Latest on
top (updated regularly) :
https://twitter.com/martinbroek
October 31
***
Who gets most
of EU funding for military research and development?
https://www.statewatch.org/news/2020/october/who-gets-most-of-eu-funding-for-military-research-and-development/
***
What
is feminist foreign policy? Claudia Friedl for the Swiss Social
Democratic Party on the Foreign Affairs Committee makes a remark on
policy coherence. “Peacebuilding and mediation in crises do not
really go with hand in hand with arms exports.”
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/what-is-feminist-foreign-policy-/46037528
***
More
Capitol Hill headwinds are greeting the Trump administration’s
fast-moving sale of 50 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to the United Arab
Emirates, as Democrats on Friday introduced a new bill to curb the
sale.
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/10/30/democrats-build-speed-bumps-for-f-35-sale-to-united-arab-emirates/
***
Japan
has named Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as the prime contractor to
build its next-generation fighter jet, with the Defense Ministry
announcing earlier Friday that it signed a contract with the company.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2020/10/30/japan-names-contractor-to-build-its-future-fighter-jet/
***
The
US Weapons Industry Doesn’t Care Who’s President CEOs of arms
manufacturers and their investors are confident about their
prospects, regardless of which candidate wins the election.
https://www.thenation.com/article/world/defense-contractors-election/
October 30
***
Nederlandse
wapenexport 2019 volgens de nieuwe zoekfunctie van de Europese Unie.
Belangrijkste bestemmingen zijn aangegeven (veel van wat naar de VS
gaat, wordt vervolgens naar onvermeld elders geëxporteerd) met
bedrag van vergunning. Meer is te vinden op
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/eeasqap/sense/app/75fd8e6e-68ac-42dd-a078-f616633118bb/sheet/24ca368f-a36e-4cdb-94c6-00596b50c5ba/state/analysis
***
German
military exports to Saudi Arabia via France, South Korea and as
components for Eurofighter #EFA.
Deutsche Rüstungsgüter über Umwege nach Saudi-Arabien geliefert.
***
UK trained &
equiped 2016-2020 the now-disbanded Nigerian Special Anti-Robbery
Squad #SARS accused of torture and extrajudicial killings, the
minister for Africa James Duddridge admitted. Initially he denied any
ties.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sars-nigeria-police-protests-uk-government-training-equipment-b1424447.html
***
Swiss voters
will decide next month on a left-wing proposal to ban investments by
the Swiss National Bank, pension funds and private foundations in
weapons manufacturing companies.
https://www.en24news.com/2020/10/should-we-ban-investments-in-the-arms-industry.html
***
In its first breakthrough since easing restrictions on arms exports in 2014, Japan signed a deal to sell US$100 million worth of advanced air surveillance radars to the Philippines. These radars are built by Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO. https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2020/10/30/japans-weapon-export-industry-takes-its-first-steps/
October 29
***
If the
current trend of autocratization leads to higher military spending
#ME, the consequences would certainly be damaging for security and
economic development. Higher ME could lead to heightened threat
perception & thus increase likelihood of conflict.
https://www.sipri.org/commentary/topical-backgrounder/2020/autocracy-rise-should-we-expect-military-spending-follow
***
Will
COVID-Stressed Countries Slow Their Arms Buys? Sounds logical.
Because of effects on economies, & needs for social & health
support a YES may be expected. Resources are needed to protect
peoples lives & well being. The answer is however often a NO.
https://www.defenseone.com/business/2020/10/will-covid-stressed-countries-slow-their-arms-buys/169642/
***
European
Union Member States arming the Middle East, 2019. Exports and
licenses one page page.
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/eeasqap/sense/app/75fd8e6e-68ac-42dd-a078-f616633118bb/sheet/24ca368f-a36e-4cdb-94c6-00596b50c5ba/state/analysis
***
German social
democrats want to extend arms embargo on Saudi Arabia into the autum
of 2021.
SPD dringt auf Verlängerung des Rüstungsexportstopps für Saudi-Arabien.
***
A view into
Israeli arms trade to Azerbaijan by @richards1052. Israeli Weapons
Fuel Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict and Grease Palms of Corrupt Elite.
https://www.richardsilverstein.com/2020/10/28/israeli-weapons-fuel-armenia-azerbaijan-conflict-and-grease-palms-of-corrupt-elite/
***
Amid reports
the Trump administration is fast-tracking sales of the high-tech F-35
warplane to the UAE, the State Department remains committed to
consulting Congress on arms sales to foreign governments, a senior
administration official said Wednesday.
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/10/28/amid-uae-f-35-deal-trump-administration-wont-end-congressional-arms-sale-reviews/
***
Italy
enlarged its defense budget by €9.6% to 15.3m even as the country
spends millions of euros battling the devastating effect of COVID-19
on its economy. T he procurement budget emerging as the big winner as
it rises by 26%.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/10/28/italy-defense-budget-rebounds-despite-covid-crisis/
October 28
***
At a bargain
price the US based Teledyne intends to lay hands on Photonis the
French military optronics Photonis firm ... for 15% less, that is €
425 million euros. "now and we need to finalize the paperwork ,"
Robert Mehrabian, Teledyne executive told.
https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/defense-lamericain-teledyne-va-racheter-photonis-a-prix-solde-1259299
***
1/... Romania
is ready to sign the deal with French company Naval Group on the
purchase of multi-role corvettes worth €1.2bn as soon as the court
litigation related to this contract ends, Romanian Prime Minister
Ludovic Orban said in Paris on October 26. ../2
2. One of the
cases still in court can lead to the annulment of the government
decision 48/2018 that approved the procedures for organising the
tender. See [in English] Intellinews - Romania Today, October 28,
2020 or
https://evz.ro/orban-a-transat-scandalul-corvetelor-la-paris-cand-va-fi-semnat-contractul.html
[Romanian]
***
Despite the
stormy weather French arms sales into the region will continue. They
account for the lion's share of to countries like Qatar and Kuwait.
Such contracts "take years to negotiate." Countries would
also be reluctant to provoke retaliatory action.
https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20201027-french-firms-urged-to-resist-blackmail-as-turkey-s-erdogan-joins-calls-for-boycott
Addition:
To underline this: the Dutch branch of
the French Thales concern exports its military technology to the
Turkish military industry. In a particular case reported by the Dutch
government yesterday, to the builders of naval vessels for Pakistan.
Value
46.729.000,-https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/binaries/rijksoverheid/documenten/kamerstukken/2020/10/27/kamerbrief-over-afgifte-vergunning-voor-export-militair-materieel-naar-pakistan-via-turkije/kamerbrief-inzake-afgifte-vergunning-voor-export-militair-materieel-naar-pak
***
Opinion
against German military interventions. Includes the question how much
trooops must be deployed abroad to be favorable for German military
industry?
Wie viel globale Präsenz der Bundeswehr ist nötig für die Marktstellung deutscher Rüstungsexporte? https://taz.de/Vom-Mythos-der-Reife/!5720919/
***
President
Mnangagwa's call for the US & EU to lift sanctions as nothing but
an excuse for his failures. It would be reckless for the EU to lift
an arms embargo on an administration that is not averse to using
lethal force against its citizens.
https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/business-day/20201027/281694027277291
October 27
***
Inventory of how Erdogan steered
Turkey from ‘zero problems’ to zero friends.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1754841/middle-east
***
Elbit chosen to supply light
tanks, wheeled APCs to Philippine Army, report says
The compatibility of the company's systems was cited as a major factor in the decision. The contracts are said to include nearly $200 million worth of ASCOD tanks and vehicles
https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/46119
***
Leaked documents show how Semlex
and Gunvor Armed the Ivorian Civil War.
https://www.occrp.org/en/biometric-bribery-semlex/how-semlex-and-gunvor-armed-the-ivorian-civil-war
***
UK faces new legal challenge
over arms sales to Saudi Arabia
Campaigners seek judicial review of renewal of sales after court ruled them unlawful
***
Osman Okkan, a journalist in Germany, states Germany must immediately end arms sales to Turkey.
***
German SPD wants to reform European
military production & reduce arms deliveries to countries outside
EU and NATO. "We want a streamlined Euroean defence
production that limits cost & radically reduces exports,"
says a 15-page paper "Souveränes Europa."
https://www.boerse-online.de/nachrichten/aktien/spd%C2%A0fuer-radikale-verringerung-der-ruestungsexporte-1029723466
***
The
French government tackles pandemic effects on the economy by
investing in the military industry. French banks complain they're
paralyzed by compliance rules and accused of withdrawing from
financing the sector. A report from Gicat states.
https://business.lesechos.fr/entrepreneurs/gestion-finance/0604132275846-defense-l-industrie-francaise-confrontee-aux-craintes-des-banquiers-340415.php
***
Rafael pitches
naval capabilities to counter ‘asymmetric power projection.’ On
upgrading small patrol vessels to missile boats with a capability
against other vessels and land targets, included artificial
intelligence to make them more lethal and precise.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/industry/2020/10/23/rafael-pitches-naval-capabilities-to-counter-asymmetric-power-projection/
***
The UK is
interwoven in the EU military industry. It's most devastating
product, the Typhoon or the European Fighter Aircraft is made in
Spain, Italy, Germany & UK. Some live on Fantasy Island &
want to overturn the UK stick to EU arms export rules.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1352238/Brexit-news-latest-Michel-Barnier-no-deal-David-Frost-negotiations-fisheries
***
This contract
announced by the Pentagon awarded the nation’s largest defense
contractor a deal to sell F-16 jet fighters worth up to a
breathtaking $62 billion to foreign countries over the coming decade.
