Latest on
top:
September 30
***
French President
Macron called at the University of Vilnius for Europe to end its
dependency on US weapons systems as he made a renewed pitch for the
Continent to take control of its destiny, neither subservient to
neither Washington nor Beijing.
https://www.politico.eu/article/emmanuel-macron-europe-dependency-us-arms/
***
With a bottle of
water from the Nile, a the 4th Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS)
submarine for Egypt was christened "S44" in Kiel.
German arms exports to Egypt are controversial because of human rights, Libya policy & the cooperation w Saudi's in Yemen. https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/ruestungsindustrie-kiel-viertes-u-boot-fuer-aegypten-taufe-mit-flasche-nilwasser-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-200929-99-753553
***
The shooter of
the Belarusian secret service KGB is in full riot gear. His eyes are
pixelated for security reasons. In close-up, however, you can see the
MP5, a submachine gun developed by Heckler & Koch. Turkish MKEK
produces the MP5 under license.
https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/industrie/ruestungsexporte-wie-waffentechnik-von-heckler-und-koch-in-weissrussland-und-saudi-arabien-landete/26224612.html
***
Estonian #ECDI
signed a procurement agreement with the Netherlands for 7 THeMIS
drones #UGVs from Milrem Robotics. Milrem Robotics will also perform
integration of weapon systems, onto the delivered UGVs. The weapon
systems will remain under human control.
https://milremrobotics.com/netherlands-and-estonia-to-acquire-seven-milrem-robotics-themis-ugvs/
***
The German
helicopter program seen from Germany:
https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/plus216654652/Bundeswehr-Warum-die-Koalition-Soldaten-verwehrt-was-sie-brauchen.html
and from the US:
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/09/29/germany-walks-away-from-lockheed-boeing-cargo-helicopter-offers/
***
Ten months ago,
the UAE defense conglomerate Edge was launched. Edge is now made up
of 25 businesses and brings in more than $5 billion in revenue.
E.g. Garmousha, the rotary-wing drone that was announced at IDEX 2019, will be ready by the end of 2020.
***
In West-Papoea
schieten veiligheidstroepen op studenten die demonstreren tegen
racisme en voor een onafhankelijkheidsreferendum. Volgens de
Nederlandse regering hoeft dat de levering van militaire technologie
niet in de weg te staan.
https://www.dewereldmorgen.be/community/nederlandse-wapenexport-controversiele-leveringen-aan-indonesie-en-egypte/
***
Nederland draagt
bij aan Israëlische bezetting. Artikel geschreven op grond van
rapport Technologie en onderdrukking; Samenwerking tussen Nederland
en Israël in wapenhandel en veiligheidsonderzoek. door Benbjamin
Baars. Informatie: www.stopwapenhandel.org.
https://sargasso.nl/nederland-draagt-bij-aan-israelische-bezetting/
***
In the New
Straits Times Salleh Buang raises the question 'Is the UK a rogue
state?' Part of the reason is the arms trade to the Saudi's and "that
ministers had illegally signed off on arms exports without assessing
the risk to civilians."
https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2020/09/628371/uk-rogue-state
***
Canadian
Armenian community demands ban on military drone tech exports to
Turkey
Observers say drones
with Canadian tech are being used in combat against Armenian forces
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/turkey-canada-drone-azerbaijan-1.5743353
Unsent
addition: Protest in Canada against arms exports to Turkey
In the Canadian city of Burlington, activists have protested against the L3 Harris WESCAM company for selling technology for killer and surveillance drones to Turkey.
https://anfenglish.com/news/protest-in-canada-against-arms-exports-to-turkey-46927
September 29
***
ASD appointed Mr
Alessandro Profumo, the CEO of #Leonardo, as President of the
European military lobby, the AeroSpace and Defence Industries
Association of Europe #ASD. ASD represents 23 national associations &
over 3000 companies in Europe and worldwide.
https://www.nidv.eu/alessandro-profumo-elected-new-president-of-asd/
***
Dutch lobby for
military and security industry NIDV reports on a successful visit to
Greece. Opportunities are foreseen on naval, air, land and cyber
industrial cooperation.
https://www.nidv.eu/handelsmissie-naar-griekenland-een-succes/
***
Nog altijd wordt
Nederlandse militaire technologie geleverd aan landen die oppositie
met geweld de kop indrukken, zoals Egypte en Indonesië, zo schrijft
Stop Wapenhandel in de vandaag gepubliceerde ‘Analyse Nederlands
wapenexportbeleid’.
https://stopwapenhandel.org/analyse%20nederlands%20wapenexportbeleid
***
The bridge to
the Pentagon in your computer! Microsoft wants to position itself as
the bridge between the Pentagon and commercial satellites.
https://breakingdefense.com/2020/09/microsoft-positions-itself-to-win-space-data-market-with-azure-orbital/
***
Press release by
Stop Wapenhandel @Ctwnl on controversial arms sales to Egypt and
Indonesia. [in Dutch]
https://stopwapenhandel.org/analyse%20nederlands%20wapenexportbeleid
***
Answer given by
Commissioner Breton on signaled contradiction between an answer given
on EDIDP supported development of autonomous weapons and their
ethical reviews by Mr. Breton and a answer to written questions by
MEP @lukeming
(https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-9-2020-004070_EN.html).
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-9-2020-004070-ASW_EN.pdf
***
#Airbus has
received a firm order for an Airbus A330 MRTT Multi-Role Tanker
Transport from #OCCAR, Europe’s organisation for the management of
cooperative armament programmes.
https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/09/nato-support--procurement-agency-orders-an-additional-airbus-a330-mrtt.html
***
New Delhi: The
Union Defence Ministry has approved a proposal to purchase 72,000 Sig
Sauer assault rifles from the US at a cost of around Rs 780 crore.
