-helicopter-to-serbian-armed-forces-moma-stanojlovic-plant
***Birds! Royal Air Force A400M military transport plane damaged in Bird Strike. This is the second bird strike incident involving an Airbus A400M airlifter that caused substantial damage to the aircraft. https://defpost.com/royal-air-force-a400m-airlifter-damaged-in-bird-strike/

***The South African government has squashed rumours - referring to formal regulations - regarding the export of weapons and military hardware to Turkey, which could possibly end up in the hands of militia groups fighting in the Libyan civil war. https://www.news24.com/news24/SouthAfrica/News/no-weapons-or-military-hardware-exported-from-sa-to-libya-mthembu-20200627

***How the European defence industrial complex is puting itself in the middle of the recovery of the coming economic crisis. read all about in the EDA magazine with special coverage on How will Covid-19 impact defence. https://eda.europa.eu/docs/default-source/eda-magazine/edm19_web.pdf

***
Airbus has been awarded a contract for the development, supply and integration of 115 Eurofighter ESCAN Radars for the German and Spanish #Eurofighter fleet. It's so far largest order for the world's most modern electronically scanned array radar Captor-E. https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/06/airbus-signs-contract-for-integration-of-115-new-eurofighter-escan-radars.html

***The situation in Yemen is disastrous, and if peace is to be given a chance, the flow of arms must be stopped. Feministiskt initiativ therefore requires Sweden to stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia and their partners in the military coalition. [in Swedish] https://www.dagensarena.se/opinion/sveriges-vapenexport-ar-ett-cyniskt-dubbelspel/

***John Bredenkamp, who has died in Harare, was a notorious South African-born sanctions buster, arms dealer and key player in SA's arms deal scandal. He supplied the weapons that kept wars going in Africa & the Middle East, everything from landmines to jets https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/opinion-and-analysis/2020-06-28-john-bredenkamp-sanctions-buster-and-arms-dealer/

June 27

***
What is going on regarding the militarisation of the European Union? Here a 2 hour video on Thierry Breton at the EP Security & Defence subcommittee. Some interesting questions (size of budget, control on spending) are not answered by Breton.
https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/sede-committee-meeting_20200625-1345-COMMITTEE-SEDE_vd The ever repeated Europe has the largest number of fighter programs of any continent was repeated to sho budgets are used to streamline production.

2/... The ever present argument that EU has the largest number of fighter programs of any continent was repeated enabling Breton to state Europe uses it budgets to streamline production, making defence cheaper. Which fighters are counted in EU & US. .../3 https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2019/01/fighter-programs-in-europe.html

3/... Breton on the #EDF project. It was € 7 billion, "We are now at € 9 billion. We need continue struggling to get more."
- Copernicus and Galileo have military aspects, it is dual-use he answered. .../4

4. Defence budgets grow for six years @ClareDalyMEP stated to show Brton was wrong with speaking about declining budgets. (In fact it is almost back at the highest point ever. See for graph: p. 3 https://eda.europa.eu/docs/default-source/brochures/eda-defence-data-2017-2018)

***
 Partners in Crime : How the Italian Banking and Weapons Industry Work Together to Perpetuate the Yemeni Conflict https://www.adhrb.org/2020/06/yemeni-conflict/l
***
Stealth F-35s and the projection of imperial power by Israel. https://towardfreedom.org/story/stealth-f-35s-and-the-projection-of-imperial-power-in-israel/

***
The demand to divert funds from often obscenely militarized police forces to public services is irresistible. But also consider a corresponding measure to change the relationship between law enforcement and those being policed: taking away their guns. https://www.thenation.com/article/society/disarm-police-nypd-slavery/

***
Why the UK should take responsibility for it's role in the crisis in Yemen. https://impactnottingham.com/2020/06/why-britain-should-take-responsibility-for-its-role-in-the-crisis-in-yemen/

*** 
Despite decades of NATO support Turkey’s ‘chronic tank and aircraft engine problem’ still exists, state officials. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2020/06/26/turkeys-chronic-engine-problem-is-harming-defense-projects-warn-officials/

*** 
In 2018-19 Spanish arms sales are on the rise and found that the Sanchez government granted more than 20 licenses to export arms to Saudi Arabia in 2019 and that the Spanish prime minister might be “complicit in committing crimes under international law”. https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2020/06/26/spanish-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia-increased-under-sanchez/

June 26

***
The SA National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) approved 137 export permits valued at over R500 million in the first quarter of 2020 and approved the supply of weapons to neighbouring Mozambique. https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/sa-authorised-r500-million-in-arms-exports-for-first-quarter-of-2020/

***
Tsjonge wat een heldere bijdrage. Vredespolitiek in de Tweede Kamer. Kijk. Mij bleef het tot het einde boeien. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=729151017896813&external_log_id=e9beb32b00296faac483efc92651b33c&q=sadet%20karabulut

***
 German Party Calls For Complete Ban on Arms Exports to Turkey
“it appears that whoever wages wars receives the most weapons from the federal government”... https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=2153706751511699&story_fbid=2653305311551838

June 25

*** 
Slovak Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad said the V4 (Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia) should prepare a shared approach to the debates about the distribution of money from the European Defence Fund.

*** 
The F-35 Lightning II can’t fly in lightning once again. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/06/24/the-f-35-lightning-ii-cant-fly-in-lightning-once-again/ But I am sure JSF buying MoD's will again downplay the structural problems with the most expensive toy for the boys ever made. It is not their but tax payers money they play with.

***
 In the midst of the development of an enormous economic crisis the Dutch shipbuilding lobby continues its support for domestic wharf Damen (submarines and frigates) and the capital intensive work it may offer.

***
India's former of foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal states "any concern that the current India-China clash in Ladakh and its potential for escalation may affect Russian arms supplies to India is misplaced."

***
 President of the European Comission Von der Leyen exposed in devastating report about 'complete spending failure' when Minister of Defence in Germany. https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1300395/ursula-von-der-leyen-EU-news-ministry-of-defence-contracts

June 24


*** 
Dutch arms export/transit denials 2004-2018. 2018: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Myanmar, Kuwait, Egypt, Guyana, UAE and China https://rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2019/03/04/historisch-overzicht-afgewezen-aanvragen-voor-militaire-goederen

***
German shipyards are only allowed to build; The order for 4 naval vessels will benefit local companies. Nevertheless, there is reason for concern. "Already in the run-up it caused a lot of trouble among the applicants from Germany and the Netherlands." https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article210081437/Niederlaender-bauen-die-neuen-Kriegschiffe-der-Bundeswehr.html

*** 
Province Zeeland lobbies Parliament to favour Damen/Saab to get Dutch submarine order over German TKMS (construction in navy port of Den Helder) and French Naval Group/Koninklijke IHC. https://www.pzc.nl/zeeuws-nieuws/zeeland-aan-tweede-kamer-gun-damen-nu-onderzeebootorder-om-crisis-na-corona-te-overleven~aa087de6/