The DoD release left a lot of questions unanswered.
https://www.pogo.org/analysis/2020/10/hot-and-cold-running-f-16s/
***
Disarmament
fine, but when the police man of the world things war is the road, no
thanks. Trump threatens to destroy all Iranian missiles shipped to
Venezuela after President Maduro announced plan to buy more weapons
after UN arms embargo ends.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8880997/US-threatens-destroy-Iranian-missiles-shipped-Venezuela.html
***
A lack of
transparency in Finnish arms exports data prevents proper evaluation
of the country’s arms exports policies, security think tank
SaferGlobe has said in an annual report on Finland’s arms trade.
https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/report_slams_lack_of_transparency_in_finlands_arms_exports/11613308
***
China said it
has decided to impose sanctions on US defense firms such as Lockheed,
in retaliation for Washington's arms sales to Taiwan.
Boeing defence unit, Raytheon, as well as individuals involved in the US arms exports to Tapei will be also punished. https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/10/41292a55e167-china-punishes-us-entities-as-retaliation-for-arms-sales-to-taiwan.html
***
What a question:
Does the Defence Industry Capture the State in France? State capture
is the disproportionate and unregulated influence of interest groups
or companies, where they manage to bend state laws, policies and
regulations by paying illicit con...
http://www.govtransparency.eu/index.php/2020/10/26/does-the-defence-industry-capture-the-state-in-france/
***
Yesterday the European
External Action Service has launched an online database on its
website that will allow to consult and analyse the data on Member
States’ arms exports.
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/eeasqap/sense/app/75fd8e6e-68ac-42dd-a078-f616633118bb/sheet/24ca368f-a36e-4cdb-94c6-00596b50c5ba/state/analysis
October 26
***
Want to know who
profits most from #EU subsidies for military R&D? Read the new
@_ENAATpublication about the #EUDefenceFund implementation in
2017-2019 (#EDIDP & #PADR) https://bit.ly/3ofXg21 #noEUmoney4arms
#EUDefence
***
Bombardier
Recreational Products (BRP) says it will no longer export its Rotax
engines to Turkey after the company become aware that the power
plants were installed on the latter’s Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial
vehicles (UAVs).
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/turkey-armenia-azerbaijan-drones-bombardier-1.5775350
***
The keel-laying
ceremony for the 3rd ship of the "Pakistan Navy MILGEM Project"
was held at the Karachi shipyard. It is the single highest value
contract signed by the Turkish defence industry so far under ASFAT,
the Turkish state-owned defense contractor.
https://www.defenceturkey.com/en/content/keel-laid-for-the-3rd-ship-in-the-pn-milgem-project-4223
***
Ukraine is
looking for a site for to build drones, as agreed with the Turkish
company Bayraktar, Oleh Uruskyy, Deputy Prime Minister and the
Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, said according to the
Interfax-Ukraine news agency October, 24). More:
https://ubn.news/monday-october-26/
***
It has been
better between the presidents of France and Turkey. Yesterday Erdogan
renewed his attacks on Macron advising him to have his mental health
checked. Macron said Ankara is behaving 'criminal' in the Libyan
conflict by violating the arms embargo.
https://www.rtl.fr/actu/politique/tensions-entre-macron-et-erdogan-ces-dossiers-sur-lesquels-ils-s-opposent-7800910867
Addition: The 'ally' at NATO's southern flank.
Erdogan downplays Libya agreements hinting at spoiler role by Turkey. https://www.newsday24.com/world/asia/middle-east/erdogan-downplays-libya-agreements-hinting-at-spoiler-role/
***
The Greek
foreign minister asked colleagues from Italy, France, Spain &
Germany to stop exporting arms to Turkey given the crisis in the
eastern Mediterranean. But EU countries, continue to ship armaments
to Ankara. The figures are record-breaking. #ENAAT
https://www.editorialedomani.it/politica/mondo/roma-e-parigi-stanno-con-atene-ma-vendono-le-armi-a-erdogan-kclp0mix
***
Damen
Shipyards, Baltic Workboats and Penguin International Ltd submitted
bids for to supply the Border Police the next 2 years vessels to
carry out specific border surveillance and security missions. The
contract was estimated at € 26.67 million.
https://www.profit.ro/stiri/damen-shipyards-si-alti-doi-ofertanti-la-licitatia-pentru-nave-de-patrulare-destinate-politiei-de-frontiera-19520535
***
Arms control
change has begun in China & the US. Both signaled that the arms
trade control should incorporate a new element: economic benefits.
The US’s 2018 Arms Control Transfer Policy calls 4 recognition of
“economic security” in assessing arms exports.
http://www.mjilonline.org/money-for-guns-changes-in-arms-control-norms/
***
Thomas
Gottschild of MBDA pressures the German government to quickly order
an MBDA Airbus Lockheed Martin missile defence system.
Neues Raketenabwehrsystem für die Bundeswehr?
***
When any
military buys our weapons or signs a military deal, it knows that it
is also buying silence The UK just claimed its Middle East ties are
‘stronger than ever’. Here’s what it means for human rights
#CAAT
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/arms-trade-middle-east-james-cleverly-qatar-oman-b1311712.html
***
Former
Pakistani chief-of-staff statements suggest the Pakistani Navy could
expand its order from Damen Shipyards with 6 additional OPVs, or
acquire ships from an other supplier. In either case, the PN is
enlarging its inventory of ‘major surface vessels.’
https://quwa.org/2020/10/25/is-pakistan-getting-more-offshore-patrol-vessels-opv-02/
October 25
***
Retweet
@arnaudjouve246: Il n'y a jamais eu autant d'armes à feu en
circulation dans le monde. There have never been so
much firearms around. There are more than a billion firearms in
circulation in the world.
https://www.rfi.fr/fr/europe/20201025-il-n-y-a-jamais-eu-autant-d-armes-%C3%A0-feu-en-circulation
***
Airbus has
offered around sixty of its employees to go and manufacture
submarines at the Naval Group wharf in Indret.
https://www.ouest-france.fr/pays-de-la-loire/nantes-44000/nantes-airbus-prete-ses-salaries-a-naval-group-7028068
***
Despite the
signing of major arms export contracts France may record a drop in
its arms exports in 2020 because of Covid caused budget reductions.
The sale of Rafale fighter jets to Greece could however limit the
impact.
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/crise-du-covid-19-vers-un-impact-sur-les-exportations-d-armements-francaises-en-2020-860366.html
***
Thales prepared
to develop data analysis tech over the next few years to replace
dependency on US Palantir, but needs French State support, because
the economic gains are very low. (The contract signed by the DGSI
with Palantir was worth a few million €.)
https://fr.reuters.com/article/thales-pdg-idFRKBN2782I8
Addition: For who wants
to know about Palantir and the views and life o one of its founders
Alex Karp this long read may be interesting.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/10/21/magazine/palantir-alex-karp.html
***
Stop appeasement
with Myanmar and implement a coordinated policy of arms embargo,
financial sanctions and asset freezes.
14 Companies from China, North Korea, India, Israel, the Philippines, Russia and Ukraine have been supplying weapons since 2016. https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/news/giving-aid-one-hand-taking-away-rights-the-other-1983677
***
Sisi's
dictatorial style of government is well received. Because he fights
jihadists and prevents migrants from entering Europe, the regime is
courted and upgraded. In 2019, Egypt was the most important recipient
of German arms exports outside the EU.
https://www.swr.de/swr2/doku-und-feature/aegypten-unter-al-sisi-ein-feature-ueber-die-zerschlagene-revolution-100.html
***
The Greek policy
to find allies against Turkey, included a halt on arms trade
summarised by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung. Griechenland spannt seine
Freunde ein. [Pay wall]
https://blendle.com/i/zurcherzeitung/griechenland-spannt-seine-freunde-ein/bnl-zurcherzeitung-20201023-0275552159
***
When wrong doing
is exposed:
Ottawa mum on why it let military sales to Turkey slip through arms embargo.
***
Kyrgyz ex-Deputy
Economy Minister believes announced economic amnesty will work for
some category of people, like those who gained their wealth through
corruption, arms trade. They will try to pay 10% to the
budget.https://akipress.com/news:650037:Kyrgyz_ex-Deputy_Economy_Minister_believes_announced_economic_amnesty_will_work_for_some_category_of_people/
(more on issue
https://iwpr.net/global-voices/kyrgyzstan-yet-another-tax-amnesty).
