August 31
***
The
United States has actively pursued the development of hypersonic
weapons—maneuvering weapons that fly at speeds of at least Mach 5.
On August 28, the Congressional Research Service published: Report on
U.S. Hypersonic Weapon Development.
https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/7047482/Hypersonic-Weapons-Background-and-Issues-for.pdf
***
Greek newspapers
report that Greece will be getting 18 Rafale fighters; a preliminary
agreement has been reached. 10 Will be the F3-R variant built from
scratch while the other 8 fighters will be 2nd-hand French Air Force
jets transferred for free.
https://www.pagenews.gr/2020/08/29/ellada/rafale-nea-agora-maxitikon-aeroskafon-apo-ti-gallia/
Addition: La France tente de placer en Grèce le Rafale et la frégate de défense et d’intervention (FDI). Les Américains jouent la carte du F-35. (The US plays the F-35 card) https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/des-rafale-pour-la-grece-855951.html
***
Nigerien businessman Aboubakar Hima, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Societe D Equipment Internationaux (SEI), is alleged to have received the sums for the purchase of equipment for the Nigerian Military. https://hallmarknews.com/shock-disbelief-trail-multi-billion-naira-defence-contracts-scandal/
August 30
***
#EDA aims
to support Member States’ R&D in this sector, from creating a
common set of AI references and terminology to pinpointing logical
areas for their cross-border collaboration to framing the most
important areas of AI for Europe’s strategic autonomy.
https://www.eda.europa.eu/info-hub/press-centre/latest-news/2020/08/25/artificial-intelligence-joint-quest-for-future-defence-applications
***
Retweet @SAAB_DAMEN Saab, innovative partner of @damen in the Walrus replacement project, is pleased to invite media, financial analysts and investors to the annual submarine seminar on the 3th of September 2020. https://saabgroup.com/media/news-press/news/2020-08/welcome-to-saabs-submarine-seminar/
***
The first F-16
fighter jet maintenance and service centre in the Indo-Pacific has
opened in Taiwan in collaboration with a major US defence contractor,
a move certain to infuriate mainland China.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3099267/new-f-16-fighter-jet-maintenance-centre-gives-taiwan-edge
***
For Yemen, no
consistent EU policy in sight.
EU public diplomacy in Yemen cannot work as long as its policies convey an image at odds with the identity the EU claims as its own. The incapacity of the EU damages its soft-power projection in the world. https://www.fairobserver.com/region/middle_east_north_africa/marc-martorell-junyent-european-union-yemen-policy-aid-arms-sales-news-14421/
***
The world of
Syrian arms trafficking “is like any other trade ... there are
agents for arms manufacturing companies, they don’t mind bringing
the weapons from another agent in Israel or anywhere else,” a
Lebanese arms dealer said. Most wanted US M16 & M4.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1726731/middle-east
August 29
***
Thailand’s
intention to buy 2 more submarines from China has run into vociferous
resistance, with the country’s main opposition party questioning
the need of the acquisition against the backdrop of the economic
slump caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/08/28/thai-submarine-purchase-hits-rough-seas/
***
How are German weapons reaching crisis zones? | DW Documentary https://youtu.be/3SCjJT5_3Ag
***
New arms trader on the block. Mitsubishi Electric Corp. signed a contract with the Philippines to deliver an air radar system, the first export of a newly made complete defence product since Japan's long-held arms trade ban was eased in 2014. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200828/p2g/00m/0bu/099000c
***
Krieg
und Rüstung – Die vergessenen Klimasünder
https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article211016375/CO2-Emissionen-Krieg-und-Ruestung-die-vergessenen-Klimasuender.html
And an automatic 'translation': CO2 emissions: war and armaments – the forgotten climate sinners. https://pledgetimes.com/co2-emissions-war-and-armaments-the-forgotten-climate-sinners-welt/
***
Questions
& Answers by Van Dam en Van Helvert (both Christen Democrats,
CDA) on Heckler & Koch rifles on sale @ Lock, Stock & Barrel
(https://lsb-malta.com/en/articles-news/news/78/postwar-smg---original-heckler-and-koch-mp5---exclusive-offer-on-rare-dutch-contract.html)
in Malta claimed to be Dutch.
https://tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=50ef0f9e-8008-4212-96d1-f6ee48e23d36&title=Antwoord%20op%20vragen%20van%20de%20leden%20Van%20Dam%20en%20Van%20Helvert%20over%20de%20verkoop%20van%20Nederlandse%20MP5%E2%80%99s%20in%20een%20Maltese%20wapenhandel.docx…
(Vaguely I've an other Dutch MP5 story in my head, Jordan +/- 2006)
August
28
***
Privately held drone maker General Atomics, of
San Diego, is laying off approximately 630 of its roughly 10,000
employees. The company is the producer of the MQ-9 Reaper.
https://www.defensenews.com/2020/08/27/drone-maker-general-atomics-lays-offs-hundreds/
***
South
Korea“s military trade has achieved another breakthrough! Delivered
trainer attack aircraft to Senegal to seize the African arms trade
market.
https://en.daydaynews.cc/military/763608.html
***
Indonesia’s
attempts to purchase jet fighters has gained attention. The notorious
Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto approached his Austrian
counterpart to express his interest to acquire the latter’s 15
Eurofighter Typhoons.
https://www.policyforum.net/indonesias-impulsive-arms-trade/
August 27
***
Republicans Have Organized a Backlash Convention, and It’s Tearing This Country Apart
The shooting of two demonstrators in Kenosha, Wis., again draws attention to Trump’s apocalyptic rhetoric.
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/kenosha-republican-convention/
***
As often the
heading is much stronger as the text. Europe's military corona
opportunity; The Covid shock also opens up new opportunities. Is a
European army or even an atomic bomb now approaching? A meeting in
Berlin was now a first reality check.
https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/plus214403434/Verteidigung-Europas-militaerische-Corona-Chance.html
***
Greece has a
deadly new migration policy - and all of Europe is to blame. Security
and defence industry offering hi-tech solutions, such as the drone
surveillance that has replaced naval patrols in the Mediterranean.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/27/greece-migration-europe-athens-refugees
***
A UK MoD spokesman said: "The guiding principle of the review is to ask ourselves what the threat is, and whether we have the capability to meet it." https://pressreader.com/uk/the-daily-telegraph/20200827/281852940952264
***
New York Times
explains what the major defence/intelligence contractor Palantir is
doing on big data and AI.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/technology/palantir-ipo.html
***
Analysts
are looking forward to potential cooperation among the defense
industries of Israel and the United Arab Emirates, following the Aug.
