zaterdag 3 oktober 2020

My tweets for October

Latest on top (updated regularly) : 
https://twitter.com/martinbroek

October 31

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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/

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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

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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/

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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/

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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

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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

 



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German military exports to Saudi Arabia via France, South Korea and as components for Eurofighter #EFA.

Deutsche Rüstungsgüter über Umwege nach Saudi-Arabien geliefert.

https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article218951684/Trotz-Exportstopps-Deutsche-Ruestungsgueter-ueber-Umwege-nach-Saudi-Arabien-geliefert.html

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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/

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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





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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.

https://www.rnd.de/politik/stopp-des-rustungsexports-an-saudi-arabien-spd-dringt-auf-verlangerung-K5567F6I3QEWVOXN46W6ZSKL6E.html

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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/

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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/

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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

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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

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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]

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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

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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/

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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

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Inventory of how Erdogan steered Turkey from ‘zero problems’ to zero friends. https://www.arabnews.com/node/1754841/middle-east

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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

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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

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UK faces new legal challenge over arms sales to Saudi Arabia

Campaigners seek judicial review of renewal of sales after court ruled them unlawful

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/oct/27/uk-faces-new-legal-challenge-over-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia

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Osman Okkan, a journalist in Germany, states Germany must immediately end arms sales to Turkey.

https://www.fr.de/politik/recep-tayyip-erdogan-tuerkei-bundesregierung-politik-merkel-interview-90081251.html

For English: https://thecanadian.news/2020/10/27/erdogan-reshapes-turkey-an-absurd-autocracy-without-democratic-rights-or-freedoms-is-emerging/

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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

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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

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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/

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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

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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/

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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

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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

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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

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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/

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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

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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


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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


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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

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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/

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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/

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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

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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

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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/

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Thomas Gottschild of MBDA pressures the German government to quickly order an MBDA Airbus Lockheed Martin missile defence system.

Neues Raketenabwehrsystem für die Bundeswehr?

https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/eine-neue-raketenabwehr-fuer-deutschland-die-hersteller-fordern-eine-entscheidung/26306258.html

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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When wrong doing is exposed:

Ottawa mum on why it let military sales to Turkey slip through arms embargo.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ottawa-mum-on-why-it-let-military-sales-to-turkey-slip-through-arms/

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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).

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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


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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.”

https://defense.info/featured-story/2020/10/french-arms-exports-and-strategic-partnerships-shaping-a-way-ahead/

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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

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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

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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/

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Airbus to operate drones searching for migrants crossing the Mediterranean

European aerospace giant and two Israeli arms firms win EU contracts totalling €100m

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/oct/20/airbus-to-operate-drones-searching-for-migrants-crossing-the-mediterranean

https://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/eu-maritime-agency-gets-ready-to-use-drones-to-monitor-refugee-boats/

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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

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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

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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/

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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

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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/

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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

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/armenia-turkey-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh-drone-champagne-1.5770144

***
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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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UK Strategic Export Controls

1st January 2019 - 31st December 2019

October 2020

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/925347/Strategic_export_controls__Annual_Report_Data_2019_Cases_in_annual_report_format.pdf

***
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

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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

https://www.swp.de/politik/inland/hauptempfaengerland-aegypten-ruestungsexport-genehmigungen-um-ein-drittel-zurueckgegangen-52299313.html

***
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

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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

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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/

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The New Arms Race, How Scotland Got Into Bed with the Terminator https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/about-us/

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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

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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/

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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

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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

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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/

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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/

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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/

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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

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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

https://globalvoices.org/2020/10/08/serbian-government-first-flaunts-then-denies-having-sold-weapons-to-both-armenia-and-azerbaijan/

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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#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/

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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

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/oct/05/us-police-used-british-anti-riot-gear-at-black-lives-matter-protests

***
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

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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

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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

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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

https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3103729/chinas-defence-industry-stronghold-mianyang-gets-shot-reclaim

***
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

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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

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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

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"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/

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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/

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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

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3103973/china-africa-arms-trade-zambia-largest-recipient-chinese-loans

***
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

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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/

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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/