***
Baroness
Hodgson of Abinger asked what safeguards exist to ensure that weapons
sold to other countries are not used on civilian populations. Answer:
nothing wrong, all export licenses "consistent with the
Consolidated Criteria." Do they believe themselves?
https://members.parliament.uk/member/4301/writtenquestions#expand-1243610
***
To turn truth upside down. Jewish Algemeiner fears that end of Iran arms embargo will start an arms race. https://algemeiner.com/2020/10/25/is-iran-pushing-an-arms-race/ Difficult to imagine imports by Arab countries can even increase. Iran stated the US turns the region into an arsenal. https://en.farsnews.ir/newstext.aspx?nn=13990801000579
***
Blunt title to wake up with on a Sunday morning: Understanding the Joint Kill Chain Presented By: Northrop Grumman https://www.c4isrnet.com/native/northrop-grumman/2020/10/09/webcast-understanding-the-joint-kill-chain/
October 24
Retweet @SadetKarabulut Schandalig. Onacceptabel. Het kabinet moet zich krachtig uitspreken en iets doen om Azarbeidzjan en Turkije te stoppen. Iedere minuut telt. Doorbreek de stilte @MinPres Azerbaijan: Cluster Munitions Used in Nagorno-Karabakh | Human Rights Watch https://hrw.org/news/2020/10/23/azerbaijan-cluster-munitions-used-nagorno-karabakh
***
Bjornar Moxnes
Norwegian socialist MP: "Norway cannot sit idly by when its NATO
ally Turkey is contributing to a new humanitarian catastrophe ...
While Erdogan supplies Azerbaijan with weapons ... Norway must stop
all military sales to Turkey," he said.
https://arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=57038&lang=3
***
AS WITH many
wars, the Azerbaijan-Armenia war is between militaries US armed and
trained. Weapons purchased by Azerbaijan are a key cause of the war.
Before anybody proposes shipping more weapons to Armenia as ideal
solution, there's another possibility.
https://www.newagebd.net/article/119795/who-arms-both-azerbaijan-and-armenia
***
A dive into the
Naval Group: Murder, corruption, bombings – the company at centre
of Australia’s submarine deal.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/murder-corruption-bombings-the-company-at-centre-of-australias-submarine-deal/
France took decades to build its defense industrial base. “Put everything on the table.”
***
A Cypriot shell
firm accused of funnelling bribes on behalf of a notorious Serbian
weapons dealer deposited $1.7 million into a secretive trust fund set
up for a prominent Saudi, leaked bank records show.
https://www.occrp.org/en/the-fincen-files/how-an-irrepressible-serbian-arms-dealer-found-a-conduit-to-saudi-arabia-through-qatar
#Qatar #Syria
***
Senator Bob
Menendez has submitted two resolutions to the Congress, urging to
stop selling arms to Turkey and Azerbaijan.
https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1032489.html
***
NATO for peace?
Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay confirmed on Wednesday that Ankara
was ready to deploy its troops to support Azerbaijan in
Nagorno-Karabakh if requested. Oktay added that at the moment, no
such request had been made.
https://massispost.com/2020/10/turkey-says-it-will-send-troops-to-help-azerbaijan-if-requested/
***
Taiwan welcomes
latest US arms deal, says no intention of weapons race with Beijing
US$1.8 billion package includes missiles and rocket launchers with striking range of more than 270km https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3106626/taiwan-welcomes-latest-us-arms-deal-says-no-intention-weapons
***
China-Pakistan
naval axis to contain India's dominance in IOR. Again with attention
to Damen connection to Pak Navy.
https://southasiamonitor.org/spotlight/china-pakistan-naval-axis-contain-indias-dominance-ior
***
Germany
refuses Greek request to end weapon exports to Turkey despite
threats. It said that licenses are granted after careful
consideration. Germany through ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) is
assisting Turkey in building six class 214 submarines.
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/10/22/germany-weapons-turkey/
October 22
***
A study by
Transparency International states that military companies have to
easy access to German politics and thus unproportional influence.
https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/studie--der-ruestungslobby-wird-es-in-deutschland-zu-leicht-gemacht-9459426.html
***
Airbus to
operate drones searching for migrants crossing the Mediterranean
European aerospace giant and two Israeli arms firms win EU contracts totalling €100m
***
Een boot in
oranje als inzet voor grote order. Of gaat opdracht voor nieuwe
onderzeeboten straks alsnog naar de Fransen? ,,de voorkeur van
marinemensen voor Damen wordt ingegeven door de lange samenwerking
met die werf", zegt voormalig marine officier.
https://www.noordhollandsdagblad.nl/cnt/DMF20201021_43569036/een-oranje-boot-een-submarine-valley-in-den-helder-of-gaat-de-miljardenorder-voor-nieuwe-onderzeeboten-straks-alsnog-naar-de-fransen-analyse
***
While the
'contribution' of Damen to the Pakistani navy is an regular issue in
the Asian press in the Netherlands it is mostly missed. PN has
already inducted its 1st corvette from Damen's Romanian facility in
2020, 2nd ship, PNS Tabouk, will join soon.
https://southasiamonitor.org/spotlight/china-pakistan-naval-axis-contain-indias-dominance-ior
October 21
***
Arms trade with
#Egypt: Germany arming the dictator.
Waffenhandel mit #Ägypten: Deutsche Rüstung für den Diktator.
https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/aegypten-ruestung-101.html The submarines and frigates are German, but they're fitted with military tech from elsewhere too. #Netherlands e.g. https://www.dewereldmorgen.be/artikel/2020/08/28/brutaal-repressief-regime-egypte-beschikt-vrij-over-nederlands-en-belgisch-wapentuig/
***
Welcome, but why
this isn't hardly surprising? Greece asks Germany, Italy and Spain to
impose arms embargo on Turkey.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/greece-asks-germany-italy-and-spain-to-impose-arms-embargo-on-turkey/
Addition:
Remember there was a NATO arms sales ratio for both countries
decided by the US Congress in the nineties, 10:7. When selling Turkey
an amount, Greece was supplied with a percentage of 70% that.
Reintroduction?
Addition: This is a almost similar
article in the Iranian press.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/10/20/636852/Greece-calls-on-EU-allies-to-impose-arms-embargo-on-Turkey
Addition:
Griechenland fordert: Keine deutschen Waffen für Erdogan,
https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/ausland/krisen/id_88784064/griechenland-fordert-keine-deutschen-waffen-fuer-erdogan.html
***
Known for F-35
fighters and hellfire missiles, weaponry for war in space emerged as
Lockheed Martin’s business area with the highest growth, driven by
hypersonic weapons programs and an anticipated next-generation
interceptor award, CEO James Taiclet said.
https://www.defensenews.com/2020/10/20/lockheed-sees-earnings-growth-in-space-business/
***
The United
States is aggressively pitching Greece to purchase four American-made
frigates, and will offer to co-produce three vessels in country, the
top U.S. diplomat in Greece said Thursday.
https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/ausa/2020/10/19/us-pitches-greece-on-a-frigate-co-production-deal/
***
UK Government
Gives Arms Industry
Extra Tens of Millions of Pounds During COVID-19 Pandemic. Not human security, but military security seems to be the choice. https://bylinetimes.com/2020/10/20/government-gives-arms-industry-extra-tens-of-millions-of-pounds-during-covid-19-pandemic/
***
#Ireland's arms
trade now worth €42m in 2019 despite strict licensing controls over
exports. US accounted for €32m although there were also export to
several other countries including #Turkey and the UK.
https://www.sundayworld.com/news/irish-news/irelands-arms-trade-now-worth-42m-a-year-despite-strict-licensing-controls-over-exports-39646109.html
***
In the Saudi
press: attorney Mulredy believes that the UK Gov is keen on the
economic aspect of arms export deals more than the legal and
humanitarian aspect, especially in the period of Britain’s
preparation for secession from the EU in practical terms.
https://www.saudi24news.com/2020/10/british-arms-exports-to-saudi-arabia-and-the-talibans-exploitation-of-the-insecurity-in-kabul.html
***
“Considering
the situation in the region, we also agree to hold a two-plus-two
meeting shortly and to speed up the discussion to export defence
equipment and technology [to Indonesia],” Japan’s Prime Minister
Yoshihide Suga said.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3106349/indonesia-and-japan-pledge-strengthen-security-economic-ties
***
Armenia claims
it found Canadian tech on downed Turkish drone
Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan trade accusations over attacks on civilian areas of Nagorno-Karabakh
***
Cooperation
between the Italian defence industry and Qatar has notched up a new
first with Doha's Barzan Holdings taking a stake in an Italian
submarine company. [Pay wall]
https://www.intelligenceonline.com/government-intelligence/2020/10/21/submarine-deals-rome-doha-rapprochement-deepens,109615377-eve
October 20
***
Retweet
@marineschepen Onbemand jagen op
onderzeeboten, 'geen ontkomen meer aan'. Ook de nieuwe fregatten voor
België en Nederland bieden ruimte aan onbemande vaartuigen.