13 announcement that the two countries are establishing full
diplomatic relations in a U.S.-brokered deal.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2020/08/26/what-kind-of-industrial-cooperation-will-improved-israel-uae-relations-produce/
***
Turkish
drone attacks of August 23 and 25 on Shengal/Sinjar as seen and
commented by Kurdish YBS fighters in the region. In Dutch
https://koerdischnieuws.nl/ybs-de-aanvallen-op-ybs-moeten-worden-gezien-als-een-aanval-op-het-yazidisme-koerdische-autonome-regio/
and English
https://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/ybS-shengal-will-not-become-like-afrin-46211
August 26
***
At the cost of shifting shrinking Government funds to health care and support of those most needed it during and after the pandemic France does not intend to abandon its plan of boosting military spending in 2021. http://www.ocnus.net/artman2/publish/Defence_Arms_13/New-Investments-Possible-Consolidation-France-s-Support-of-Its-Defence-Industry.shtml
***
broekstukken:
Military vessels and naval production for the Eastern Mediterranean.
How a region of tension is armed.
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2020/08/military-vessels-and-naval-production.html
***
People are ‘demanding’ the release of a UK soldier, arrested for protesting over Yemen https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2020/08/26/people-are-demanding-the-release-of-a-uk-soldier-arrested-for-protesting-over-yemen/
***
US State
Department’s Office of Inspector General recently released a report
that, even in its redacted form, makes plain that the Trump
administration circumvented US law in multiple ways to carry out arms
transfers to the Saudi-led Coalition in Yemen.
https://www.justsecurity.org/72188/state-dept-inspector-general-linick-saudi-arms-sales/
***
Egypte is een land met
een militaire regime en dreigende conflicten met buurlanden. De
Nederlandse regering heeft het wapenexportbeleid onlangs versoepeld.
Lees de backgrounder over een gigantische Nederlandse wapenorder en
de politiek/militaire situatie:
https://stopwapenhandel.org/EgypteBackgrounder
Addition: Tekst overgenomen door Belgische DeWereldMorgen.Be https://www.dewereldmorgen.be/artikel/2020/08/28/brutaal-repressief-regime-egypte-beschikt-vrij-over-nederlands-en-belgisch-wapentuig/
***
Radar funded by
Scottish taxpayers has been developed for an air vehicle that can be
armed with air-to-air missiles & cannons. The Osprey 30 radar is
made by Italian arms firm Leonardo which has a factory in Edinburgh
employing around 1800 people.
https://theferret.scot/radar-scottish-enterprise-funded-drone-missiles/
August 25
***
A serving
UK soldier is being investigated by Military Police for protesting
against arms sales to Saudi Arabia. He accuses the government of
having ‘blood on their hands’ and says: ‘I’d rather sleep
peacefully in a cell than stay silent for a paycheck.’
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-08-25-military-police-probe-british-soldier-over-yemen-war-protest/
Addition: Un soldat britannique en service arrêté parce qu’il manifeste contre à la guerre au Yémen – VIDEO https://www.alnas.fr/actualite/en-vrac/un-soldat-britannique-en-service-arrete-parce-quil-manifeste-contre-a-la-guerre-au-yemen-video/
***
After summer
break, MEPs will debate 2 parliamentary reports, one on the state of
play of the EU’s arms exports regime
(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JCGH5FEI33GadrrWIEYN3_R-WR6toByY/view?usp=sharing)
which is meant to address concerns over the lack of transparency and
common arms export rules across the bloc.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/defence-agenda-defence-initiatives-and-squabbling-allies/
***
The Trump
administration is reportedly eager to sell the UAE F-35's.
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/20/politics/kushner-uae-israel-f-35-fighter-jet/index.html
What's the reaction of those countries contributing technology to the fighters, like e.g. the Netherlands? (Oh I know already: we don't control the policies of our NATO-allies).
August 24
***
Military Spending and Official Development Assistance in Recipient States: Is there a Relationship? https://www.sipri.org/publications/2020/sipri-insights-peace-and-security/military-spending-and-official-development-assistance-recipient-states-there-relationship-0
***
Retweet Martin Hoek
@fratzz En alweer gaat er een transport met giftig radioactief
verarmd #uranium (#uf6) vanuit #gronau (hier staat een
uraniumverrijkingsfabriek, net als in #almelo) per trein naar
(vermoedelijk ) #amsterdam om daar per schip naar Rusland gebracht te
worden voor 'verantwoorde verwerking'
(12.30) Durchfahrt
#Urantransport durch #Münster-#Hiltrup. Der Zug ist jetzt auf dem
Weg nach #Hamm und wird dort evtl. eine Pause machen! #urenco #rwe
#eon #uranmüllexport.
***
Pentagon's
top weapons buyer said that the Lockheed-built F-35 should finally go
into full production by next March following a series of delays --
the latest for COVID-19 workplace restrictions.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/08/21/f-35-will-finally-go-full-production-next-march-acquisitions-chief-says.html
Does it prevent the one millin Covid deaths will be reached?
***
Summer of
2019 Thales Netherlands sold its shares in Turkish military tech
producer Yaltes (https://www.yaltes.com/hakkimizda/profil.html)
which was established in November 2002 as a Thales Nederland BV
(Thales Netherlands)
partner.https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/blg-939419.pdf
***
Busy
flexing its muscles since late July with maritime security operation
Okun Alafia II, the Nigerian Navy's counter-piracy efforts are still
short of two Damen patrol boats stuck in Vietnam because of
complications linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.
https://www.africaintelligence.com/central-and-west-africa_business/2020/08/24/covid-19-pandemic-deprives-nigerian-navy-of-damen-patrol-boats,109601248-ar1
Addition: The
ships are mostly seen as part of the fleet of SR Platforms, a wholly
owned Nigerian company that delivers marine and offshore support
services. It is not a FSC 408 patrol boat, but a FCS 4008.
https://safetyatsea.net/news/2019/piracy-in-nigeria-spurs-more-patrol-vessels-deliveries/
Addition
2: #Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency #Nimasa gets
De Haas (built Maasluis, Nl) fast interceptor rigid-hulled
inflatables & 2 De Hoop (launched Foxhol, Nl) Special Mission
Vessels to fight piracy/maritime crime. #Corruption in the past is no
..
