maandag 8 februari 2021

My tweets for February 2021




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

February 28

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Damen built vessel for UAE naval forces. The Shujaa is a show of the quality of national defence - here with Dutch tech - products and will join the national maritime fleet, enhancing the UAE Navy’s capabilities.

https://toysmatrix.com/emirates-news-agency-khaled-bin-mohamed-bin-zayed-launches-vessel-shujaa-at-navdex/ (Retweet: مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي @admediaoffice)

Addition: Who knows more about this vessel penant number 5004. It seems to be unarmed, but I have not seen pictures of the foredeck. There are some video's: https://youtu.be/i8CIYbVvGrM And see here: https://twitter.com/alain_4u/status/1364907205640785921

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Dutch companies fear closed doors (Nederlandse bedrijven vrezen dichte deur bij bouw duikboten). Haarlems Dagblad, 26 februari 2021. Article Follows view as forwarded by https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Kamervragen-over-Nederlandse-industrie-op-onderzeeboten-240221.html that to involve three potential builders creates high development costs for suppliers.

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Diplomacy and Defence are separated worlds?

D66 (liberals) & SGP (Christian fundamentalists) want the next Government to move fast forward with acquisition of submarines as Dutch as possible. 'French contractors I hardly trust,' said SGP MP Stoffer. https://www.nd.nl/nieuws/politiek/1022180/d66-en-sgp-maak-haast-met-de-aanschaf-van-nieuwe-onderzeeboten-

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Global military spending reached record levels in 2020 despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic & economic contraction, the UK based International Institute for Strategic Studies #IISS said. ME reached €1.5 trillion euros last year, a 3.9% increase. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/global-military-spending-hit-record-levels-in-2020-amid-covid-19-pandemic-says-think

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French Aubert & Duval (part of Eramet) for sale. A&D designs alloy parts used on Airbus planes, the Rafale fighter and French nuclear submarines. An offer involving Safran, Airbus and the ACE Management fund (Tikehau) is in preparation. https://www.challenges.fr/politique/la-tension-monte-en-nouvelle-caledonie-autour-de-l-usine-de-nickel-de-vale_741386

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GKN Aerospace has been a global supplier to GA-ASI's drone MQ-9 program since 2010. Today, GKN produces a range of products including the lightweight landing gear system, which it produces in the Netherlands. https://www.gknaerospace.com/en/newsroom/news-releases/2021/general-atomics-aeronautical-systems-inc-and-gkn-aerospace-expand-strategic-partnership/

See also: https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2018/10/reaper-drones-dutch-air-force-and-fokker.html

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Even The Times: Now that President Joe Biden has released the US intelligence report naming Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as complicit in the Washington Post columnist’s death, Britain is under pressure to rethink its relationship with Riyadh. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-murder-of-jamal-khashoggi-leaves-britain-torn-between-its-ally-and-its-arms-trade-mtz8ckhzq

February 27

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Italian state shipyard Fincantieri has signed a €1.35 billion contract to build the first two of four (for an overall cost of € 2.68 billion) planned U212 NFS submarines for the Italian navy.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/02/26/fincantieri-to-build-two-new-german-design-submarines-for-the-italian-navy/

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Wow the UAE is violating the UK arms embargo on Libya and the UK Foreign Secretary discussed this with his Emirati counterpart, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed, on 21 January. That will help. la la la https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/question/18613/libya-arms-trade

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Clear report on: Capitalizing on conflict: How defense contractors and foreign nations lobby for arms sales. The map shows the Netherlands is 2nd largest buyer after the UK, but before France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain. Look and read for yourself: https://www.opensecrets.org/news/reports/capitalizing-on-conflict

And when you click to 'Foreign Lobbying Spending', you will see the Netherlands doesn't need much persuasion to buy American.

***
Retweet
@codepink: In the 38 days @JoeBidenhas been president, he has:
failed to return to the Iran Nuclear Deal

  • bombed Syria

  • refused to penalize MBS for Khashoggi's murder

  • given $$$ to weapons manufacturers

We need #PeaceWithIran https://www.codepink.org/50iranexperts?recruiter_id=686775

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Beijing tightens purse strings for Chinese military. An official budget figure won't be announced at next month’s meetings; experts forecast small increase.

Spending will balance between China’s modernisation plans & recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3122814/china-military-may-face-tough-year-ahead-beijing-tightens-purse

Addition: Opposite view from Tokyo: China is expected to reveal a robust increase in defense spending at March 5 annual opening of its parliament, as its economy rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic & military tensions rise, Chinese and Western security experts said. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/02/28/asia-pacific/china-defense-budget-us/

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Indian PM Modi claimed that small countries are currently pinning their hopes on India. India can not only provide high-quality weapons, but also has the advantage of low prices. Modi reiterated India's ambition to become the world's major arms exporter. https://inf.news/en/world/6d922cbe7d0a8ecdfbcf0e655e4bc665.html

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Tijdschrift Elsevier en actiegroep 'Ministerie van Defensie' pleiten samen voor meer geld voor wapens. Alle middelen om de boodschap te verspreiden worden uit de kast gehaald. Vraag me af of GroenLinks en/of SP niet een woordje hadden kunnen doen voor de schijn van objectiviteit.

Retweet @landmacht:
Zit je er al klaar voor? 10.30u begint het Elsevier #defensiedebat21. Met o.a. @pvalstar (VVD), @SalimaBelhaj (D66), @Martijncda (CDA) en @attjekuiken (PvdA). We zijn benieuwd naar de standpunten en hopen op een stevig debat. Debat ook te volgen op TV op NPO Politiek 24.