(€90m)
https://odishatv.in/nation/defence-ministry-approves-procurement-of-72000-assault-rifles-479103
***
Trial on former
South African president Zuma goes on and on. Zuma said
anti-corruption magistrate was biased. He was - among other
accusations - bribed by French defence giant Thales. This Thales
related trial was postponed in early September.
https://www.africaradio.com/news/afrique-du-sud-zuma-demande-a-un-magistrat-anti-corruption-qu-il-se-recuse-173175
***
Damen into
partnership with Wilson Sons to tender for the construction of a
Brazilian Navy Support Ship. [in Portuguese]
https://mgcomunicacao.com/?p=104966
***
Great Power
and Great Responsibility in US Arms Transfers. Zoom 13/10 14-15.30
(Eastern Time)
D. Fite, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
D. Ohlbaum, Friends Com on National Legislation
A. Shiel, Center for Civilians in Conflict
R. Stohl, Stimson Center
https://www.stimson.org/event/great-power-and-great-responsibility-in-u-s-arms-transfers/
September 28
***
"Climate
change is increasing the risk of violent conflict by discrediting
central governments, prompting clashes over resources, and boosting
the appeal of nonstate armed groups."
And thus short-term profitable for the arms industry.
***
Lawyers,
activists petition Israel supreme court to block training of India
police
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200928-lawyers-activists-petition-israel-supreme-court-to-block-training-of-india-police/
A computer-generated image of Damen’s Stan Patrol 6211 concept. The Royal Malaysian Navy is considering a 68 m variant of this concept, known as the Stan Patrol 6811, as a contender for the Littoral Mission Ship Batch 2 project. (Damen). https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/malaysia-evaluates-options-for-second-batch-of-littoral-mission-ships
***
A US federal
judge plans to deny SpaceX’s challenge to US Air Force contracts
awarded to its rivals, writing in a court filing that the Pentagon
properly assessed the development of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s
Starship rocket system as “too risky & expensive.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN26G2MA
***
Israeli Navy
tested a sea-to-sea missile. The missiles will be integrated into the
Israeli Navy's newest Sa'ar-5 and Sa'ar-6 class ships, made in the
United States by Huntington Ingalls Industries.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/navy-defense-ministry-tests-new-missile-for-corvettes/
***
TURKEY warned
border clashes between Armenia & Azerbaijan could "throw the
region into fire", as tensions erupt over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Ankara has traditionally backed Azerbaijan. In July the defence
industry chief said his sector was ready to support Baku.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1340605/armenia-azerbaijan-war-nagorno-karabakh-ceasefire-turkey-recep-tayyip-erdogan-twitter
***
Trained in
Scotland: Saudi pilots blitzing Yemen with bombs made in Scotland
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/air-force-accused-of-war-crimes-in-yemen-using-scots-airports-to-train-pilots/
***
Rafale Indian
offset scheme a failure. #Dassault #MBDA #Safran #Thales
https://in.news.yahoo.com/rafale-offset-scheme-failure-why-032439942.html
Addition: Shortly after India's auditor general pulling up the French firm Dassault for not meeting its contractual obligation in the Rafale deal to reinvest in India, the MoD decided to scrap the offset clause in all inter-government & single vendor defence deals. http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2020/09/india-scraps-offset-policy-after-rafale.html
***
Tiny majority of
Swiss population (50.1%) says yes to new fighter aircraft. French
speaking parts majority votes 'No' and German speaking parts 'Yes'.
https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/votes/20200927/federal-decree-on-the-procurement-of-new-fighter-aircraft.html
Addition: 55% Of women said no, this while the MoD campaigned on women to vote yes. Younger people were significantly more critical of the fighter jets than older people. A majority of 53% of 18 to 34 year olds said no to new jets. [Pay Wall] https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/kampfjet-gegner-fuehlen-sich-motiviert-745994536481
Addition: Swiss voters have approved a government plan to spend $6.5bn on new fighters by a margin of 8,670 votes, with the two US vendors in the race feeling the backlash of anti-Trump sentiments. Opponents could still derail the pan by seeking another referendum. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/09/28/switzerlands-65-billion-fighter-jet-plan-narrowly-passes-referendum/
***
Known names of
the naval shipbuilding (French Naval Group, Spanish Navantia (in),
Dutch Damen (out)) world now mentioned in an article to build wind
mills at sea in Bretagne. Polder: pour qui les emplois promis?
https://www.letelegramme.fr/finistere/brest/polder-a-brest-pour-qui-les-emplois-promis-25-09-2020-12625495.php
***
Peace, feminism, and arms exports: Canada’s inexplicable and contradictory policy choice.
For the sake of peace, women’s rights and international humanitarian law, Canada must stop selling arms to Saudi Arabia. By AÏCHA MADI https://www.hilltimes.com/2020/09/28/peace-feminism-and-arms-exports-canadas-inexplicable-and-contradictory-policy-choice/264667
September
27
***
How Germany was drawn to Iran 'dual-use' drone
motors for Yemen Houthis.
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/how-germany-was-drawn-to-iran-dual-use-drone-motors-for-yemen-houthis-643634
September
26
***
Sympathetically
written and the influence of the global arms industry (like Lockheed
and BAe) on policy makers is indeed enormous. But it is politicians
who make decisions on arms acquisitions and give the green light for
arms exports, not CEO's.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/720165-the-dream-of-peace
***
Adding
info to Chili coup: UK "officials not only welcomed Chile's
dictatorship in 1973 – they spent a decade helping to create the
conditions that brought it to power, and played a material role in
destroying Chilean democracy for a generation.
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-09-22-exclusive-secret-cables-reveal-britain-interfered-with-elections-in-chile/
Addition: Le Monde today printed a story on unpublished documents which lift the veil on the plans for the assassination of French and foreign persons by the secret services during the Algerian war. https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2020/09/25/de-1956-a-1962-la-france-a-ordonne-a-ses-services-secrets-d-assassiner-des-citoyens-francais_6053582_3210.html
***
Germany presses
Russia to release UN report on Libya arms
https://www.france24.com/en/20200925-germany-presses-russia-to-release-un-report-on-libya-arms
Russia, China block release of UN report criticizing Russia
***
RAF as salesman
for Airbus. Kazakhstan considers purchasing an aircraft for strategic
airlift. As part of a demo, the A400M was loaded with an Arlan
Armoured vehicle. Airbus Test pilots showcased the aircraft's
technical capabilities to Kazakh officers.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/royal-air-force-a400m-showcased-in-kazakhstan
Addition: PEACE campaigners have hit out at Britain’s plans to negotiate the sale of military aircraft to the authoritarian regime in Kazakhstan. https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/britain-negotiating-sale-military-aircraft-kazakhstan
***
UNDOC
report also includes info on Netherlands.
