Latest on
top (updated regularly) :
https://twitter.com/martinbroek
December
31
***
US State
Department cleared 2 FMSales to Egypt.
1) 20 Lockheed Martin AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods, $65.6m.
2) Northrop Grumman countermeasures #LAIRCM suite aboard the an Airbus A340-200 used to transport the country’s head of state, $104m. https://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/archive-date/202012
***
Egyptian
delegation to the Government of National Accord informed the GNA on
the urgency of stopping all Turkish arms exports, the need to
dismantle the armed militias, and Egypt’s rejection of all Turkish
military bases in Libya.
https://egyptindependent.com/cairo-says-it-utterly-rejects-all-turkish-military-bases-in-libya/
***
US State
Department cleared sale of 2 King Air Scorpion Intelligence,
Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) mission aircraft to Kazakhstan
fitted with Raytheon sensors, Leonardo radars etc.
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/kazakhstan-king-air-b300er-scorpion-aircraft-intelligence-surveillance
***
The arms
trade is a vital aspect of geopolitical strategies. Unlike the
virtual world, the victims of these games are all too real. Thoughts
on the WHY? of arms trade at Polish supported Belarussian channel.
https://belsat.eu/en/news/who-gets-rich-on-the-arms-market-eng-explainer/
***
Korean Daewoo
shipyard is selected for a military project to develop core
technologies (control system, power system simulator) for
next-generation all-electric warships. The ships will have a design
similar to the very expensive USN Zumwalt.
https://www.ajudaily.com/view/20201228115317435
***
The Trump
administration is facing legal action over the “rushed” sale of
$23bn (£17bn) worth of arms to the United Arab Emirates, amid
concern the weapons could be used indiscriminately in the ongoing
Yemen civil war.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-uae-arms-sale-weapons-b1779974.html
***
Arming the
Middle East. he US State Department has cleared a foreign military
sale of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to Kuwait worth an estimated
$4 billion, according to a Dec. 29 post by the Defense Security
Cooperation Agency.
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2020/12/29/us-greenlights-4b-attack-helicopter-sale-to-kuwait/
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/kuwait-ah-64e-apache-helicopters
***
For who thinks arms trade to Turkey is blocked and controlled. Dutch Thales, US Raytheon and Boeing and Italian Leonardo weapons systems are installed on new Turkish naval vessel.
Replying
to @martinbroek by Naval
Analyses (source for tweet) @D__Mitch Dec 31,
2020 This is company's project
description from 2015-16. More likely these systems will be replaced
by Turkish ones. (More in tweet)
December
30
Retweet
Radio Free Amanda Yu Mina @catcontentonly New
hobby is googling the think tanks affiliated with every rabid
anti-China op-ed writer, and then looking up how much weapons
contractors have contributed to them lol. With eamples in thread.
December
27
***
In
2019, several weapons-producing countries in the EU (Germany, France,
Italy, Spain, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands) individually
halted or restricted arms sales to Turkey.
A full embargo would by a welcome extension & a start of tighter sanctions. https://www.meforum.org/61883/erdogan-reprieve-on-eu-sanctions
December
26
***
DW:
Spies, lies & arms – Germany’s shipping companies and the
arms trade, reposted on 26/12/2020.
https://adamsmith.wordpress.com/2020/12/26/dw-spies-lies-arms-germanys-shipping-companies-and-the-arms-trade/
***
Fully aware
of the Azeri and Turkish desire to rid the region, once and for all,
of its indigenous Armenians, Israel found a highly lucrative
opportunity to profit from misery, to the tune of $5bn worth of arms
sales to Azerbaijan over the past years. Why?
https://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article247568840.html
***
Solidarity
with Turkish journalist Can Dündar means ending the cuddle course
with Erdogan.
https://foreignaffairs.co.nz/2020/12/24/mil-osi-translation-solidarity-with-can-dundar-means-ending-the-cuddle-course-with-erdogan/
***
The issue of
defence cooperation between Bangladesh and Turkey was discussed
during the meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu
and his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2020/12/23/turkish-foreign-minister-bangladesh-a-rising-star-in-south-asia
***
The Council
of the EU prolonged the mandates of Operation ATALANTA which will
contribute to the implementation of the UN arms embargo on Somalia
and will support the ongoing fight against Al Shabaab and its funding
streams.
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/nl/press/press-releases/2020/12/23/operation-atalanta-eutm-somalia-and-eucap-somalia-mandates-extended-for-two-more-years/
***
Myanmar buys
military aircraft from Jordan as part of efforts to reduce dependence
on China. The transport planes, CASA C295s, can be outfitted to
deploy paratroopers or serve as gunships and are manufactured &
assembled at the Airbus facility in Seville.
***
Goed
om te lezen, artikel over militaire handelingen in het cyberdomein,
persistent engagement, stabilisatie of escalatie? Het Amerikaanse
#CYBERCOM lijkt “afbreuk te doen aan het internationale recht.”
Wat zijn de gevolgen en mogelijkheden voor Nederland?
https://www.militairespectator.nl/thema/operaties/artikel/persistent-engagement-het-cyberdomein-stabilisatie-escalatie
December
25
***
South Korea
builds online exhibition hall. The online exhibition hall displays
850 different products from more than 160 enterprises in South
Korea’s defence and military industry, in an attempt to drive South
Korea’s arms exports.
https://yyoutdoors.com/south-korea-builds-online-exhibition-hall-to-promote-arms-sales/
***
December
23 it was reported that Trump administration has notified Congress of
its intent to issue licenses for the sale of 7500 precision-guided
munitions #PGMs valued $478m to Saudi Arabia. Sales of PGMs to
Saudi's 've been particularly controversial.
https://www.forumarmstrade.org/lameducksaudisales.html
December 24
***
Was to
be expected, but is this what NATO members want? NATO
Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he supports the use of armed
drones to protect soldiers’ lives, wading into a fierce debate in
Germany about buying such technology for future operations.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/12/23/nato-chief-wades-into-fiery-german-debate-on-armed-drones/
***
South
Africa is allowed to deport businessman (arms trader) Guus
Kouwenhoven convicted in the Netherlands for war crimes.
https://www.ruetir.com/2020/12/23/south-africa-is-allowed-to-deport-businessman-kouwenhoven-convicted-in-the-netherlands/
Court procedures on extradition:
http://www.saflii.org/za/cases/ZAWCHC/2020/185.html
Addition:
Rotterdamse wapenhandelaar Kouwenhoven mag Zuid-Afrika worden
uitgezet
https://www.rijnmond.nl/nieuws/202443/Rotterdamse-wapenhandelaar-Kouwenhoven-mag-Zuid-Afrika-worden-uitgezet
December
23
***
Investigation
into a data theft at Leonardo has found that a hacker working inside
the Italian defense group appeared to target details of Europe’s
biggest unmanned fighter jet program and aircraft used by the
military and police, an arrest warrant shows.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-leonardo-espionage-exclusive/exclusive-leonardo-hack-targeted-military-plane-details-arrest-warrant-shows-idUSKBN28W296
***
Turkey
expressed its keenness to enhance “defence cooperation” with
Bangladesh and go for “joint production and technology transfer”
with different countries including Bangladesh as Turkey’s defence
capacity is growing.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/2020/12/24/turkey-keen-to-enhance-defence-cooperation-with-bangladesh
***
Europe's guided missile group MBDA, is pushing ahead with a EU 5-nation project #Twister. By 2030 it should be able to detect hypersonic weapons as early as possible, and combat the missiles. Led by France, it involves Finland, Italy, Netherlands & Spain. https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/plus222987764/Aera-der-Hyperschallwaffen-Albtraum-fuer-unsere-Sicherheit.html
***
Like Proust's
Madeleine, the topci of defence industrial cooperation surfaces
regular, two scientist note. They give an overview and ruminate that
the armaments programs are windows of opportunity for further
European integration. In that case: non, merci.
https://theconversation.com/lindustrie-de-defense-en-europe-la-cooperation-ou-le-declassement-151454
***
In the past
decade, Middle East's turmoil has been exacerbated by the Saudi,
Iranian, Israeli, Qatari, Turkish & UAE, and equally if not more
by American, European and Russian machinations, to say nothing of the
arms sales that fuel the conflicts.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1597342/bitter-spring
***
“The
sentencing of Can Dündar - who revealed secret arms trafficking to
Syria - to over 27 years in prison is a scandal and an attack on
independent journalism”, explains Sevim Dagdelen of Die Linke.
Solidarity is to discontinue arms exports to Turkey.
https://foreignaffairs.co.nz/2020/12/24/mil-osi-translation-solidarity-with-can-dundar-means-ending-the-cuddle-course-with-erdogan/
***
Turkey
issued a new naval advisory, known as NAVTEX, for its seismic vessel
Oruc Reis to resume operations in the Greek-claimed waters of the
Eastern Mediterraneannear the Greek island of Kastellorizo till Jun
150621, several local sources reported 221220.
https://see.news/turkey-to-continue-provocation-in-eastern-mediterranean/
***
Buried inside
the massive $2.3 trillion spending package passed by US Congress on
Monday was a $286 million lifeline for General Atomics that will keep
the Air Force buying MQ-9 Reaper drones at least one more year.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/12/22/congress-resurrected-the-mq-9-reaper-program-adding-16-drones-for-the-air-force/
***
On the ENAAT
website the latest News from the Brussels' Bubble. Main items:
- EU MoDs informal meeting of 20/11 discussed military capabilities & Strategic Compass
- European Peace Facility: political agreement and compromise on lethal equipments exports
http://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ENAAT-NBB-2020-4_22.12.2020.pdf
Addition: And in short:
- Arming EU border guards: a legal issue?