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The Israel and German MoD's signed a government-to-government agreement to supply Rafael’s TROPHY active protection system to the German military, for their fleet of LEOPARD 2 tanks. The program was led by Isr. MoD #MAFAT & Rafael Advanced Defense Systems https://mfa.gov.il/mfa/innovativeisrael/economy/pages/israel-and-germany-sign-agreement-to-equip-the-german-military-with-the-trophy-aps-22-february-2021.aspx

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BAE Systems Hägglunds has chosen Israeli Elbit Systems to provide the Dutch army with the Iron Fist system for CV90 armoured vehicles under an $82m contract announced this week. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2021/02/11/elbit-to-export-iron-fist-system-to-the-netherlands/

Deal was protested by two former Dutch Ministers. https://www.volkskrant.nl/columns-opinie/opinie-nederland-moet-stoppen-met-aankopen-bij-de-israelische-wapenindustrie~b09cebc0/

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Moving troops between Africa & Europe during a crisis is expected to be streamlined after US Army command bridging the regions combined into a 4-star headquarters late last year. "the security situation between the two continents is 'inextricably linked'.” https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2021/02/24/new-four-star-command-allows-us-general-to-coordinate-closely-with-nato-allies-in-africa/

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Amnesty protests France’s arms sales to Saudi, UAE

Activists hold demonstration in capital Paris, call on France to ban arms export to Saudi Arabia, UAE. The demonstration, which will continue every Thursday until March 25. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/amnesty-protests-france-s-arms-sales-to-saudi-uae/2156998

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Retweet @andrewfeinstein: How UK’s next king bolsters autocratic Gulf regimes:Prince Charles held 95 meetings w repressive monarchies in the Mid East since the Arab Spring threatened their power.He played a key role in promoting £14.5bn of UK arms exports to them in the last decade. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-02-24-charles-of-arabia-how-britains-next-king-bolsters-autocratic-gulf-regimes/

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Saudi Arabian Military Industries is the official strategic partner for the World Defense Show, a defense conference scheduled for an inaugural launch in March 2022 in Saudi Arabia, event organizers announced Monday. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/idex/2021/02/24/the-first-ever-world-defense-show-in-saudi-arabia-is-a-year-away-are-event-planners-ready/
Now see who will go to sell.

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SAMI head Walid Abukhaled on Biden policy towards Saudi Arabia: I’m not seeing any difficulty in securing joint ventures with U.S. companies. I’m continuing to stick with my partners, and we are going to grow together in the region, hand in hand.

On cooperation with Thales: We've a joint venture with Thales for air defense contracts, and part of that deal involves localization. We’re working closely with Thales to ensure that we bring in capability and build it within SAMI through the joint venture. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/idex/2021/02/25/top-sami-executive-talks-joint-ventures-acquisitions-and-the-biden-administration/

February 25

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Men gaat er van uit dat in geval van leveringen marineschepen geen mensenrechten in het geding zijn. Deze visie is al jaren dominant is in het Nederlandse wapenexportbeleid. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/binaries/rijksoverheid/documenten/kamerstukken/2020/07/10/kamerbrief-inzake-afgifte-vergunning-voor-export-militair-materieel-naar-egypte/kamerbrief-inzake-afgifte-vergunning-voor-export-militair-materieel-naar-egypte.pdf

De SP kaartte dit nadrukkelijk aan in het schriftelijk overleg wapenexportbeleid.

Retweet @PILPNJCM: Het PILP-NJCM is een procedure gestart tegen de minister van #BHOS over het recht op toegang tot informatie omtrent een wapenexport naar Egypte. #wob #woo #zondagmetlubach https://pilpnjcm.nl/pilp-njcm-start-procedure-over-toegang-tot-informatie-over-wapenexport/

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Drones & counter-drones, an profitable arms race.

The Sky Warden system of MBDA manages the full C-UAS "kill chain" from detection to neutralisation & can be operated both as an component in a layered air defence architecture or stand-alone configuration. https://www.mbda-systems.com/press-releases/mbda-launches-sky-warden-c-uas-system/

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US Coast Guard #USCG has announced a ceremony at Portsmouth to bring the #armed Sentinel-class Charles Moulthrope to the Southwest Asia Patrol Force #PATFORSWA (USCG formation based in Bahrain). The Sentinel class is based on the #Damen Stan Patrol 4708.
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/387358/us-coast-guard-commissions-first-patforswa-sentinel-class-cutter

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General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and GKN Aerospace have signed a contract for GKN Aerospace to manufacture the advanced composite V-tails for GA-ASI's new MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones (#RPAS) from their Cowes facility in the UK.
https://www.gknaerospace.com/en/newsroom/news-releases/2021/general-atomics-aeronautical-systems-inc-and-gkn-aerospace-expand-strategic-partnership/

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Der Spiegel notes that besides aid, "arms exports worth billions also go to the region. For Egypt alone, German export licenses for arms and military equipment worth €763.8m were allowed in 2020. Armaments worth € 306.2m can also be delivered to Qatar.
https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/arabischer-fruehling-was-wurde-aus-guido-westerwelles-tahrir-moment-a-92c089a0-0008-49fd-91dc-c73b0ad318de

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After Mr. Trump, Americans must not be content for their country to do bad things for better reasons. America is not “back,” and we should not want it to be.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/24/opinion/biden-foreign-policy.html

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Tass: military capabilities of the UAE & the ability to project their own military power in the region at the end of the 2nd decade of this century are the result of many years of cooperation with the US, leading Western countries, as well as Russia.
http://status-arms.ru/novosti/voenno-tekhnicheskoe-sotrudnichestvo-oae-orientiro/

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US policies in the Middle East are built on outdated "legacy" aid packages, massive arms sales & a disproportionate focus on the Iranian threat that fail to advance American interests and need to be rethought, according to a new RAND Corporation report.
https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA958-2.html

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Charles of Arabia: How Britain’s next king bolsters autocratic Gulf regimes

By Phil Miller and Mark Curtis

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-02-24-charles-of-arabia-how-britains-next-king-bolsters-autocratic-gulf-regimes/

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Extreme right MEP Julie Lechanteux adressed the deafening silence on the possibility of imposing an arms embargo to Turkey by Commissioner Josep Borrell.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2020-006717_EN.html

Now Borrell has clearly answered. It is Member States policy. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2020-006717-ASW_EN.pdf

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Nearly 140 NGOs from 31 countries signed an open letter yesterday calling for the United Nations Security Council to urgently impose an arms embargo on Myanmar after the military coup there earlier this month.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2021/02/25/nearly-140-ngos-from-31-countries-ask-un-for-myanmar-arms-embargo/1952741

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One of the most enduring questions of business executives & export professionals is how does the government learn about export violations? If my company has a possible violation, what are the chances that the government will discover it? Law firm sums up. https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/how-does-the-government-learn-about-5171831/

February 24

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The German and Israeli defense ministries have signed an agreement for the purchase of the Rafael-made Trophy active protection system for the Bundeswehr’s Leopard 2 tanks, the two governments announced Feb. 23. Value $ 48 million. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/02/23/germany-orders-israels-trophy-active-protection-system-for-its-leopard-2-tanks

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Peculiar question by Aviation Week:

Are There Enough European Requirements For Two Sixth-Gen Fighters?