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/nimasa-getting-ready-for-major-deep-blue-deliveries/
August 23
***
Pressure on
Netanyahu mounts at home and abroad as Israel bombs Gaza again
https://www.thecanary.co/global/world-analysis/2020/08/23/pressure-on-netanyahu-mounts-at-home-and-abroad-as-israel-bombs-gaza-again/
Bradford on Avon Friends of Palestine group want the UK to stop the arms trade with Israel https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/18670465.bradford-avon-friends-palestine-group-want-uk-stop-arms-trade-israel/
***
UK ‘strengthening’ Belarus dictatorship’s army with military training British military instructors have given advanced command courses to Belarusian officers. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/belarus-uk-military-training-lukashenko-election-protests-a9682026.html
***
Airbus delivers
first of 16 advanced law enforcement H125 helicopters to U.S. Customs
and Border Protection.
http://www.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/press/Airbus-delivers-first-of-16-advanced-law-enforcement-H125-helicopters-to-U.S.-Customs-and-Border-Protection_2340.html
***
The Future
Fighter program of France, Germany and Spain embodies idea of a
European defence industrial cooperation, but is also drive n by the
cost: € 50 to 80 billion, production cost included and the refusal
to go American.
https://www.sudouest.fr/2020/08/19/combat-aerien-une-revolution-a-l-horizon-7763502-10142.php
***
China-India
border dispute: advanced fighter jets sent to nearby airbases
Two J-20s seen at Hotan airbase in China’s Xinjiang region, while India has deployed five new Rafales to Ladakh, according to media reports.
August 22
***
Back to
Cold War nuke policy?
Tactical Nuclear Weapons @ Sea: Although tactical nuclear weapons were withdrawn from warships in 1991, tensions with Russia & China today could lead to a new generation of sea-based nonstrategic nuclear weapons. Kyle Mizokami
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2020/august/tactical-nuclear-weapons-sea
***
Since the
early 1990s a range of international and regional reporting
instruments on arms transfers and arms transfer controls have been
created. However, as the number of instruments has increased, the
level of participation in many of them has fallen.
https://www.sipri.org/publications/2020/other-publications/reporting-conventional-arms-transfers-and-transfer-controls-improving-coordination-and-increasing
***
Dominican
Navy got its 1st Near Coastal Patrol Vessel. The Betelgeuse (102) was
donated by US Dep. of State & the US Southern Command #USSOUTHCOM
under the Foreign Military Financing #FMF program. It was built by
Metal Shark based on Damen Stan Patrol
2606.https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/08/dominican-navy-commissions-first-near-coastal-patrol-vessel/
August 20
***
Renowned magazine Nature: Despite threats to human existence from climate change, biodiversity loss and a pandemic that’s devastating economies and paralysing societies, countries still spend recklessly on destructive weapons for wars they'll never fight. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02460-9
***
De komende 10-20
jaar levert Rheinmetall Waffe Munition #RWM munitie aan Nederland.
DMO en RWM hebben hiervoor een overeenkomst getekend. Het gaat om
munitie voor m.n. CV90 voertuigen en houwitser PzH2000NL. Kosten voor
Nederland bedragen circa €50m p.j.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/materieelgezien/2020/06/11_munitie
***
Verzin het en de
kans bestaat dat het Venlose Nedinsco, producent van
precisie-instrumenten en componenten voor o.a. Defensie het
produceert: warmtebeeldsystemen; dagzichtcamera’s, (onderdelen
voor) periscopen, spectrometers voor kernfusiecentrales.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/materieelgezien/2020/06/05_in-bedrijf
***
Defensie,
klimaatbeleid & fosiele brandstof. In 1995 leverde de Defensie
Pijpleiding Organisatie #DPO de 1ste kerosine af op Schiphol. De
volgende 25 jaar pompte het Central Europe Pipeline System (CEPS)
zo'n 48 miljard liter kerosine naar Schiphol.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/materieelgezien/2020/06/07_dpo-25jaar
***
Naval diplomacy
heats up in the Mediterranean
Turkey’s goal is to stoke crises with Europe as well as also in Libya, Iraq & Syria. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/naval-diplomacy-heats-up-in-mediterranean-639301
Italy, France, and Germany are arming Mediterranean naval powers with vessels. Netherlands delivers its C3 to many of them.
***
5 EU countries will develop a new robotic missile system. Belgium: John Cockerill Defense, Royal Military Academy, FN
Herstal, Thales Belgium & Xenics;
Cyprus: Aditess, the Cyprus Institute & SignalGenerix;
France: MDBA, Novadem & Safran; DELAIR
MILREM, Estonia
Carmenta, Sweden https://johncockerill.com/app/uploads/2020/08/PR_2020807_BLOS_EN.pdf
***
The 'Report on Arms export: implementation of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (2020/2003(INI))' of July 17 was mentioned in recent answers on questions concerning an arms deal to Egypt. It wasn't yet online. Here it is. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JCGH5FEI33GadrrWIEYN3_R-WR6toByY/view?usp=sharing See also blog https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2020/08/mega-egyptian-order-for-dutch-branch-of.html
***
On the
Belgian arms trade policy in respect to Yemen in Belgian magazine
Knack.
https://www.knack.be/nieuws/belgie/geen-belgische-wapens-meer-naar-saudi-arabie-voor-wandaden-in-jemen/article-opinion-1629929.html
***
While the
process on corruption didn't conclude yet, South Africa is
approaching a milestone: in October 2020, it will make its final
payments on the loans to pay for the purchase of submarines,
corvettes, helicopters and fighters for the same Arms Deal.
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-08-18-the-r142bn-bomb-revisiting-the-cost-of-the-arms-deal-twenty-years-on/
***
When the
US started the F-35 it involved partners. UK most prominently; 2nd
tier nations Netherlands and Italy. It costed a lot to enter. The
production of components was there to earn back some of the
investment. Will those component now soon end in UAE?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelpeck/2020/08/18/why-america-selling-f-35-stealth-fighters-to-the-uae-could-be-a-middle-east-game-changer/#1741bb8b183b
August 19
at Belarusian protesters are made by a Polish private company
from Pionki. "We neversold ammunition to Belarus," the
company asserts. A former ABW [Internal Security Agency]said. "This
smells like a provocation." Rzeczpospolita, 13/08/20.