- Climate Change and Defence Roadmap: the worrying EU narrative
- Subjective list of interesting links: AI for military use, peace mediation and others.
http://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ENAAT-NBB-2020-4_22.12.2020.pdf
***
Automatically
translated article on Spanish strategic exports (gives a kind of
rough info).
Record of Spanish arms sales authorizations: 22,545 million in the first half of this year.
***
The
Defence Committee of the Spanish Congress demanded the Government to
be extreme careful during licensing arms sales to Saudi Arabia and
the other countries involved in the war in Yemen. Initiative came
from Podemos and was supported by the PSOE.
https://thediplomatinspain.com/en/2020/12/congress-asks-government-to-monitor-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia/
***
Damen
seen as potential candidate to deliver naval vessels for Guinea
Ecuatorial naval forces.
https://embajada-guinea-ecuatorial.com/en/nvono-nca-decided-to-protect-equatorial-guineas-maritime-security/
December
22
***
Turkey is
selling four locally made stealth corvettes to its littoral Black Sea
neighbor Ukraine as part of a larger framework agreement to enhance
bilateral cooperation in defense procurement. What systems and
weapons and wherefrom will be installed?
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/12/21/ukraine-to-buy-turkish-warships-co-produce-drones/
***
An old
Swedish submarine was relaunched after a 12-month mid-life upgrade,
defense contractor Saab announced. The HMS Uppland, the second in the
Gotland class of three submarines, had 50 new systems installed or
modified.
https://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2020/saab-delivers-upgrade-gotland-class-submarine-to-sweden
***
A community
that connects the innovation, technology & business ecosystems of
Israel and UAE was launched last week. The establishment of the
UAE-IL Tech Zone, the first community of its kind, follows the
signing of the Abraham Accords by the two counties.
https://www.finanzen.at/nachrichten/aktien/start-up-nation-central-snc-launches-uae-il-tech-zone-the-first-uae-and-israel-innovation-community-in-collaboration-with-nobex-hybrid-and-fusion-la-1029893913
***
Why sanctions
against Turkey will stay limited: Turkey's continued membership of
NATO remains an important objective for both Brussels &
Washington, despite Ankara's increasingly antagonistic attitude
towards its NATO partners & its military 'adventurism'.
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/turkey-forges-a-strategic-future-independent-of-russia-and-the-west/
***
Call for
action: Germany should suspend its delivery of submarines to Turkey
to avoid igniting a war in the Eastern Mediterranean. EU should
institutionalize an arms embargo against countries that disrespect
the rule of law and threaten its member states.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/the-eu-must-address-the-turkish-problem-652838
***
EP demands
arms export licences for Egypt mustn't be approved for arms that
might be used for domestic repression, but it stopped short of
recommending an arms embargo. Egypt is one of the largest clients for
Dutch, French, German and Italian arms exports.
http://www.eiu.com/public/signup.aspxhttp://country.eiu.com/Egypt/ArticleList/Updates
Addition:
Egypt’s parliament and human rights organizations on Saturday have
further condemned a European report on the state of Egyptian human
rights, calling it both “opportunistic” and “an explicit
violation of human rights.”
https://egyptindependent.com/aegypts-parliament-slams-opportunistic-eu-human-rights-reportegyptian-parliament-slams-eu-report-on-human-rights-situation/
***
BCP Labour
Party (South England, Hampshire) oppose bid for Freeport status.
Labour added: "Zones at airports and ports are also prone to
attract criminal activity including money laundering, drug
trafficking and arms trade."
https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18958657.bcp-labour-party-oppose-bid-freeport-status/
***
Saudi Arabia,
UAE, Turkey, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar—accounted for 20% of global
small arms imports in 2017, including 57% of all imported light
weapons, 49% of imported military firearms, and 29% of the world’s
ammunition imports.
https://reliefweb.int/report/world/small-arms-survey-trade-update-2020-eye-ammunition-transfers-africa
***
The
conflict in the eastern Mediterranean continues to make waves.
Germany's EU partner Greece is calling for an arms embargo against
Ankara. German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas of the
SPD does not think this is a good idea. #submarines
https://www.welt.de/newsticker/dpa_nt/infoline_nt/brennpunkte_nt/article223036252/Maas-gegen-Stopp-aller-Ruestungsexporte-in-die-Tuerkei.html
December
21
***
Baku's
success in using Turkish drones raises question: Could Ukraine use
them against Russia in Crimea? Ukrainian arms trade state committee
UkrSpetsEksport, has announced that Kyiv is prepared to purchase 48
of these battle-tested UAVs.
https://jamestown.org/program/bakus-success-in-using-turkish-drones-raises-question-could-ukraine-use-them-against-russia-in-crimea/
***
Isn't it
strange? Much = written since 2002 by global media on new submarines
for Taiwan. Building them started somewhat in 2020. But there hasn't
been much written on Dutch submarine tech sales to Tapei valued €495m
since 2004. Arms trading by stealth seems easy when your tiny.
***
"There's
a problem with the revolving door between the secretary of defense
job and active-duty military officers, but the revolving door between
the Pentagon and weapons manufacturers is even more troubling."
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/21/opinion/there-should-be-tug-revolving-door-between-defense-contractors-top-pentagon-post/
***
While Trump
administration hasn't invoked CAATSA sanctions against Indian
acquisition because of Russian S-400, it isn't clear what the the
incoming Biden administration will do. Issue will tabled most likely
when India missiles are delivered in 2021.
https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/the-long-russian-arms-in-the-skies/article33376234.ece
***
New Delhi:
Paris over Washington? Even as US may remain India's preeminent
partner in the Indo-Pacific, France's "resident power"
status renders it to be India's partner of choice. Both spur the arms
race. US 550% & FR 572% increase (5 year periods given).
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/india-partnership-france-eclipse-ties-us/
***
Using blames
& denials on violating Libiyan arms embargo as a policy tool in
the case of appointing a new special envoy 4 Libya. Now US choice,
the Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, currently UN coordinator
for the Middle East Peace Process, is named.
https://www.libyanexpress.com/russia-accuses-us-of-blocking-the-appointment-of-un-envoy-to-libya/
Addition: For who want a facts based view on violations of the arms embargo. The annual Final report of the Panel of Experts on Libya established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1973 (2011) gives an overload of information. Last report December 9, 2019 https://undocs.org/S/2019/914
Addition: The diplomatic maneuvers could leave Africa with only a minimal voice in the mediation of a war in its own continent, spurred almost a decade ago by a Western military intervention that the African Union staunchly opposed. https://www.passblue.com/2020/11/16/sidelining-africans-the-us-imposes-its-own-choice-for-un-envoy-to-libya/
***
Safran
Group has named Olivier Andriès as Executive Vice President. A clear
example how to be educated in the French Governmental institutions
(Finance where he oversaw aerospace and military companies) to be
later employed by the same weapon industry.
https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2055660236879/press-release-safran-names-olivier-andris-evp-before-succeeding-ceo
***
Greek navy
speeds up acquisition of new frigates. US (multi-role frigates MMSC,
intermediate solution Arleigh Burke destroyers), French (Belhara
frigates) and Dutch Damen (Sigma frigates, intermediate solution 2
Dutch navy M-frigates) mentioned candidates.
https://newpost.gr/amyna/5fdf2804879ebbfd11f5b441/ayxanontai-oi-mnistires-gia-tis-nees-ellinikes-fregates-irthe-i-ora-ton-apofaseon-to-paraskinio-kai-ta-kritiria
***
Vrijwel
elke nacht is het raak: het Israëlische leger valt Palestijnse
huizen binnen, met of zonder goede reden. Dat zorgt voor blijvende
trauma’s.
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/12/20/israelische-soldaten-bij-je-bed-wen-er-maar-aan-a4024575
December
20
***
Political
scientist Hasni Abidi shortly analyses the Arab Spring. Relations
between Paris and Cairo, are founded above all on security and sales
of weaponry, despite the disastrous record of human rights in Egypt.
We want stable regimes, whatever the cost.
https://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/monde/proche-moyen-orient/printemps-arabes-10-ans-apres-les-europeens-ont-rate-un-rendez-vous-avec-l-histoire_2141019.html
***
"We will
[ the US] pass for hypocrites. We oppose the Russian invasion of
Ukraine and refuse to recognize its control over Crimea, but we
support the Moroccan invasion and its control of Western Sahara,"
said democratic senator Christopher Murphy.
http://www.aps.dz/monde/114497-sahara-occidental-reconnaitre-la-souverainete-marocaine-une-hypocrisie
***
German
government issued less arms export licenses as in 2019, a record year
with a total of €8,015bn. Until December 10 the Bundesregierung
licensed arms exports valued at the enormous €5,635bn. Figures were
provided to Sevim Dagdelen of Die Linke.
https://www.greenpeace-magazin.de/ticker/deutsche-ruestungsexporte-nach-rekordjahr-deutlich-gesunken
Addition: Exports to Egypt are the most sensitive. The country, which has been ruled with a hard hand, is criticized for human rights violations. It is part of the Saudi-led war coalition in Yemen and is also involved in the Libya conflict, German N-TV stated. https://www.n-tv.de/wirtschaft/Deutsche-Ruestungsexporte-brechen-ein-article22245734.html
***
Taiwan
has begun building a fleet of submarines to further bolster its
military capabilities.
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/19/asia/taiwan-submarine-fleet-analysis-intl-hnk-ml/index.html
Dutch submarine (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/SS793_Submarines1.jpg) sales to Taiwan in Jan-Oct 2020.
***
CAATSA
designed not to take punitive action against friends, allies: US
diplomat. But “This was a very hard but necessary choice.
***
Germany and
the Netherlands have signed an agreement yesterday to work jointly on
a next generation frigate which will replace the German Navy
Sachsen-class (F124) and the Royal Netherlands Navy De Zeven
Provinciën-class (LCF) frigates.