No there isn 't, but what is more. Many Europeans prefer to buy in de US, so the choice involves more fighters. Making it an even bigger waste. https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/are-there-enough-european-requirements-two-sixth-gen-fighters

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It is unlikely that Indian state-owned firms will stop arms sales to the Tatmadaw because of the coup. For New Delhi, Myanmar is still a regional asset under its Act East Policy and Neighborhood First Policy. "at the cost of abetting war crimes" https://thediplomat.com/2021/02/india-needs-to-take-action-on-the-myanmar-coup/

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While encouraging, Biden's announcement raised as many questions as it answered. What constitutes "offensive operations," and which arms sales are "relevant"? At a minimum, the new policy should block all major arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE and... https://www.thenation.com/article/society/biden-military-yemen-war/

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UN experts: UAE firms violated Libya sanctions (Is that why so many help them building a military industry and even buy weapons in the Emirates? Doesn't bring a peaceful world closer, but earns money and closer allies. Who cares.) https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-libya-tripoli-khalifa-hifter-united-nations-00616a9a949726d8ed593f9a07dc53a3

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More than 130 rights organizations are calling for a global arms embargo on Myanmar in response to the military coup and detention of the country's elected leaders that sparked ongoing protests. https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/02/24/un-security-council-impose-arms-embargo-myanmar

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Europe in space. Asked to spell out the funding options, Commissioner Thierry Breton said ESA could help pay for the communications satellite project. France had already backed the scheme. A consortium led by Airbus will deliver a feasibility study later. https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-looks-to-steer-industrial-innovation/

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Despite the UAE's ongoing dependencies on defense imports, the country's investment in research and development is expected to accelerate its transformation as a formidable defense supplier. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/idex/2021/02/15/can-the-uae-emerge-as-a-leading-global-defense-supplier/

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Why would Russia’s Kalashnikov make a NATO-friendly assault rifle? Defense News spoke with the Russian company’s CEO about why it would design a NATO-friendly rifle when there are measures in place that prevent alliance members from buying it. https://defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/idex/2021/02/23/why-would-russias-kalashnikov-make-a-nato-friendly-assault-rifle

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The UAE said it will supply its first locally manufactured air defense missiles to German Rheinmetall AG, as the Gulf state expands the production and export of military technology. It concerns the SkyKnight missile by Halcon (of the Edge Group). https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-23/uae-to-supply-first-air-missile-defense-to-germany-s-rheinmetall

February 23

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Egypt becomes the 1st international export destination for MBDA's surface to air fire-and-forget missile. https://www.mbda-systems.com/press-releases/egypt-becomes-the-first-international-customer-for-mbdas-vl-mica-new-generation-surface-to-air-system/

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Retweet @ASDEurope: ASD welcomes the @EU_Commission's Action Plan on synergies between civil, defence and space industries https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_651
https://asd-europe.org/asd-welcomes-the-action-plan-on-synergies-between-civil-defence-and-space-industries

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Gisteren in NRC: Nu vinden ook de VS de Joint Strike Fighter te duur: https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2021/02/22/nu-vinden-ook-de-vs-de-joint-strike-fighter-ineens-te-duur-a4032728

“I don’t think that everybody’s going to exactly agree with what I say, but I want to actually have a … dialogue of what is that best force mix,” Brown said in AW&ST.

Retweet: U.S. Air Force Entertains New Design To Replace F-16. Surprising and no wonder the first reaction to article is: "And so, F-35 makes even less sense. Half a trillion later, it turned out to be a little more than a corporate welfare handout." https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/us-air-force-entertains-new-design-replace-f-16

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In the Netherlands former Ministers Jan Pronk and Laurens Jan Brinkhorst and former ambassador Koos van Dam call for an end to buy weapons at Israeli arms industry, included Elbit: "It's products are tested in the occupied Palestine territories." https://www.volkskrant.nl/columns-opinie/opinie-nederland-moet-stoppen-met-aankopen-bij-de-israelische-wapenindustrie~b09cebc0/

Nederlandse leger heeft onlangs wapens gekocht bij Elbit. Nederland moet stoppen met aankopen bij de Israëlische wapenindustrie. Die producten zijn uitgetest in de bezette Palestijnse gebieden, schrijven oud-min Pronk, Brinkhorst & voorm ambass Van Dam. https://www.volkskrant.nl/columns-opinie/opinie-nederland-moet-stoppen-met-aankopen-bij-de-israelische-wapenindustrie~b09cebc0/

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The almost endless corruption case against Zuma and French military company Thales was next expected in the Pietermaritzburg high court on Tuesday, February 23. But it seems will be May 17th (although you never know). https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2021-02-21-zuma-wants-corruption-trial-struck-off-as-he-again-takes-aim-at-the-state/

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One of the many articles on the Abu Dhabi IDEX arms fair. Here most attention goes to German presence, pointing out that the Emirati Edge Group also includes Thuringia-based arms manufacturer C.G. Haenel competing to deliver the next German assault rifle. https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article226869929/Ruestungsmesse-Idex-Diese-Kamikaze-Drohnen-sorgen-fuer-einen-Umbruch-in-der-Kriegsfuehrung.html

Addition: See on Edge/C.G. Haenel also: https://uaenews.medium.com/uae-edge-germany-mbz-lobbying-efforts-981d5d-9ab677981d5d

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Jaarlijkse uitstoot van broeikasgassen door militaire activiteiten EU-landen gekijk aan 14 miljoen auto's. Ondanks een geschatte uitstoot van bijna 25 megaton CO2 maakt de vervuiling door militaire activiteiten geen deel uit van 't EU-vergroeningsbeleid. https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2021/02/22/verduurzaming-uitstoot-door-europese-legers-gelijk-aan-die-van-14-miljoen-autos-a4032826

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De vorige Vlaamse regering gaf een vergunning voor de uitvoer van vizieren, geschikt voor mitrailleurs, geweren en antitank-geschut. Bestemming Saudi-Arabië. ‘Onze Vlaamse vizieren zijn bestemd voor civiel-gebruik’, pruttelde ze. https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20210222_98000718

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Congo-Brazzaville’s repressive government has quietly bought an arsenal from Azerbaijan. Opponents of President Denis Sassou-Nguesso say one recent cache is designed to tighten his grip on the nation. https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/congo-brazzaville-strongman-buys-secret-weapons-haul-from-azerbaijan

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According to the report “Exports of Defence Materiel and Dual Use of the Secretary of State for Commerce” in Jan-July 2020, the PSOE-Podemos government authorised weapons sales worth a record €22.5bn. Higher than 2018 and 2019 sales combined.