***
Legal experts weigh in on start dates, international witnesses, and new Thales bid.
Found only South African News24, The Star, The Mercury, Daily News, Defence Web reports on the trial while French based Thales also stood trial e.g. for racketeering. https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/zuma-trial-legal-experts-weigh-in-on-start-dates-international-witnesses-and-new-thales-bid-20200624

additional: Yesterday AFP reported on the trial. Zuma Returns To Court For Pre-trial Hearing In Corruption Case. https://www.barrons.com/news/zuma-returns-to-court-for-pre-trial-hearing-in-corruption-case-01592911505

***

 The Azerbaijani government announced on Monday that it would purchase uBayraktar TB2 armed drones from Turkey after receiving approval from its parliament. https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/azerbaijan-to-purchase-turkish-manufactured-combat-drones

June 23


*** 
Dutch Zimbabwean businessman, involved in illegal arms trade John Bredenkamp passed away. De Nederland-(Zimbabwaanse zakenman John Bredenkamp is op 79-jarige leeftijd overleden.) https://www.quotenet.nl/nieuws/a32928802/omstreden-quote-500-lid-john-bredenkamp-overleden/

Addition: He was yesterday in the South African press, in connection to the corruption trial. He was employed to secure BAE/Saab fighter aircraft contracts. https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/letters/2020-06-22-letter-zumas-trial-is-chance-for-him-mbeki-manuel-and-erwin-to-come-clean-on-arms-deal/

*** 
High costs of US missile defence technology reason for Japan it withdraw its Aegis ashore plans? https://www.tokyoreview.net/2020/06/does-japans-suspended-missile-system-signal-a-retreating-defense-sector/

***
The watchdog that scrutinises the UK's arms exports has not been operating for six months, it has emerged – amid concerns that sales approved by the government are fuelling conflict and repression abroad. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/uk-governmenr-arms-export-watchdog-shut-caec-a9579641.html

***
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn sent a solidarity message to “all those campaigning for justice and democracy in Turkey.”

And Campaign Against Arms Trade spokesman Andrew Smith called for an end to arms sales to regimes such as Turkey. https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/mps-unionists-and-campaigners-call-international-solidarity-turkey-continues-attacks

***
Israel reports drop in arms sales, but exports of spy tech nearly double
Israel's controversial surveillance technology accounted for around 14 percent of 2019 total arms sales, almost double the figure from 2018 https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-arms-sales-fall-exports-spy-tech-nearly-double

Addition: Israel’s defense export deals from 2019 totaled $7.2 billion and involved 120 different defense companies, according to the head of the Defense Ministry’s International Defense Cooperation Directorate. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/06/22/israels-defense-export-contracts-were-worth-72-billion-in-2019/
*** 
A look on what military industrial future #EDA wants: New European Defence Agency boss warns against ‘rash’ budget cuts by EU members https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/06/22/new-european-defence-agency-boss-warns-against-rash-budget-cuts-by-eu-members/

***
 As Covid-19 is still its toll in the US (https://covid19.who.int/region/amro/country/us) the arms producers have largely reopened for business, the Pentagon’s top acquisition official said Monday.

Security doesn't seem to be to important for the military industrial complex. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2020/06/22/nearly-all-defense-companies-have-reopened-from-covid-19/
***
 The Libyan quagmire. 2011. Turkish intervention, Egyptian threats (https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-independent-1029/20200623/281986084815936) and European arms to all parties involved. See for Libya: http://enaat.org/eu-export-browser/licence.en.html?destination=Libya
Security policy at its worst.

German: Mehr als ein Drittel der Kriegswaffenexporte an die Türkei https://www.zeit.de/news/2020-06/23/mehr-als-ein-drittel-der-kriegswaffenexporte-an-die-tuerkei

*** 
1st things 1st: human security before military security.

COVID-19 casts uncertainty over Central and Eastern European armoured vehicle procurement.


***

 Former President #Zuma & co-accused French government-controlled Thales arms company are expected to appear in Pietermaritzburg High Court on today in connection with the multi-billion-rand arms deal. Shamelessly #Thales today begs for #UK MoD orders. (see under June 21) https://702.co.za/articles/387557/jacob-zuma-to-appear-in-court-today-over-arms-deal-case

June 22

*** 
Retweet: UK supplies world's human rights abusers with tear gas, rubber bullets and riot gear: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/uk-rubber-bullets-tear-gas-protests-saudi-arabia-uae-a9574091.html

June 22

***
 Retweet: UK supplies world's human rights abusers with tear gas, rubber bullets and riot gear: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/uk-rubber-bullets-tear-gas-protests-saudi-arabia-uae-a9574091.html

June 21

*** 
1/... Spanish #Indra is a key player for next phase of the #EDF, which is expected to surpass 5x the investment of the EC in defence programs, reaching €1,250m yearly during 2021-27 & complemented by an equal investment by the EU members. .../2 https://www.indracompany.com/en/noticia/indra-company-will-lead-projects-construction-european-defence

2/... Indra is leader of 3 projects of 16 selected during the 1st call for the European Defence Industrial Development Programme #EDIDP. Participation in 2 other projects raises the total projects undertaken to 5, generating € 175m+ funded with €107m by the European taxpayer.

***"
It is nice to see, that the #EDF is efficiently consolidating the requirements of EU member states and the European industry's capabilities to increase defence capabilities and strategic autonomy," Kuldar Vaarsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics said. https://www.aetoswire.com/news/milrem-robotics-led-consortium-awarded-306-meur-by-the-european-commission-to-develop-a-european-standardized-unmanned-ground-system/en

*** 
Procurement plans by the #Nigerian Navy:
100m Landing Ship Tank, #DAMEN Shipyard #Netherlands,
60m Hydrographic Survey Vessel, #OCEA shipyards, #France,
2x40m fast patrol boats, DAMEN Shipyard, #Vietnam,
4 x 17m fast attack craft, #ARESA Shipyard, #Spain.

***
UK Defence industry (lobby) to get the most from Covid; The Defence Committee’s inquiry is examining the defence industrial policy of MoD, exploring procurement policy in relation to UK prosperity and the MoD’s impact on the defence supply chain. https://parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/defence-committee/news-parliament-2017/defence-procurement-prosperity-evidence-19-21/
***
 CORRUPTION TRIAL - Don't forget the other party on trial is defence giant Thales, based in many European countries. The next step to delay the process is already planned. Doing justice to those with money and power seems difficult. https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/business-day/20200619/281629602522504Addition: Remarkable coincidence when Thales is in South African court for corruption (https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/business-day/20200619/281629602522504) it will defend its UK military business.