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/12/germany-and-the-netherlands-joining-forces-for-f-124-lcf-frigate-replacement/
***
The Japanese
MoD and the Japan Business Federation have agreed to step up
cooperation in selling protection gear and know-how exports. (Watch
out while Europeans use the word 'defence' for military, Japan uses
even 'protection gear' for war materiel).
https://whitenewspaper.com/2020/12/19/defense-ministry-to-team-up-with-keidanren-to-promote-arms-exports/
***
The
EU is “moving at a slow pace” in its response to Turkish
provocations in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean, but Athens will
continue pushing for sanctions “with patience and persistence,”
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said on Saturday.
https://www.ekathimerini.com/260472/article/ekathimerini/news/fm-accuses-brussels-of-slow-pace-on-sanctions
***
Q&A UK Government has taken revocation action 74 times on individual licences; and suspended licences, pending further investigations, four times. https://members.parliament.uk/member/4277/writtenquestions#expand-1252282 To compare: the Netherlands denied 100 export licenses in the period 2015-2019. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2019/03/04/historisch-overzicht-afgewezen-aanvragen-voor-militaire-goederen
December
19
***
India's MoD
greenlit the development of 6 new Airborne Early Warning Control
#AWACS to be built by the Defence Research & Development
Organisation #DRDO. They will, reportedly, be fitted on modified
Airbus A320s operated by the national carrier, Air India.
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/def-min-approves-rs-10500-cr-eyes-in-the-sky-project-how-drdos-awacs-will-boost-indias-border-vigilance/696116
Addition: Indian MoD is preparing for the possibility of conflicts with China or Pakistan. Pakistan has eight early warning planes based on Swedish Saab 2000 planes and the Chinese ZDK-03, while the Chinese Air Force has 30 early warning planes of various variants. https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/47216
***
Airbus
Defense has requested a final commercial offer from General Electric
and Safran Helicopter Engines for the engine of the European MALE
drone, the Eurodrone. Will Safran HE seize its chance and catch up
with GE's offer?
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/moteurs-de-l-eurodrone-derniere-chance-pour-safran-de-supplanter-general-electric-867134.html
***
Because the
German MoD hasn't budgeted a billion-dollar project of a completely
new missile defense system in the foreseeable future, MBDA Germany -
Germany's leading manufacturer of guided weapons & cruise
missiles - threatens to cut 300 of its 1200 jobs.
https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article222837294/Ruestungskonzern-MBDA-Drama-um-die-neue-deutschen-Raketenabwehr.html
***
EP-resolution:
"calls for the EU to implement in full its export controls
vis-à-vis Egypt with regard to goods that could be used for
repression, torture or capital punishment."
That's were debate starts. Must naval vessels, fighter aircraft be included?
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-9-2020-0426_EN.html
December
18
***
Drones are
used in war zones around the world, with little in the way of
oversight or accountability. We are always told how accurate they
are, but the civilian cost has been devastating.
https://www.thenational.scot/news/18953278.action-required-halt-rise-drones/
***
Ahmed
Al-Batati, former corporal in UK army, staged a protest against
British arms sales to Saudi Arabia in August, concerned that “a
child was dying every 10 minutes” in Yemen. In his first interview
since he tells that others in the army share his view.
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-12-18-a-lot-of-people-share-my-opinion-within-the-military-says-soldier-who-protested-against-uk-arms-exports-to-saudi-arabia/
***
Christoph
Marischka, Artificial Intelligence in European Defence: Autonomous
Armament? Report, 52 pages.
“The ongoing armament of the European Union, driven by digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI), poses a threat to the populations of Europe.” https://oezlem-alev-demirel.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/KI-Ruestung-engl-web.pdf
***
Retweet
@ArmsTradeCT
: When it comes to
justifying arms sales, one of the greatest arguments used by its
supporters that the industry is a significant contributor to the
greater national economy, particularly by creating job positions.
However, the evidence shows this to be highly misleading. (1/6)
***
Billions of
pounds’ worth of arms resumed flowing from the UK to Saudi Arabia
since July when the UK claimed any Saudi air strikes in Yemen were
simply “isolated incidents.” Trade Secretary Truss said it to
defend a policy against UK arms export criteria.
https://bylinetimes.com/2020/12/17/the-governments-excuse-for-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia-goes-against-its-own-policy/
***
Arms trade
relations must not prevent Paris to ask UAE for explanations over the
use of a closed gas plant in Yemen, partially owned by the French
energy giant Total, as a secret prison by the Emirati army, with
torture & human rights violations reported.
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/france-must-question-uae-over-use-of-total-pl-1117094.html
***
Retweet
@dgprPaknavy Induction ceremony of
state of the art Corvette, PNS TABUK was held at PN Dockyard, Khi.
Chief Guest, CNS Adm Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi termed induction of
PNS TABUK as an important milestone for PN to enhance Ops
capabilities & promote maritime security in the region.(1/2)
CNS acknowledged M/s DAMEN Shipyards (Romania) for cooperation & delivering high quality platforms. Naval Chief urged officers & men to make full use of combat potential in safeguarding country's maritime interests.1st corvette, PNS YARMOOK was inducted in July this year.(2/2)
Met
videoclip.
***
Turkish
Daily Sabah reports that Turkish Aerospace Industries sold three Anka
unmanned air vehicles to Tunisia. Around 52 Tunisian pilots and
maintenance personnel will go to Ankara for training.
https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/turkish-aerospace-industries-to-make-1st-anka-uav-export-to-tunisia-local-media
December 17
***
Please have a look at the new
design of the EU arms export browser on the ENAAT website.
http://enaat.org/eu-export-browser
Many thanks to CAAT's brilliant work.
***
EU Sea Defence project starts.
It will lead to next generation naval capabilities which will
effectively support the European naval forces against potential
future threats. starts. Zoom screen shot shows lobuists, MoD
officials & military industrialists.
https://www.damen.com/en/news/2020/12/official_kick_off_of_the_edidp_funded_sea_defence_project
***
The European Commission has
awarded Estonia and the country’s robotics company Milrem a grant
to lead the way on a standard architecture for military unmanned
ground vehicles, the company announced.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/12/16/european-union-awards-grant-to-forge-unmanned-ground-vehicle-standard/
***
European nations want to build a
€6bn alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink network so the region
isn’t left behind in the race to develop satellite broadband. EU
officials signed off on a study for a low-earth orbit constellation
similar to Starlink.
***
Combat drones become an topic
for German 2021 elections. SPD can't take a position, so it will go
to die Grünen.
Drohnen werden Wahlkampfthema.
Kampfdrohnen, ja oder nein? Die SPD kann sich nicht festlegen. Damit
könnte das Thema auf die Grünen zurollen.
https://taz.de/SPD-Waffen-und-Haushaltsausschuss/!5734120/
Addition: Germany May Receive Israeli Heron-TP UAVs without Weapons https://www.defenseworld.net/news/28575/Germany_May_Receive_Israeli_Heron_TP_UAVs_without_Weapons
***
Retweet @FrankSlijper:
Emergence of 'new' weapon producers has led to
diversification in global arms trade. New @SIPRIorg briefing looks
at arms industry in Brazil, South Korea, Turkey and United Arab
Emirates
https://sipri.org/publications/2020/sipri-insights-peace-and-security/emerging-suppliers-global-arms-trade
***
The American Israel Public
Affairs Committee #AIPAC has a reputation – inaccurate – for
opposing nearly every arms sale to any Arab country it considered
hostile to Israel. However recently it stated no objections to F-35
sale to authoritarian ruled UAE.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/aipac-when-israel-lobbies-for-the-arabs-652346
***
EU aims to further enhance cyber
defence cooperation & develop cyber defence capabilities,
building on the work of EDA & encouraging Member states to make
full use of the Permanent Structured Cooperation and the EDF.
https://www.eureporter.co/frontpage/2020/12/16/new-eu-cybersecurity-strategy-and-new-rules-to-make-physical-and-digital-critical-entities-more-resilient/
What does defence mean here? Military?
***
Greek
paper states that German CDU will follow US on foreign policy
included arms exports. “Issues related to arms exports and
deliveries must be discussed within NATO." Merkel refused to
make a decisive decision on the sale of German Type 214 submarine.
https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/12/17/germany-independent-policy-biden/
December
16
***
Retweet
@FerretScot: SNP ‘misleading’
for condemning UK military spending after lobbying for defence
contracts
https://theferret.scot/snp-uk-military-budget-lobbying-defence-contracts/
via @ferretscot
***
Retweet:
@Drone_Wars_UK @AlynSmith of
@theSNPintroduces bill in House of Commons for greater parliamentary
oversight of arms exports and UK use of armed #drones. Also calls for
pre-emptive ban on lethal autonomous weapons (#LAWS) Watch here:
https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/2579fa12-aef6-43ea-af82-2532aed86c7f
Addition: More on the same: SNP call for ban on 'killer robots' as Westminster 'buries head in the sand'https://www.thenational.scot/news/18949058.snp-call-ban-killer-robots-westminster-buries-head-sand/
***
Chillingly,
of the next 10 countries predicted to acquire armed drones, 9 are
trapped in long-running territorial disputes or fighting internal
wars. The international system may soon face a new round of conflicts
propelled by proliferation of armed
drones.https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/middle-east/2020-12-16/drones-are-destabilizing-global-politics
***
Good news
(protest works): Victory! Seville cancels the Electronic Warfare
Europe arms fair which was scheduled to take place at the Palace of
Exhibitions and Congresses of Fibes in Seville in May 2021.
https://www.pressenza.com/2020/12/victory-seville-cancels-electronic-warfare-europe-arms-fair/
***
World
welcomes US sanctions on Turkey, but should India be worried?