***
Origin of Surveillance Technology used Around the
World (Chinese, US, other)
https://www.statista.com/chart/20221/origin-of-ai-surveillance-technology-by-country/Bullets
fired
***
Beantwoording Kamervragen @SadetKarabulut door
Minister Stef Blok over in 2017 zoekgeraakte wapenleverantie Libië.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2020/08/18/beantwoording-kamervragen-over-in-2017-zoekgeraakte-wapenleverantie-libie
***
Q&A by SP MP
Sadet Karabulut
(https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2020/08/17/beantwoording-kamervragen-over-vergunning-voor-export-militair-materieel-naar-egypte)
and GreenLeft MP Bram van Ojik
(https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2020/08/17/beantwoording-kamervragen-over-verlening-vergunning-voor-wapenexport-naar-egypte)
on Thales mega deal with Egypt and the anwers by Dutch Ministers of
FA. And the response I wrote for Stop Wapenhandel @ctwnl
(https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2020/08/mega-egyptian-order-for-dutch-branch-of.html)
***
Retweet
@keesamok Secret Service bought phone location
data from apps, contract confirms - An internal Secret Service
document describes the purchase of Locate X, a product that uses
location data harvested from ordinar
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/jgxk3g/secret-service-phone-location-data-babel-street
***
André Bosman,
VVD (Dutch right of center liberals) asks how co-financing for
defence-industrial projects is organised in the context of the #EDF
policy to demand a 100% coverage when this isn't covered by EDF
itself. How can the Dutch Government step in?
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/kamervragen/detail?id=2020Z13975&did=2020D31802
August 18
***
Number of
foreign companies within US defence supply chain grew over past
decade. Reliance on foreign suppliers in the defense industrial base
rose—notably in packaged software and IT services—even as calls
for reshoring increase, according to a new report.
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2020/08/number-foreign-companies-within-defense-supply-chain-grew-over-past-decade-report-says/167767/
***
The Turkish
defense industrial base has made progress. It can be difficult to
determine the percentage of foreign input in a system. And what the
Turkish authorities portray as “indigenous systems” (or 100%
national systems, in local jargon) are often not.
https://www.defensenews.com/top-100/2020/08/17/turkish-industry-prospers-but-foreign-relations-are-limiting-its-potential/
***
A fighter
yet competition between the UK and EU members would reinforce the
perception that Britain’s divorce from the bloc has weakened the
intra-continental defense alliance — a notion that leaders on both
sides of the Channel have been trying to dispel.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/08/17/europes-next-gen-fighter-club-faces-a-dilemma-who-else-can-join/
***
The UK
Government has bailed out companies complicit in human rights abuses
and environmental destruction.
Companies had accepted billions of public money while paying shareholders and firing staff. Some of those companies are responsible. #Airbus #RR https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/ep4k7k/uk-government-ccff-human-rights-environment
***
Will the
Labour First Minister in Wales allow training of Saudi pilots on
Welsh land?
Plans to use land owned by the Welsh government for a military training site called into question.
***
US #SOCOM
spent $815 million on specialized equipment over 2 years, despite the
fact that the command wasn't even sure they needed it.
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/special-operations-command-equipment-evaluation-problems
The Defense Department inspector general even states the it would not be operationally effective. https://www.dodig.mil/reports.html/Article/2313070/audit-of-us-special-operations-command-testing-and-evaluation-dodig-2020-111/
August 17
***
Turkish
Daily Sabah on the skirmishes and strive for zones of influence by
NATO-members (France, Greece and Turkey), Russians, Egypt, UAE and
Saudi's in the Eastern Mediterranean, with a focus on Libya. Who
calls for a count to ten?
https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/columns/how-greece-can-win-in-the-eastern-mediterranean
***
Something to
remember when a lead country in EFA consortium exports to a dubious
destination: Spain’s Indra gets a key role in new Eurofighter radar
development. The EFA, Eurofighter or Typhoon is a European fighter
not just British, German, or Italian.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/global/europe/2020/08/14/spains-indra-gets-a-key-role-in-new-eurofighter-radar-development/
***
Revenues
of the top 100 global military companies climbed for a 4th straight
year, pushed upward by US military spending growth combined with
strong foreign military sales. Fiscal 2019 revenues recorded totaled
$524bn, up +/- 7% from $488bn in fiscal 2018.
https://georivista.com/2020/08/17/arms-trade-momentum-globalization-and-us-defense-spending-drive-defense-industry-growth/
***
General Atomics
von a $188.9 million contract action for Belgium MQ-9B SkyGuardian
procurement. This contract provides for four MQ-9B unmanned air
vehicles, two Certifiable Ground Control Stations, spares and support
equipment.
https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2313931/
***
The
Pentagon contracted Lockheed Martin with $62 billion (huh? = $ 689m
each) to build 90 F-16 fighters for Foreign Military Sale #FMS
customers. Twenty-four of those fighters will be for #Morocco while
the rest is for #Taiwan.
https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2313931/
***
SIPRI report on
European Nonproliferation (NP) diplomacy in the shaddow of secondary
sanctions.
The current US strategy has undermined the perceived utility of NP sanctions, making them appear as a pitfall, rather than a tool, of NP in Iran.
https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2020-08/pb_2008_instex.pdf
August 17
***
"Influence
on decision making by Lockheed in US equal to this of the president,"
Lawrence Wilkersom (former assistant to Colin Powell in Bush II
Administration)
Retweet @keesamok Lawrence
Wilkerson (vm. assistent Colin Powell in regering Bush II): Lockheed
Martin heeft een even grote invloed op de besluitvorming
https://taz.de/US-Militaerexperte-ueber-Nahost-Deal/!5707300/
***
Missed it when
published July, 22: the Defense News top-100 military industries.
https://people.defensenews.com/top-100/
7 from the US (included largest 5)
2 from China (new for the top 100)
1 from the UK (BAE Systems)
There is a number of background articles. Latest: https://www.defensenews.com/top-100/2020/08/17/six-considerations-from-the-defense-news-top-100-list/
Addition: While Turkish defense industry broke records with their recent turnovers, the economic magnitudes reached carry them to the top of the lists where international comparisons are made. The number of Turkish companies in the "Defense News Top 100" rose to 7. https://www.aksam.com.tr/teknoloji/defense-news-top-100de-yer-alan-turk-sirketi-sayisi-7ye-yukseldi/haber-1101944
***
India’s
move to ban the import of some weapon systems and military hardware
to boost local manufacturing is being hindered by its push to procure
as much as $2 billion in weaponry as it faces a border stand-off with
China & volatile relations with Pakistan
https://www.deccanherald.com/business/india-s-tense-borders-threaten-plan-to-ban-some-weapons-import-874212.html
***
The failing
healthcare response is to protect jobs in the military industry by
spending more Government budget.