Interview met een van de aanbieders: Elbit met hun Seagull. Lees
verder:
https://marineschepen.nl/dossiers/Elbit-Seagull-onbemand-jagen-op-onderzeeboten-201020.html
***
Netherlands is
to retire its fleet of Lockheed C-130 Hercules airlifters earlier
than planned. The country’s MoD announced on 13/10 that the 4
RNLAF, are to be replaced as their readiness rates have become so
poor as to hinder simultaneous operations.
https://aerobuzz.de/militar-news/neue-transportflugzeuge-fuer-die-royal-netherlands-air-force/
***
I've met
M. twice (Tampere and Paris), both times unpleasant. Seems easier to
dislike & distrust someone if you not work with him on a daily
basis.
His colleague spy A. I met more often (Amsterdam, Helsinki & Paris (last city I was aware). Same feeling. https://www.gofasterstripe.com/cgi-bin/website.cgi?aff=43712&id=43630
***
More than 60
enterprises of Ukraine's state-run defence group Ukroboronprom will
be reorganised into nine holding companies, Oleh Urusky, Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister for Strategic Industries, announced on October
15.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/3118344-ukroboronprom-may-be-reorganized-into-nine-holding-companies-urusky.html
***
I (a Foreign
Office lawyer), helped fight legal action against the [UK's]
government’s export of arms to Saudi Arabia. What I know now makes
me ashamed
When governments consider themselves above the law, the consequences can be horrifying. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/foreign-office-saudi-arabia-arms-export-government-caat-b1153229.html
***
Commentary
on Constants and Changes in France’s Arms Export Strategy.
The main driver for France’s arms export strategy is the key contribution of the French defence industries to the country’s strategic autonomy and European defence development.
https://rusi.org/commentary/constants-and-changes-france-arms-export-strategy
October 19
***
EU Council
Implementing Regulation 2020/1507 of 16/10/20 implementing Article 9
of Regulation (EC) No 1183/2005 imposing certain specific restrictive
measures directed against persons acting in violation of the arms
embargo with regard to the DRC (Congo)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2020.345.01.0001.01.ENG&toc=OJ:L:2020:345:TOC
***
Egypt boosts naval
power in deal with German shipbuilder Egypt is getting ready to start
building its first locally manufactured frigate with the help of
Germany.
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/09/egypt-germany-contract-produce-frigate-navy-regional-tension.html
***
Spanish
(Navantia) delivered patrol vessels of Venezuelan navy upgraded with
Chinese anti-ship missiles. And Italian delivered frigates with
https://news.usni.org/2020/10/16/china-arming-venezuelan-navy-with-anti-ship-missiles
***
That's what they
need, isn't it? Thales has sold Iraq an aerial surveillance system
consisting of four Ground Master 400 radars and a control center. A
contract of more than €100 million recorded in the first quarter of
2020 by the electronics group.
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/apres-le-bangladesh-thales-vend-des-radars-high-tech-a-l-irak-860043.html
***
Covering up an
overt Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression against Karabakh, Turkish
President Erdogan began to mix up the sources of arms supplies.
"#Azerbaijan may purchase French [ ASTER-30] missiles of #MBDA,
a subsidiary of #Airbus, #BAES & #Leonardo."
https://arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=56774&lang=3
***
Article includes
part on the EU arms embargo policies to Syria. It concludes that a
common approach of the EU members failed by May 2013. EU members
opted to pursue their own independent arms export policies towards
Syria.
https://search.proquest.com/openview/069670510466d6e831c1c7dedc408139/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=616525
See also: https://www.sipri.org/databases/embargoes/eu_arms_embargoes/syria_LAS/eu-embargo-on-Syria
***
Micheline Pollock CEO of Dover Vantage, a US military contractor has been indicted for allegedly faking quality control on construction projects in Africa that were so badly done some buildings collapsed, incl. an aircraft hangar. https://www.stripes.com/news/us/military-contractor-charged-with-fraud-on-africa-contracts-1.648479 & https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/corruption-revealed-by-substandard-construction-expert/ar-BB1a8Vvm?li=BBqfWMJ
***
"UK
simply cannot afford to run Typhoon, continue to buy and field the
intended 138 F-35s and pay for the R&D for Tempest," but it
needs the relationship with key post-Brexit European partners, SAAB
(Gripen export experience) & Leonardo (weapons systems).
https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulkennard/2020/10/18/the-uks-6th-generation-tempest-fighter-aircraft--project-or-place-holder/#27d9cb96373a
October 18
***
Azerbaijani TV
showed pictures of Turkish drones destroying Armenian targets. The
Armenian air defense has little to oppose them. This development has
been going on for several years: the drone now embodies Turkey's
military hard power as a regional power.
https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/karabach-krieg-tuerkei-ist-zu-einer-drohnen-grossmacht-geworden-17003552.html
***
More news from
NATO. The latest fighting has taken on a new element with outspoken
support for Baku from its ethnic cousin NATO member Turkey, which has
boosted arms exports to Azerbaijan sixfold this year.
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-10-17/azerbaijan-says-12-civilians-killed-40-wounded-in-ganja-by-armenia-shelling
***
Dangerous
nonsense on Covid and China worded by the leader of the military
alliance the Netherlands belongs to.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3104611/donald-trump-new-video-vows-make-china-pay-coronavirus-pandemic
I makes you wonder what the new vision into the future for Dutch
armed forces 'Fighting for a safe future' really means.
https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/defensievisie-2035
October 17
***
US
DoD develops AI-enabled tools & systems. There are outstanding
questions about exactly where investments are going & what
benefits/risks might result. Key unknown: will commanders &
troops trust their new tools enough to make them worth the effort?
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2020/10/will-commanders-trust-their-new-ai-weapons-and-tools/169251/
***
The
UK has approved exports for military equipment and ammunition to both
Armenia and Azerbaijan in the past year, the two nations currently
fighting over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. This despite
the UK signed an arms embargo to both.
https://aoav.org.uk/2020/uk-arms-in-armenia-and-azerbaijan/
***
Michael
Klare fears US president Trump will start a war to fuel his failing
election campaign and a chance to succeed. Is the leader of NATO
really mad enough?
https://www.thenation.com/article/world/trump-military-conflict-election/
***
Nagorno-Karabakh
a reminder of Canada's role as global arms dealer
Seeing Canada as an unscrupulous weapons salesman clashes with Ottawa's carefully crafted narrative. But the data show Canada is supplying regimes that are engaged in devastating conflicts. https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/jaramillo-nagorno-karabakh-a-reminder-of-canadas-role-as-global-arms-dealer
***
Greece
has put Hellenic Shipyards for sale. Damen is, among others,
interested, this includes the constructing of some of the 4 frigates
on the wish list in Athens in Greece. The Dutch ship yard is also
interested in the upgrade of 4 Greek MEKO frigates. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/shipbuilding/greece-puts-hellenic-shipyards-sales-block-finally
***
Bribes
not only take public money they also take trust in officials. Wife of
South African general was living the high life after marrying him —
and who was allegedly “gifted” defence contracts worth R210m —
was arrested morning.
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-10-14-high-flying-wife-of-army-general-arrested-in-r100m-tender-fraud/
***
EU
designates Yevgeniy Prigozhin for violating Libya arms embargo.
Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin is a Russian businessman with close
ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2020.341.01.0007.01.ENG&toc=OJ:L:2020:341:TOC
***
The
Council of the European Union imposed targeted restrictive measures
on one person engaged in and providing support for acts that threaten
the peace, security or stability of Libya, including through
violations of the UN arms embargo.
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/10/15/libya-further-sanctions-over-violations-of-the-un-arms-embargo/
***
US
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo promises ‘robust’ arms sales to
Saudi Arabia. For more misery to be created internally and
externally.
https://www.eurasiareview.com/15102020-pompeo-promises-robust-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia/
***
The
Dutch Defence Ministry has published a new vision document that can
be implemented only if the country were to spend almost thrice as
much as its current $13 billion annual defense budget.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/10/16/dutch-defense-ministry-casts-nato-spending-goal-as-out-of-reach/
***
Ruslan
Pukhov, the director of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and
Technologies (CAST) said Azerbaijan will likely buy more Turkish than
Russian arms after the Azeri-Armenian conflict ends.
https://hyetert.org/2020/10/17/will-russian-arms-sales-survive-the-azeri-armenian-conflict/
***
Britain
and Qatar's new military agreement shows a ‘flagrant disregard for
human rights,’ anti-arms trade campaigners charge.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/britain-and-qatar-new-military-agreement-shows-a-flagrant-disregard-for-human-rights-anti-arms-trade-campaigners-charge
***
To
make the world more profitable for some and less safe for many BAE
Systems unveils next generation of fighter-bomber jets.
https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/18801611.bae-systems-company-plants-samlesbury-warton-unveils-next-generation-fighter-bomber-jets/
October 15
***
Turkey
and Azerbaijan: When there is war, there are profits. Valuta
speculation is the most profitable, but don't forget the arms trade.
Die Welt reports about the vultures of this world: Krieg um
Bergkarabach – ein Geschenk für Erdogan.
https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/plus217783226/Geo-und-Energiepolitik-Krieg-um-Bergkarabach-Ein-Geschenk-fuer-Erdogan.html
***
Wow. Military
spending across San Diego County bolstered the local economy and now
accounts for a quarter of the county’s gross regional product,
according to a report. Just a question: spending on bakeries,
schools, health care, solar energy etc. doesn't?