Spain’s 5th-largest buyer and 2nd outside NATO/EU was Saudi Arabia, with €32.4m. It is set to receive mortar shells of different calibres, advanced observation equipment with laser rangefinders, and targeting systems. Corvettes of Navantia worth €1.8bn for KSA not included.

In addition, more than half of the 60 million in category-3 weapons (ammunition and explosive devices) in the first half of 2020 went to Saudi Arabia (€21.9 million) and United Arab Emirates (€8.2 million). https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/23/spai-f23.html

February 22

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To protect what? Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 visits Haifa, trains with Israel forces https://mc.nato.int/media-centre/news/2021/standing-nato-maritime-group-2-visits-haifa--trains-with-israel-forces

***




Deze video is niet echt, de feiten zijn dat wel. De Vlaamse wapenhandel kost mensenlevens.
  • Radars in Saudische gevechtsvliegtuigen

  • Beeldschermen in Emirati oorlogsschepen

  • Onderdelen in Turkse militaire vliegtuigen

Lees meer op http://weareopenforbusiness.be


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War in #Yemen, has to do with weapons? Really? UAE's military firms like #EDGE will be "more than capable" to grow their presence on a global scale, said Patrice Caine, CEO of Thales. #Thales partnered with EDGE in 2019 through its local entity. https://gulfnews.com/business/idex-2021-uaes-defense-firms-are-well-positioned-for-global-expansion-says-thales-ceo-1.77348981

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Indonesia to arm up with Rafale, F-15 fighter jets

Jakarta backs away from previous plan to buy Russian Su-35 air defense fighters under threat of US sanctions

https://asiatimes.com/2021/02/indonesia-to-arm-up-with-rafale-f-15-fighter-jets/

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France, human rights, power and the petro-dollars: During the high military committee between France and the UAE held on January 28, 160 projects were identified in the annual cooperation plans. "It's quite massive," observed a MoD spokesperson." https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/armement-les-enjeux-de-la-france-aux-emirats-arabes-unis-878216.html

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EU #CSDP has become an elite preserve of high-politics, technocratic expertise, & industry interests, that undermines the energy needed 4 continued democratic legitimacy & public buy-in, writes Raluca Chernatoni.

To depolitise critics to military programs? https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/opinion/new-eu-defence-initiatives-for-old-political-problems/

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A 54-year old former marine commando (elite unit French Navy) appeared at the Caen Court of Appeal 4 having sold, between 2014-16, assault rifles, magazines, ammo to Mauritania, Morocco, Congo. He saw his sentence significantly reduced by the magistrates. https://www.ouest-france.fr/normandie/caen-14000/normandie-vente-d-armes-de-guerre-peine-de-prison-reduite-en-appel-7160233

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Three reasons made Israel accept F-35 export to UAE:

- US will guarantee Israel's military edge over Arab countries (see Israeli shopping list),

- strategy of "containment" to Iran; and

- the opening of the Arab arms bazaar for the Israeli arms industry.

https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/f-35-aux-emirats-arabes-unis-le-drole-de-jeu-entre-les-etats-unis-et-israel-878222.html

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Saudi Arabia signs deal with Lockheed Martin to enhance kingdom's defense and weapons manufacturing capabilities - weeks after Biden announced temporary freeze on arms sales to Middle East. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9283775/Saudis-SAMI-signs-defense-venture-deal-U-S-Lockheed-Martin.html

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Retweet @CTWnl: This year the €8 billion European Defence Fund (EDF) for military R&D will take off. €590 million was handed out under preparatory programmes (2017-2020). Research institute TNO, which heavily lobbied for the EDF, has been the main Dutch beneficiary. https://stopwapenhandel.org/node/2466

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Protesters urge France, European countries to stop arms sales to Saudi regime https://en.abna24.com/news//protesters-urge-france-european-countries-to-stop-arms-sales-to-saudi-regime_1117619.html

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The US Egypt Human Rights Caucus was disappointed that the sale of 168 missiles to the Egyptian military, valued $197m, was not preceded by outlines of how the Biden administration plans to elevate human rights in the US relationship with the Egypt. https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5058

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Pakistan news agency states that "at least one third of India’s military are used internally to suppress people’s dissatisfaction with the government and suppress the surging independence movement of ethnic minorities throughout the country." https://www.app.com.pk/global/pakistan-achieved-great-diplomatic-victory-by-exposing-indias-human-rights-violations-in-kashmir/

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A UN investigation found that Blackwater violated the UN-arms embargo on Libya by furnishing weapons to the Libyan National Army in 2019. Blackwater provided Haftar with a mercenary force of attack aircraft, gunboats & hackers as part of an $80m deal. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/19/world/middleeast/erik-prince-libya-embargo.html

Addition: Erik Prince, Trump Ally, Denies Role in Libya Mercenary Operation. In an interview, the contractor pushed back against a United Nations report accusing him of breaching a decade-old arms embargo on Libya. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/21/world/middleeast/Erik-Prince-Libya-interview.html

To be continued

Addition: UN Final report of the Panel of Experts on Libya shows Netherlands played a role in the covert Ops of Prince. An Pilatus aircraft was undergoing maintenance work at Cycloon Holland B.V. (http://cycloonholland.nl) facility in Maastricht-Aachen Airport.

Addition: On 27/06/2019, the Netherlands authorities were informed that ownership of the aircraft had changed to L-6 FZE. The aircraft was deregistered by the Netherlands authorities on 3/7/2019 purportedly on transfer to the UAE Civil Aviation Authority registry. https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N21/037/72/PDF/N2103772.pdf

Addition: Plane was equipped with Thales I-Master lightweight surveillance synthetic aperture radar for detection of ground targets & a FLIR Ultraforce 350 High Definition sensor surveillance system (classified under EC/428/2009175 as 6A003.b.4) manufactured in Sweden.

***
Dubai The United Arab Emirates armed forces on Sunday signed $1.36 billion in defence contracts with local and international firms at the Idex defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi, Reuters reported quoting spokesman Staff Brigadier General Mohammed al-Hassani.

Global defence majors such as Boeing, Raytheon Technologies, Lockheed Martin, France’s Thales and Naval Group big presence at the exhibition this year.
https://gulfnews.com/business/idex-2021-uae-armed-forces-signs-136b-in-defence-contracts-1.1613908080724

Top Emirati officials, including Abu Dhabi's powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, were on hand, wandering between displays of rifles, rockets and bombs. https://www.startribune.com/uae-weapons-show-draws-major-deals-traders-amid-pandemic/600025735/

February 21

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Why Dutch companies are selling their products at the IDEX arms fair in Abu Dhabi? Or are small drones and uniforms no problem?