Call to arms; Union chiefs say nine defence projects must be prioritised to safeguard jobs in recession. It's a method used across Europe. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/prioritise-255billion-defence-projects-protect-22530753
***
'They have
enough to destroy both countries'; Borzou Daragahi on how an arms
race is adding fuel to the fire of a bitter rivalry between Armenia &
Azerbaijan.
https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/world/armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-russia-military-fighter-jets-a9670761.html
EU licenses -> Armenia http://enaat.org/eu-export-browser/licence.en.html?destination=Armenia
EU licenses -> Azerbaijan http://enaat.org/eu-export-browser/licence.en.html?destination=Azerbaijan
August 16
***
Political
theater should ask questions – and prompt to challenge the status
quo. The recent play of the Common Wealth, 'I Have Met the Enemy (and
the Enemy is Us)', is about the arms trade – a subject where we can
all acknowledge that something is wrong.
https://www.redpepper.org.uk/common-wealth-theatre/
***
UK halts
military training for Hong Kong police as relations with China
decline.
The UK also has several contracts with the armed forces of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain.
***
1/... Dutch
Financial daily reports on investigation on the combination between
salary and morality by Florian Schneider and others of the University
of Zurich. When the morality is low companies have to pay more to get
personnel. https://fd.nl/futures/1353589/werken-aan-schonere-lucht
.../2
2. Average salaries in cigarette and arms industry are 50% higher as in more acceptable sectors of the economy. Moreover jobs with a high immoral character inside immoral industries attract above average employees with low moral standards. https://fd.nl/futures/1353589/werken-aan-schonere-lucht
See for paper: Sorting and Wage Premiums in Immoral Work
University of Zurich, Department of Economics, Working Paper No. 353, 2020 https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3646150
***
In 2018, the UK
Government published a list of 30 “human rights priority
countries”. Parts of the world where ministers were “particularly
concerned about human rights issues, and where we consider that the
UK can make a real difference”.
But guess what. https://www.thenational.scot/news/18654045.uk-government-arms-some-worlds-brutal-regimes/
***
Pot calling the
kettle black. Outrageous is:
corruption by a Prime Minister
selling arms to countries in war
to quell the Palestinian population & steal their land.
Israel: Netanyahu condemns 'outrageous' UNSC decision to not extend Iran arms embargo https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/middle-east/1597518345-israel-netanyahu-condemns-outrageous-unsc-decision-to-not-extend-iran-arms-embargo
August 15
***
University
funding through military research, Australian Strategic Policy
Institute: "If asked to “do something for your country”
within such a framework, we believe Australian university researchers
would respond creatively to embrace a new opportunity."
https://www.aspi.org.au/opinion/university-funding-can-be-boosted-through-defence-research
***
In FAZ 15/08 a
story on the perspectives for the arms industry titled Rüstungsaktien
in heikler Lage (Delicate position of stocks). "At first glance,
the financial consequences of the corona pandemic are barely
visible," After these words a litany with bears on the road
starts.
***
MBDA &
lockheed martin submit proposal for Germany’s next generation
integrated air and missile defence system. #MEADS
https://www.mbda-systems.com/press-releases/mbda-and-lockheed-martin-submit-proposal-for-germanys-next-generation-integrated-air-and-missile-defense-system/
***
How to increase
the military might of the EU despite and because of corona, that's
the motto of the latest European Defence Agency magazine, European
Defence Matters.
https://eda.europa.eu/docs/default-source/eda-magazine/edm19_web.pdf
***
A lesson in how
to waste: The U.S. Army has invested another $190 million into a
counter-small unmanned aircraft system (C-sUAS), but it’s
determined that the system will need to be replaced by a U.S. Marine
Corps alternative.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/unmanned/2020/08/13/army-buys-189m-counter-drone-system-but-already-has-plans-to-replace-it/
***
#AI: Removing
the human from mission command. Artificial intelligence
decision-making algorithms for mission command will be revolutionary.
Their pursuit and perfection in implementation are paramount to US
success in 21st century great power competition.
***
Pompeo calls it 'just nuts' to allow Iran to trade in arms as UN rejects embargo extension. But is it more 'nuts' as arming the other Gulf nations to the teeth? Is it more 'nuts' as spending almost half on the military as the rest of the wold does? https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/pompeo-calls-it-just-nuts-to-allow-iran-to-trade-in-arms-as-critical-un-vote-nears/2020/08/14/68e2ee84-de2b-11ea-b4af-72895e22941d_story.html
August 14
***
HSBC bank
invests & provides services worth millions to companies that
supply Israel with equipment – including BAE Systems &
Raytheon, whose weapons components were used in the attacks in 2014,
and Caterpillar, in which HSBC held £99.5m of shares in 2017.
https://blog.caat.org.uk/2020/08/13/stop-arming-israel-take-action-against-hsbc-saturday-22-august/
***
Saudi Arabia has
completed construction of its first uranium extraction facility, the
Wall Street Journal reported on August 4. The facility, located in
... experts believe that this breakthrough will speed up Saudi
Arabia’s development of nuclear weapons.
https://www.thetrumpet.com/22753-saudi-arabia-expands-its-nuclear-program
***
The US Defense
Information Systems Agency awarded a $106 million contract to
#Deloitte Consulting to build the Pentagon’s artificial
intelligence #AI hub’s AI development platform, the U.S. Department
of Defense announced Aug. 12.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/artificial-intelligence/2020/08/12/deloitte-wins-106-million-contract-with-the-pentagons-ai-hub/
***
Next
hurdle taken on the trim trail to get the JSF production and overhaul
running. Pentagon is in the early stages of replacing the troubled
Lockheed F-35’s autonomous logistics system with a new, cloud-based
network & hopes to get it working end of 2022.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/pentagon-rethinks-troubled-f-35-logistics-system
August 13
***
Het éne moment
staar je mismoedig uit het raam van Centralis Netherlands B.V. (een
Amsterdams trustkantoor), het volgende moment ben je doelwit van boze
Russen, dreig je te worden meegesleurd in een draaikolk van
oligarchen, het Kremlin, wapenleveranties.
https://www.quotenet.nl/zakelijk/a33563493/nederlands-trustkantoortje-meegesleurd-in-russische-miljoenenjacht-op-dollar240-miljoen-aan-bankobligaties/
***
At least one
member of Congress, NY Rep. Engel, cautioned that the report on
legality of passing Congress in arms export deal with KSA should be
treated with skepticism. It features a classified annex that the
public can’t read and the official in ...