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=782017
***
Will US
sanctions on Turkey over Russian missiles doom Pak plan for choppers,
ships?
https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2020/12/15/will-us-sanctions-turkey-over-russian-missiles-doom-pak-plan-for-choppers-ships.html
***
A report
published by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project
revealed a Jordanian role in efforts of the military in Myanmar to
acquire European-manufactured aircrafts, in an attempt to circumvent
international sanctions on the Tatmadaw.
https://www.albawaba.com/node/why-jordan-selling-arms-sanctioned-myanmar-military-1399114
***
The view from
Turkey on why the West is wrong to sanction Ankara and why it will
strengthen the regional power in the long run. It forgets a lot to
tell, e.g. how important Western tech still is for the build-up of
its domestic defence industry.
https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/columns/caatsa-what-doesnt-kill-you-makes-you-stronger
***
Turkish-EU
relations: Why won't the bloc take a hard line on Turkey? As is often
the case with EU foreign policy, national interests generally trump
everything else.
https://www.euronews.com/2020/12/15/turkish-eu-relations-why-won-t-the-bloc-take-a-hard-line-on-turkey
***
As the EU
prepares its 3rd package of sanctions against Belarusia, demands are
growing for the West to apply greater economic pressure, in
particular to consider banning the supply of certain IT products.
Could such sanctions really work?
https://globalvoices.org/2020/12/15/how-global-tech-companies-enable-the-belarusian-regime-and-the-belarusian-revolution/
***
The note on
Damen is remarkable. The Dutch aren't an interesting partner for
Greece, because not significant enough as counter weight against
Turkey. So France has a better chance to sell arms (included 18
Rafales of which 12 second hand).
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/le-rafale-sur-le-point-d-atterrir-en-grece-866787.html
***
Defense
Bill Aims Additional Sanctions at Turkey, Russia, and China.
https://www.mofo.com/resources/insights/201214-defense-bill-sanctions.html
***
Ukraine MoD
Andrii Taran has signed a number of defence contracts with Turkish
companies. This event took place during the visit of the Turkish
delegation led by the President of Defence Industries of the Republic
of Turkey İsmail Demir.
https://www.mil.gov.ua/en/news/2020/12/14/for-the-first-time-the-ministry-of-defence-signed-direct-foreign-economic-contracts-for-military-goods-andrii-taran/
***
Who said
Covid-19 should shift priorities towards a different paradigm on
security? Sweden’s parliament approved a 40% increase in the
defence budget for 2021-25 because of tensions in the Baltic Sea
region in recent years, with Russia as main reason.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/12/15/sweden-ups-defense-budget-40-due-to-regional-tensions/
***
Most
significant has been the EU’s failure to effectively combat Libya’s
arms proliferation, ranging from light weapons to heavy equipment and
advanced military technology.
https://www.eubulletin.com/11508-eu-in-libya-foreign-interference-and-disarmament.html
***
Effects
of US sanctions on Turkey. They will impact structural upgrades to
Turkey’s F-16 and Turkey’s $1.5 bn sale of attack helicopters to
Pakistan, both depend on US export licenses. They're there because
Turkish acquisition of Russian missiles, not HR.
https://ahvalnews.com/us-sanctions/narrow-us-sanctions-turkey-are-primarily-designed-target-russia
Addition:
For US CAATSA Sanctions against Turkey
https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ddtc_public?id=ddtc_public_portal_news_and_events
December
15
***
Thales
will build an R&D center, a logistics hub and recruit nearly 500
people in Cholet, where its activities are growing, particularly in
cyber defence.
https://www.lesechos.fr/pme-regions/pays-de-la-loire/thales-amplifie-a-cholet-ses-activites-de-guerre-electronique-1273661
***
KNDS
(Amsterdam = letterbox construction) completes a next step towards
integration. 5 years after the merger of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann
(Munich) and Nexter Systems (Versailles) under the joint holding
KNDS, the Group’s governance is being restructured.
https://www.edrmagazine.eu/%E2%96%BA-knds-amsterdam-the-netherlands-completes-a-decisive-step-towards-further-integration
***
The
Bundeswehr has called for approval for armed combat drones for
military use. But the controversial technology has been blocked in
the German parliament.
https://www.dw.com/en/no-armed-drones-for-the-german-army-for-now/a-55936615
***
Airbus
continues to support Turkish armed forces.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/science-technology/turksat-5a-satellite-set-to-secure-turkeys-orbital-rights-airbus/2075998
Türksat to Improve its services to defence and security Forces with
Türksat 5A and Türksat 5B Satellites.
https://www.savunmahaber.com/en/turksat-to-improve-its-services-to-defence-and-security-forces-with-turksat-5a-and-turksat-5b-satellites/
***
Federal
Republic of Germany is about to make its first major investment in a
German defence company. For almost half a billion euros, the takeover
of 25.1 percent of the newly listed defence electronics group
Hensoldt is planned by the end of the year.
https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article222470840/Ruestungskonzern-Hensoldt-Berlin-plant-Einstieg-fuer-fast-eine-halbe-Milliarde-Euro.html
***
European
Parliament and EU Member States on Monday reached an agreement on a €
7.9 billion (US$ 9.5 billion) Europe Defence Fund to support EU
common Research and Defence projects in the seven years to come.
https://menafn.com/1101280161/EU-agrees-on-79-bln-euro-defence-fund
Commission welcomes:
https://ec.europa.eu/defence-industry-space/commission-welcomes-political-agreement-european-defence-fund-2020-12-14_en
***
Ukrainian
Defence Minister Andriy Taran has signed an agreement with Turkish
companies on handing over the technology and manufacturing of
corvettes and complexes of drones for the needs of the Armed Forces
of Ukraine. https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/709919.html
***
Yasar Yakis,
a former foreign minister of Turkey and founding member of the ruling
AK Party, explains why Angela Merkel involved NATO into the debate
surrounding sanctions (included arms sales) against Turkey.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1776856
***
Even amongst
the German Liberals in the Bundestag of the FDP opposition against
the the export of Turkish submarines to Turkey is brewing, reports
Der Spiegel.
https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/tuerkei-fdp-aussenpolitiker-bijan-djir-sarai-gegen-u-boot-lieferungen-a-257895d4-7e95-4211-a55b-cb9241b4135b
***
A member of
the Bundestag comes in handy to let the flow of German arms exports
continue and rushes to help Rheinmetall. "Dear Peter" is
informed that the company has not received the expected export
license for a certain recipient country.
https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/lobby-briefe-von-parlamentariern-das-politische-engagement-fuer-firmen-gehoert-in-die-oeffentlichkeit/26701274.html
Addition: Same issue in English: Opposition criticizes secret letters to “dear Peter” Altmaier https://pledgetimes.com/opposition-criticizes-secret-letters-to-dear-peter-altmaier/
***
View from
Greece on EU Turkey policy: Berlin, Madrid, Rome & Malta,
economically linked to Ankara fiercely opposed trade sanctions. But
it was France that surprised. Why it not insist on tougher sanctions?
Le "double jeu" des Européens face à la Turquie
https://www.courrierinternational.com/une/vu-de-grece-le-double-jeu-des-europeens-face-la-turquie
***
1/..
Turboshaft TS1400 will power a Turkish light transport/utility
helicopter built by TEI’s sister company Turkish Aerospace
Industries. TEI launched the TS1400 program in March 2017. ../2
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2020/12/14/turkey-to-test-first-indigenous-helicopter-engine/
Addition: The domestic production is also to overcome export hurdles, like in the past to Turkmenistan for the sale of 2 T129 Mk-I ATAK for which the US government gave no permission. https://www.defenceturkey.com/en/content/original-power-system-ts1400-turboshaft-engine-developed-by-tei-s-seasoned-team-of-experts-for-the-t625-helicopter-3546
December
14
***
Gatfur.
Strijdkrachten van Armenië en Azerbeidzjan hebbe zich schuldig
gemaakt aan oorlogsmisdaden tijdens hun laatste oorlog. Door Amnesty
geverifieerde videobeelden tonen de onthoofding van gevangenen en het
onteren van dode lichamen.
https://www.amnesty-international.be/nieuws/onthoofding-en-andere-oorlogsmisdaden-tijdens-conflict-armenie-azerbeidzjan-moeten-onderzocht-worden
***
As
President Macron faces accusations that he's curtailing civic rights
and limit transparency, the recent visit of Egyptian ruler al-Sisi
underscored France’s longstanding willingness to turn a blind eye
to oppression in the countries it sells weapons to.
https://www.france24.com/en/france/20201211-france-debates-human-rights-at-home-while-still-selling-weapons-to-oppressive-regimes
***
De
staatssecretaris van Economische Zaken en Klimaat, mw. Mona Keijzer,
heeft de Tweede Kamer de “Visie op de toekomst van de industrie in
Nederland” aangeboden. Voor onder meer de defensie-industrie wordt
hiermee een lange-termijn perspectief geschetst.
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/brieven_regering/detail?id=2020Z20167&did=2020D43344
***
When a major
ally, becomes a major nuisance on several fronts. EU leaders plan to
discuss arm exports to Turkey with NATO allies and Washington, German
Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday, after Greece pushed for an
arms embargo on Ankara.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201211-eu-to-discuss-arms-exports-to-turkey-with-nato-and-us-merkel-says/
***
Joe Biden
will take command of the White House at a time when the American
public is more concerned about battling coronavirus than fighting
overseas wars. Here are some suggestions what he can do to make the
world a better place for all and change focus.
https://www.malaysiasun.com/news/267248927/biden-under-pressure-to-end-era-of-air-strikes-and-drone-strikes
***
Northrop
Grumman won a $73.2 million delivery order for Remote Visual
Assessment II production and deployment for the Minutemen III.
https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2443378/
***
News reports
from Japan said that Lockheed Martin has been chosen to assist
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI) in the development of the F-X
fighter. (Accessed with Google translate.)