Belgium has 12 particpants, included FN Herstal and Cockerill.

Easy to find for other countries by search engine at site.

https://idexuae.ae/exhibitor/exhibitor-list/

***
France is often pointed out for its arms sales to Saudi's and the Emirates, engaged in Yemen in a conflict which has left tens of thousands of deaths since 2015, including many civilians. No doubt this is why this contract was not announced on the Naval Group website.

Retweet @obsarm: While a maritime blockade is starving the Yemenis. In addition, the Emirates, Saudi's, with France, want to control ports in the Red Sea and access to rives and lakes in East Africa. The massive purchase of ships must be seen in this context.

Alors qu'un blocus maritime affame les yéménites. De +, les Emirats, l'AS, avec la France, veulent contrôler des ports de la mer Rouge et prendre des accès fluviaux, lacs de l'Est Africain. L'achat massif de navires doit être replacé dans ce contexte.

https://www.leparisien.fr/economie/armement-la-france-vend-deux-corvettes-aux-emirats-pour-750-millions-d-euros-07-06-2019-8088372.php

***
Saudi Arabia’s armed forces in Yemen use armoured vehicles, missiles, anti-tank rockets and warplane targeting systems made in Scotland, according to new research. https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/yemen-made-in-scotland/

***
Countries mentioned in overview of countries still exporting to #KSA: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK.

Retweet @keesamok: Saudi Arabia arms sales: Which countries are still exporting? - Since Washington’s decision, pressure has mounted on other Western countries that sell arms to Riyadh and its allies. https://www.middleeasteye.net/saudi-uae-coalition-arms-sales-country-breakdown

***

Which countries have most data centers? A data center is generally defined as a building or group of buildings used to house computer systems, particularly components for telecommunications & storage. The Cloudscene platform lists 7,500 global data centers https://www.statista.com/chart/24149/data-centers-per-country/

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Authorities in Saffron Walden agree to bankroll facility for company that makes weapons of war. Opponents of investment point out that Moog, which specialises in missile and fighter jets, has sold products to countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/essex-uttlesford-arms-base-saffron-walden-b1804492.html

***
Czech arms company denies selling weapons to Hong Kong police. To be continued? https://uk.granthshala.com/czech-arms-company-denies-selling-weapons-to-hong-kong-police/

***
Most of a recent uncovered illegal German arms trade group involved in right-wing extremist scene, some have connections with the AfD, as members, employees or pullers on the right wing of the party - with contacts as far as the Bundestag to AfD MP Höcke. https://taz.de/Waffenhandelsring-in-Bayern/!5749931&s=Bj%C3%B6rn+H%C3%B6cke/

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New Zealand's Green Party unhappy with launch of military satellite by Rocket Lab. Teanau Tuiono, the Security and Intelligence spokesperson in an interview with Heather, highlighted their discomfort in the matter. https://testmeasurement.com.au/space/223/greens-party-is-unhappy-that-the-next-rocket-lab-launch-will-include-u-s-defence-satellite/

***
IDEX 2021: Saudi Arabia to invest more than $20b in its military industry over next decade.

Kingdom wants to develop and manufacture more weapons and military systems domestically.

https://gulfnews.com/amp/business/idex-2021-saudi-arabia-to-invest-more-than-20b-in-its-military-industry-over-next-decade-1.1613815110574

With the help of whom?

***
Germany has declined license to two firms planning export of small arms to India due to Indian army’s poor human rights record in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. A Belgian arms maker also walked out recently https://radio.gov.pk/21-02-2021/germany-declines-arms-export-to-india-over-iiojk-atrocities

See also: https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/security-forces-human-rights-record-raises-barrier-before-germanys-arms-exports-to-india/cid/1807272

February 19

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US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin called Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday to reaffirm the "strategic defense partnership" between the two nations and discuss recent changes to US policy on Yemen, the Pentagon said.
https://www.axios.com/austin-mbs-biden-pentagon-saudi-arabia-92e6f908-9338-4058-bb83-61b956b62b1b.html

***
The Northern part of Germany profits from war. With a turnover of over one billion euro's Schleswig-Holstein is number one of the arms manufacturers regions of Germany. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are for example at the receiving end.
https://www.mopo.de/im-norden/schleswig-holstein/milliarden-umsatz-mit-waffen-der-norden-macht-kasse-mit-dem-krieg-38078914

***

The revelation that Air New Zealand had been silently contracting services to the Saudi navy apparently wasn't the only instance of New Zealand's connection to the war in Yemen. An independent review of NZ's military links with Riyad is needed. https://menafn.com/1101624710/The-crisis-in-Yemen-demands-an-independent-review-of-NZs-military-links-with-Saudi-Arabia&source=19

***
When the meaning of words changing tos suite military ends. To stay ahead of rapidly moving threats in the information space, 1st Special Forces Command is building an Information Warfare Center that will specialize in “influence artillery rounds.”
https://www.c4isrnet.com/information-warfare/2021/02/18/special-forces-to-build-influence-artillery-for-online-campaigns/

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US drones to prepare for anti-submarine warfare #ASW.
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2021/02/17/with-the-submarine-threat-on-the-rise-the-us-navy-looks-to-autonomous-water-sensor-drones/

***
The Romanian state-owned Romanian bank CEC Bank granted 60 million RON (€ 12.3 million) loan to the Damen shipyard in Mangalia.
https://www.thediplomat.ro/2021/02/18/cec-bank-granted-60-million-ron-loan-to-the-damen-shipyard-in-mangalia/

***
U.S. Air Force Entertains New Design To Replace F-16.

Surprising and no wonder the first reaction to article is: "And so, F-35 makes even less sense. Half a trillion later, it turned out to be a little more than a corporate welfare handout."

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/us-air-force-entertains-new-design-replace-f-16

***
The US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is taking immediate action to limit exports and reexports of sensitive goods to Burma's military and security services. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/18/2021-03350/burma-implementation-of-sanctions

February 18

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Hear hear, GKN Netherlands (Fokker) proud to be involved in a weapon system not only

- paid by large chunks of government budgets,

- burning ltrs of fuel leading to enormous CO2 emissions, but also

- to drop bombs on innocent citizens in the wars to come, history learns.

Proud?