*** 
Airbus Defence and Space wants to lay off part of its workforce and uses Covid-19 as an argument to defend its policy. Trade Unions are of the opinion it is part of a company restructuring and profit maximisation and other means are available. https://sfrpresse.sfr.fr/article/ee85ee28-c08e-4ed8-83e8-13176e782af2

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 A UN Human Rights Council #UNHRC resolution that sought to exact penalties against #Israel for its settlement activity and alleged human rights violations, including a call for an arms #embargo, was approved with a 22-8 vote, with 17 abstentions. https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/unhrc-set-to-condemn-israeli-annexation-call-for-arms-embargo-632086Addition: At the same day: Europe wants to extend Iran arms embargo, because of nuclear program, ballistic missile tests and “destabilizing regional activities”. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/europe-wants-to-extend-iran-arms-embargo/1883535

***
A few countries think they are Exceptional (incl. a special global role). The US position is partly based on it donations to the rest of the world. But 40% of its aid are weapons. Singapore Star dismantles the corner stones of the US Except. position 1by1.https://www.singaporestar.com/news/265516246/us-trails-world-in-coronavirus-response-and-almost-everything-else

***China still can sell most types of arms to most destinations while a ATT-signator. Watching the de facto exports is still what is asked. But the US has thrown the ATT in the bin & sells to even the most horrendous regimes, part of “America First” policies. https://www.bloombergquint.com/politics/china-votes-to-join-global-arms-sales-treaty-scorned-by-trump

***
UK accused of selling arms to Saudi Arabia a year after court ban
British firms fulfilling fighter jet contracts which enable kingdom to wage war in Yemen, despite the trade being ruled unlawful

Addition: #CAAT blog on arms exports to Saudi Arabia, a year after Court of Appeal verdict. https://blog.caat.org.uk/2020/06/21/stop-arming-saudi-arabia-to-the-supreme-court/

June 20

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Denel outlines its main South African projects and programmes. Denel Land Systems is also supplying three GI2 cannons for Project Biro, to be fitted on the three inshore patrol vessels #Damen Shipyards Cape Town is building for the South African Navy. https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/denel-outlines-its-main-south-african-projects-and-programmes/

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The EC announced last week 16 pan-European defence industrial projects and 3 disruptive tech projects that will benefit from €205m financing through the 2 precursor programmes of the #EDF: the Preparatory Action on Defence Research #PADR) and #EDIDP. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1053

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The more Western countries sell arms & interfere in affairs of African countries, the more people are going to be displaced and flee. This doesn’t make them ‘irregular’, or ‘illegal’. They arn't ‘criminals’. They're doing exactly what we ourselves would. https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/interview/102959/malta_should_be_first_and_foremost_in_justice_and_equality__yana_mintoff_bland

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French court orders jail terms for six in ‘Karachigate’ arms deal kickbacks case. A murky arms corruption case, “Karachigate” dates again to negotiations between Pakistan and France for the sale of French Agosta 90B-class submarines. https://worldbestnews.info/french-court-orders-jail-terms-for-six-in-karachigate-arms-deal-kickbacks-case/

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 Pentagon’s budget will fall in the future as Congress sees how little the DoD’s spending was able to protect against the global COVID-19 pandemic. “People are less convinced that three-quarters of a trillion dollars gets them much security.” https://news.usni.org/2020/06/15/panel-covid-19-pandemic-could-prompt-changes-to-national-security-spending

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A commission of the Norwegian Wealth Fund recommends a new criteria for excluding a company: if it sold weapons to a state involved in an armed conflict where there is an “unacceptable” risk the weapons are used in military operations violating international humanitarian law. The breach must be “serious and systematic”. “Yemen is a conflict for which this could be on the agenda.” Criteria seems to be full of possibilities for interpretations. https://reuters.com/article/us-norway-swf/norway-wealth-fund-must-have-wider-human-rights-view-when-blacklisting-firms-commission-idUSKBN23M1SN

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1st things 1st. Though the US made $55 bn in foreign military sales in 2019, observers see headwinds in declining oil prices and the potential for allies to prioritise the domestic demands on health, (social) security, economy and government policy. #Covid https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/06/15/will-us-foreign-military-sales-catch-the-coronavirus/

***
To be on one's own cost billions. British MoD shortlists four vendor teams (Airbus Defence & Space, Babcock Integrated Technology, BT & Serco) for its Skynet satellite program. And the result a product neighbours also construct. Nice for the arms industry. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/06/16/british-mod-shortlists-four-vendor-teams-for-its-multibillion-dollar-skynet-satellite-program/


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The by far largest arms global exporter, the US, on the growing role of China as exporter of major arms. (Annual report to Congress: Military and Security Developments

***
Moroccan view: While Rabat’s mediation role in Libya is in line with the UN position and Rabat actively discourages arms exports to Libya, Algeria’s position is more ambiguous. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/06/306105/algerian-diplomacy-enters-tug-of-war-politics-in-libya/

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If the US breaches its MTCR commitments, it’s likely then that China & Israel would quickly follow suit by building and exporting #drones with a larger weapons payload. This will have a negative impact on global security,” said Chris Cole @Drone_Wars_UK . https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2020/06/16/us-to-reinterpret-arms-control-agreement-to-sell-more-drones/#761cc60d60cd

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 Turkey is hindering European Union attempts to secure NATO’s help with a maritime arms embargo on conflict-torn Libya, according to diplomats and officials in Brussels. https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/06/17/why-is-turkey-the-key-to-unlocking-a-nato-eu-naval-operation/

***
Within some weeks, the German parliament will be voting on whether to arm Heron TP unmanned aerial vehicles made in Israel, which the German military uses in Afghanistan and Mali. [pay wall] https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-will-germany-be-bombing-afghanistan-with-israeli-drones-1.8929093

***
Marvelous. The Italian government is facing increasing calls to scrap a major arms deal with Egypt after reports emerged it had agreed to sell two naval frigates to the North African country. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/06/pressure-italy-scrap-planned-arms-deal-egypt-200616195500154.html

***
Over graantjes meepikken gesproken. 't Schiedamse Huisman heeft de Submarine Handling Kraan, bruikbaar voor de toekomstige onderzeeboot. Inzet ervan vergroot het NL-deel in de bouw door 1 v/d 3 betrokken niet-Nederlandse Original Equipment Manufacturers. https://maritimetechnology.nl/faciliteit-huisman-met-submarine-handling-kraan-klaar-voor-vervanging-walrus-klasse-onderzeeboten/

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New face of war: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency #DARPA is developing a marketplace-like exchange that would offer soldiers or sailors in a battle a list of support options they could choose from. SOF said it will suite them. https://www.c4isrnet.com/c2-comms/2020/06/16/a-weapon-system-raises-its-hand-if-available-under-darpa-program/

***
Turkish Dailty Sabah list examples of how the UAE sabotages peace & stability in the Middle East, in violation of international law and interstate relations. The UAE today emerges as the biggest obstacle to democracy, human rights in Middle East & Africa. https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/news-analysis/as-a-dark-force-in-the-middle-east-the-uae-hinders-regional-peace-democracy-freedom

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Exports of arms from the Balkans are out of control, according to a video released on Monday by the London-based Tactics Institute for Security and Counter Terrorism. https://cyprus-mail.com/2020/06/18/export-of-arms-from-balkans-out-of-control/