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/8ff8f8d79ed0f6621d8b84aeff9bcd40f6c849eb
Addition:
Same issue in Forbes: Japan’s Mitsubishi To
Deploy $48 Billion F-X Stealth Fighters By 2035 With Boost From
Lockheed.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/sebastienroblin/2020/12/15/japans-mitsubishi-to-deploy-48-billion-f-x-stealth-fighters-by-2035-with-boost-from-lockheed/?sh=71c4b492036d
***
South
Korea was 10th-largest arms exporter in 2015-19, accounting for 2.1%
of the world's total defense exports, according to the Global Defense
Market Yearbook 2020 published by the Defense Agency for Technology &
Quality. UK, Iraq, Indonesia main buyers.
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2020/12/205_300848.html
***
Is the
US the UN? Washington has agreed to recognize Morocco's claim over
the Western Sahara over which it locked in a dispute with the
Algeria-backed Polisario Front. The deal was made public in a series
of Tweets by US President Donald Trump yesterday.
https://www.defenseworld.net/news/28520#.X9M5J9j0mUk
***
Élysée
from bad to worse. Freedom, equality, weaponry; France awards
President Sisi of Egypt the Legion d'Honneur as lucrativearms sales
appear to trump human rights abuse.
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201210-macron-gave-sisi-france-s-highest-award-on-paris-visit-official
***
Oxfam
said that attacks on civilians In Yemen were on the rise. It urged
international community to halt sale of weapons for use in the war.
According to CAAT UK has given £1bn in aid to Yemen but has licensed
£6.5bn worth of arms to countries bombing it.
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-independent-1029/20201210/281917365660802
***
Flight
data suggests ongoing Turkish military air bridge to Libya
The UN maritime mission to halt illegal weapons shipments to Libya have stopped and searched Turkish ships but now it appears Ankara is flying in equipment despite peace talks. https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/flight-data-suggests-ongoing-turkish-military-air-bridge-to-libya-1.1126296
***
There
will be disappointment in Athens that the leaders, meeting at a
summit in Brussels, did not agree to seek an arms embargo or to
target economic sectors. Berlin is a major provider of arms for NATO
ally on the Southern flank that partly explains why.
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201211-eu-opens-path-for-more-sanctions-against-turkey
***
The
endless war in Somalia (1990-2020). AFRICOM has conducted slightly
fewer airstrikes in Somalia in 2020 than it did in 2019 when the
command carried out 63 airstrikes in Somalia, in comparison with the
47 conducted in 2018 and the 35 conducted in 2017
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/12/10/africom-conducts-50th-airstrike-in-somalia-amid-us-troop-relocation-in-africa/
***
As Mexico’s relentless militarization continues to whet appetites: in the last decade, the United Kingdom increased its arms export licenses and included Mexico in its list of “priority countries for arms exports”. https://www.theyucatantimes.com/2020/12/mexico-eldorado-for-the-death-industry/
***
UAE arms deal:
Critics turn to Biden as Senate fails to block $23bn sale US Senate
narrowly votes against measure to halt enormous arms deal with Abu
Dhabi; activists want Biden to cancel or revise sale
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uae-arms-deal-critics-turn-biden-senate-fails-block-23bn-sale
***
Ottawa
urged to set up independent scrutiny of arms exports.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ottawa-urged-to-set-up-independent-scrutiny-of-arms-exports/
December
10
***
Tens
of billions more will are said to be needed to complete development
of the US Next-Generation Air Dominance #NGAD, German/French/Spanish
Future Combat Air System #FCAS and UK/Swedish Tempest over the next
two decades.
https://aviationweek.com/aerospace-defense-2021/defense-space/three-generations-fighters-compete-limited-resources
***
Reiner Braun
of the International Network of Engineers & Scientists for Global
Responsibility, says he wishes #EDF funds could be used for research
into understanding and defending against poverty, climate change, &
disease, which can also lead to
conflict.https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/12/europe-hopes-new-rd-fund-will-boost-meager-defense-capabilities-and-create
***
Germany
should immediately suspend deliveries of submarines to Turkey, more
than 50 German and Greek Members of the European Parliament demand of
German chancellor Angela Merkel in a joint letter sent on Wednesday.
https://eutoday.net/news/security-defence/2020/halt-deliveries-of-german-submarines-to-turkey
***
Countries
around the globe are on the hunt for at least 3,033 military aircraft
over the next decade, and 50% of the requirements for new equipment
are coming from one region—Asia.
https://aviationweek.com/aerospace-defense-2021/defense-space/military-aircraft-competitions-worldwide
***
Tweede Kamer
wil zo snel en Nederlandsch mogelijk een onderzeeboot. Hiertoe is een
motie van de SGP aangenomen die werd ondertekend door de VVD, CDA,
ChristenUnie, PVV, PvdA en Groep Van Haga (ruime Kamermeerderheid).
Wie niet? #GroenLinks #SP #PvdD #Denk
https://www.noordhollandsdagblad.nl/cnt/DMF20201209_8124525
***
Germany
extended arms export ban on Saudi Arabia by 1 year until the end of
2021 - even tightened it. Permits that have already been granted,
which were previously only on hold, will be revoked, excluded
supplies for European cooperation projects.
https://www.dpa-international.com/topic/german-arms-export-ban-saudi-arabia-extended-one-year-urn%3Anewsml%3Adpa.com%3A20090101%3A201210-99-637185
***
Sen. Murphy,
D-Conn. (a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee), said
the UAE's track record in war-torn Yemen and Libya and its
“complicated” relationships with China and Russia raise more
questions than answers.
https://apnews.com/article/israel-united-arab-emirates-middle-east-bills-mike-pompeo-f6e113dc6ff35d344270da4e900e9f32
***
Jorge
Domecq, former chief executive at the European Defence Agency #EDA,
started his new job as lobbyist for defence corporation Airbus before
having received the required authorisation from the EU. By doing so,
Domecq broke EDA staff rules.
https://www.ftm.nl/artikelen/former-eu-defense-chief-eu-airbus
***
EU Sanctions
website reports CAAT brought a judicial review claim
(https://caat.org.uk/news/caat-files-new-judicial-review-application-against-decision-to-renew-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia/)
challenging the Government’s decision in July this year to resume
arms sales to Saudi Arabia on the basis that any violations of IHL
were “isolated incidents.”
https://www.europeansanctions.com/2020/12/court-challenge-to-uks-resumed-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia/
***
Retweet
@conflictarm Disrupting diversion by spotting
red flags: CAR's 18-month investigation uncovers the global networks,
from Hong Kong to the UK, that helped supply Islamic State.
https://conflictarm.com/reports/procurement-networks-behind-islamic-state-improvised-weapon-programmes/
***
UK MoD
officials have confirmed it will buy more than 48 F-35B combat jets
already on order, but they were reluctant to say exactly when and how
many aircraft may eventually be involved when they gave evidence to
the parliamentary Defence committee Dec 8.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/12/09/british-f-35-buy-is-still-a-moving-target-defense-ministry-tells-lawmakers/
***
Airbus
prepares for ‘Eurodrone’ contract signing in early 2021.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/12/09/airbus-prepares-for-eurodrone-contract-signing-in-early-2021/
***
Philippine
Chairman of Armed Forces Gen. Gapay hinted that Manila has decided to
buy F-16s. “Soon ... we will finally have multi-role fighters in
the likes of the F-16,” he said. The F-16 is running in the
competition together with Swedish Saab’s JAS-39.
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/192567/afp-chief-sees-new-fighter-jets-for-ph-military-before-duterte-steps-down
***
Verzekeraars
investeren meer dan €5mljrd in bedrijven die wapens leveren aan
strijdende partijen in conflictgebieden zoals Jemen. Verreweg de
grootste zijn Aegon, Allianz en NN Group. Dat blijkt uit nieuw
onderzoek van de Eerlijke Verzekeringswijzer.
https://www.amnesty.nl/actueel/aegon-allianz-en-nn-group-investeren-miljarden-in-foute-wapenleveranciers
***
President-elect
Biden's selection of Lloyd Austin, general (ret) with close ties to
the arms industry, led to an outcry among defence watchers who say he
was placed under less scrutiny than Michèle Flournoy, long seen as
leading contender for the position.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/12/09/did-michele-flournoy-face-double-standard-over-defense-industry-ties.html
***
The use of
British weaponry or ammunition in the Lekki massacre has not been
proven yet, but the UK, has an obligation to stop arms exports to
actors that may use them in ways that breach international
humanitarian law – like Nigeria.
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2020/12/9/this-is-why-the-lekki-massacre-could-happen/
***
Countries
supplying the guns that kill Mexico’s journalists. Between 2006-18,
European and Israeli companies exported more than 238,000 firearms to
Mexico. More than half came from just two companies, Italian Beretta
& Austrian Glock. More corp. mentioned.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/09/mexico-cartel-project-weapons-import-trafficking
Addition: See
report here (in English and Spanish)
https://stopusarmstomexico.org/deadly-trade/
Addition:
At least 86 of the 119 journalists
killed in Mexico since 2000 have been shot. In ten years, at least
130 FN weapons have been found at crime scenes in Mexico. The FN
Five-SeveN pistol, in particular, is popular with the cartels.