Proud to be on board @thef35! Drag chute fairing assembly made by @GKNAero @Fokkerin Hoogeveen, NL. https://www.f35.com/f35/news-and-features/the-f35a-drag-chute-system.html

***
Greenpeace-Research: Armed forces of Myanmar uses German military technology: MTU-engines and MG3 machine guns from Rheinmetall are fitted on patrol vessels delivered by Israel.
https://www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de/pr/presseportal/greenpeace-recherche-militaer-in-myanmar-setzt-deutsche-ruestungsgueter-ein-mtu-motoren-und-maschinengewehre-von-rheinmetall-in-patrouillenbooten_aid-56325157

***
Third party states also continue to hinder accountability In Libya. E.g. Turkey, Russia, UAE and Egypt have all been involved in violating the UN arms embargo on Libya.
https://reliefweb.int/report/libya/libya-ten-years-after-uprising-abusive-militias-evade-justice-and-instead-reap-rewards

***
Myanmar: steps "in the direction of democracy before the coup took place were a direct result of economic pressure, sanctions being applied on the generals." Imposing sanctions on the generals & an arms embargo "would be terrific" rapporteur Andrews said.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/myanmar-troops-said-to-be-moving-to-cities-un-investigator-1.5313794

***
Who will build the new fritates for the Greek navy? US, France, Germans, Spain or UK.

Dutch Damen offered December 2020 the Sigma 11515 HN, a relatively flexible offer both in shipbuilding (length, weapons systems, etc.) and in financing from Dutch banks. https://www.makeleio.gr/%CE%B5%CF%80%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%84%CE%B7%CF%84%CE%B1/%CE%91%CF%85%CF%84%CE%AD%CF%82-%CF%84%CE%B9%CF%82-%CF%86%CF%81%CE%B5%CE%B3%CE%AC%CF%84%CE%B5%CF%82-%CF%80%CE%BF%CE%B9%CF%8C%CF%82-%CE%B8%CE%B1-%CF%84%CE%B9%CF%82-%CF%86%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%AC%CE%BE%CE%B5/

***
Equatorial Guinea, a New market for Dutch Damen?
https://embajada-guinea-ecuatorial.com/en/european-companies-bet-on-the-gulf-of-guinea-market/

***
Meeting on the #FCAS started Wednesday behind closed doors. Participants? The bosses of the main European defense groups (Dassault, Airbus, Safran, MTU) and the general delegate for armaments, Joël Barre, accompanied by his German and Spanish counterparts.
https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/exclusif-reunion-de-la-derniere-chance-pour-le-futur-avion-de-chasse-europeen-1291157

Addition: The stumbling block relates to intellectual property rights, with Berlin seeking to obtain concessions from Paris in order to be able to use technologies developed under FCAS for its own weapons programs. France is very reluctant to do so. https://www.latribune.fr/depeches/reuters/KBN2AH2J5/defense-paris-et-berlin-tentent-de-surmonter-leur-divergences-sur-le-scaf.html

***
Just posted a series of tweets based on Dutch #arms export policy debate of 20/01/21. Attention for sales to #Egypt, #Indonesia, #Pakistan, and #Turkey, and for components (to #UAE) and transit to #Chili and #Somalia. Answers by Min of FA. Report in Dutch:
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=48b59edd-da52-4d08-a974-db97a276de9b&title=Verslag%20van%20een%20schriftelijk%20overleg%20over%20het%20wapenexportbeleid%20%28Kamerstuk%2022054-334%29.docx

***
De PvdA-fractie wil een toelichting op de afgegeven vergunning voor de doorvoer van traangasgranaten naar Chili ter waarde van €115.000, afkomstig uit Macedonië. Voor welk leger- of politieonderdeel zijn deze bedoeld?

Antw: politie, nationale orde. https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=48b59edd-da52-4d08-a974-db97a276de9b&title=Verslag%20van%20een%20schriftelijk%20overleg%20over%20het%20wapenexportbeleid%20%28Kamerstuk%2022054-334%29.docx

***
De SP-kritiek wordt onderlijnend met antwoord op vragen export van militaire componenten (¾ Nl export) voor wapensystemen die anderen exporteren, zoals bijv. F-35 voor VAE. Nederland verschuilt zich hier achter de brede rug van derden (bijv. VS Duitsland).
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=48b59edd-da52-4d08-a974-db97a276de9b&title=Verslag%20van%20een%20schriftelijk%20overleg%20over%20het%20wapenexportbeleid%20%28Kamerstuk%2022054-334%29.docx

***
De SP onderstreept haar constatering met vragen naar export van militaire producten voor de marines van Pakistan, Turkije, Indonesië en Egypte en ziet in die leveringen wel een probleem, daar waar de Nederlandse overheid die niet ziet.
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=48b59edd-da52-4d08-a974-db97a276de9b&title=Verslag%20van%20een%20schriftelijk%20overleg%20over%20het%20wapenexportbeleid%20%28Kamerstuk%2022054-334%29.docx

***
SP krijgt oorwassing van Ministers. De SP schopte met de constatering dat de belangen van m.n. de grote Nederlandse wapenproducerenten het zwaarst wegen bij de afgifte van een vergunning tegen het zere been. "Bovenstaande aannames zijn pertinent onjuis..."
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=48b59edd-da52-4d08-a974-db97a276de9b&title=Verslag%20van%20een%20schriftelijk%20overleg%20over%20het%20wapenexportbeleid%20%28Kamerstuk%2022054-334%29.docx

***
GroenLinks, SGP & PvdA vragen naar de doorvoer 12miljoen Bulgaarse kogels naar Somalië via Rotterdam. De Regering trok na of Bulgarije het de VN had gemeld. Bulgarije 'zal' dat doen. Zo kon de munitie naar een land waartegen een wapenembargo geldt.
https://tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=48b59edd-da52-4d08-a974-db97a276de9b&title=Verslag%20van%20een%20schriftelijk%20overleg%20over%20het%20wapenexportbeleid%20%28Kamerstuk%2022054-334%29.docx

(see feb 16 for facts)

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GroenLinks vroeg of de Regering kon motiveren waarom wapenexportbeleid geen sanctiebeleid is en wat de ideologische gedachte achter dit standpunt is. - voorkomen ongewenste inzet - daarvoor zijn andere instrumenten Zie 5. Antwoord van het kabinet:
https://tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=48b59edd-da52-4d08-a974-db97a276de9b&title=Verslag%20van%20een%20schriftelijk%20overleg%20over%20het%20wapenexportbeleid%20%28Kamerstuk%2022054-334%29.docx