Number of seized small arms (p. 119)
2010: 1405;
2016/2017: 5399/5463
(163/132 machine guns,
1619/1651 pistols,
522/555 revolvers,
753/991 rifles,
5/24 submachine guns,
2336/2110 other)
***
Angola & Botswana are among countries most affected by illegal arms trade in Africa, according to 'The Global Study on Firearms Trafficking' a report by UN Office on Drugs&Crime #UNODC. Most of the smuggled arms originate from US. https://southerntimesafrica.com/site/news/angola-botswana-top-afric
***
Elon
Musk isn't just an boy with toys. He's part of the US military space
programs. US Space Force will save $53m in launch expenses due to a
contract modification with SpaceX, which will allow it to reuse
Falcon 9 first-stage boosters for future launches.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/space/2020/09/25/starting-in-2021-spacex-can-reuse-boosters-for-space-force-launches/
September 25
***
Kazakhstan has
barred three air carriers from operating for violating a UN Security
Council embargo covering the supply of arms to Libya, the Central
Asian country's government said Wednesday (23 September).
https://www.euractiv.com/section/central-asia/news/kazakhstan-suspends-three-airlines-for-breaking-un-libya-embargo/1509955/
***
According to the
Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Netherlands has become
one of Vietnam’s two biggest EU trade partners. Dutch enterprises
in Vietnam include civil military shipbuilder Damen.
http://ven.vn/vietnam-the-netherlands-gear-up-to-enjoy-eu-trade-pact-43836.html
***
Protest against
Dutch - German MEKO-frigate export connected - arms sale to Egypt.
https://www.gooieneemlander.nl/cnt/DMF20200924_22774898/pompende-muziek-met-schoten-erdoorheen-in-huizen-bij-protest-tegen-wapenleverantie-door-thales
***
Top US
lawmakers voice support for Israel’s military edge amid F-35 sale
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/09/24/top-us-lawmakers-voice-support-for-israels-military-edge-amid-f-35-sale/
***
Retweet:
@andrewfeinstein Opinion: The Trudeau government is
fuelling a humanitarian crisis in Yemen - The Globe and Mail
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-trudeau-government-is-fuelling-a-humanitarian-crisis-in-yemen/
***
Retweet:
@FrankSlijper Israel, Italy swap helicopters and
missiles in new arms deal
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/09/24/israel-italy-swap-helicopters-and-missiles-in-new-arms-deal/
September 24
***
The US and its European allies make up nearly 3/4 of all arms transfers to the Middle East and North Africa, a new report found. Experts say arms exports to the region fuel conflict and human rights abuses. https://www.dw.com/en/us-european-weapons-exports-middle-east-north-africa/a-55039271
(See also earlier tweet: https://twitter.com/martinbroek/status/1309038717877846017)
***
Israel
normalisation deals will not usher in peace. Just more US arms sales
The new 'peace agreements' will ensure confrontation and fuel an arms race, while providing an Israeli security umbrella to Gulf rulers
https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/do-israel-normalisation-deals-herald-new-regional-order
***
Survey of Czech
academic ties with PRC defense-linked universities, by Sinopsis and
Czech Radio, has identified dozens of partnerships between Czech
universities and institutions in a database of Chinese defense
universities.
https://chinadigitaltimes.net/2020/09/nothing-of-interest-in-a-small-country-czech-chinese-academic-exchange-in-the-age-of-military-civil-fusion/
***
This week
activists staged a day of protest against the massive Canadian arms
deal with Saudi Arabia. This action drew attention to the horrific
uses the Saudi dictatorship is putting to those weapons, and this
deal is part of a long Canadian tradition.
https://www.thecanadafiles.com/articles/csaad
***
Indian
Comptroller and Auditor General #CAG notes French offset promises
linked to Rafale acquisition did not materialise. #Dassault #MBDA
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/dassault-aviation-failed-to-offer-cutting-edge-technology-to-drdo-cag-11600873999257.html
***
Dutch action against sale of military technology to Egypt.
***
Navy Aegis
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD)
Program: Background and Issues for Congress, September 18, 2020. An overview of Aegis (and similar) missile defence capabilities of the US and allies (included types of US weaponry).
***
New report: The
Mideast arms bazaar: top arms suppliers to the Middle East and North
Africa, 2015-2019.
https://3ba8a190-62da-4c98-86d2-893079d87083.usrfiles.com/ugd/3ba8a1_c035cc647bb84e3aad535bfdc342abd7.pdf
And meeting: Moving Beyond Pandemic Arms Sales. https://twitter.com/ForumArmsTrade/status/1306247732311535616
***
European
Parliament has recently demanded to put an end to the sales of
European arms, as well as surveillance technology and any other
equipment that could facilitate internal repression, to Saudi Arabia,
UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt, writes MEP Eldar Mamedov.
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2020/09/21/europe-pushes-ban-on-weapons-to-repressive-gulf-regimes-why-cant-the-us/
***
Turkish
government officials and industry executives are hoping to find new
sales in what they see as emerging export markets in Pakistan,
Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
“These are promising markets for Turkish manufacturers,” said a procurement official.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/2020/09/23/turkey-eyes-new-markets-for-exports/
***
Aantal
aangevraagde & verstrekte vergunningen voor de doorvoer van
militair materieel over Vlaams grondgebied bereikte in 2019 een
absoluut dieptepunt, blijkt uit de analyse van het Jaarverslag
Buitenlandse Wapenhandel 2019 door het Vlaams Vredesinstituut.
https://www.dewereldmorgen.be/artikel/2020/09/22/vlaams-vredesinstituut-vergunningen-voor-doorvoer-militair-materieel-in-vlaanderen-op-historisch-dieptepunt/
September 23
***
Gov't affirms Med Wave, a company EU sanctioned for breaking Libya arms embargo not existent in Jordan. https://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/govt-affirms-company-eu-sanctioned-breaking-libya-arms-embargo-not-existent-jordan. Med Wave Shipping: Office 511, 5th Floor, Baraka Building,Dauwar al-Waha, Amman, Jordan. https://world-ships.com/company/66dfa48e8744828694bf140b63a01650#.X2r8TmgzbyQ It has a controversial track record.