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/military/story/2020-10-13/defense-spending-up-in-san-diego-counteracting-pandemic-report-finds
***
Netherlands
military and security industry lobby NIDV is cheering new Dutch
military policy dubbed 'Fighting for a secure future' (Vechten voor
een veilige toekomst) and its own role in shaping it.
https://www.nidv.eu/defensievisie-2035-nieuwe-kansen-om-te-winnen/
***
Indonesia’s
Defense Minister #Prabowo Subianto will be in Austria on October 20
and he has requested to meet his European counterpart Klaudia Tanner
to discuss the sale of 15 Eurofighters.
https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/10/13/prabowo-to-visit-austria-to-talk-about-possible-typhoon-jet-fighter-deal-leaked-document.html
More on the notorious Prabowo @ETAN http://www.etan.org/news/2020/Prabowo%20backgrounder.htm
***
Retweet @Drone_Wars_UK “‘Machines set loose to slaughter’: the dangerous rise of military AI” https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/oct/15/dangerous-rise-of-military-ai-drone-swarm-autonomous-weapons
***
How
about military expenditures and acquisitions? Argentina, Australia,
Belgium, Canada, Germany, Japan, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland,
Romania, Sweden & UK mentioned as only countries using the
possibility in #UNROCA
to describe acquired weapons. #SIPRI
https://sipri.org/sites/default/files/2020-10/sipriinsight2010_transparency_in_arms_procurement_0.pdf
***
Gigantic
Pakistani naval expansion plans include an additional six large
patrol vessels. Will Dutch Damen also provide these as an addition to
the current sales? And will the Netherlands add to its current
contribution to the naval arms race in South-Asia.
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/10/14/outgoing-pakistan-navy-chief-reveals-details-of-modernization-programs/
***
Turkey's
arms exports to Azerbaijan surge
Baku's defence imports from Ankara rocketed in Q3, as tensions rose in Nagorno-Karabakh
(for a simple, but clear graph)
https://graphics.reuters.com/ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN/TURKEY-ARMS/ygdvznyamvw/media-embed.html
October 14
***
UK Strategic
Export Controls
1st January 2019 - 31st December 2019
October 2020
***
Thales and
Leonardo to support Polish Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability
with FLASH SONICS sonars.
https://www.edrmagazine.eu/thales-and-leonardo-to-support-polish-navys-anti-submarine-warfare-capability-with-flash-sonics-sonars
***
Déjà vu. MoD
sold 800 MP5 rifles and other small arms, value € 168.000. Now for
sale at a Maltese arms trader. Parliamentarians not amused. Secretary
of Defence, Barara Visser stated the trader is trusted and procedure
careful.
https://blendle.com/i/edeindhoven/vizier-scherper-op-wapenhandel/bnl-edeindhoven-20201014-12369483
***
Retweet
Draaideur wapenboer @peterteffer EU REVOLVING
DOOR NEWS - Jorge Domecq, former chief executive of the European
Defence Agency, has started a job as Airbus head of public affairs in
Spain and strategic advisor to Airbus Defence and Space. Story in
Dutch, some details in English in thread.
https://ftm.nl/artikelen/opnieuw-een-draaideur-oud-chef-defensieagentschap-eu-is-nu-lobbyist-voor-airbus
Addition: For those with a facebook account, there is an English version posted of the Follow the Money article: https://www.facebook.com/noEUmoney4arms/posts/2698320897164853
***
Former US
Businessman charged with illegally exporting gun parts to Ukraine.
From 2014 to 2016 he conspired with Ukrainian residents in Ukraine to
violate the Arms Export Control Act, according to the U.S. Justice
Department.
https://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2020/10/10/former-buffalo-grove-businessman-charged-with-illegally-exporting-gun-parts-to-ukraine/
***
COUNCIL DECISION
on the promotion of effective arms export controls, 12 October 2020.
The German export control agency ((Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle —
BAFA) takes a central position in it.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32020D1464
***
Laser guided
rocket launchers for Special Operation Forces. Arnold Defense
announced orders “from USSOCOM [U.S. Special Operations Command]
and the other is from an undisclosed European specialist unit.” In
June, BAES did a test with the Fletcher launcher.
https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/ausa/2020/10/13/socom-european-customer-buy-arnold-defense-fletcher-rocket-launchers/
***
Canadian block
on drone parts shows Turkey’s military industry still not
independent. The bragging of Erdogan clearly surfaces when Ottawa
stops an export. It also shows how important exports by the West are
or have been to help Turkey's armed forces.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/10/13/canadian-block-on-drone-parts-shows-turkeys-defense-industry-still-not-independent/
***
How countries on
the fringe of Europe help each other with military technology
transfer and cooperation. "#Turkey wants to develop an
indigenous engine technology for various aerial platforms it has
developed and plans to develop in the future." #Ukraine.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2020/10/13/turkey-ukraine-work-on-missile-engine-could-open-the-door-to-tech-transfer/
***
Race between
most expensive weapon system ever & the weather. By the end of
2020, F-35s coming off Lockheed's production line will be equipped
with a modified version of its lightning protection system that will
allow the jet to fly in thunderstorms again.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/10/13/f-35-jets-problematic-lightning-protection-system-set-to-receive-fix/
October 13
***
Lockheed
considers to change its supplier to produce parts for the C-130 and
F-16 away from the Hellenic Aerospace Industry which is behind
schedule in producing the parts due to a shortage of staff. Employees
have gone on strikes due to reduced benefits.
https://www.ekathimerini.com/257910/article/ekathimerini/news/joint-projects-with-lockheed-martin-at-risk
***
A prediction
quickly becomes reality. Abu Dhabi has invited #Israeli arms and
military companies to take part in the upcoming International Defence
Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) set to take place in the #UAE’s
capital in February 2021.
https://www.cufi.org/abu-dhabi-invites-israeli-arms-defense-companies-to-participate-in-international-defense-exhibition/
***
The Dutch
defence industrial role in the 'Transformation of #Pakistan Navy into
A Credible Force'. #Damen arms the world.
https://dailytimes.com.pk/677298/transformation-of-pakistan-navy-into-a-credible-force/
***
Retweet
@SadetKarabulut Onwenselijk dat Defensie
wapens verkoopt zonder te weten wie de eindgebruikers zijn. Niet
doen, de verkochte wapens zouden moeten worden teruggehaald en
vernietigd. Nederlandse defensiewapens via omstreden deal verkocht
aan tussenhandelaar | RTL Nieuws
https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/politiek/artikel/5189404/nederlandse-defensie-wapens-omstreden-deal-verkocht-aan
***
Increase in
Polish Defence Budget Controversial. The Left party would be in
favour of awarding these funds to the health care sector. Meanwhile,
Law and Justice (PiS) MPs are deeply convinced that the money is
needed by the armed forces. Polish News Bulletin, 13/10/20
***
36 minutes
audio: 'Open Source' journalism and investigating the UK arms trade
and BLM riot control equipment | 12 October 2020
https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/sky-news-daily/open-source-journalism-and-EoyiqW6XQDf/
***
A 'UK on its
own' vision and an absolute (in reality it is far from that) view on
the EU Defence and Security Procurement Directive 2009/81/EC (‘the
directive’) introduced to limit the application of the EU national
security exemption Article 346.
https://globalvisionuk.com/the-uks-flawed-decision-to-retain-eu-defence-contract-law-will-harm-shipbuilding-and-industry/
October 12
***
Markie Knal en het Militair Industrieel Complex.
Uit: Vizier op de vervanging van de onderzeeboten De studiefase doorgelicht, Algemene Rekenkamer, 12/10/20. O ja en ergens onder water heeft Defensie nog € 730 miljoen aan exploitatiekosten verborgen.
***
Retweet @BancheArmate Italia
“strategica” per @DeutscheBank anche per affari nell'export di
#armamenti soprattutto con Paesi belligeranti che violano i diritti
umani. A differenza dei maggiori gruppi italiani, #DeutscheBank non
ha una policy e non pubblica report sulle operazioni nel settore
armamenti “Strategic”
Italy for
@DeutscheBankalso for business in the export of #armamenti especially
with belligerent countries that violate human rights. Unlike the
major Italian groups,#DeutscheBank it has no policy and does not
publish reports on armaments operations.
“Italia strategica per @DeutscheBank, focus sulle #PMI a conduzione familiare” Claudio #deSanctis - Head of International #PrivateBank, CEO #DeutscheBank #EMEA, #GMC Deutsche Bank, intervistato da @isa_bufacchi su @sole24ore
***
The US MoD
announced it has awarded $600 million in contracts to several
companies for testing of 5G communications technology at five US
military sites.
https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2376743/dod-announces-600-million-for-5g-experimentation-and-testing-at-five-installati/
***
Turkey is
preparing live-fire exercises in the Aegean Sea, angering Greece, and
has transported its Russian-made S-400 air defense system to the
Black Sea.