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/08/11/watchdog-report-pompeo-acted-properly-in-saudi-arms-sale/
***
Campaign Against
Arms Trade’s Andrew Smith said: “There is not a ‘migrant
crisis,’ it is a crisis of war, poverty, inequality and
exploitation.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/anti-arms-trade-campaigners-condemn-government-migration-policies-as-ministers-promise-new-action-to-stop-channel-crossings
***
Congress
has secretly blocked US arms sales to Turkey for nearly two years
Four key members of Congress, either individually or collectively, have quietly frozen all major U.S. arms sales to Turkey for nearly two years. https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2020/08/12/congress-has-secretly-blocked-us-arms-sales-to-turkey-for-nearly-two-years/
August 11
***
Twenty children
have been killed in Yemen since the UK government resumed arms sales
to Saudi Arabia just over one month ago.
https://theferret.scot/children-killed-yemen-uk-arms-sales-saudi-arabia/
***
Turkey
criticizes Germany on enforcing Libya arms embargo
Turkey's top diplomat
has said Germany's participation in the EU's "Irini" arms
embargo mission means Berlin is no longer "impartial."
Turkey says the embargo benefits rebel leader Khalifa Haftar.
https://www.dw.com/en/turkey-criticizes-germany-on-enforcing-libya-arms-embargo/a-54470514
Addition:
Many Turkish domestic defence products incorporate German
technology. The skirmishes for the bühne on the illegal arms exports
to Libya (the strongest international measure possible, a UN arms
embargo) will not end this.
***
France, Germany
& Italy move forward with a plan to apply EU sanctions to those
they deem responsible for the in-flow of arms in Libya despite its
arms embargo. Increasingly advanced weaponry has continued to stream
into Libya, despite a UN arms embargo.
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/08/314962/three-eu-states-prepare-sanctions-for-libya-arms-embargo-violations/
***
Although
the headline (Should Canada arm Trump’s America?) is grotesque, the
article elaborates more in detail how Canadian military and security
industry is backing Trumps repression on anti-racist actions.
https://www.thecanadafiles.com/canada/scta
August 10
***
Turkey will
train around a third of the Somali National Army, according to Mehmet
Yïlmaz, the Turkish ambassador to the East African country. Yïlmaz
told the state-controlled Anadolu Agency that Turkey had pledged to
train 5,000 soldiers for the SNA.
https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/turkey-to-train-13-of-entire-somali-military-envoy-says/news
***
In July Serbia acquired 6 Chinese CH-92A attack/reconnaissance drones. Belgrade will also be purchasing Chinese-made FK-3 air defense missile system, export version of the HQ-22 system. This makes Serbia the first European country to deploy Chinese drones. https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1197294.shtml
***
There =
NO cap on military expenditure in most EU countries. Alarm bells are
tolling to keep ratio for acquisitions growing at the expense of
citizens security. The alert has been given. The defense industry is
threatened by the coming economic crisis.
https://www.lefigaro.fr/conjoncture/l-industrie-de-defense-confrontee-au-defi-de-son-financement-20200809
***
The Swiss
referendum on the acquisition of fighter aircraft is an issue to
explain in 3rd countries. Most of them organise a majority for these
enormous expenditures (also during the pandemic with cost to health
care & social security).
https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/achat-davions-chasse-un-budget-un-principe-aux-urnes-details
***
Would
be a convincing statement if combines with a ban on arms exports to
powder keg in the Middle East (and not only be targeted at their
enemy in the region): 6 Gulf Arab countries back extending UN arms
embargo on Iran. Reasons: Libya, Syria, HR, Yemen.
https://www.startribune.com/6-gulf-arab-countries-back-extending-un-arms-embargo-on-iran/572057182/
August 9
***
Our sovereignty
on defence matters will mean nothing if we are drawn in by EU's siren
song.
Writer isn't a Grimm brother, but a general & chair of Veterans for Britain. His title suits a fairy tale better than a view on an interwoven military business. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/08/08/sovereignty-defence-matters-will-meannothing-drawn-eus-siren/
***
In early July,
the Dutch Army took delivery of its first new Bushmaster electronic
warfare vehicle, paving the way for the possible retirement of
existing EW platforms.
https://armadainternational.com/2020/08/bushmaster-electronic-warfare-vehicles-for-dutch-army/
***
Huh? S Korea
fits Thales fire control & Rheinmetall 120mm guns in its K2
tanks. The 1500-HP engine is korean made but combines with German
transmission https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K2_Black_Panther
(RENK HSWL 295,
https://www.renk-ag.com/en/products-and-service/products/vehicle-transmissions/hswl-295/)
Now ready for export to Turkey. https://www.defenseworld.net/news/27600/S_Korea___s_Locally_made_1500_HP_Tank_Engine_Ready_for_Launch__Eyes_Exports#.Xy-4oSgzbyQ
August 8
***
Egypt and Turkey
may face U.S. sanctions in the near future for purchasing advanced
Russian military hardware. Despite prior warnings, they pushed ahead
with their respective acquisitions anyway. Why?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2020/08/05/why-are-egypt-and-turkey-risking-us-sanctions-for-these-russian-weapons-systems/
***
During
Libya’s proxy war this year, the skies over the North African
country have filled with Turkish and Chinese drones, Russian MiG 29s
and Sukhoi 24s and Emirati Mirage 2000s — reportedly — with
Turkish F-16s and Egyptian Rafales waiting in the wings.
https://www.defensenews.com/smr/nato-air-power/2020/08/06/libya-is-turning-into-a-battle-lab-for-air-warfare/
***
A former top
Saudi intelligence officer & close U.S. intelligence ally has
accused Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of targeting him for
assassination & taking his children hostage because he has
knowledge of damaging secrets about the MBS rise to power.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/former-saudi-intelligence-officer-accuses-crown-prince-of-ordering-his-assassination-in-canada/2020/08/06/04aab9a4-d7e3-11ea-9c3b-dfc394c03988_story.html
***
Airbus SE was hit with a proposed class action Thursday alleging company executives misled investors about corruption probes and a subsequent $4 billion settlement that led to multiple stock drops over a four-year period. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/business/airbus-corruption-settlement.html
***
The air force’s
CHF6 billion ($6.4 billion) purchase of new fighter jets has been
challenged to a referendum by pacifists and left-wing political
parties. Voters will decide on the credit package alongside four
other issues on September 27.
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-voters-hold-the-keys-to-new-fighter-jet-fleet/45929844
***
An
artificial intelligence algorithm will face off against a human F-16
fighter pilot in an aerial combat simulation in late August, the U.S.
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency announced Aug. 7 during the
so-called AlphaDogfight Trials.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/it-networks/2020/08/07/a-human-f-16-pilot-will-fight-against-ai-in-an-upcoming-contest/
August 7
***
The Serious
Fraud Office Finally Taking Action over a Saudi Arms Deal. Ten years
after the allegations were first aired, Steve Shaw reports on
corruption charges alleging misconduct in an arms deal between the UK
and Saudi Arabia.
https://bylinetimes.com/2020/08/07/the-serious-fraud-office-finally-taking-action-over-a-saudi-arms-deal/
***
Taiwan/US talk
sale of advanced military drones.