Addition: German
weapons in Libya too? (Die Welt July 4, 2020); Abou Merhi Holding in
Beirut owns at least 2 cruise ships & 8 cargo ships. The "Bana"
is officially registered to Med Wave Shipping but actually owned by
the AML group of Abou Merhi.
https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/plus210988121/Trotz-UN-Embargo-Tuerkei-schmuggelt-Waffen-nach-Libyen.html
Addition:
By looking at BANA ownership history we can notice that Abou
Merhi Ship Management SAL and AML Ship Management Gmbh were its
former owners based in Lebanon and Germany.
https://openfacto.fr/mv-bana-from-alleged-links-with-hezbollah-to-the-transport-of-arms-to-libya/
***
The UK's
MoD is in talks with Boeing to cut its order for the E-7 Wedgetail
radar jets to 3 from 5 in an effort to reduce costs ($2.68bn) and
quell complaints that the contract was not opened to competing bids
from European defense contractors.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/09/22/uk-talks-cut-controversial-boeing-contract-early-warning-radar/
***
2 visions
suggesting a policy in response to Turkey. One by Samuel Doveri
Vesterbye, of the European Neighbourhood Council proposes engagement
(https://rusi.org/commentary/keep-your-friends-close-and-turkey-closer-eu-turkey-relations)
and one by Kees Homan of Dutch FA research institute Clingendael
(https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/09/18/geef-turkije-militair-geen-vrijbrief-a4012727)
aims for sanctions.
Addition: Macron asked - among more - Erdogan to fully respect the arms embargo in Libya within the framework defined by the United Nations, and to respect the security interests of France's Kurdish and Arab allies in north-east Syria. https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2924971&language=en
September 22
***
Information
about permits issued by the Australian Government in 2019 to
countries such as Saudi Arabia & UAE raise questions about how
the current arms export approval processes can be consistent with
Australia’s responsibilities under international law.
http://ilareporter.org.au/2020/09/with-open-arms-could-australias-weapons-exports-be-at-odds-with-its-responsibilities-under-international-law-suzanne-varrall/
***
EU agreed to
sanction violators of the UN embargo on arms flowing into Libya, EU
sources told dpa. Measures target companies from Turkey, Jordan &
Kazakhstan, and 2 persons from Libya, that provided transport of
combat equipment to Libya.
https://newsghana.com.gh/eu-sanctions-violators-of-un-libya-arms-embargo/
Addition: Turkish
Daily Sabah added that the sources did not specify "however, if
the sanctions would also target Russia and the United Arab Emirates
(UAE), which have been supporting putschist Gen. Khalifa Haftar’s
forces against the U.N.-recognized government."
https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/eu-foreign-ministers-agree-to-sanction-some-firms-over-un-arms-embargo-on-libya
Addition:
The EU Council imposed targeted restrictive measures including on
Kazakhstan-based Sigma Airlines involved in violating the UN arms
embargo in place for Libya, the EU Council said.
https://www.interfax.kz/?lang=eng&int_id=21&news_id=46508
Addition: The US could be playing a bigger role in Libya and will be "decisive" in stabilising the war-wracked country, Italy's foreign minister Luigi Di Maio said on Thursday in a joint session of the Italian Senate's foreign affairs and defence committees. https://www.adnkronos.com/aki-en/politics/2020/01/30/crucial-stabilising-libya_crsJg6wJKywydKGFLw9AXN.html
***
China restricts
export -among more- of:
- AI interactive interface technologies
- personalized information recommendation service technologies based on data analysis
- speech synthesis & evaluation technologies
- scanning & photo recognition technologies.
***
How
to organise EU military and how far to include participation of
countries (in its military buildup) with an defence industrial
interest to participate, like the US, Norway, Turkey & countries
with defence industries in the EU with outside owners or partnership.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/09/21/germany-tries-to-forge-a-deal-on-who-can-play-ball-in-europe/
September 21
***
In the
coming years, the EU will spend billions on R&D of military
equipment through the EDF. Despite the issues at stake, the EU
military research programmme not only excels in opacity, but also
neglects international law, writes Bram Vranken @Vredesactie
https://qceablog.wordpress.com/2020/09/21/unethical-and-amoral-how-the-eu-weapons-programme-neglects-human-rights/
***
A
$7.4 billion contract between the U.S. Air Force and General Atomics,
announced this week, will field MQ-9 Reaper drones faster, the Air
Force said.
https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2020/09/18/General-Atomics-nets-74B-MQ-9-Reaper-contract-with-US-Air-Force/7611600455794/
***
UK campaigners
have demanded that the government end contracts with Palantir, a tech
company playing a key role in president Trump’s drive to deport
migrants. Palantir has also been hired to oversee Britain's
post-Brexit border data from December 31.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/activists-demand-an-end-to-deportation-tech-contracts
September 20
***
Title is wrong:
Turkey to Launch Turksat 5A Satellite into Space on November 30
https://news.satnews.com/2020/09/17/turkey-to-launch-turksat-5a-satellite-into-space-on-november-30/.
Turkey isn't launching, but the satellite Türksat will be launched by SpaceX and Airbus. As will be the next civil/military satellite. (Tweet 9/9/20 https://twitter.com/martinbroek/status/1303615941889208321)
***
Report
on the use of the hawala remittance system in the
Yemen–Somalia arms trade. https://www.somalilandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Following-the-money-The-use-of-the-hawala-remittance-system-in-the-Yemen%E2%80%93Somalia-arms-trade.pdf
Summarising article:
https://www.somalilandcurrent.com/2020/09/19/the-use-of-the-hawala-remittance-system-in-the-yemen-somalia-arms-trade-report/
Addition: On the writer, Jay Baladur, and some
short points to summarize the report.
https://www.jaybahadur.com/single-post/the-yemen-somalia-arms-trade
September
19
***
Several
EU members want to punish the Saudi kingdom over Khashoggi and the
Yemen war, but the US, UK and EU member France are reluctant. EU
Parliament passed a critical decision to punish Saudi Arabia by
adopting an arms embargo targeting the kingdom.