Belgian Le Soir.
https://plus.lesoir.be/342731/article/2020-12-09/projet-cartel-des-armes-de-la-fn-sur-des-scenes-de-crime-au-mexique
***
The
Puntland Government is investigating how Al-shabaab managed to
conceal weapons in a fishing boat to evade naval patrols at the Gulf
of Aden.
https://thetaiwantimes.com/al-shabaab-militias-smuggle-small-arms-through-somaliland/7942
December 9
***
The Security Service of Ukraine
#SBU is conducting an investigation into possible high treason by
officials working at the Ukroboronprom state defence concern &
the Ukrspetseksport state arms trader, Interfax-Ukraine reported on 7
December, citing SBU.
https://ssu.gov.ua/novyny/shchodo-provedennia-obshukiv-v-dk-ukroboronprom-ta-dk-ukrspetseksport
***
Covid and military aviation:
Australian workers embark on new multibillion-dollar fleet F-35 work. https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/retrenched-jetstar-workers-recruited-to-work-on-warplanes-20201208-p56lm2.html
France promises no delay in Rafale export to India. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/covid-19-wont-delay-rafale-delivery-says-french-ambassador-to-india/article33284040.ece
***
@hrw Stop arms sales to Egypt
given the record of the Egyptian police in arresting and torturing
people, of Egyptian military in committing atrocities in northern
Sinai & (alongside Russia and UAE) backing highly abusive forces
of Libyan commander Haftar.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/07/end-europes-backing-egypts-repression
***
President Donald Trump's senior
adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, participated in a Senate
Republican call Tuesday about the planned $23 billion sale of F-35
fighter jets, Reaper drones and munitions to the UAE, according to a
Senate aide.
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/08/politics/kushner-uae-arms-sale-senate/index.html
***
Germany's protecting hand over
Erdogan; France and many other countries in Europe have lost patience
with Turkey. They want to decide on tough sanctions. But above all
Angela Merkel is putting the brakes on.
Deutschlands schützende Hand über Erdogan. https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/plus222049822/EU-Sanktionen-Deutschlands-schuetzende-Hand-ueber-Erdogan.html
Addition: Turkish President Erdogan trusts that the EU summit cannot agree on sanctions. https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/europaeische-union-ende-der-illusionen-1.5141735
***
EDGE, of the UAE is the first
Middle Eastern company among the top 25 military suppliers in the
world. https://wam.ae/en/details/139530289362
UAE’s arms industry has benefited from offsets & tech
transfers, allowing create local production of major arms &
components.
https://sipri.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/sipriinsight2012_mapping_the_international_presence_of_the_worlds_largest_arms_companies.pdf
***
The Israelis Making Millions
Selling Cyberweapons to Latin America. There is no detailing of the
purchasing countries, but 4 percent of all Israeli arms exports go to
Latin America, amounting to $300 million annually.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/tech-news/.premium-revealed-the-israelis-selling-cyberweapons-to-latin-america-1.9356753
***
India's
weapons procurement from the United States jumped from meagre USD 6.2
million to a whopping USD 3.4-billion in the final year of the Donald
Trump administration, according to official data.
https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-s-weapons-procurement-from-the-us-jumps-to-3-4-billion-in-2020-120120900051_1.html
***
Sanctioned,
embargoed, and accused of genocide, Myanmar’s military continues
with efforts to acquire equipment made by European companies, as well
as Airbus planes from Jordan’s air force, leaked documents show.
https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/from-jordanian-planes-to-german-software-myanmars-genocidal-military-stocks-up
***
Tanker
arms race between India and Pakistan. France proposed selling 6 MRTT
aerial tankers to India in a government-to-government deal that
involves converting 2nd-hand Airbus A330 airliners. Pakistan
acquiring 4 refuellers from Ukraine & China.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/french-mid-air-refuellers-could-boost-air-force/story-lbpLOIjx1El8VlYwu7o55N.html
December
8
***
Retweet
@ArmsTradeCT The Corruption Tracker
launch has arrived! We kick off with an introduction to the Tracker
and panel by @DemBrinke#CorruptionTracker #DodgyDeals
***
While
bicycle spinning for my health I was able to listen to a series of
short introduction which gave a clear overview on corruption in the
arms trade (estimated to be 40% of all corruption) at the expense of
civilians and in the interest of very few.
https://trackcorruption.org/
***
French Thales
and former president Zuma back in South African court to face charges
of fraud, corruption, and racketeering linked to the
multi-billion-rand Arms Deal. Thales is accused of paying a bribe to
Zuma for protection in any arms deal
investigation.https://www.702.co.za/articles/403602/zuma-thales-arms-deal-case-back-in-court-today-matter-likely-to-be-postponed
***
When arms
producers cry Covid-tears, show them the 8.5% growth of the 25
largest in their midst in 2019 compared to the previous year.
https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/sipriinsight2012_mapping_the_international_presence_of_the_worlds_largest_arms_companies.pdf
***
French MoD
Florence Parly signed the letter of intent to create a new fund, the
Defense Innovation Fund (FID). It could be endowed with up to 400
million euros, including 200 million financed by the Ministry of the
Armed Forces, via upstream studies.
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/innovation-le-fonds-lance-par-florence-parly-devra-faire-ses-preuves-pour-convaincre-864633.html
***
US approved
sale of advanced communications equipment worth $280m to Taiwan, in a
move likely to irk China.
The arms sale package includes a Field Information Communications System and related equipment, stated US Defense Security Cooperation Agency #DSCA https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/taipei-economic-and-cultural-representative-office-united-states-19
***
Students
protest Glasgow School of Arts investments “into corrupt industries
including the arms trade, ...” which they object to, saying: “the
art school ought to be a centre of ecological and moral awareness
that not only looks to the future with hope."
https://www.scotsman.com/health/coronavirus/glasgow-school-arts-watch-students-peaceful-protest-they-claim-institution-has-been-immoral-and-indefensible-3060567
***
Europe's ally
al-Sisis has 60.000 political prisoners behind bars.
https://www.rtbf.be/info/monde/detail_emmanuel-macron-abordera-le-sujet-du-respect-des-droits-de-l-homme-avec-le-president-egyptien?id=10648054
Despite this Cairo is a favoured destination for weapons delivered by France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands. So far for the European values of equality, fraternity and liberty.
***
German MPs
and lobbyists are calling for more transparency when parliamentarians
at ministries or other authorities advocate the interests of
companies. This is particularly relevant when it comes to politically
sensitive matters, such as arms trade.
https://www.tagesspiegel.de/plus/lieber-peter-bitte-eine-sondergenehmigung-abgeordnete-schickten-60-bittbriefe-an-wirtschaftsministerium/26694866.html
***
A
top arms sale official believes it is “possible” to get the UAE
on contract to purchase the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter before the end
of the Trump administration.
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/12/04/official-possible-uae-f-35-deal-can-be-inked-before-trump-administration-ends/
Can the international partners in the F-35 project let their voices be heard?
***
President-elect
Biden has reportedly selected Lloyd Austin III, a retired four-star
Army general who most recently led the fights in Afghanistan and
Iraq, as his nominee for defense secretary. Boardmember of Raytheon,
the 4th largest military corporation.
https://www.defensenews.com/smr/transition/2020/12/07/report-biden-picks-lloyd-austin-retired-army-general-as-defense-secretary/
***
India
says China arming rebels near borders by arming armed movements.
China denies.
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/india-says-china-arming-rebels-near-borders
***
VENTES
D’ARMES : STOP À LA COMPLICITÉ DE LA FRANCE ! Arms trade: STOP
the complicity of France!
https://www.amnesty.fr/controle-des-armes/petitions/en-ratifiant-le-traite-sur-le-commerce-des-armes-tca
***
According to
Jane’s, officials from Indonesia’s defense ministry are in
discussions with a consortium led by French shipbuilder Naval Group
for a possible order of the Riachuelo (Modified Scorpene)-class
submarine.
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/indonesia-in-talks-with-naval-group-for-variant-of-riachuelo-class-submarine
***
De Franse
president Emmanuel Macron stelt geen voorwaarden omtrent
mensenrechten bij de verkoop van wapens aan het autoritaire regime
van Egypte, heeft hij maandag gezegd.
https://www.rd.nl/artikel/903291-macron-mensenrechten-ondergeschikt-in-wapenhandel-met-egypte
***
Arms exports
to Mexico: 2,647 rocket launchers wanted
The German arms factory Dynamit Nobel has exported rocket launchers to Mexico. It is unclear where these ended up and in which hands. https://taz.de/Waffenexporte-nach-Mexiko/!5736474/
***
Boris
Johnson has promised Brexit means a Global Britain – but plans to
cut foreign aid in favour of defence spending is likely to mean the
opposite explains Jonathan Fenton-Harvey.
https://bylinetimes.com/2020/12/07/misguided-priorities-britain-cuts-foreign-aid-while-boosting-defence-spending/
***
As
many as 25 private companies – including the Israeli company NSO
Group and the Italian firm Hacking Team – have sold surveillance
software to Mexican federal and state police forces.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/07/mexico-cartels-drugs-spying-corruption
***
Who
said the French are not interested in arms export matters?