***

Niet wij zouden meer moeten uitgeven aan bewapening maar de Amerikanen minder. https://sp.nl/opinie/sadet-karabulut/2020/investeer-in-dialoog-niet-in-nog-meer-wapentuig

***
Retweet @FrankSlijper: Regardless of use in #Yemen conflict, “Saab is committed to work with local partners to create world-class Emirati defense and security solutions for national needs and for the global market.” https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/2021/02/17/saab-reveals-first-product-made-in-uae/

***
Israeli Defense Ministry Delays Giving State Prosecutor Info on Guatemala Arms Sales

The state prosecutor is conducting a probe of the possible role of Israeli officials in aiding crimes against humanity and genocide in Guatemala's civil war decades ago

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israeli-defense-ministry-delays-giving-state-prosecutor-info-on-guatemala-arms-sales-1.9544430

***
Buying, selling, looking weapons during the pandemic at IDEX arms fair in Abu Dhabi. The deadly show must continue. IDEX opens its doors Feb. 21-25, with more than 1,300 vendors as well as five countries participating for the first time. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/idex/2021/02/17/what-to-expect-at-idex-2021-a-defense-show-held-in-person-amid-a-pandemic/

February 17

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Seems that buckets full of lira's are going to a uncertain military project by Ankara. The TF-X program, or MMU in its Turkish acronym, has been crawling over the past years due to technological failures and know-how transfer.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2021/02/16/turkey-hopes-new-engine-deal-will-power-future-tf-x-fighter-jet/

***
No substance (often the problem with cyber attacks) in short article, but: Algerian Minister of Communication and government spokesman, Ammar Belhimer, said a "cyber war led by Israel and Morocco" was being waged against his country.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210217-algeria-israel-morocco-waged-cyber-war-against-us/

***

A defence-technology partnership is emerging between Japan & the UK. The cooperation is mostly preliminary but not at all basic: the 2 countries are working together on some of the most challenging systems used in combat aircraft and there's more to come. https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/japan-and-uk-move-towards-partnership-to-develop-combat-aircraft-systems

***
Israeli ministers approved arms purchases worth $9 billion with the US on Sunday, the New Arab reported. The acquisition includes another squadron’s worth of F-35 fighter jets, as well as four Boeing KC-46 refueling planes and advanced missiles and bombs.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210214-israel-ministers-seal-deal-with-us-for-9bn-worth-of-arms-purchases/

***
The Biden administration announced Tuesday that it has approved plans for a $197 million missile sale to Egypt.

Why it matters: The decision comes despite concerns about Egypt's human rights record. https://www.axios.com/biden-approve-egypt-arms-sale-human-rights-concerns-c7e2a6b8-8d05-43ca-92f9-9818134960e6.html

https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/egypt-rolling-airframe-missiles-ram-block-2-tactical-missiles

***
Securing the 1st Asian customer for its latest product, Czech aircraft maker Aero Vodochody has signed a contract to sell 12 L-39NG jet trainers to Vietnam’s MoD. Czech arms exporter Omnipol is acting as an intermediary for the deal. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/02/16/czech-aircraft-maker-boosts-asian-presence-with-vietnam-jet-trainer-deal/

February 16

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Overview Arabian military powers: personnel, strength, major weapons.


***
Defense News Pic of the Months shows transport of armoured patrol vehicles to Lebanese Armed Forces from the UK.



***
An overview of militarised US aid to Israel. (See full report: https://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33222.pdf)

***
Hong Kong police buy firearms from Czech supplier after US order blocked by sanctions
https://hongkongfp.com/2021/02/16/hong-kong-police-buy-firearms-from-czech-supplier-after-us-order-blocked-by-sanctions-report/

Addition: Czech arms company denies selling weapons to Hong Kong police. To be continued? https://uk.granthshala.com/czech-arms-company-denies-selling-weapons-to-hong-kong-police/

***
Project MLU Fennek is opgezet om 322 Fennek-voertuigen op te lappen. Het is een samenwerking tussen DMO, het Materieel Logistiek Commando van de landmacht, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann #KMW uit Duitsland en de Nederlandse subleverancier Van Halteren Metaal.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/materieelgezien/2021/01/08_fennek

***
Can the UAE emerge as a leading global defense supplier? Proceeding with the IDEX and NAVDEX 2021 defense trade exhibitions despite the coronavirus pandemic underlines the defense-industrial intent of the United Arab Emirates.
https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/idex/2021/02/15/can-the-uae-emerge-as-a-leading-global-defense-supplier/

***
To end the Forever Wars, rein in the drones. An important and necessary step, but also one of the needed steps. Read about the special function of drones in the Endless War.
https://www.justsecurity.org/74690/to-end-the-forever-wars-rein-in-the-drones/

***
CZ BUYS COLT: An Exclusive Interview with Lubomír Kovařík – President CZG. CZ (Česká zbrojovka) is the main operating company of the Group, located in Uherský Brod, Czechia. ČZs firearms are used by law enforcement agencies & armed forces in 40+ countries. https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2021/02/15/cz-buys-colt/

***
Radio's (5A001b3a) for Pakistan border guard (country with one of the most militarised borders in the world as a result of India-Pak conflict) were licensed Dec 23, 2020. Valued €15,989. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-dual-use-vergunningen

***
Dutch license (Dec 12, 2020) for the export of image intensifiers to South Africa (6A002a2a) dual use for military purposes. Value € 461,250. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-dual-use-vergunningen

***
Transit of small arms ammo November and December 2020 to Turkey, Tanzania, Somalia or Canada passing either Schiphol (plane) or Rotterdam (ship) in the Netherlands. See: https://rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-doorvoer-militaire-goederen

***
Retweet @sarahleah1:People now know quite well that nobody is going to help them, that they have to help themselves, and that those countries that they used to look to for change are part of the problem" https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/14/world/middleeast/arab-spring-mideast-autocrats.html

***
European Defence Agency has approved a list of 10 topics to be assessed ‘Key Strategic Activities’ for the EU. All relate to either the EU Capability Development Priorities or defence research priorities agreed in #EDA.

https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2021/02/08/new-strategic-activities-identified-for-assessment

Thanx to @_ENAAT

***
A Qatari cyber research center has selected Leonardo to provide a cyber range and training system to support security operations, the Italian firm announced Feb. 3. https://www.c4isrnet.com/cyber/2021/02/03/qatari-research-center-chooses-leonardo-for-cyber-range/