https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/as-the-us-deepens-ties-with-saudis-the-eu-urges-an-arms-embargo-on-riyadh-39866
***
The
defense ministers of Germany and France have pushed for speedy
progress in the Eurodrone program, urging member nations to initiate
the aircraft’s development phase before the end of the year.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/09/18/german-french-defense-ministers-push-for-eurodrone-progress/
***
Kirsten
Bayes argues that the UK’s addiction to arms trading is a vestige
of empire and great power politics that continues to empower despots
and immiserate the world’s most vulnerable people.
https://rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/2020/09/17/trading-in-misery/
***
Turkish
bragging on foreign interventions and arms production. Wonder why
Western Europe is still cooperating with Ankara.
https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/columns/how-turkish-defense-industry-continues-boosting-its-capabilities
September
18
***
Companies
are lining up to build a replacement for the MQ-9 Reaper drone
Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and General Atomics all showed off new design concepts for the MQ-Next program.
https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/air-force-association/2020/09/17/defense-companies-are-lining-up-to-build-a-replacement-for-the-mq-9-reaper/
***
Many
UK universities are increasing their investments in arms companies
and acting as their research and development partners. They risk
becoming militarised spaces, losing their public ethos and giving the
military industry a humane public face.
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-09-18-british-universities-are-being-increasingly-captured-by-arms-corporations/
***
Canadian
PM Justin Trudeau is facing fresh calls to end arms exports to Saudi
Arabia after a United Nations panel named Canada for the first time
as one of the countries helping fuel the war in Yemen.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-trudeau-urged-to-end-arms-exports-to-saudi-arabia-after-canada-cited/
September
16
***
Despite
conflicts; Arms exports to Turkey remain at a high level - "It's
scandalous"
https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article215853042/Ruestungspolitik-Waffenexporte-in-die-Tuerkei-weiter-auf-hohem-Niveau.html
***
It's
about €250m and 120,000 new rifles: The Thuringian armory CG Haenel
in Suhl has landed a major order from the Bundeswehr.
https://www.mdr.de/thueringen/sued-thueringen/suhl/sturmgewehr-haenel-bundeswehr-100.html
***
Retweet
@MinBijleveld Nederland in top-5
van sterkste cybermachten in de wereld, volgens Harvard’s
@BelferCenter. Dankzij extra cybercapaciteit zijn we op de goede weg,
maar we kunnen niet achterblijven op de rest. Daarom moeten we
blijven investeren #defensie
https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/national-cyber-power-index-2020
***
EP
report on defence industry & arms export control published. It
serves both hawks & doves. On the dove part it aims to improve
controls. But they aren't the problem. They are in place. Strict
implementation isn't for obvious (economic, foreign) reasons.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2020-0224_EN.pdf
Addition:
Thanks to @ENAAT EP report on EU arms
exports and CP, as adopted in plenary session yesterday should be
available in all EU languages at a later stage, through this link:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2020-0224_EN.html
***
Vague,
isn't it? The first factor for industry consolidation—a shrinking
demand—may not be present in European countries in the short-term,
but it cannot be ruled out for the mid- to long-term given the
magnitude of the current economic crisis.
https://www.sipri.org/commentary/essay/2020/covid-19-new-wave-european-arms-industry-consolidation
Addition:
It also cannot be ruled out investment
in & consolidation of military industries will be seen as a
remedy. Which EU country considers to downgrade its military
(acquisition) budgets, against the trend of increasing them? #Greece
#Netherlands #COVID #SIPRI
https://www.sipri.org/commentary/essay/2020/covid-19-new-wave-european-arms-industry-consolidation
***
Fanning
the fire, instead of taking its oxygen.
Israel Seeks $8B Arms Deal At White House: F-35s, V-22s, KC-46s. The new weapons are meant to keep Israel's qualitative edge after President Trump agreed to sell the F-35 to the UAE.
https://breakingdefense.com/2020/09/israel-seeks-8b-arms-deal-at-white-house-f-35s-v-22s-kc-46s/
***
For
those air forces in Europe who used the F-104, NF-5, F-16 and the
F-35, there is a next US fighter looming on the horizon to be bought
and so keep Washington happy. The US Air Force has secretly designed,
built and flown a next-generation fighter jet.
https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2020/09/15/the-us-air-force-has-built-and-flown-a-mysterious-full-scale-prototype-of-its-future-fighter-jet/
Addition: Who is Secretly Building the USAF’s New Fighter?
Officials are mum, so here’s a roundup of clues. Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman or someone else. https://www.defenseone.com/business/2020/09/who-secretly-building-usafs-new-fighter/168541/
***
Again
what do the participants in the program (https://f35.com/global)
think about this? US President Trump said he would have “no
problem” selling the advanced F-35 fighter jet to the UAE. They
stay silent, hiding behind the back of Uncle Sam?
Yemen?https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/09/15/trump-no-problem-selling-f-35-to-uae/
***
LETTER:
Armscor was irredeemably corrupt
SA has no reason for a war industry, not even one it euphemistically calls a ‘defence’ industry
***
***
Retweet
@TNInstitute We issuing an open
call for essays, papers, infographics and artistic collaborations on
military, police and coercive state power for our State of Power
report. How are state coercive powers legitimised within society? And
how can they be delegitimised?
https://tni.org/en/article/call-for-essays-on-military-police-and-coercive-state-power
***
Britain
must halt sales of tear gas to Greece after its use on refugees in
Lesbos, campaigners demand
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/britain-must-halt-sales-of-tear-gas-to-greece-after-its-use-on-refugees-in-lesbos-campaigners-demand
September 15
***
French
La Tribune notes that Belgium is still a client for US arms. Belgium
will acquire 322 military command vehicles produced by US company
Oshkosh, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. Contract valued at €135m.
(La Belgique se tourne encore vers les EU)
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/armement-la-belgique-se-tourne-encore-vers-les-etats-unis-857004.html
***
Even
though #Damen announced layoffs to start in the 2nd part of August
(about 870 people from the construction sites in Galaţi and
Mangalia), the Constanţa Shipyard is hiring and ... every day, it
has 1,600 people who go to work on construction site gate.
***
Ending
the Pentagon’s Pandemic of Spending.