***
KAI is stepping up efforts to sell KUH-1 helicopters to Indonesia. Jakarta will evaluate the proposal. Bangladeshi ambassador to Korea says Dhaka is considering to buy the KT-1. KAI also tries to win additional aircraft deals in Malaysia, Columbia & Peru. https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200617006351320

***
Arming the Ukraine with 16 Mark VI Patrol Boats and related equipment (like 32 MSI Seahawk A2 gun systems; 40 MK44 cannons (32 installed and 8 spares)) for an estimated cost of $600 million.https://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/ukraine-mark-vi-patrol-boats

***
Airbus Defense and Space CEO Dirk Hoke has called on Britain to look for closer defense cooperation with Europe after Brexit. He also the EuroMALE remote piloted air system, FCAS, Tempest and A400M should benefit from investment from European governments. https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/uk-should-seek-closer-defense-ties-europe-airbus-official

***
 The between the lines hurdles in COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS ON SECURITY AND DEFENCE. It points to the current road map on defence industrial cooperation between the member states and the role of the EU-programs. Where will the billions go? https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/44521/st08910-en20.pdf

***
 #Colombia’s security forces suspected of arms trafficking for organized crime. A network within 4th Brigade in Medellin, Arms Trade Control Dep. #DCCA & apparently Military Industry #Indumil allegedly trafficked arms and illegally granted firearm licenses. https://colombiareports.com/colombias-military-investigated-over-arms-trafficking-for-illegal-armed-groups/

***
An exclusive report by Declassified UK, an investigative news site, reported on Thursday that the British government broke its own inspection rules at a Scottish missile factory which supplies the Saudi Arabian Air Force in its war in Yemen. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/uk-fails-to-inspect-factory-supplying-saudis-yemen-war/1883028

***
German MKS-180 project. Approximately 80% of the project investment remains in Germany as added value. Approximately 70% of the mission systems are supplied by Thales's branches in Kiel and Wilhelmshaven, in close cooperation with numerous subcontractors. https://www.damen.com/en/news/2020/06/dutch_leading_role_for_german_frigate_project_mks_180

***
The elastic morals of the Canadian government. It has approved the sale of sophisticated military drone optics to Turkey despite an ongoing arms embargo against Ankara arising from its military incursions into northern Syria last October. https://armenia.in-the.news/politics/canada-agrees-to-sell-military-drone-equipment-to-turkey-despite-arms-embargo-22026-19-06-2020/

***
In this guest post, David Bloomfield and Claire Dobson from the Glasgow University Arms Divestment Coalition (GUADC) examine the links between Glasgow University and the arms trade. Unfortunately this is happening in universities across the UK. https://blog.caat.org.uk/2020/06/19/how-glasgow-university-is-working-with-the-arms-industry/

***
Radio interview: Jeff Abramson on how arms companies & various branches of government push both their own selfish interests & what they believe to be in the country’s interest, to create a self-perpetuating system that no one can quite take the blame for. https://libertarianinstitute.org/scotthortonshow/6-19-20-jeff-abramson-on-americas-bloody-arms-industry/

June 14

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Reactie: Niet alleen de crisis wordt gemilitariseerd, maar ze is veroorzaakt door een politiek-economisch systeem waarvan de militairen de bewakers zijn: het verdedigen van aavoerroutes; toegang tot grondstoffen; bestrijden (gewapende) tegenstand. 't Probleem begint al een stap eerder.

Voor Nu Het Nog Kan schreef voormalig generaal Tom Middendorp een hoofdstuk. Maar is de krijgsmacht eigenlijk wel een bondgenoot in de klimaat- en ecologische crisis, of staat militarisering van de crisis een rechtvaardige transitie in de weg? Meeluisteren: https://extinctionrebellion.nl/rebel-radio/?fbclid=IwAR2i0JD6y3LCo8YsClaugmjZGNGkHf5ZogCh4D8siqOXsBLjSSQn7q-14Wc

*** 
#Bagira Systems and Van #Halteren Defence have jointly been awarded a contract by the Dutch MoD for the simulator for its national chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear #CBRN training centre in Vught. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/bagira-wins-netherlands-cbrn-contract

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 Dutch Army #RNLA is to replace its radars with nine new #Thales Nederland Multi Mission Radars (MMRs) from mid-2021. The contract value is undisclosed, but the Dutch government’s Defense Industry Strategy put the price between EUR100–250 million. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/royal-netherlands-army-orders-thales-multi-mission-radars

***
French and German support (including military segments and MoD acquisitions) for Airbus used to pressure the UK to do the same. https://www.pressreader.com/uk/western-daily-press-saturday/20200613/281582357870997

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The European Defence Agency #EDA has selected a 9-member consortium to build an "innovative electromagnetic #railgun," as part of the EDA's plan to lessen depency upon the US for cutting-edge defense tech. https://www.defenseworld.net/news/27201
Is an alternative for the US militarizing the EU?
***
Covid-19 offers a chance for re-think on weapons. Small letter, with great thought on non-proliferation, nuclear weapons and arms trade. https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/18515762.covid-19-offers-window-opportunity/

***
Consulting firm Frost & Sullivan expects defence spending to stagnate at current levels for the short term (2020-21). In the global emergency scenario, defence spending will reduce, in the long term, it will be cut by at least 10%, as seen in the past. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-spending-on-defence-declines-as-governments-allocate-funds-to-reactivate-the-economy-301073937.html

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‘In Duitsland wonen ongeveer 3 miljoen zogenaamde Duitse Turken. Inclusief critici van de Turkse president Erdoğan. Velen van hen voelen zich bedreigd. “Zo begint de ZDFzoom-documentaire“ In dienst van Erdoğan“. https://koerdischnieuws.nl/het-spionagenetwerk-van-erdogan/

June 13

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Members of European Parliament #MEPs Sean Kelly, Mairead McGuinness, Deirdre Clune, Frances Fitzgerald and Maria Walsh also asked Josep Borrell to investigate whether any EU arms exports have been used against US civilians. https://headtopics.com/ie/fine-gael-meps-call-for-investigation-into-whether-eu-arms-exports-have-been-used-against-us-civilia-13646334 #BlackLivesMatter

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Winning harts and minds for weapon production: Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has praised the UK MoD's partnership with Britain's defence industry, which is rising to meet the challenges of maintaining critical output during the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-secretary-praises-uk-defence-industry-partnership

***
Retweet: Yes, Congress, There Is Something You Can Do About Reckless Arms Sales https://justsecurity.org/70652/yes-congress-there-is-something-you-can-do-about-reckless-arms-sales/… via @just_security

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Retweet: Turkey arrests journalist for revealing information about the country’s illegal involvement in Libya. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-06-12-turkey-arrests-journalist-for-revealing-state-secrets-lawyer/

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#Polish Ministry of Health bought ventilators from an arms dealer. They were never delivered. The purchase of ventilators was done at E&K from Lublin. E&K belongs to Andrzej #Izdebski, formerly involved in illegal arms trade. https://wyborcza.pl/7,173236,26020359,ministry-of-health-bought-ventilators-from-an-arms-dealer-they.html