France: Petition calls for transparency on arms sales
Petition signed by more than 100,000 people after government plans to bypass parliament over arms sales revealed. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/france-petition-calls-for-transparency-on-arms-sales/2068942
***
The
EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell clearly dodged a question on
Monday (7 December) over the possibility to impose an EU arms embargo
on Turkey as a means to convince Ankara to de-escalate tensions in
the Eastern Mediterranean.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/eu-top-diplomat-keeps-mum-over-turkey-arms-embargo/
December 7
***
German
government approves delivery to Qatar 15 "Gepard" type
anti-aircraft tanks + four automatic cannons, 30 35-millimeter tubes,
45 closures and 16,000 cartridges of ammunition to Qatar for a total
of 31.4 million euros.
https://www.abendzeitung-muenchen.de/politik/bundesregierung-genehmigt-panzer-lieferung-an-katar-art-689562
***
Civil
military Paris Air Show airshow 2021 at Le Bourget cancelled.
https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/aircraft-propulsion/organizers-cancel-paris-air-show-2021-covid-19-uncertainty
***
How the arms
industry will be represented in the Biden Administration.
https://www.heise.de/tp/features/So-werden-Joe-Bidens-Mitarbeiter-von-der-Ruestungsindustrie-gesteuert-4960362.html
***
The Spanish
Ministry of Defense will buy at least 12 Euromale drones, a system
developed by Airbus, Dassault and Leonardo for Germany, France, Italy
and Spain.
https://www.infodefensa.com/es/2020/12/01/noticia-espana-comprara-drones-euromale.html
***
French
policy on Egypt protested. According to rights defenders, with €1.4bn
in 2017, France is ahead of the US in arms sales to Egypt. They
recommend that aid to Egypt made conditional on human rights.
A demonstration is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 pm. https://www.dna.fr/politique/2020/12/06/les-defenseurs-des-droits-denoncent-le-tapis-rouge-au-president-egyptien-sissi
***
It was
Chancellor Merkel on the brakes to prevent an arms embargo to Turkey,
but after several failed attempts to settle the conflict in the
Mediterranean now even the Chancellor isn't ruling out sanctions.
https://www.pressreader.com/luxembourg/luxemburger-wort/20201207/281599538074826
***
Authorities
continue to turn a blind eye when licensing Mexican arms deals.
Dynamit Nobel Defense exported numerous rocket launchers to Mexico,
while there is a great risk that they will fall into the wrong hands
and be used in human rights violations.
https://taz.de/Erneut-illegale-Waffen-nach-Mexiko-geliefert/!5736474/
Addition: "Project Cartel", new investigation into the Mexican drug cartels into European clandestine methamphetamine laboratories; cyber espionage; and the sale of weapons to Mexican states known for their collusion with criminal groups. https://www.lesoir.be/341579/article/2020-12-03/le-projet-cartel-la-nouvelle-enquete-sur-les-cartels-mexicains-de-la-drogue
***
Austria's
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told WELT: "If we want
to help the UN arms embargo [on Libya] to break through, the EU
should not only control arms transports by sea, but also keep an eye
on air and land routes."
https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article221917902/Libyen-Europas-neuer-Fluechtlingsdeal.html
***
De
25 grootste wapenproducenten zagen hun omzet het voorbije jaar
opnieuw met 8,5% stijgen, zo blijkt uit het nieuwste rapport van het
Sipri, een onafhankelijk instituut gevestigd in Zweden. Eén land
leidt met een ruime voorsprong: de Verenigde Staten.
https://www.knack.be/nieuws/wereld/omzet-wapenverkoop-met-8-5-procent-gestegen-vs-blijven-topverkoper-sipri/article-news-1673955.html
Retweet @SIPRIorg Military manufacturing capabilities are concentrated in North America, Western Europe and Australia. Together, these regions account for 80% of the 15 largest arms companies’ foreign entities involved in manufacturing.
December
6
***
French MoD
Parly shakes hands with notorious counterpart in Indonesia.
Negotiations between France and Indonesia are progressing very well
on the sale of 48 Rafale to the Indonesian Air Force, French
publication; La Tribune reported quoting its sources.
https://www.defenseworld.net/news/28461/Indonesia__France_Close_to_Agreement_on_48_Rafale_jet_Deal__Reports
***
During the
Egyptian president's visit to France early next week, the Egyptians
could announce an agreement to purchase a spy satellite from Airbus
Defense & Space valued +/- €600 million. [ in French]
http://latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/l-egypte-pourrait-tres-vite-commander-un-satellite-espion-made-in-france-a-airbus-864340.html
***
Despite peace
negotiations in the civil war stricken country and despite an arms
embargo: Turkey has increased the frequency of flights with Airbus
A400M delivered military freighters to Libya. [in German]
https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/tuerkei-fliegt-mit-airbus-a400m-zu-militaerbasis-in-libyen-9511944.html
***
A
loophole in export legislation is allowing Flemish companies to
export parts for aircraft involved in conflict in Libya and
Nagorno-Karabakh, De Morgen reports. "It is time to close this
loophole in the legislation”, Bram Vranken of Vredesactie said.
https://www.brusselstimes.com/news/business/143995/belgian-companies-circumvent-arms-embargo-to-turkey/
December
5
***
Turkish CHP
lawmaker Ali Mahir Başarır criticied the government over the
privatization of a national tank factory and the sale of it to Qatar
(transfer of the rights to operate Turkey’s national tank factory
to the BMC Turkish-Qatari venture for 25 years).
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/mhp-leader-joins-criticisms-against-chp-lawmakers-comment-on-turkish-army-160507
***
Turkish drone
the Bayraktar TB2 is seen where Ankara's geopolitical ambitions are
most acutely manifested: Syria, Iraq, Libya and Karabakh. They have
been shot down everywhere, but the losses of UAVs are perceived less
brightly than their successes.
https://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/unmanned-aerial-vehicles-over-nagorno-karabakh/
***
For the
supply of critical Rare Earth Elements #REEs required by the defence
industry and for electronics, Washington is working on plans to
reduce the dependence on China for its supply; there's a growing
cooperation between Canada and USA.
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/69440/Appia-Reports-on-Significant-Price-Increases-in-Rare-Earth-Oxides-as-China-Announces-New-Export-Control-Law
***
"How to
fight back against Beijing." The word fight luckily is only used
in the heading and not in the text. But is the world running towards
a new major conflict without seeing the catastrophic dangers?
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/exclusives/let-us-navy-make-itself-at-home/news-story/ae8c7dffcb72a546c85204f98196ab61
***
Josep
Borrell is "convinced that the future of the European defence
will start from the European defence industry", he told an
audience of 800, from the armed forces, governments, etc.
But how much of the EU defence budgets are however spend in the US? https://foreignaffairs.co.nz/2020/12/05/mil-osi-europe-european-defence-agency-remarks-by-the-high-representative-vice-president-josep-borrell-at-the-annual-virtual-conference/
***
The U.S.
Defense Information Systems Agency has begun monitoring encryption
capabilities that could protect defense communications from powerful
quantum computers, a top technology official said Thursday.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/show-reporter/disa-forecast-industry/2020/12/03/disa-starts-to-monitor-quantum-resistant-encryption-capabilities/
***
Egyptian
novelist Ahdaf Soueif points out that arms sales and financial
support to Egypt "must be bolstering the current regime."
Remember this when you talk human rights in Berlin, Londen, Paris,
Rome and The Hague and give arms export licenses to Cairo.
https://www.ft.com/content/75fd7538-33a9-4418-8409-65c832976dd7
***
Babcock
International Group PLC, an arms manufacturer listed on the FTSE 250
with a turnover in 2020 of £4.9bn. The arms company, is also one of
just twelve accredited education service providers in the UK. It
should be kicked out of the classroom.
https://diem25.org/its-time-for-arms-companies-kicked-out-the-classroom/
***
United
States arms exports (including both government-managed and
commercial) rose 2.8 percent from $170.09 billion in 2019 to $175.08
billion in fiscal 2020, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency
(DSCA) announced Friday.
https://www.defenseworld.net/news/28470/United_States____Arms_Exports_Totaled__175_08_billion_in_2020__up_2_8__Over_2019#.X8tGitj0mUk
December
4
***
Al
een kwart van de Nederlanders tegen meer geld naar Defensie. Zal wel
snel meer worden als de gevolgen van de corona pandemie duidelijker
voelbaar worden.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2020/48/02_clingendeal_48
***
THE British
government kept weapons supplies flowing to Saudi Arabia last year
despite an arms embargo, according to an official report on export
controls.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/warplane-spare-parts-sold-to-saudis-despite-export-ban
***
German
government extends export ban on military equipment for Saudi Arabia
until the end of 2021. Older licences will be revoked. For joint
projects with partner countries there may be licences, one counts on
"consultations".
***
Text
with retweet:
By the way: effects of military
spending can be seen not far from home in the MENA-region. Not
helpful.
Tweet: @EUDefenceAgency We have to avoid the drastic decline in defence investment which we experienced following the 2008 financial crisis which took more than 10 years to be resolved. @ThierryBreton #EDAconf20
***
Moroccan
Al Ahdath Al Maghribia reports that the country will take delivery of
the first G550 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance #ISR
aircraft. The 1st of 4 ordered with Raytheon. The jet is equipped
with an Israeli-American made ISR system.
https://en.yabiladi.com/articles/details/102366/morocco-receive-gulfstream-g-550-plane.html
December 3
***Interesting webinar seen at YouTube with powerful speeches on military spending, how to aim for lowering them & struggle for a more peaceful world. This to prevent the major catastrophes of the past and making it a better place for all and not only the 1%. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6UgOiU6vO8&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=GCOMS-GlobalCampaignOnMilitarySpending
***
Retweet @FrankSlijper S. Korea to deploy suicide UAVs. https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20201202003300325
***
Greek
MoD, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, visits Egypt from December 3rd, until
December 5th. In the mean time a teleconference with the European
Defence Agency and ending with "Medusa 10" military
exercise with forces from Greece, Egypt, Cyprus, France and UAE.
https://www.parapolitika.gr/politiki/article/1078116/episimi-episkepsi-tha-pragmatopoiisei-o-nikos-panagiotopoulos-tin-pebti-stin-aigupto/
***
UN ENVOY SAYS 20,000 FOREIGN
FORCES IN LIBYA Libya has been wracked by violence and chaos since
the toppling and killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.