Lockheed Martin reported that, compared to 2019, its earnings are actually up — yes, up! And Lockheed Martin is far from the only such outfit. This while US reaction on Covid-19 and poverty is shockingly poor. https://www.juancole.com/2020/09/pentagons-pandemic-spending.htm
***
Polish
arms industry wins 4 large contracts:
- 60 Rosomak-S armoured army APCs, €23.5m;
- various kinds of ammo, including ZSU-2 and ZSU-23-4 air defence systems, €50m;
- 11,000 shells, Dana howitzer, €17m; and
- 8,000 shells, Gozdzik howitzers, €9.3. https://www.pnb.pl/clientarea/polish-news-bulletin-daily/508972.html
***
John
Mason, 77, of GPT Special Project Management, is accused of bribing
officials in the Saudi Arabian National Guard in exchange for
contracts in the period 2007-2012. Jeffrey Cook the firm’s former
director, is jointly charged with corruption.
https://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/john-mason-ormesby-saudi-defence-contract-charges-1-6837461
***
State Department officials have raised alarms about the legal risk in aiding airstrikes that kill civilians. The Trump administration recently suppressed findings as it sold more weapons to Gulf nations. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/14/us/politics/us-war-crimes-yemen-saudi-arabia.html
***
Normalisation
of ties between Israel and Arabian states "could lead to an
'emboldened' UAE in Yemen in Libya", thus more Emirati
operations in war zones. It would surely lead to more arms trade to a
region seen as the least peaceful already.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/09/israel-ties-bind-giving-gulf-arab-states-200911162339159.html
September 14
***
China creates
its own internal dissent. Language rules for Inner Mongolia another
step to erode ethnic groups in China.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3101186/language-rules-inner-mongolia-another-step-erode-ethnic-groups
***
Retweet Martin Butcher Retweeted @RethinkingSecu1
External consultation should not be an
after-thought of national security reviews. We're pleased to have
contributed to this excellent article from @willrworley, along with
@Saferworld, @bondngo, @SarahChampionMP and @RUSI_org.
https://www.devex.com/news/uk-s-integrated-review-accused-of-lack-of-serious-consultation-98070
***
Must European
values come from the barrel of a gun? Or is that just a recent idea,
replacing the long - unfortunately not strongly - developed idea
European power has more to do with soft diplomacy & economic
(alas neoliberal since the 1990's) strength?
https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-priorities-2020/opinion/after-one-year-of-the-geopolitical-commission-its-time-to-get-real/
***
In the
meantime Greece announces its next arms fair 11-15 may 2021 in
Athens. https://defea.gr/exhibitors/why-defea/
***
Armament: What's
the role of France in India (Rafale, Scorpène submarines)?
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/armement-quel-role-pour-la-france-en-inde-rafale-scorpene-856912.html
***
Retweet
@stopfuellingwar "In a bizarre twist to the
Greek debt crisis, France and Germany are pressing Greece to buy
their gunboats and warplanes, even as they urge it to cut public
spending and curb its deficit."
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eurozone-greece-warships-analysis/broke-buy-a-few-warships-france-tells-greece-idUSTRE62M1Q520100323
Addition: The above article is 10 years old. Sometimes it takes a while for such lobby to materialize. Greece would buy 18 Rafale fighters, but also 4 frigates and 4 four navy helicopters. https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202009/15/WS5f6024b7a3101ccd0bee06df.html
***
Dassault regards
it has a first time chance on the US dominated European fighter
market. The Rafale is currently engaged in two important
competitions, in Finland and in Switzerland, two countries not tied
to the US market.
https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/une-commande-qui-entrouvre-la-porte-de-leurope-au-rafale-1241992
Addition:
Le Rafale en Grèce, une bonne nouvelle pour l'aéronautique et
Dassault
The Rafale for Greece, good news for [French] aeronautics and Dassault.
But is it good for downplaying tension? Or for the poverty stricken Greece population?
***
‘Historische’
vredesakkoorden tussen de ene notoire mensenrechtenschendende staat
(Israël) en andere schurkenstaten #VAE #Bahrein komen uiteindelijk
neer op lucratieve wapenhandel. Beide behoren tot Saoedische coalitie
die rücksichtslos #Jemen bombardeert.
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/09/14/een-te-negeren-humanitaire-ramp-a4011878
September 13
***
German leopard
gets new competition; Poland wants to buy up to 800 battle tanks - an
order worth billions. South Korea is now launching its K2 Black
Panther model. [ in German]
https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/plus215544046/Kampfpanzer-Der-Leopard-bekommt-Konkurrenz-aus-Suedkorea.html
***
According
to Die Linke the value of German arms exports could exceed one
billion euros this year. In the first half of the year they valued
already more than € 623m, the party based this prognoses on
information from the federal
government.https://www.pressreader.com/germany/delmenhorster-kreisblatt/20200911/281870120850897
***
Despite
Sanctions, Israeli Firm Cellebrite sold phone-hacking tech to
Venezuela. Cellebrite is a firm that creates devices to extract
information from most handheld mobile devices. Cellebrite denies
plans to sell Caracas its latest system.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/tech-news/.premium-despite-sanctions-israeli-firm-sold-phone-hacking-tech-to-venezuela-1.9144879
***
Saudi air force
pilots fly “air-to-ground training sorties” in the Britain,
Declassified has found.
Video recordings of the bombings are being withheld by the RAF, which refuses to release the footage in case it upsets diplomatic relations with Riyadh. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-09-11-revealed-censored-videos-show-saudi-pilots-bombing-britain/
***
The Philippine
Navy’s plan to integrate its AW159 naval helicopter with the Jose
Rizal-class frigate is delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic. The navy is
waiting for UK instructors to arrive in the country in order to start
deck-landing operations. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1114833
***
Campaigners
criticise UK for allowing arm sales to undemocratic Swaziland
The undemocratic absolute monarchy of Swaziland (eSwatini) is among a list of countries that have received arms from the United Kingdom, the Campaign Against Arms Trade reported. https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/09/campaigners-criticise-uk-for-allowing.html
***
Vietnam has
selected Israeli company Controp to supply its border guard with
surveillance and observation systems for new ships built in Vietnam
and India, the company announced Sept. 8.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2020/09/10/israels-controp-to-supply-electro-optics-for-vietnamese-border-guard/
***
US sale of F-35s
to UAE. The F-35 is an international project. What is the opinion of
the nations where components come from? Has The Hague e.g. no problem
with Dutch parts for fighter aircraft ending in the UAE when the US
does do the dirty business?