***
#Denmark has selected #Leonardo for a potential future upgrade of gun mounts. The scope of the 20-year deal may see the upgrade of 17 lightweight #76/62 Super Rapid gun mounts. https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2020/june/8581-leonardo-to-upgrade-royal-danish-navy-s-super-rapid-gun-mounts.html

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South #Korean military communications #satellite #ANASIS-II has left Airbus Toulouse, France and has been shipped to Cape Canaveral in Florida for its forthcoming launch. https://airbus.com/newsroom/news/en/2020/06/airbus-defence-and-space-ships-anasisii-telecommunications-satellite-to-launch-site.html #Lockheed to subcontract it in 2016 to #Airbus Defence. https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/anasis-2.htm

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Defence industrial lobby: French government pledged to order €600m worth of refuelling tankers, drones & helicopters from Airbus. UK defence lobby ADS, representing companies active in defence and security, said the UK should do something similar. https://www.pressreader.com/uk/western-daily-press-saturday/20200613/281582357870997

Addition: See on same issue: French aviation rescue plan bets on defence helicopters, drones and tankers https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-helicopter/french-aviation-rescue-plan-bets-defence-helicopte/

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 Amid push to 'Sell More Weapons Overseas,' report indicates US administration moving to expand #drone exports

***
#Lobby and revolving doors: Four US House Democrats are opposing a #DoD proposal to ease recent lobbying restrictions on former senior officials, arguing it would put the defence industry ahead of the taxpayer. https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/06/12/dod-asks-to-ease-lobbying-restrictions-and-these-lawmakers-are-saying-no/

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The #Italian government agreed on Thursday evening to sell two “Bergamini” type #destroyers to #Egypt, where the sale has become before the Italian administration in charge of arms exports. The value of the frigates is 1.2 billion euros. https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/egypt-and-italy-to-reach-largest-military-deal-amid-sale-of-new-warships/

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Deliveries of a new precision-guided bomb - the CGU-53 StormBreaker - under development by #Raytheon for #F35 and other fighters have been at a standstill for about a year as the company struggles to correct a technical #problem involving a key component. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/06/12/production-of-one-of-the-f-35s-most-anticipated-bombs-has-been-on-hold-for-almost-a-year/

June 12

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Who supplied the weapons used against #BackLivesMatter protesters? https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2020/who-supplied-weapons-used-against-blm-protesters
 
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A US view on EU military structure. EU-based arms-producers—such as the Airbus Group, Leonardo, BAE Systems & Thales— graft their strategic interests onto European defence policy processes to reap financial benefits from EU-level defense research grants. https://carnegieeurope.eu/2020/06/11/eu-security-and-defense-challenges-toward-european-defense-winter-pub-82032

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Defense News Commentary: US State Department must align UAV #drones export policy with American interests. https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2020/06/11/us-state-department-must-align-uav-export-policy-with-american-interests/


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How Much Is The Police's Military Equipment Worth

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Canada’s unions join today's national campaign to oppose arms exports to Saudi Arabia. The time has come for public investment in a rapid transition to peaceful green jobs that protect workers and their communities – and the rest of the world.

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#Quakers said sadly, based on European Network Against Arms Trade #ENAAT reports that it seems that – despite the vast burden on our public services and skyrocketing debt – European governments still feel the need to channel billions of euros to the #MIC. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/eu-quakers-say-coronavirus-last-chance-to-save-world-1-6695921

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Human Rights Watch said the sales of #French weapons to #Egypt were “shocking” and “appalling” given the human rights record in North Africa. This statement follows the latest French report on arms exports which documents 2019 sales and transfers.

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THE SCOTTISH Parliament has voted to urgently halt exports of riot gear, tear gas and rubber bullets to the United States. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1294756/US-protests-george-floyd-scottish-parliament-us-arm-exports-blm-black-lives-matter

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For what's it worth. The International Peace Index. See the Netherlands is not among the 20 most peaceful countries in the world. Especially its arms exports are a major concern in the index. http://visionofhumanity.org/indexes/global-peace-index/

June 11

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Germany's military industry stand to benefit from €10 billion cash stimulus package to soften effects of #coronavirus pandemic. Naval sector set to profit most, incl. 2 additional #Damen MKS 180 multipurpose combat ships (beyond the initial 4). https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/06/10/germany-wants-to-beef-up-its-defense-firms-with-pandemic-relief-funds/

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European Defence Fund #Italian lobby for extra billions. #Leonardo CEO, Profumo, stated the #EDF should start in 2021 "as expected" and stick to the previous level of € 13bn instead of the recently agreed €9bn within the multi-annual financial framework. https://www.corrieredicomo.it/leonardo-profumo-rispettare-tempi-risorse-fondo-difesa-ue/

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On the road to militarisation of the EU? Borell (High Rep. for FA/Security Policy) & Breton (Comm. Internal Market, incl. defence industry) state in Die Welt the EU needs "an ambitious budget for the European Defence Fund" #EDF to protect itself. https://www.welt.de/debatte/kommentare/article209265051/Josep-Borell-Thierry-Breton-Die-Zeit-des-naiven-Europa-ist-vorbei.html

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We prepared for war, but should have spent our money elsewhere. Critisism on military spending in major military publication, Defence News: The Pentagon saps other agencies of vital and limited resources. https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2020/06/10/we-prepared-for-war-but-should-have-spent-our-money-elsewhere/

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We prepared for war, but should have spent our money elsewhere. Critisism on military spending in major military publication, Defence News: The Pentagon saps other agencies of vital and limited resources. https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2020/06/10/we-prepared-for-war-but-should-have-spent-our-money-elsewhere/

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UK government faces possible legal action over exports of riot control equipment to the US amid concerns about police brutality following a wave of protests sparked by George Floyd’s death. As the first step lawyers have sent a pre-action protocol letter. http://www.newsjatt.com/archives/32066

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An improvised #bomb found last week strapped to a teddy bear in the #Libyan capital featured a mortar shell produced last year in Serbia. Despite an arms embargo, #Serbian weapons are still finding their way to the North African country. https://detektor.ba/2020/06/10/mina-iz-srbije-pronadjena-tokom-oslobadjanja-tripolija/

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 'Green light to abusers': #HRW calls on #France to halt arms sales to #Saudi Arabia and #Egypt
France's arms sales and transfers to Saudi Arabia in 2019 amounted to $1.6bn, while those to Egypt were $1.1bn https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/green-light-abusers-hrw-calls-france-halt-arms-sales-saudi-arabia-and-egypt

June 10
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 #Lobby for #EU military budget continues. 45 #MEPs called on #EC President Von der Leyen, EU chief diplomat Borrell and Budget Commissioner Hahn on Tuesday (9 June) to maintain the bloc’s ambition on military mobility in the next 7-year budget. https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/eu-lawmakers-call-on-commission-to-preserve-budget-funding-for-military-mobility/