American SeaGuardian would extend the range of the island’s fleet, expanding capacity to peer into mainland China
Deal requires congressional approval. it is not clear if permission would include weaponry. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3096477/taiwan-and-us-talks-sale-advanced-military-drones-sources-say
***
Serbia has
tried to patch up relations with Azerbaijan after a spat over
Belgrade's sale of arms to Baku's rival Armenia.
The weapons sale was sensitive as a long-running Azerbaijan-Armenia border conflict recently escalated into deadly clashes.
***
Belgium's top
legal authority has suspended arms export licences for shipments to
Saudi Arabia's National Guard after a complaint from human rights
groups.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/belgium-suspends-arms-exports-saudi-national-guard-200807132334202.html
August 6
***
Niger went on a US-backed military spending spree, for +/- US$1 bn between 2011-19. Almost a 3rd was funnelled into inflated international arms deals – seemingly designed to allow corrupt officials and brokers to siphon off government funds https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/notorious-arms-dealer-hijacked-nigers-budget-and-bought-arms-from-russia
***
Retweet
@Defensie De afgelopen 5 weken waren meer dan
100 militairen in de Rotterdamse haven en op @VlbEindhoven betrokken
bij de verplaatsing van materieel van de Amerikaanse
helikopterbrigade @3rdCAB. Deze Host Nation Support is vandaag
afgerond.
https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2020/08/06/verplaatsing-amerikaanse-helikoptereenheid-door-nederland-afgerond
***
For
months there was opposition against sale of French high tech jamming
and night vision firm Photonis (https://www.photonisdefense.com/)
by politicians, the intelligence community, the DoD. Now it is
decided the firm will be sold to US Teledyne under conditions.
https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/defense-lelysee-ouvre-la-porte-a-une-cession-de-photonis-1228723
***
Between
2015-19, the 6 Gulf states bought more than 1/5 of arms sold
globally, with Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar ranking as the world’s
1st, 8th, and 10th largest arms importers. Saudi Arabia alone
purchased 1/4 of total US arms exports during that period.
http://internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article6758
August 5
***
Angelo
Panebianco argues in the Corriere della Sera that common European
defence optimism will be shortlived because of the enormous divides
in the EU (see Libya policies e.g.) the European Defence Fund #EDF
does not change that.
https://www.italypost.it/uneuropa-ispiri-emozioni/
***
The Libyan
National Army of Haftar has called on the US to support an initiative
to control the country's border points to prevent the arms trade that
is fueling the armed conflict, & in particular that destined for
its great rival, the Tripoli Government.
https://www.europapress.es/internacional/noticia-haftar-pide-ayuda-estados-unidos-controlar-fronteras-libia-contra-trafico-armas-20200802235551.html
***
Question by MEP
@Konecna_K: Does the Commission consider that the countries who trade
in weapons with Saudi Arabia are complicit in the human rights abuses
taking place in Yemen as part of Saudi’s illegal military
intervention?https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2020-003165_EN.pdf
Non-answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell that the decision whether to authorise or deny an export or transit remains at national discretion of Member States and its institutions. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2020-003165-ASW_EN.pdf
***
Why the The
Hague will buy its new mine hunters in France at the Naval Group (it
was Belgian responsibility in bi-national project, Dutch have same
position in respect to new frigates) & how this is turned in
argument to buy the planned submarines at home.
https://www.ftm.nl/artikelen/miljardenorder-mijnenjagers-naval-group
***
Dutch
civil/military Damen will cut 1,000 jobs, most in Romania. (Seems
choosing the Naval Group for its new corvettes back fires.)
The naval wharf in Flushing may take some of the 173 Dutch jobs cut, because the order book is filled with naval orders. https://www.ad.nl/rivierenland/dreigende-ontslagen-bij-damen-shipyards-scheepsbouwer-schrapt-ruim-1000-banen~a0ba01c7/
Addition: In
English focused on one of the Damen wharfs loosing 50-60 (of probably
170 jobs cut) in Burgum (Friesland). The engineering department,
which currently has more than fifty employees, is either sold or
transferred.
https://www.mbs.news/en/2020/08/damen-shipyards-is-now-withdrawing-completely-from-burgum-and-that-affects-dozens-of-jobs.html vv
See also Dutch shipyards operator Damen to lay off 870 at its Romanian sites. Intellnews 6-8-20 mentions as reason offshore oil prices, covid-19 caused decrease of demand and failure to get Romanian corvette – despite huge investment take over Romanian Daewoo wharf - order.
***
Guillaume Faury,
CEO of Airbus has no complaints on military orders. "It has been
long ago we had so much activity on national [military] contracts. We
appreciate the cooperation reinforcing European defense on each of
these programs."
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/airbus-a-l-affut-dans-la-defense-pour-etre-moins-dependant-du-civil-854124.html
French to exercise Saudi military in operating the weapons, already used in Yemen. Used is a brand new training center in Meuse build with French taxpayer money, and in violation of international treaties. Investigation @LebelAudrey, Le Chronique. [French] https://www.amnesty.fr/controle-des-armes/actualites/revelations-en-france-un-centre-de-formation-pour-des-soldats-saoudiens
***
Extinction
Rebellion Cambridge (XRC) and Extinction Rebellion Youth Cambridge
(XRYC) have promised a “fresh wave of action” against the
University and it’s non-divested colleges and demand full
divestment from fossil fuel companies and the arms trade.
https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/19672
August
4
***
Firearms
exports from Austria to Brazil have surged by more than 377% in the
first half of this year as gun ownership increases under the South
American country’s rightwing president, Jair Bolsonaro.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/31/brazil-guns-glock-firearms-exports-data
***
Retweet
@FrankSlijper Buy now, pay later:
US developing new options for arms customers to ensure they don’t
drop planned procurements because of the impacts of COVID 19.