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200907-israel-demands-compensation-from-us-for-sale-of-f-35s-to-uae/
Addition: UN Rights Experts Urge Countries to Stop Fueling War in Yemen https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/un-rights-experts-urge-countries-stop-fueling-war-yemen
***
An overview on
how Chinese export restrictions on tech export has changed recently.
https://www.allenovery.com/en-gb/global/news-and-insights/publications/china-technology-export-control-and-beyond
***
Thales and
PT Len to modernize multi-role light frigate KRI Usman-Harun of
Indonesian Navy.
https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2020/september/8969-thales-to-modernize-multi-role-light-frigate-kri-usman-harun-of-indonesian-navy.html
;
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/netherlands/press_release/len-industri-and-thales-modernise-indonesias-naval-capabilities
The Indonesian navy is currently used to bring troops to heavenly repressed Papua. Thnx to @etan009
***
The
UK Defence Secretary has announced a further £23.8 million
investment in the UK logistics hub at Duqm port in Oman, as part of a
visit to Oman and Qatar to discuss shared security challenges and
future collaboration.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-secretary-announces-investment-in-strategic-omani-port
September 10
***
AMENDMENTS
011-013 - REPORT on Arms export: implementation of Common Position
2008/944/CFSP - A9-0137/2020(011-013) (a.k.a. the Hanah Neumann
report)
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-9-2020-0137-AM-011-013_EN.pdf
***
Can
France be a worthy ally to India amid border row with China? Here's
why Dassault Rafale induction is a key strategy.
https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-can-france-be-a-worthy-ally-to-india-amid-border-row-with-china-here-s-why-dassault-rafale-induction-is-a-key-strategy-2841997
***
Indonesia,
China agree on dialogue to resolve sea disputes; Defence chiefs also
discuss defence industry cooperation, reports Singapore Straits
Times.
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/indonesia-china-agree-on-dialogue-to-resolve-sea-disputes
***
Florence
Parly in India, between promotion of arms sales and diplomacy. A bit
of both.
Florence Parly en Inde, entre promotion des ventes d'armes et diplomatie https://www.lecourrieraustralien.com/florence-parly-en-inde-entre-promotion-des-ventes-darmes-et-diplomatie/
September 9
***
In a global
economy you'll go where the opportunities arise and neglects
morality. "The UAE is advanced in terms of educating its people
and having the right systems, legislations and tech." The UAE
has e.g. a Minister dedicated to Artificial Intelligence.
https://menafn.com/1100765098/UAE-Aerospace-defence-leaders-discuss-industry-challenges-and-opportunities
***
#Airbus has been
selected by Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), #UAE's
leading satellite operator, to build Thuraya 4-NGS, enabling next
generation mobility solutions for all customer segments, including
defence and government. #Leiden
http://parabolicarc.com/2020/08/27/yahsat-signs-contract-with-airbus-to-build-thurayas-next-generation-system/
***
With the
participation of SpaceX (a Elon Musk toy) and Airbus Defence and
Space, the Turksat 5A will be launced.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/spacex-to-launch-turkish-satellite-by-year-end-158096
The launch of Turksat 5B and 6A is already foreseen in 2021. 6A
Turksat will have a military function.
(https://spacewatch.global/2020/01/turkey-to-unveil-national-space-programme-soon-launch-several-satellites-over-next-two-years/)
***
German stock
market candidate Hensoldt doesn't expect cuts in military expenditure
despite the pandemic cost. On the contrary. "Europeans must do
more for defence, quite independently of developments and statements
from abroad ", said CEO Thomas Müller.
https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article215318610/Hensoldt-Radar-Spezialist-geht-bis-Ende-des-Jahres-an-die-Boerse.html
***
When
words lost meaning, except to win the harts and minds of ones own
support base again. President Trump on Monday accused military
leadership of wanting to "fight wars" to help arms makers
boost profits, but ignored his own record of doing just that.
https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-fueled-war-arms-sales-attacks-military-leaders-for-it-2020-9
September 8
***
When resources
are abundant: US Accountability Office GAO reported US DoD does not
properly consider contractors' research and development projects when
developing its own programs, meaning it may be misdirecting its
research efforts and wasting money.
https://www.gao.gov/assets/710/709139.pdf
***
French Defence
Minister Florence Parly to visit India on Sept 10 for Rafale jets
induction ceremony.
https://zeenews.india.com/india/french-defence-minister-florence-parly-to-visit-india-on-sept-10-for-rafale-jets-induction-ceremony-2308134.html
***
Turkey procured
its RDX & HMX explosives for warheads (used in raids on Kurdish
targets in Iraq & Syria) from European suppliers. As some of them
imposed arms embargoes on Turkey. Ankara went to China, South Africa
and former Soviet bloc countries.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2020/09/02/turkey-begins-developing-its-first-surface-to-surface-laser-guided-missile/
***
André
Loesekrug-Pietri director of the Joint European Disruptive Initiative
(JEDI, aiming to accelerate Europe’s technological leadership by
financing and nurturing the development of breakthrough technologies)
is demanding a clear EU strategy and results.
https://www.latribune.fr/opinions/tribunes/souverainete-technologique-arretons-les-grands-discours-856201.html
***
Protecting the
French military industry. Plan to sell Aubert & Duval special
alloys, supplier of aeronautics, nuclear submarines, Rafale jets and
missiles - is being followed "at the highest level of the
State", declares Minister of Defence Florence Parly.
https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/la-vente-daubert-duval-alerte-le-ministere-de-la-defense-1240259
***
Dutch
Combat Support Ship #CSS will be built by Damen in Romania, after
which the ship's combat management system - amongst others - will be
installed in Den Helder, Netherlands. The engineering of the vessel
will largely take place in the Netherlands.
https://www.gepowerconversion.com/press-releases/ge-provide-electric-propulsion-systems-royal-netherlands-navy-new-combat-support-ship
September 7
***
Lobby by
twitter
@thyssenkrupp_en We are opening a new
chapter of innovation with our #submarines by constantly investing in
continuous design and construction to get the Dutch citizens the best
possible protection. Securing trade routes, surveillance and
high-level missions: no challenge is too big.