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 #Hungarian PM #Orban stressed that the defence industry is a “priority” & the Government wants to increase its competitiveness and efficiency. Remarks made during a meeting with the Alliance of Trade Unions of the Defence and Aeronautical Industry #ASIAA. https://www.nineoclock.ro/2020/06/09/pm-orban-tells-unions-that-defence-industry-is-a-priority-for-the-govt/

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Thales Netherlands patent on determining the impact point of a projectile fired at a target above sea surface, and radar system implementing such method. http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=10677909&OS=10677909&RS=10677909

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EU military ally is a major threat to security. US Administration tears up arms pacts. US will be pull out of the Open Skies treaty that allows unarmed surveillance flights, landing another blow to disarmament efforts. https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3088280/dark-skies-donald-trump-tears-arms-pacts

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June 9

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#France will provide €15bn to fund its aerospace industry, Economy Minister Le Maire said. The injection should help European aircraft manufacturer #Airbus as well as major aerospace and defence firms #Dassault, #Safran and #Thales preserve jobs in France https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/nation/story/2020-06-09/france-announces-16-9-billion-in-aid-to-aviation-industry

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German Bundeswehr's training of Nigerian special forces soldiers #SOF in the Sahel region, which has taken place since 2020, marked the first time the Bundeswehr used the new #H145M LUH SOF version to train Nigerian paratroopers. #Airbus https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/stories/H145M-dispatch-from-the-field.html

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Arms flows to and from Gulf face growing scrutiny. They could be challenged by new economic stress in exporting and client states, reassessment of the most pressing threats, and increased congressional scrutiny in the United States. https://agsiw.org/arms-flows-to-and-from-gulf-face-growing-scrutiny/

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 SOF into #space. The need for US Special Operations Command to rely on existing space-based capabilities while developing its own has increased recently, especially as #SOCOM expands its focus from the counter-terrorist fight to a near-peer competition. https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/space/2020/06/06/special-operations-command-is-diving-into-space/

June 8


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Retweet: US police admits to be using the FN 303 "less lethal" riot gun against #BLM protesters. The gun is known to cause severe injuries and even death. The gun was developed by FN Herstal Belgium. #BlackLivesMatter https://bit.ly/37c2PWR

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#Dutch monthly reports on arms export licenses updated, include March 2020. By far the largest is the naval vessel to #Mexico (miscategorised as just a patrol vessel by Dutch export authorities). Here the eight biggest licenses for the 1st quarter of 2020. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-uitvoer-militaire-goederen

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#France to spend € 10bn on its #aerospace sector. The Secretary of State for Transport, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, said that Defence Minister Florence Parly had talked to President Macron about the possibility of implementing specific #military orders. https://www.express.co.uk/finance/city/1292709/france-latest-news-aerospace-sector-fund-coronavirus-crisis-macron

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Kamervragen @BramvanOjikGL (met SP & PvdA) over de doorvoer via Rotterdam in april van 10,8m kogels naar #Turkije. Opvallend dat #Rotterdam #Wapenhaven zo weinig 't nieuws haalt. https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=64e941bb-de94-4bab-9e43-bd00c4c04b8d&title=De%20doorvoer%20van%20ruim%2010%20miljoen%20kogelpatronen%20naar%20Turkije.docx

Ook Taiwan was in april 'n belangrijke bestemming. https://twitter.com/martinbroek/status/1268572074072846337

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#Canadian government tapped a seldom-used account at Ottawa’s export-financing agency last fall to extend $650m of support to the defence contractor building combat vehicles for #Saudi's, aid that came as Riyadh was falling behind on payment for these. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ottawas-lifeline-to-saudi-lav-maker-raises-questions/

Addition1:The loan to General Dynamics is the first to this defence contractor from the Canada Account in the past two decades. #EDC does not make transaction information public from years prior to 2001.

Addition2: LIVE ONLINE VIGIL Thursday, June 11, 1 pm EDT (7 pm CEST), at the General Dynamics plant in London, Ontario! The Hamilton Coalition To Stop The War has joined this cross-Canada event. Reason Canadian sale of armoured vehicles to KSA. https://hamiltoncoalitiontostopthewar.ca/2020/06/07/live-vigil-end-saudi-arms-sale-june-11/

June 7

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If peace consists of stable governments resolving conflict without violence and providing security and other basic functions, then COVID-19 has already begun to erode peace around the world. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/world/2020-06-06/how-coronavirus-sows-civil-conflict

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European Defence Agency #EDA was to hand over proposals for its Generic Open Soldier System Reference Architecture #GOSSRA to #NATO in May. Participating companies from: #Germany, #Spain, #Poland, #Portugal, #Italy, #Sweden (NATO?), and the #Netherlands. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/3c438e85-192f-4c07-b457-f975671bd1c5


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#Morocco signs loan for new ground-based air defence system
The Moroccan government has signed an export loan agreement with France’s #BNP Paribas for the acquisition of a new ground-based air defence (#GBAD) system.

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Are the French arms exports to European nations structural or a cyclical trend?

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 #Hungarian private fund Arzenal led by lobbyist and former advisor to Hungarian PM Viktor #Orban, Fidesz Andras Tombor, will acquire a majority stake in the largest Czech #aviation manufacturer Aero #Vodochody, owned by the #Czech Penta Investments. https://www.forbes.cz/aero-s-novymi-pany-zbrojarsky-obchod-dekady-spoji-havu-s-kellnerem-a-madary/

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 In a May 29 letter defence ministers Florence Parly (Fr), Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (Ge), Margarita Robles Fernández (Sp) and Lorenzo Guerini (It) wrote to the other EU 23: #EDA must remain central ... to stimulate further cooperation on defence. https://www.gouvernement.fr/en/at-the-heart-of-our-european-union

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Working for years with the Irish military, the Department of Defence and the European Defence Agency #EDA an Irish company, Aquila Bioscience, has developed: safe WIPES. https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/irish-made-wipes-to-combat-covid-get-approval-in-us-39261751.html

June 6


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Reaction to (NIET LANGER MEEDOEN AAN ZINLOZE OORLOGEN,

https://www.sp.nl/opinie/sadet-karabulut/2020/niet-langer-meedoen-aan-zinloze-oorlogen-0): Helder betoog. Hebben we meer aan dan al dat rupsje-nooit-genoeg geneuzel van wapenabrikanten en militair establishment. Veiligheid van de meeste mensen is niet gediend door militaire uitgaven, maar met voldoende gezondheidszorg, onderwijs en sociale zekerheid.

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Retweet: Proud to be one of 166 MPs calling for UK to stop teargas and rubber bullet exports to America. We should not be helping Donald Trump repress his own people #blacklivesmatter #LDNBLM https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/george-floyd-protests-uk-export-tear-gas-rubber-bullet-us-a9551006.html

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How nice it is to be a military contractor.

One of the major initiatives that US #Cyber Command has been working on for 2 years is going to cost five times more than what military officials originally estimated, according to a #GAO.