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/10/08/turkey-announces-it-will-conduct-live-fire-drill-in-the-middle-of-the-aegean-on-oxi-day/
***
The German
Government approved arms export licenses valued € 4.13bn in the
first 9 months of 2020. euros, which is about a third less as in the
previous year. Reports by Ministry of Economics to Sevim Dagdeel (Die
Linke) and the German press agency show.
https://www.bild.de/politik/2020/politik/ruestungsexporte-genehmigungen-gehen-um-ein-drittel-zurueck-73367656.bild.html
Addition: Major costumer for German arms: Egypt. Hauptempfängerland Ägypten
***
Earthcube a
French company specializing in geospatial data analysis by artificial
intelligence is joining forces with Airbus to offer a new service for
monitoring strategic sites to the military and intelligence.
https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/earthcube-la-start-up-qui-aide-les-militaires-a-voir-clair-depuis-lespace-1254467
Addition: Same information in English. https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/10/new-strategic-sites-monitoring-solution-developed-by-airbus-and-earthcube.html
***
Surplus Dutch
H&K MP5's for sale at Maltese arms trader.
https://fd.nl/economie-politiek/1360230/afgedankte-nederlandse-wapens-te-koop-bij-maltese-wapenhandel.
See also https://twitter.com/martinbroek/status/1299642357357383683
***
CAMPAIGNERS
called on ministers to stop arms sales to “abusive” police forces
yesterday after it was revealed that British-made riot gear was used
by officers in the United States against BLM protesters.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/britain-must-end-sales-of-riot-gear-to-brutal-police
October 11
***
View on the
international policy of the US at China Global Television Network.
"If the world's sole superpower behaves in accordance with the
laws of the jungle, no one can describe the international order as
rule-based."
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-10-11/No-stopping-the-U-S-from-turning-over-the-international-order-Uv8UoEYWYM/index.html
***
Agnieszka
Brugger of the Greens questions expected award winner of new rifle
for the German armed forces which belongs to Caracal a concern from
the UAE involved in the war in Yemen: "Haenel's ownership
structure does raise a number of serious questions."
https://www.wiwo.de/politik/deutschland/neue-sturmgewehre-fuer-die-bundeswehr-auftrag-entzogen-die-zweifel-an-waffenhersteller-haenel/26252732.html
***
The Israeli
merchants of death flying Hermes 900 drones off Britain’s
coastline. Stay tuned.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201010-the-israeli-merchants-of-death-flying-drones-off-britains-coastline/
***
UK 'complicit in
atrocities' with arms licences issued to Saudi Arabia at record high
One arms export licence is granted almost every day to the brutal
dictatorship in Saudi Arabia after sales of weaponry was suspended
for a year after legal action
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/uk-complicit-atrocities-arms-licences-22824868
October 10
***
How British-made
sniper rifles of Accuracy International (AI) ended up in Yemen,
Syria, and Ukraine
https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2020/10/10/how-british-made-sniper-rifles-ended-up-in-yemen-and-syria/
***
Satellites
everywhere. Germany should jump-start its space technology sector by
building a mobile micro-launch platform in the North Sea that could
send national security payloads into orbit, according to a proposal
by the Federation of German Industries.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/10/08/german-industry-pushes-for-space-launch-site-in-the-north-sea/
***
Per direct
zullen vergunningaanvragen voor de export van militaire goederen naar
Hongkong op gelijke wijze worden beoordeeld als de aanvragen bestemd
voor de rest van de Volksrepubliek China, inclusief het
EU-wapenembargo dat momenteel geldt voor China.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/binaries/rijksoverheid/documenten/kamerstukken/2020/10/09/kamerbrief-aanpassing-wapenexportbeleid-voor-hongkong/kamerbrief-inzake-aanpassing-wapenexportbeleid-ten-aanzien-van-hongkong.pdf
Addition: With immediate effect, license applications for the export of military products to Hong Kong will be assessed in the same way as applications for the rest of China, this includes the EU arms embargo that currently applies to the Peoples Republic. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/binaries/rijksoverheid/documenten/kamerstukken/2020/10/09/kamerbrief-aanpassing-wapenexportbeleid-voor-hongkong/kamerbrief-inzake-aanpassing-wapenexportbeleid-ten-aanzien-van-hongkong.pdf
***
Who speaks about
European defence? Those who want to have billion in an so-called
European Defence Fund or who want to raise budgets to help the tech
base to survive? But it is mopping up the floor without also turning
off the faucet. EU money goes USA.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/10/09/finland-gets-the-green-light-to-buy-the-f-35-or-super-hornetand-billions-of-dollars-in-weapons/
***
The New Arms
Race, How Scotland Got Into Bed with the Terminator
https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/about-us/
***
It may seem as
though Turkey’s defence industry zooms ahead; however, the industry
faces an array of issues that could slow its long-term development.
"Turkey’s defense industry is as much about projecting an
image of power to the domestic population."
https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/82936
***
2 key Democrats
are voicing “numerous questions” over President Trump’s
potential sale of Lockheed's F-35 jets to the UAE, accusing him of
rushing a deal for political advantage instead of thinking through
potentially dire national security implications.
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/10/09/will-trump-sell-f-35s-to-uae-congress-wants-him-to-show-his-work/
***
Will Erdo
listen? Or is it just for home use? Foreign Affairs Minister
Francois-Philippe Champagne said today he told his Turkish
counterpart that Ankara should "stay out" of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/nagorno-karabakh-canada-turkey-champagne-1.5758068
***
Is it islam,
is it AFA? No! In 2016, racially motivated extremism—including
white supremacy—accounted for 20 percent of terrorism-related
deaths in the United States. By 2018, that figure had risen to 98
percent. Reposted by Foreign Affairs.
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2020-06-23/growing-white-supremacist-menace
October 9
***
Elon Musk as
cargo donkey for the Pentagon. Pentagon wants SpaceX delivering cargo
around the globe — and a live test could come next year.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/space/2020/10/07/the-pentagon-wants-spacex-delivering-cargo-around-the-globe-and-a-live-test-could-come-next-year/
***
The cost for
France of selling Rafales to Greece. The winner is Dassault Aviation.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/10/08/france-moves-to-replace-the-12-rafales-sold-to-greece/
***
Critics question
whether Global Affairs can impartially investigate arms exports.
Arms-control advocates argue that there are competing interests -
export promotion versus export control - and that this undermines the
ability to conduct an effective review
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-critics-question-whether-global-affairs-can-impartially-investigate/
***
The Coming F-35
Fiasco. On the F-35 to the Arabian peninsular. The article only once
mentions Yemen, that is to show the Arabian countries need to
"upgrade their naval capabilities" against Iran. The
bruteness of Power policies can't be shown more clearly.
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2020/10/coming-f-35-fiasco/169135/
***
Not a
very subtle article, but "In a joint news conference with
Turkey’s Foreign Minister on Monday, NATO’s SG said: “I expect
Turkey to use its considerable influence to calm tensions.” He
failed to mention how or why that’s anything more than fantasy.
https://www.laprogressive.com/nagorno-karabakh-2/
***
Al-Haq,
the independent Palestinian human-rights organization, calls on EU to
uphold a consistence policy and impose an Arms Embargo on Israel.
https://menafn.com/1100925329/Al-Haq-calls-on-EU-to-uphold-a-consistence-policy-and-impose-an-Arms-Embargo-on-Israel
October 8
***
Qatar makes
formal request for F-35 jets.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-qatar-israel-jets-exclusive/exclusive-qatar-makes-formal-request-for-f-35-jets-sources-idUSKBN26S37Q
Do all those JSF-partner countries like to produce equipment for it:
Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the UK
and the US. https://www.f35.com/global
***
Serbian
government first flaunts, then denies having sold weapons to both
Armenia and Azerbaijan
Mixed messages by President Aleksandar Vučić may be an attempt not to antagonise Russia and Turkey
***
A referendum
against the transit of arms through the port of Hamburg.