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2020/08/04/to-keep-weapon-sales-in-place-us-offers-new-options-for-payment/
***
Military
equipment supplier accused of fraudulently misrepresenting its size
in order to benefit from privileges associated with being a small
business received a Paycheck Protection Program small business loan
worth at least $2 million records show.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/03/defense-contractor-with-billions-sales-got-millions-pandemic-loans-intended-small-businesses/
***
No
conditions attached: The Hungarian army has taken delivery of four
used Leopard-2 tanks to begin training on the weapons as manufacturer
Kraus-Maffei Wegmann works on the country's order of 44 new tanks.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/07/30/hungary-gets-first-batch-of-german-leopard-2-tanks/
***
Saturday
Elbit Systems UK was visited by activists from new direct action
group Palestine Action. Elbit’s London HQ is on the 6th floor of an
office building at 77 Kingsway, London. Several campaigners entered
the building hoping to stage an occupation.
https://realmedia.press/palestine-action/
***
The
US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to
Philippines of scout, assault, and light support boats with armaments
and related equipment for an estimated cost of $126 million, US
Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.
https://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/philippines-scout-assault-and-light-support-boats-armaments-and-accessories
***
Turkey
has deployed its combat helicopters to Azerbaijan for a live-fire
exercise. A group of servicemen and the aircraft of the Turkish Armed
Forces arrived in Nakhchivan to participate in a Azerbaijani-Turkish
exercise.
https://mod.gov.az/az/news/telimde-istirak-edecek-turkiye-silahli-quvvelerinin-sexsi-heyetinin-tenteneli-qarsilanma-merasimi-kecirilib-31634.html
***
BAE
Systems completes $1.9 billion acquisition of Raytheon’s military
GPS business. The business boasts more than 1.5 million GPS devices
installed on more than 280 weapons systems.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/industry/2020/07/31/bae-systems-completes-19-billion-acquisition-of-raytheons-military-gps-business/
***
Detailed
evaluation of French arms export reporting in English: Arms sales and
transparency: France's ommissions, what we're not told, what must
change II
https://amnestyfr.cdn.prismic.io/amnestyfr/757c24ea-27f2-44aa-9e9e-1681b60a516b_Arms_sales_transparency_France_s_omissions.pdf
***
Lt.
Gen. Charles Hooper took over the US Defense Security Cooperation
Agency #DCAS in 2017 coinciding with a push by the Trump
administration to increase weapon sales as an economic driver. 3
years later Defense News has an exclusive exit interview.
https://www.defensenews.com/interviews/2020/08/03/us-weapon-sales-boss-talks-china-arms-exports-and-his-agencys-future/
***
Wang
Jung-hong, Korean arms procurement chief lauds ‘hidden’ defense
tech champions. Former state auditor becomes troubleshooter for
defense firms. He said Korea’s defense industry makes strides
toward becoming an emerging player in the global arms market.
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200804000729
***
A
plea for an technology driven arms race, which will dwarf this of the
eighties:
Can China’s Military Win the Tech War?
How the United States Should—and Should Not—Counter Beijing’s Civil-Military Fusion.
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2020-07-29/can-chinas-military-win-tech-war
***
A relaxation of US restrictions on drone exports offers an opportunity for the US to use drones to influence other countries & regions. If they've access to US military drones, the balance of forces may fail, thus worsening the regional security situation. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-07-29/Why-has-the-U-S-eased-restrictions-on-the-export-of-drones--Sv9JYM5wM8/index.html
***
Report
on large underwater drones. "Large unmanned submerged Vehicles
#LUSVs
are
to feature both built-in capabilities and an ability to accept
modular payloads, and are to use existing Navy sensors and weapon
launchers."
https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/7009393/Navy-Large-Unmanned-Surface-and-Undersea.pdf
***
Arms
trade to Azerbaijan is fatal as the country uses weapons against
Armenian civilian infrastructure, Armenian FA Minister Zohrab
Mnatsakanyan has told The Jerusalem Post. Below is the full
transcript published on the Foreign Ministry’s official website.
https://hyetert.org/2020/07/29/armenian-fm-to-the-jerusalem-post-arms-trade-to-azerbaijan-is-fatal/
***
Greece
denies widely reported fake news that it is buying drones from Turkey
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/07/31/greece-denies-fake-news-that-it-is-buying-drones-from-turkey/
***
IST
Research announced it has been awarded a five-year, $66 million
contract from the General Services Administration. Various Government
customers will use the company’s pulse tech beginning with
SOCAFRICA.
https://www.globenewswire.com/fr/news-release/2020/07/23/2066650/0/en/IST-Research-Awarded-Five-year-66-Million-GSA-Contract.html
More elaborate:
https://www.fedscoop.com/socafrica-disinformation-ist-research/
***
GKN
Aerospace Sweden announced that it will partner with industries in
Italy & UK in studies on future fighter engine technology. It's
part of a wider firming-up of Sweden’s MOU with the UK on the
Future Combat Air System #FCAS program, signed July 2019.
https://www.gknaerospace.com/en/newsroom/news-releases/2020/gkn-aerospace-sweden-joins-feasibility-studies-of-the-future-fighter-jet-engine/
***
Turkish
Navy’s 1st dedicated intelligence-gathering ship, the Ufuk, has
started sea trials. The new ship was designed by STM (Savuma
Teknolojileri ve Mühendislik Ticaret) and built at Istanbul Shipyard
under a contract awarded in 2017.
https://armynow.net/intelligence-ship-trials-turkey-aselsan/
***
Expeditionary
Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB-4) kicked off its
first deployment today, leaving Virginia for an extended deployment
primarily to US Africa Command. #AFRICOM
https://news.usni.org/2020/07/27/expeditionary-seabase-uss-hershel-woody-williams-deploys-for-africom
***
Israel’s
presence in Libya has escaped most publicitiy, but media reports
revealed that Tel Aviv secretly supports eastern Libyan warlord
Khalifa Haftar against the UN-recognized Government of National
Accord (GNA), led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj.
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/haftar-and-israel-from-animosity-to-alliance-3535532
***
Rubber
bullets and tear gas among British exports to US security forces: UK
government gives green light to more tear gas sales to US police
despite UN warning over violence
***
Trump
administration’s proposal to end the practice of notifying Congress
in advance of major arms sales is a departure from long-standing
norms and a means of decreasing control on controversial sales, such
as those to help the Saudi war in Yemen.
https://www.lawfareblog.com/should-congress-play-role-arms-sales
***
Battered
by protracted Western sanctions, Russia has intensified efforts to
sell arms to Southeast Asia, looking to lift its economy and
diversify diplomatic relations in an increasingly polarized world.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Russia-locks-onto-Southeast-Asia-to-boost-arms-sales
***
Guess
why not? Germany reaffirms that its decision to limit arms export to
Turkey does not apply to naval weapons, German FA minister Heiko Maas
said July 27. Berlin is one of the world’s main exporters of
armaments and also a top exporter to Ankara.
https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/limit-on-arms-export-to-turkey-excludes-maritime-equipment-german-fm-says
***
Battling
the true enemy; A comparative analysis of government spending on
health and military in the context of a health crisis. A report by
María Pía Devoto and Alejandra Otamendi.
http://sehlac.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Battling-the-true-enemy.pdf