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The #FBI Finds ‘No Intel Indicating #Antifa Involvement’ in Sunday’s Violence. Trump wants to designate antifa a terrorist organization, despite lack of authority and evidence of wrongdoing. https://www.thenation.com/article/activism/antifa-trump-fbi/

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 I'm sure people following the US arms industry have a load of examples to show why the comments of CEOs of Major Defense Companies calling out against racism and for unity are hypocrites. Lockheed e.g. earns on social welfare and unpaid labour in prisons. https://www.defenseone.com/business/2020/06/ceos-major-defense-companies-speak-out-about-racism-call-unity/165925/

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When #India’s top military officials meet their counterparts from #China on today to resolve the latest face-off between troops high in the #Himalayas, they are likely to urge all troops to return to pre-dispute positions, said Indian military experts. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3087672/india-china-standoff-talks-will-focus-troops-returning-pre

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We can imagine circumstances in which China might agree to limit its arms production & deployment, depending on reciprocal restrictions from Russia and the US. But this scenario is not imaginable. Arms race and confrontation are more fashionable. https://thediplomat.com/2020/06/will-trumps-arms-control-dreams-for-china-come-true-absolutely-not/

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Despite a restrictive arms export policy, more than 10 million bullets were transported from Czechia to Turkey via the port of Rotterdam on 6 April, according to recent transit figures from the Dutch Ministry of FA.

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Canada on May 29 published its annual report on Canada’s Military Exports where it mentioned that no military export permits were issued to Azerbaijan during 2019. It also banned military exports to Ankara, which was renewed indefinitely in April 2020. http://asbarez.com/194546/canada-stops-military-exports-to-azerbaijan-and-bans-arms-sales-to-turkey/

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Italy and France are to fund half the cost of new cutting-edge technology projects launched by Naviris. Naviris is a 50-50 joint venture launched in 2019 by Italy’s Fincantieri and France’s Naval Group. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/06/04/french-italian-naval-joint-venture-invests-in-future-technologies/

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Arms manufacturer SIG Sauer says it will close its German branch late this year, blaming German strictures on sports guns. Its thriving US armoury based in New Hampshire delivers arms to the US military. https://www.dw.com/en/sig-sauer-to-shutter-german-weapons-factory/a-53689378

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Foreign Affairs on Dozens of retired US generals, including former defense secretary James Mattis, have publicly rebuked the Trump administration’s response to the protests sweeping the nation. Civil-military relations have deteriorated under Trump. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/review-essay/2020-04-06/few-good-men

June 4

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MP @EmilyThornberry if the UK truly believe in its relationship and alliance with the US, it must not be a party to the violence of Trump against his own people & against the values UK&US hold dear. But instead suspend riot control exports without delay. https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/if-we-truly-value-the-special-relationship-we-must-not-be-a-party-to-donald-trumps-violence-against-the-american-people


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April 14, 2020 17.660.000 #Italian #bullets (9 mm PARA) pass the Dutch harbour of Rotterdam to go by boat to #Taiwan. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-doorvoer-militaire-goederen


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Former US defense secretary James Mattis slammed his former boss in a letter published Wednesday by The Atlantic, calling out the violent clearing of protesters outside the White House & accusing the president of deliberately trying to fracture the nation. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-navy/2020/06/03/mattis-slams-trump-over-handling-of-george-floyd-unrest/

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JoongAng Ilbo has found out that the recent equipment upgrades at the THAAD site in Seongju, South Korea was to allow its AN/TPY-2 radar to guide PAC-3 interceptors launched remotely. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/06/01/politics/Thaad-%EC%82%AC%EB%93%9C-Patriot/20200601185400173.html

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#Lockheed to retrofit #F35's for suppression/destruction of enemy air defences. https://www.airforcemag.com/lockheed-to-retrofit-f-35s-for-suppression-destruction-of-enemy-air-defenses-role

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#Chinese recent drill in #Tibet included #drones and explosives to put troops to test in extreme, complicated situations
Exercise follows border clash between Chinese and #Indian soldiers in the Himalayas https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3087313/pla-holds-high-altitude-exercise-china-india-border-tensions

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The #French defence industry has become addicted to arms exports as part of a national strategy to remain a global military player. https://www.rosalux.eu/en/article/1695.hooked-on-weapons-exports.html

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US should pull #drones from #MTCR: "I have great hopes that this administration, with its bold unilateral actions on so many fronts, would take unilateral action with this regime on #UAVs," says Keith Webster, former DoD head of defence cooperation. https://breakingdefense.com/2020/06/us-should-pull-drones-from-missile-control-regime-mitchell-institute/

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[Trump] is talking about going to war with the citizens of the US, and that is troubling,” Smith (D-Wash) said to reporters. “I am very concerned about what potential role the US military could play … Talking about the US as a battlespace is wrong." https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/06/02/lawmakers-want-must-pass-defense-bill-to-protect-protestors-from-the-military/

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1993/4 MI5 FALSE FLAG. How #MI5 faked a #Loyalist #arms importation to manipulate Dublin in the run up to an #IRA ceasefire. A few months later the cream of NI Intel were dead in the Chinook helicopter crash. Shortly afterwards, the ceasefire was called. https://villagemagazine.ie/false-flags-in-teesport-mi5-faked-a-loyalist-arms-importation-unsuccessfully-intending-to-threaten-dublin-on-the-verge-of-the-1994-cease-fire-a-few-months-later-the-cream-of-the-ni-intelligence-we/

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#UK PM Boris Johnson, who has sought to nurture close ties with President Donald Trump as he leads the UK out of the European Union, deflected calls from the opposition to suspend exports of tear gas and rubber #bullets to the #US. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/uk-prime-minister-boris-johnson-and-british-police-condemn-appalling-killing-george-floyd/

Addition: BORIS Johnson has come under pressure to halt exports of British arms and riot gear to the US after Donald Trump called for the authorities to "dominate" protesters and threatened to deploy the military. https://www.thenational.scot/news/18493426.watch-ian-blackford-grills-boris-johnson-arms-sales-us/

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Chinese paper: because of US admin policy to undermine global strategic stability as a means to "make USA great again", it will raise the threat nuclear weapons are used in an ever-expanding range of scenarios, at the cost of disarmament/non-proliferation http://epaper.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202006/04/WS5ed827e5a3100fcb935267f4.html

June 3

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Will US Military Leaders Ever Stand up to Trump?
America needs more vocal military leaders like Smedley Butler to drown out the silence of people like former defense secretary James Mattis. https://www.thenation.com/article/world/trump-mattis-military-dissent/

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 Nog veel ?? in de studie die Marineschepen.nl maakte over #MKS180, waaraan Damen miljarden zou gaan verdienen, alsof toeleveranciers van wapens niet betaald hoeven te worden. MS noemt naast #Damen, het Italiaanse #Leonardo en Amerikaanse #Raytheon (#ESSM paar % Thales Nederland).
 