Ini für Frieden im Hafen; Volksinitiative gegen Rüstungsexporte über den Hamburger Hafen. Sie ist zuversichtlich, dass der rot-grüne Senat sie nicht einfach abbügeln kann.
https://taz.de/Archiv-Suche/!5716175
Addition: Yesterday this was widely reported. Die Welt: initiative's supporters include the GEW trade union, the Hamburg Forum for Peace & International Understanding, the Hamburg Refugee Council, students union der HAW, groups from Die Linke and Fridays for Future. https://www.welt.de/regionales/hamburg/article217359292/Initiative-sammelt-Unterschriften-gegen-Ruestungsexporte.html
***
Failing JSF
technology, episode 1001. The crash of an F-35A at Florida's Eglin
Air Force base in May was caused by the pilot trying to land at an
excessive speed, and a flight control logic glitch that left its tail
unresponsive, according to a new report.
https://www.afjag.af.mil/Portals/77/AIB-Reports/2020/May/Eglin%20AFB%20F35A%20AIB%20Report_Signed.pdf
***
Retweet @keesamok Israeli-made cluster bombs used by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh, says Amnesty - The rights group identified M095 DPICM cluster munitions which "appear to have been fired by Azerbaijani forces" towards residential areas of the capital Stepanakert https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/azerbaijan-armenia-karabakh-israel-cluster-bombs
***
Policy brief:
Five ways to make the European Peace Facility a role model for arms
export control, by Stella Hauk, Max Mutschler, Bonn International
Center for Conversion #BICC
https://www.bicc.de/uploads/tx_bicctools/BICC_Policy_Brief_06_2020_e.pdf
***
Azerbaijan’s
military has published slick footage of Turkish-made armed drones
blitzing scores of Armenian positions, striking air defence systems,
artillery units and tanks.
https://www.ft.com/content/8e9e9892-2bf2-4912-a6cd-46b5c09cbff6
October 7
***
US and
Morocco Chart Defense Cooperation Through 2030 according to the US
Department of Defense.
https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2369742/us-morocco-chart-defense-cooperation-through-2030/
Nothing more easily forgotten as an illegal occupation. Western Sahara. https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/monthly-forecast/2020-10/western-sahara-5.php
***
French
MoD ordered 10 NH90 helicopters for its special forces, Minister
Florence Parly announced on Tuesday. [Paris commande dix hélicoptères
NH90 pour ses forces spéciales]
https://www.capital.fr/entreprises-marches/florence-parly-commande-10-helicopteres-nh90-pour-les-forces-speciales-de-larmee-de-terre-1382487
***
Retweet
@CAATuk
UK
was second biggest arms dealer for last decade, figures show
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-arms-dealer-military-middle-east-saudi-arabia-turkey-oman-qatar-b841746.html
***
"One
of the main purposes of setting up the Oldham Peace and Justice Group
was to call for the end of the two-way arms trade in weapons and
technology between the UK and Israel," Caroline Bedale and
Jacqui Greenfield of the Group said.
https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/news/18773123.peace-protesters-stage-vigil-outside-ferranti-factory-waterhead/
***
Officials
and military experts from Taiwan and the United States will meet via
video conference to discuss which weapons would be best for the
island’s self-defence as tensions escalate between the two sides of
the Taiwan Strait.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3104262/taiwan-prepares-weapons-shopping-list-hand-us-defence
***
EP
Foreign Affairs com chair McAllister wrote "We need to uphold
our ambition of being a 'geopolitical' actor." This includes
funding the EDF adequately (a word used for more, even in these times
of more pressing security needs for ordinary citizens).
https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article/what-must-europes-foreign-policy-priorities-be-in-2021
***
New
face of war: SpaceX & L3 Harris will contribute satellites to
track hypersonic weapons to Space Development Agency’s planned
mega-constellation. SDA selected the well known (from civil products)
companies to build its 1st wide field of view satellites.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/space/2020/10/05/space-development-agency-orders-8-hypersonic-weapon-tracking-satellites/
***
Is
it appropriate for the Canadian government to promote arms exports?
And why, with its love of scandal, does the dominant media not
question this use of taxpayers' dollars? Questions which can be
applied on many more countries with major arms exports.
https://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/views-expressed/2020/10/why-arent-dominant-media-questioning-use-taxpayer-dollars
***
Cargo
flights on the Azerbaijan route have been very busy recently a direct
result of the renewal of fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan. No
fewer than four Ilyushin-76 planes, operated by the Azeri
cargo airline Silk Way, which serves the Azeri MoD.
https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/.premium-as-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-expands-israel-azerbaijan-arms-trade-thrives-1.9212986
For no pay wall url see: http://www.slguardian.org/2020/10/war-expands-israel-azerbaijan-arms.html
***
Canada
on Monday suspended export permits to Turkey to further assess the
Azerbaijan situation. Turkey slams this decision as ‘double
standards’ and states Ankara itself "has a comprehensive
export control regime and meticulously carries out its duties."
https://thefrontierpost.com/turkey-slams-canadas-decision-to-suspend-arms-exports-as-double-standards/
October 6
***
Dutch
military, marine and security industry lobbyist goes Brussels.
Retweet @NIDVnews
@harrietslager komt de NIDV versterken en gaat de
Nederlandse Defensie- en Veiligheidsindustrie vertegenwoordigen in
Brussel samen met @JohnJan50539217. Succes Harriët!
***
European
defence cooperation inescapable Thales Nederland CEO states. [in
Dutch]
https://www.bnr.nl/nieuws/economie/10422672/europese-samenwerking-defensiesystemen-onvermijdelijk
***
Australian
weapons manufacturer Electro Optic Systems, with financial support
from the federal and ACT governments, is capitalising on the ‘growth
market’ of the Middle East, one of the world’s most volatile
regions. Michelle Fahy reports.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/eos-weapons-export-transparency/
***
Driven by his
neo-Ottoman ambitions, Turkish President Erdogan continues to sow
instability & sour relations throughout the wider Mediterranean
in a bid to crown himself as leader of the Sunni world. "All
military assistance & arms trade should be halted."
https://asiatimes.com/2020/10/turkeys-self-inflicted-belt-of-instability/
***
Retweet
@SIPRIorg A new SIPRI Background Paper by
@Alex_Kuimova provides an in-depth analysis of the official military
spending figures for #Egypt, highlighting the gaps and shortcomings
in the data reported by the Egyptian Government. Full analysis
https://www.sipri.org/publications/2020/sipri-background-papers/understanding-egyptian-military-expenditure
***
Who will buy
French optech firm Teledyne. The State can try to put pressure on
Safran and Thales , which turned down a request by the MoD. Both are
"benefitting from public support via the aeronautical recovery
plan and the increase in the defense budget."
https://www.lefigaro.fr/societes/photonis-se-cherche-toujours-un-avenir-20201005
***
Military
security (State and economic interests) above human security. Despite
pressure from lawmakers and pandemic, French defense budget to remain
unchanged.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/10/05/despite-pressure-from-lawmakers-and-pandemic-french-defense-budget-to-remain-unchanged/
***
Retweet @enaat
EU
justifies buying surveillance drones for Belarus
https://euobserver.com/foreign/149650
October 5
***
Last of 75 civil
military developed Vector (versatile expeditionary commando tactical
off road) vehicle of Defenture B.V. supplied to Dutch special forces
(KCT). Next order is for military diesel squads for Dutch MoD.
https://www.defenture.com/defenture-richt-vizier-op-internationale-samenwerking/
***
From NO war in
space to HOW to fight and win the next space war. The writer, Paul
Szymanski, is the president of the Space Strategies Center.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/space/opinion-rules-space-warfare
***
How cynical. US
Congress subpanels called for the Pentagon to turn over documents on
how it used $1 billion in coronavirus relief funds, citing the
Defense Department’s use of much of the money to pay defense
contractors rather than buy medical supplies.
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/519437-top-house-lawmakers-launch-investigation-into-pentagon-redirecting-covid-19
***
10 years
ago international papers published extracts from the WikiLeak
documents on their front pages, but they long ago distanced
themselves from its founder. Patrick Cockburn explains why.
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/julian-assange-trial-extradition-us-trump-wikileaks-press-freedom-b747774.html
Addition: For the Netherlands wikileaks showed Dutch troops battled in Afghanistan with 60 deadly casualties. It was not reported by the Government. https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/defensie-verzwijgt-60-doden-in-uruzgan~b9abefef/
***
Egypt arms
acquisitions to arms naval forces to the teeth continues. Next is the
Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) system and related equipment for an
estimated cost of $417 million.
https://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/egypt-maritime-domain-awareness-system
***
New software
upgrade for the MQ-9 will now allow the drone to carry up to 8
AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. Known as the MQ-9 Operational Flight
Program 2409, the new upgrade will allow the drone to carry the
missiles on the outboard wing stations.
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2367554/mq-9-reaper-takes-flight-with-8-hellfire-missiles/
***
Poor
Covid stricken (-; Airbus delivered 1st Airbus C295 aircraft, to the
Canadian Air Force in British Columbia, Canada.
https://www.avitrader.com/2020/09/28/first-airbus-c295-aircraft-arrives-in-canada/
***
Belgium and
Luxembourg share a military aircraft, an #Airbus A400M Atlas which
will be delivered on Wednesday.
https://www.sudinfo.be/id260812/article/2020-10-05/la-belgique-et-le-luxembourg-se-partagent-un-avion-militaire-un-airbus-a400m
***
#Japan trying to
create a global successful arms export position. After a first order
from Manila (by 5 transport planes & +/- 40,000 helicopter parts
at no charge) the next step is aiming to export C-2 transport planes
to the #UAE [Pay wall]
https://world-news-monitor.com/technology/2020/10/04/defense-tech-agency-finally-logs-first-export-order-premium/
***
My visit to BITS
& the café at the opposite of the street is long ago. Still
remember the giggle in the beard. Recognise the position - I was
educated likewise - you've to understand the military before you can
effectively criticise. Pity.
https://taz.de/Nachruf-auf-Otfried-Nassauer/!5715921/
***
It's the view
from the NK-side, but yet: Considering that the Armenian military
formations in Nagorno-Karabakh do not have high-precision weapons,
Korotchenko said striking Azerbaijani cities means killing civilians
and destroying their houses.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/azerbaijan-front-line/armenia-attacking-azerbaijani-cities-to-provoke-baku/1995237
And the EU?