https://www.thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com/nl-en/the-new-submarines.html
***
Russia has
reassured India that it would not supply arms to Pakistan while
promising to give priority to India's needs for advanced military
systems, according to defence quated in the the Bangladeshi Daily
Star.
https://www.thedailystar.net/world/news/will-not-supply-arms-pakistan-1956677
***
Restraint seems
to be the policy of Boeing, Lockheed, Dassault and Airbus in Swiss
fighter yet contest not to spoil opportunities. Parliamentarians, in
particular those of the security committees, testify to having been
little approached.
https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/avions-combats-fabricants-reticents-sexprimer
***
Satellite
launches are not often in the critical press or refered to by the
NGO's. Here an UK example. The arms industry is preparing to use two
spaceports planned for Scotland to launch military spy satellites, an
investigation by The Ferret reveals.
https://theferret.scot/spaceports-scotland-military-spy-satellites/
September 6
***
UK
government suspends military training to Belarus dictatorship after
outcry
Campaigners say UK should not have been training country’s forces in the first place
September 3
***
Vega-rocket
launched from Kourou (French Guyana) with 53 micro-satellites (civil
and #military). [in Dutch] A number of Dutch companies, like Airbus
Leiden, Innovative Solutions in Space and Aerospace Propulsion
Products, were involved.
https://www.astroblogs.nl/2020/09/03/video-vega-raket-gelanceerd-vanaf-kourou-met-maar-liefst-41-micro-satellieten-aan-boord/
***
UN envoy to
Libya Williams said that +/- 70 resupply flights had landed since
July 8 to strengthen forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar. 30 Flights had
been dispatched to western Libya to help forces loyal to the
UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).
https://africa.cgtn.com/2020/09/03/un-envoy-criticizes-violations-of-libya-arms-embargo/
***
An F-35 sale to
UAE & KSA would be a boost for Trump’s policy of increasing US
arms exports. The billions of dollars could compensate for the
removal of Turkey from the F-35 program. Here why the Begin-Sadat
center for Strat. Studies regards it a bad idea.
https://besacenter.org/perspectives-papers/f35-uae-saudi-arabia/
***
Together
we polluted the air, caused the ice caps to melt, woods to burn,
fields to dry and we called it Defense.
Retweet @MicheleEvansLM @LockheedMartin unveiled a mural on our Ft. Worth flight line that celebrates decades of aviation innovation at Air Force Plant Four, the pride we have in our Ft. Worth roots & the employees who work tirelessly to deliver for our customers. Click to read: https://tiny.lmco.com/46323
***
182,585 corona
deaths in the US, but luckily for the US citizens all the research
into hyper sonic weapons continue. DARPA & the US Air Force
reaffirmed plans to start free-flight tests of two scramjet-powered
missile demonstrators by the end of the year.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/missile-defense-weapons/darpa-usaf-reaffirm-hawc-flight-test-plans-years-end
***
Bernd
Riexinger, co-chair of the DIE LINKE party, visited the Kurdish
association in Essen and declared that the least the Federal Republic
of Germany had to do in view of the Turkish military operations was
to stop arms exports.
https://anfenglish.com/news/die-linke-co-chair-stop-arms-exports-to-turkey-46359
***
Ukraine and its
Black Sea neighbor Turkey are striving to deepen their emerging
defense and aerospace industry cooperation, with high-level visits
and talks on joint programs.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2020/09/02/ukraine-and-turkey-in-talks-to-bolster-industrial-cooperation/
***
Tear gas
and stun grenades made in the UK were used against pro-democracy
protestors recently in Greece, according to human rights groups.
The protest was against a new law introduced by the Greek government which restricts the right to demonstrate. https://theferret.scot/uk-tear-gas-fired-pro-democracy-protestors-greece/
September 2
***
UAE implicated
in lethal drone strike in Libya with a Wing Loong II drone fired
Chinese Blue Arrow 7 missile operated by the UAE in Libya. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53917791
In Dutch: Betrokkenheid Emiraten bij drone-aanval in Libië. http://troepenbewegingen.blogspot.com/2020/09/betrokkenheid-emiraten-bij-donre-aanval.html
***
How the Arms
Trade Treaty has influenced the US-China diplomatic chessboard. The
US is no part of the ATT a position weakening its position vis-a-vis
China to talk it into other arms control regimes, according to the
writers.
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2020/08/31/how-the-arms-trade-treaty-has-influenced-the-us-china-diplomatic-chessboard/
***
Is the South
Caucasus a new flashpoint for Turkey and Russia? While Russia armed
both sides of the conflict, experts argue that the military and
political rapprochement between Turkey and Azerbaijan can further
push Armenia toward Russia.
https://www.trtworld.com/opinion/is-the-south-caucasus-a-new-flashpoint-for-turkey-and-russia-39379
***
U.S. Secretary
of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday informed Cypriot President Nicos
Anastasiades that Washington would allow non-lethal arms trade for
Nicosia for fiscal year 2021 starting Oct. 1, a move that drew
opposition from Turkey.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-09/02/c_139335600.htm
September 1
***
Retweet @NavyTimes
Commander in Chief of US armed forces is very much disliked by 42% of
his own troops.
How favorable do troops view President
Donald Trump in the latest . @MilitaryTimes and @IVMFSyracuseU poll?
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2020/08/31/as-trumps-popularity-slips-in-latest-military-times-poll-more-troops-say-theyll-vote-for-biden/
***
Death of young
Georgian women who received files associated with trafficking of arms
by 3 Georgian officials may be connected to the supply of weapons
from Serbia through Georgia to Armenia or a new fact of arms supplies
to Armenia through Georgia.
https://www.turan.az/ext/news/2020/8/free/politics%20news/en/127166.htm
***
I don't like the
hypocrisy argument or measuring who's biggest human rights violator.
But Pompeo how about Sisis or MbS. How about the US streets? What do
you mean by force China “take responsibility,” while the US
continues to sell to those other brutes.
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-will-prevent-iran-from-receiving-chinese-weapons-pompeo/
***
Something
for Hamburg, Kiel, Hengelo, Trieste? Will Turkish naval market
expand? Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey was quoted
in local media saying that the country requires three aircraft
carriers in order to be a “a deterrent at sea”.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-should-move-to-an-upper-league-in-defense-production-erdogan-157640