Retweet: Nog precies een maand en dan gaat de Duitse Bondsdag met zomerreces. Voor die tijd zal het Duitse parlement hun goedkeuring moeten geven aan de gelden voor de MKS 180-fregatten. Een mooie gelegenheid om de fregatten nader te bestuderen. https://marineschepen.nl/schepen/mks-180.html

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Not just a transport plane. #Airbus #A400M new generation airlifter has successfully achieved certification of the simultaneous #paratrooper dispatch capability with a maximum dispatch of 116 paratroopers using both side doors (58 + 58). https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/06/airbus-a400m-completes-full-paratrooper-simultaneous-dispatch-certification.html

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Hong Kong: UK gave training and ‘support’ to police accused of abuses against protesters
Exclusive: College of Policing’s 2019 training programme revealed amid renewed demonstrations https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hong-kong-protests-uk-training-china-security-law-police-a9539691.html

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Aymeric @Elluin said on #French arms exports: deliveries have continued at the Middle East : 521 tactical vehicles, 34 tanks, 20 pieces of artillery for Saudi Arabia, 281 missiles, 24 missile launchers for Egypt, and 77 missiles, 116 launchers for Qatar. http://sport.alaraby-media.net/la-france-vend-moins-darmes-a-larabie-saoudite-mais-continue-den-livrer/

Addition: See the rapport here: https://www.defense.gouv.fr/actualites/articles/exportations-d-armement-le-rapport-au-parlement-2020
Addition2: Defense News on French arms exports: France top five defense exporter in 2019 with €8.3bn worth of contracts signed, notably with European partners Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary & Spain, according to a defence ministry report published this week. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/06/03/naval-sales-buoy-french-arms-exports-in-new-tally/

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“The President of the US is not a dictator, and President Trump does not and will not dominate New York state,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement, adding that the state was prepared to go to court if need be. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/06/02/presidents-have-leeway-to-use-military-for-domestic-purposes/


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 “(The president) is talking about going to war with the citizens of the United States of America, and that is troubling,” said House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., in a conference call with reporters on Tuesday. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2020/06/02/senior-military-leaders-being-called-to-testify-to-congress-about-george-floyd-protest-response/

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Does #Rafael has a foot in a #Dutch/#German door (on a multibillion dollar program, the Tactical Edge Networking plan that envisions Germany and Netherlands working together on tactical communications)? Next year a request for proposal #RFP is expected. https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/2020/06/02/israel-company-targets-opportunities-in-europe-and-asia-for-software-defined-radios/

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 #Pentagon supports industries by injecting $688m from #COVID-19 funds. It chose industries producing aircraft propulsion, ships and submarine launch tubes, space, microelectronics base, body armor, high-temperature materials used in #hypersonic weapons. https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/06/02/688m-in-covid-aid-helping-defense-firms-per-dod-plan/

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#French arms exports fell by nearly 8.6% in 2019. Their amount represents 8.3 billion euros. The main customers are Europe, whose share has increased sharply, and the United Arab Emirates (#UAE), involved in the conflict in Yemen. https://www.en24.news/2020/06/france-8-6-drop-in-arms-exports-in-2019.html

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Labour says UK should not sell arms to US 'at a time when Donald Trump is gearing up to use the US military to crush the legitimate protests taking place across America over the murder of black civilians' https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/uk-protests-boris-johnson-donald-trump-riot-gear-arms-george-floyd-a9545406.html


Addition: On the same issue in French: Le Royaume-Uni fait face à des appels pour suspendre les exportations d’équipement anti-émeute vers les États-Unis pour le «meurtre de civils noirs» https://www.urban-fusions.fr/2020/06/03/le-royaume-uni-fait-face-a-des-appels-pour-suspendre-les-exportations-dequipement-anti-emeute-vers-les-etats-unis-pour-le-meurtre-de-civils-noirs/

June 2

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US. arms exports to the Middle East and North Africa could be headed toward an increase. It is likely that countries in the region see an increase in US arms imports despite the economic and medical calamities brought on by Covid-19 pandemic. https://carnegie-mec.org/diwan/81948

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US. arms exports to the Middle East and North Africa could be headed toward an increase. It is likely that countries in the region see an increase in US arms imports despite the economic and medical calamities brought on by Covid-19 pandemic. https://carnegie-mec.org/diwan/81948

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Are #China and the United States doing a battle who can deploy most military troops against #civil populations? Which society is most #militarised?

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EU Army project lives on as Brussels plans eye-watering (EURO)8 BILLION fund; BRUSSELS bosses are pressing ahead with controversial (EURO)8bn plans for a European Union army despite the looming financial crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1289777/EU-army-latest-brussels-miltary-budget-Ursula-von-der-Leyen-European-Defence-Fund

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Understanding the EU's approach to cyber diplomacy and cyber defence https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2020/651937/EPRS_BRI(2020)651937_EN.pdf

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 Kentucky’s governor called for the release of police video from a deadly shooting in Louisville that took place while police officers and National Guard soldiers were enforcing a curfew amid waves of protests in the city over a previous police shooting. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/06/01/louisville-chief-police-and-national-guard-enforcing-curfew-fatally-shot-a-man-after-someone-in-a-group-fired-at-them/

Addition: Louisville Police Chief fired after officers failed to activate body cameras during fatal shooting. https://time.com/5846329/louisville-police-chief-fatal-shooting-body-cameras-protests/

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Another overview of EU defence industrial policy by the European Network Against Arms Trade #ENAAT from the Brussels' Bubble. "The European Defence Fund #EDF final budget will probably be barely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis" http://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ENAAT-NBB-2020-2_01.06.2020.pdf

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The need for and elements of a new treaty on fully autonomous weapons. “Killer robots,” raise a host of legal and ethical concerns. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/06/01/need-and-elements-new-treaty-fully-autonomous-weapons

Addition: New SIPRI and ICRC report identifies necessary controls on autonomous weapons. Autonomous weapon systems risk a loss of human control over life-or-death decisions in warfare. https://www.sipri.org/publications/2020/other-publications/limits-autonomy-weapon-systems-identifying-practical-elements-human-control-0

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Britain has sold £10bn of deadly weapons to oppressive regimes since 2015. Mirror exposes Britain's deadly £10bn arms trade as campaigners slam the 'shocking' trade in warplanes, guns, bombs and more to #Saudi Arabia, China and #Turkey, among others https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/britain-sold-10billion-deadly-weapons-22122482

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Iran daily paper on the US, nuclear deal and the lifting of the arms embargo. https://financialtribune.com/articles/national/103632/right-to-free-arms-trade-will-not-be-abandoned

Addition: Although the Europeans appear to share Washington's concerns about Iran's arms trade, they have made clear they do not support steps to extend the embargo that could lead to the JCPOA’s collapse. https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2020-06/news/us-aims-extend-iran-embargo

June 1

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George Floyd protests: UK government urged to suspend export of tear gas, rubber bullets and riot shields to US amid 'excessive' use of force https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/george-floyd-protests-uk-export-tear-gas-rubber-bullets-shields-us-a9543106.html

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 'We'll axe a sub to save us £600m' BRITAIN may scrap one of its four nuclear-deterrent submarines under cost-cut measures being discussed "at the highest levels" of government. https://www.pressreader.com/uk/sunday-express-1070/20200531/281964609935281