***
Yesterday the
Turkish Daily Sabah reported France has promoted and supported both
financially and politically a private military campus intended to
train Saudi soldiers, Amnesty International revealed in a report
released in July.
https://www.dailysabah.com/world/mid-east/france-trains-saudi-soldiers-in-military-camp-to-wage-war-in-yemen-amnesty-international
***
US police used
British anti-riot gear at Black Lives Matter protests
Revelation contradicts official assurance that no UK-made equipment was used to repress peaceful demonstrations
***
Rightwing
MEPs bend to Saudi will after Khashoggi death included the support of
arms trade to the Kingdom.
https://euobserver.com/institutional/149621
October 4
***
Washington is
also likely interested in selling weapons to Algeria, which currently
receives some 90 percent of its supplies in this segment from Russia.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/1/pentagon-chief-heads-to-algeria-for-north-africa-security-talks
***
Germany exports
pepper spray on a large scale to authoritarian states. These are the
means by which legitimate protests are suppressed.
https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/andorra-pfefferspray-bundesregierung-1.5052048
***
Located about
100km from Chengdu in Sichuan province, Mianyang is well-positioned
to benefit from China’s new inward-facing strategy of domestic
development
Long-time science and technology hub for Chinese atomic weapons and space satellites
***
Extra Support to
Australian Defence Industry During COVID-19. This while it is not
military production - because ME-budgets are on the rise in the
Western world - which is hit hardest by the pandemic.
https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/melissa-price/media-releases/extra-support-australian-defence-industry-during-covid-19
***
Military
industry is created. AMMROC, the leading provider of military
maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services in Abu Dhabi,
announced on September 29th the delivery of the first C-130 aircraft
from its new state-of-the-art MRO depot in Al Ain.
https://www.indiastrategic.in/2020/09/29/ammroc-marks-first-aircraft-delivery-from-new-state-of-the-art-al-ain-mro-facility/
***
Elbit landed a
$33 million contract to supply tactical radio systems to a customer
in Asia-Pacific. The Israeli company will equip the customer's
Artillery and Infantry Forces with tactical radio systems.
https://www.army-technology.com/news/elbit-systems-radio-systems/
***
Airbus Defence
and Space and Finnish Defence Forces sign partnership agreement to
support Finland's national capabilities.
https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/09/airbus-defence-and-space-and-finnish-defence-forces-sign-partnership-agreement-to-support-finlands-national-capabilities.html
***
Thomet
has largely remained under the radar. He was never charged or
convicted. Incidentally, the bustling arms dealer from Bern has
expanded its range in recent months. He has been selling masks and
antibody tests since the beginning of the Corona crisis.
https://nzzas.nzz.ch/hintergrund/krieg-ist-sein-geschaeft-wie-heinrich-thomet-waffenhaendler-wurde-ld.1579874
***
Growth in
military order book - because of increasing military expenditures in
Australia, France and Germany - of Thales is of use damping the
corona downwards production effects in the aerospace sector.
https://www.lefigaro.fr/societes/thales-parie-sur-la-mobilite-interne-pour-eviter-de-licencier-20201002
October 3
***
"The main
problem behind this 'peace deal' is it ignores the Palestinian
struggles and demands,” says Notre Dame Professor of Religion,
Conflict, and Peace Studies Atalia Omer, in an interview. “The
impetus is also economic & intends to expand arms trade.”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2020/10/01/the-peace-pact-with-israel-bahrain-and-the-uae-is-good-business---the-carbon-cause-included/#300f024b7a9c
***
University of
Twente #UT & Thales Group signed a multi-year collaboration
agreement, which focuses on AI and cybersecurity, among other
subjects. Geert Dewulf, Chief Development Officer of the UT, &
Lukas Roffel, CTO Thales Nederland validated agreement.
https://foreignaffairs.co.nz/2020/10/02/mil-osi-economics-university-of-twente-and-thales-strengthen-collaboration/
***
Is Japan’s
Defense Industry in Decline?
Despite worrying indicators, Japan’s defense industry is expected to remain in good health. https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/is-japans-defense-industry-in-decline/
Japan reveals record high budget request eyeing hypersonic tech, F-35s and more. https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2020/10/01/japan-reveals-record-high-budget-request-supporting-hypersonic-tech-f-35-buys-and-more/
***
Fuel tanker
pilot praised for keeping crew safe after mid-air collision with
F-35B. But the Joint Strike Fighter pilot was inexperienced.
https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2020/10/01/fuel-tanker-pilot-praised-for-keeping-crew-safe-after-mid-air-collision-with-f-35/
***
Let the lobby
begin!
The US State Department has preemptively cleared Switzerland to purchase the F-35A F/A-18E/F, just days after a public vote narrowly ok’d the Swiss government to move forward with a planned procurement of new fighter aircraft.
https://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/switzerland-f-35-joint-strike-fighter-aircraft-and-weapons
***
On arms control
in #Sweden. According to #Saab, the United Arab Emirates #UAE has
received its second Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control
(AEW&C) aircraft. Handy for Emirati air operations.
https://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2020/saab-delivers-second-globaleye
***
In the latest
outbreak of fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian forces have
fired rockets made in Serbia of a type previously bought by a firm
linked to US-blacklisted arms merchant Slobodan Tesic.
https://www.eurasiareview.com/03102020-in-nagorno-karabakh-fight-serbian-made-rockets-and-links-to-blacklisted-dealer-analysis/
Addition: Serbia is Playing With Fire, Delivering Arms to Armenia.
Vuk Vuksanovic. https://balkaninsight.com/2020/10/02/serbia-is-playing-with-fire-delivering-arms-to-armenia/
***
China-Africa
arms trade: Zambia largest recipient of Chinese loans for military
gear, study says
Of the US$1.5 billion worth of financing for arms deals advanced by China to African countries between 2000 and 2017, US$600 million went to Zambia
***
When a ban isn't
a ban, but just an deflated word.
US to keep buying F-35 parts from Turkey, despite purchase ban. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/10/01/us-keep-buying-f-35-parts-turkey-despite-purchase-ban.html
***
Armenia recalls
ambassador to Israel over arms sales to Azerbaijan.
https://newstube.co.in/armenia-recalls-ambassador-to-israel-over-arms-sales-to-azerbaijan/
***
Canada will
stop arms exports to Turkey if rights abuse uncovered. The failure of
arms export policy in 2 words: if uncovered. Illegal export to Libya,
bombing of Kurdish targets, intervention in Syria, Nagorno-K,
military backed oil drilling. What else?
https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/champagne-says-he-will-stop-arms-exports-to-turkey-if-rights-abuse-uncovered-1.5129662
October 1
***
Armenian
authorities say that Turkish Air Force UAVs—supported by F-16s—were
flying in standoff roles, remaining just outside the range of
Armenia’s layered air-defense network.
https://armenianweekly.com/2020/09/30/turkey-aiding-azeris-martakert-targeted-on-fourth-day-of-fighting/
***
Refugees,
cigarettes, arms & the Italian navy. The Caprera had apparently
violated the terms of a UN arms embargo on at least 3 occasions,
according to the documents obtained by the NYT. The embargo bars
foreign actors from supplying arms to any faction.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/28/world/europe/italy-warship-migrants-libya-cigarettes-smuggling.html
***
Ottawa won't say
whether it let arms to Turkey slip through. It "doesn't comment
on individual permits or permit applications" of military export
licenses. Ottawa considers details of particular shipments would
"infringe on commercial confidentiality."
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-canada-wont-say-whether-target-acquisition-gear-for-drones-slipping/
***
Nieuwe Belgisch
regering zal in Europees Defensie Fonds kader "bedrijven de best
mogelijke kansen geven.” Het EDF-geld komt uiteindelijk terecht bij
de wapenindustrie die ondanks restricties wapens kan blijven leveren
aan conflictgebieden, stelt @Ludodb
https://www.dewereldmorgen.be/artikel/2020/09/30/belgie-zet-militaire-koers-van-vorige-regering-verder/
***
Japan's MoD is
seeking a record-high budget of nearly 5.5 trillion yen ($55 bn) for
fiscal 2021 to fund more purchases of costly American stealth
fighters and expand its capability to counter possible threats in
both cyber and outer space.
https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/world-policy/article/2020/09/30/japan-military-seeks-record-budget
***
Turkish-Azerbaijani
military ties under spotlight amid Nagorno-Karabakh clashes. The
increased military cooperation between the two countries appears to
have strengthened Azerbaijan's hand in its push to retake control of
Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenia.
https://monitoring.bbc.co.uk/country/TUR?preview=true
***
US MoD and
Lockheed reached 'handshake' agreement that will require the defence
giant to invest about $70.6m to fix an ongoing problem with F-35
spare parts, one that resulted in increased government labor costs.
Overall cost for F-35 project now
$1.6trlln.https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/09/29/heres-what-lockheed-will-have-to-do-to-make-up-for-f-35-spare-parts-problems/