https://ewn.co.za/2020/12/03/un-envoy-says-20-000-foreign-forces-in-libya
***
Mali
at the arms bazaar. C295 is becoming the standard 21st century
tactical transport aircraft in Africa, with 37 aircraft on order in
the region, from Algeria, Egypt, Ghana to Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso &
Mali, Bernhard Brenner of Airbus Defence said.
https://www.boursier.com/actions/actualites/news/airbus-group-le-mali-commande-un-avion-de-transport-militaire-c295-837224.html
***
Despite
rejection last Sundays Switzerland without an Army #GSsA considers
referendum on investment in arms industry a first success: “Our
initiative has prompted several pension funds to divest from
weapons." It raised awareness on investments in arms.
http://lirelactu.fr/source/challenges/8b0f1508-7567-42c7-bece-24fe51404643
***
Sleep
peacefully, Thales watches over your data! The military tech giant
wants to become the French reference to protect systems of those in
need. Thales already sends some of its cybersecurity engineers to the
cybercampus which will open at La Défense.
http://lirelactu.fr/source/challenges/dc27eb5a-874e-4826-91b0-588374a6d234
***
Retweet
@rachelstohl Kazakhstan is reportedly
looking to acquire dozens of Turkish drones following their
performance in the Nagorno-Karabakh war, a move that would further
accelerate dangerous proliferation of armed drones. Via @DefensePost.
https://thedefensepost.com/2020/12/02/kazakhstan-keen-bayraktar-tb2-drones/
***
US
Ambassador to Greece: "The US, at the highest levels, has
welcomed Greece’s interest in acquiring the F-35 for the Hellenic
Air Force. We have signaled our support for procurement and are
working closely together on a future acquisition program."
https://gr.usembassy.gov/statement-by-u-s-ambassador-to-greece-geoffrey-r-pyatt-on-f-35-acquisition/
December
2
***
Outgoing US
admin cleared 6 Foreign Military Sales cases, potentially worth a
total of $1.55 billion. Clearances were on South Korea, Saudi Arabia,
Brazil, Croatia, Lebanon and Canada and announced on the website of
the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2020/12/01/us-clears-weapon-sales-for-saudi-arabia-lebanon-croatia-canada-brazil-and-south-korea/
***
The US should
halt proposed weapons sales to the UAE, Human Rights Watch said
yesterday. It should suspend all future sales until the UAE curtails
unlawful airstrikes in Yemen and Libya, halts support and weapons
transfers to abusive local forces and c...
https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/01/united-states-embargo-arms-united-arab-emirates
***
Starting
tomorow: EDA conference Sustaining European defence. Annoucement
states: "The work of Europe’s armed forces throughout the
pandemic has been lauded by our citizens, but it has equally
highlighted key capabilities and investment in European defence."
#NoArms_ButHealthcare
Url:
https://europa.eu/newsroom/events/eda-annual-conference-2020-sustaining-european-defence_en
The pandemic highlighted key capabilities and investment in European health care. Many EU countries have not enough IC-capacity e.g.
***
Retweet
@CTWnl Wapenbedrijf Thales mag voor €195
miljoen vuurleidingsapparatuur leveren aan Egypte, Indonesië en
Pakistan. Zolang niet wordt erkend dat wapenleveranties
onderdrukkende regimes in het zadel houden laat Nederland
mensenrechtenactivisten in de steek.
https://joop.bnnvara.nl/opinies/nederland-bewapent-autoritaire-regimes
***
The Defense
Department’s inspector general found that the United Arab Emirates
is financing Russian Wagner Group mercenaries—just as Trump aims to
sell the UAE billions of dollars worth of arms.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/11/30/pentagon-trump-russia-libya-uae/
Addition: Pentagon accuses UAE of funding Russian mercenaries in Libya https://www.libyanexpress.com/pentagon-again-accuses-uae-of-sending-russian-mercenaries-to-libya/
December
2
***
Indonesia, France discuss military cooperation
http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/162449/indonesia-france-discuss-military-cooperation
Sign ETAN's petition to free West Papua political prisoners here: https://bit.ly/2UBEGnL
***
Almost half
of Russian arms exports go to Africa. Most of the high-level business
agreements between Zimbabwe or Mozambique and Russia are premised on
state access to mineral assets. Russia offers, among others, military
equipment and political support.
https://www.thezimbabwemail.com/main/the-west-irked-by-russias-dealings-with-zimbabwe-and-mozambique/
***
European
support? Egypt tops the chart for German arms exports in 2020, €586m.
Contracts are being negotiated with Italy of about $9.8bn.
Although my friend Gasser in his cold prison cell appears very small in comparison, he is in fact a towering figure. https://en.qantara.de/content/arrest-of-eipr-human-rights-activists-in-egypt-my-friend-gasser-abdel-razek-the-terrorist
***
The
Walloon Region has seen arms exports almost triple in 2019.
Proceedings brought by a number of human rights and peace
organizations before the Council of State reduced those exports in
2020. On exports to Saudi's, Canada.
https://www.world-today-news.com/peace-organizations-will-restrict-walloon-arms-exports-in-2020/
See in the original Dutch retweet @Vredesactie:
Vredesorganisaties leggen Waalse wapenexport
in 2020 aan banden
December
1
***
Grünen
chairwoman Annalena Bärbock praised the role of NATO in the
"Süddeutsche Zeitung", called for a stronger joint
European commitment in defense policy and agreed to talk about higher
spending on the Bundeswehr. The 2% of GDP is still a bridge to far.
https://www.zeit.de/news/2020-11/30/baerbock-zur-bundeswehr-wir-duerfen-uns-nicht-wegducken
***
A look back
into Czech-Israeli arms trade in January 1948. The Israelis obtained
some 400 tons of mortars and other heavy machinery, aerial bombs,
rifles, ammunition, machine guns, flamethrowers, explosives, tanks,
and combat vehicles.
https://www.jpost.com/international/the-czech-arms-that-saved-israel-650710
***
Greek
FM Nikos Dendias sent letters to his counterparts in Germany, Spain
and Italy pointing out the need to impose an arms embargo against
Turkey.
Especially for Spain and Italy, the reasons behind blocking an arms embargo are not a coincidence. https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/bullmann-eu-needs-open-channel-with-turkey-no-wrong-compromises-with-erdogan/
***
Amnesty
International Urges UN to Renew South Sudan Arms Embargo
https://www.voanews.com/africa/south-sudan-focus/amnesty-international-urges-un-renew-south-sudan-arms-embargo
***
NHIndustries
and NAHEMA signed a contract for sale of 31 NH90 helicopters for
shipborne operations. The contract brings the total order book to 597
rotorcraft. "The contract also means the continuation of
hundreds of high skilled jobs in the Netherlands."
https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/nh90-helicopter-sale-to-germany-strengthens-gkn-aerospaces-defence-portfolio/
***
Feminist perspectives are gaining strength in foreign and security policy. This leads to new questions for the politically contested field of arms transfers. Gender-based violence can be exacerbated through the transfer of weaponry (mainly small arms). https://www.boell.de/en/2020/11/30/international-arms-trade-feminist-issue-and-what-germany-can-do-about-it
***
Turning
to baking and cookery contests for arms and military propaganda may
backfire. #masterchef #HHB
BAKE Off star Nadiya Hussain pulled out of a careers event at the weekend after young activists highlighted its links to the arms trade. https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/bake-off-star-quits-event-sponsored-by-arms-firm
***
Some analysts
suggest that the UK government could attempt to package its lucrative
arms dealings with the Gulf states into an agreement, even with
weapons sales to Saudi Arabia the subject of a continuing legal
battle focused on allegations of war crimes.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/brexit-uk-gulf-free-trade-deal-seal
***
EU
has satellite images as evidence on the Turkish vessel involvement in
breaching the arms embargo on Libya. EU-Irini analysts had previously
spotted military aircraft being unloaded in Misrata at satellite
images, according to Der Spiegel reported.
https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2653471/new-sanctions-turkey-violating-libya-arms-embargo
Addition: Satellitenaufnahmen deuten auf Waffenschmuggel auf türkischem Frachter hin. Im Streit um die Bundeswehrinspektion des türkischen Frachters »Roseline A« erhärtet sich der Verdacht auf Waffenschmuggel. https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/tuerkei-in-libyen-konflikt-satellitenaufnahmen-deuten-auf-waffenschmuggel-auf-frachter-hin-a-00000000-0002-0001-0000-000174211418
***
One question is why Egypt rolls its muscles at sea (defend economic interests, show its force to Ankara and deepen its ties with authoritarian allies). The other is why so many European states (GE, FR, IT, NL) sell the notorious country naval armaments. https://www.defensenews.com/training-sim/2020/11/30/why-is-egypt-intensifying-its-military-drills/
The European Defence Agency has completed its first-ever deep dive into member nations’ defense plans, recommending that the bloc invest in six capabilities, including weaponry for fighting aerial drones. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/11/30/european-unions-defense-arm-urges-work-on-common-counter-drone-weapon/
Addition: The finding is wrapped up in the agency’s “Coordinated Annual Review on Defence” submitted to defense ministers Nov. 20. https://www.edrmagazine.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/EDA-CARD-2020-factsheet.pdf
***
Two weeks ago
Seoul was mentioned as escape route for Turkey
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek/status/1329673189119627265)
now South Korea turns to Germany for tank tansmission system.
South Korea’s K2 tank export plans suffer under transmission failure. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2020/11/30/south-koreas-k2-tank-export-plans-suffer-under-transmission-failure/
***
The
Philippine Navy formally received an Insitu Inc ScanEagle 2 drone
from the US during a “turnover, acceptance and blessing ceremony”
held at the Naval Base Heracleo Alano in the Philippine city of
Cavite near Manila on November 25.
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1060178