***
Reason for attention is not the seize of the sale € 60,000, but the product the M-113 armoured vehicle and the end user of components first going to Spain to end up in Morocco fighting an illegal war in Western Sahara. (7 Oct 2020, ML6a) https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-doorvoer-militaire-goederen

***
#Ukraine Gulf countries are increasingly producing and procuring military equipment locally. Tech transfers & commitments to produce & buy equipment locally 've become key factors in determining which companies secure major arms sales orders in the region. https://gulfbusiness.com/uaes-edge-group-signs-1bn-defence-agreements-with-ukrainian-state-owned-companies/

***
On Sunday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Turkey prepares to send new Syrian mercenaries to Libya amid intern. calls for withdrawal of all foreign fighters from the country. Turkey said its troop presence in Libya will remain in place. https://www.arabnews.com/node/1809991/middle-east

***
The dominant German priority in arms procurement seems to be national industrial policy. In the year before Bundestag elections, major orders that will be largely processed at German locations (frigate with Damen, Airbus: Eurofighter & naval helicopter). http://www.welt.de/debatte/kommentare/plus226372959/Hans-Peter-Bartels-Die-richtigen-Investitionen-fuer-die-Bundeswehr.html

***
According to confirmed sources, Spain no longer has a budget in 2021 for the European MALE drone, the #Eurodrone, developed by Germany, Spain, France and Italy. Madrid re-allocated its budget in favor of the Future Air Combat System #FACS - € 2bn. https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/l-eurodrone-torpillee-par-l-espagne-877684.html

***
Israeli defence companies will not take part in next week's International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi due to coronavirus-related restrictions on air travel, Reuters reported Monday, citing Israeli officials. https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202102151082081487-israel-decides-to-skip-participation-in-uae-defence-expo-cites-covid-air-travel-restrictions/

***
Overzicht wapenindustrie en kernwapens in Nederland https://www.laka.org/tag/stop-wapenhandel

***
Suspect in arms sale to Asian country was previously entangled in similar case more than a decade ago.

Attempts, which both involved technology underpinning loitering munitions, expose holes in Israel’s defense export oversight mechanism. https://www.timesofisrael.com/suspect-in-arms-sale-to-asian-country-was-previously-entangled-in-similar-case/

February 15

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Guess which country is number 1 since 2008. Retweet @CaatData UK arms export data for 2020Q3 have been added to the CAAT UK exports browser: https://caat.org.uk/data/exports-uk/dashboard

***
That is militarisation: Brussels' preferred solution is to scrap long-running Airbus subsidies known as "launch aid" and shift the EU model of funding innovation in the aviation sector toward military spending, as part of EU's broader industrial strategy. https://www.politico.eu/article/airbus-boeing-eu-new-subsidy-model-appease-joe-biden-trade/

***
Retweet
@lvandenassum The military was never interested in peace or a democratic transition—and neither was Aung San Suu Kyi, writes David Scott Mathieson. https://www.thenation.com/article/world/myanmar-burma-coup-rohingya/

February 14

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A revolving door closed. A BID to appoint a former senior RAF officer as the defence industry's top lobbyist only months after he left the military has been shot down by public standards watchdogs. Trade group ADS had selected Air Marshal Sir Julian Young. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/02/13/watchdog-blocks-lobby-job-former-top-raf-officer/

***
To date, since 1948, the US has provided Israel $146 billion (current, or noninflation-adjusted, dollars) in bilateral assistance & missile defence funding. At present, almost all US bilateral aid to Israel is in the form of military assistance. https://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33222.pdf CRS-report

***
The Committees on Arms Export Controls launches an inquiry into the Government’s 2019 Strategic Export Controls Annual Report (published in November 2020), with a focus on enforcement and compliance matters. https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/15/committees-on-arms-export-controls/news/139111/uk-arms-exports-in-2019-inquiry-launched/

***
S.Sudan urges EU to support lifting of arms embargo. https://www.independent.co.ug/south-sudan-urges-eu-to-support-lifting-of-arms-embargo/

***
Nowadays the UAE is more active in Eritrea and perhaps Ethiopia. It has provided weapons to Eritrea's army in defiance of a UN arms embargo. And it has used an air and naval base in the port city of Assab to launch air strikes in Yemen. https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2021/02/13/gulf-rivalries-are-spilling-into-africas-horn

***
@RogerVleugels en @keesamok ik kan niet overzien wat deze AIVD operaties in Roemenië (erger dan de BND en VS) betekent, maar zie het verhaal ook niet terug in de Nederlandse pers. Hoop dat jullie Roemeens beter is dan het mijne, anders google vertaal. https://www.national.ro/dezvaluiri/kgb-ul-olandez-aivd-atac-raider-asupra-romaniei-711383.html

***
The new Dutch naval Combat Support Ship, Zr Ms Den Helder (https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zr.Ms._Den_Helder), will be build in Romania. https://romanialibera.ro/economie/santierul-din-galati-construieste-o-nava-de-lupta-pentru-olanda-837015

***
Vakbondsman CNV'er Piet Verburg vindt "het noodzakelijk dat Damen de order voor de bouw van onderzeeboten in de wacht sleept."

Geen verbeelding, maar het militair apparaat als uitgangspunt? Alsof met € 3-4 miljard niet iets nuttigers gedaan kan worden. https://www.pzc.nl/zeeuws-nieuws/vakbondsman-piet-verburg-ze-zeggen-weleens-een-cao-regel-je-bij-de-pisbak~adcc185d/

***
Air New Zealand’s contract with the Saudi military is an unacceptable breach of obligations. The $3m contract, signed in 2019 to repair critical engine components for Saudi naval vessels, is 2x the value of NZ’s humanitarian assistance in 2019 to Yemen. https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2102/S00103/air-nz-bought-share-of-the-blame-for-yemen-humanitarian-catastrophe-with-saudi-contract-oxfam.htm

***
A twisted tale — involving secretive weapons deals — unravelled as a result of social media, when Jerusalem-based human rights lawyer Eitay Mack spotted evidence of shady arms sales between Israel and Uganda on Twitter. https://mg.co.za/africa/2021-02-12-unconscionable-the-race-to-stop-israel-from-selling-weapons-to-uganda/

February 13

***

It’s #WorldRadioday! Did you know that our #SOTAS platform has been connecting radio’s for 30 years, ensuring that over 50 partners worldwide experience a reliable command and control infrastructure, ranging from audio to full Generic Vehicle Architecture solutions? #funfact


Reaction: Proud? This is the system Thales Netherlands exported to Saudi Arabia to enable them to communicate between tanks and vehicles in the war in Yemen. https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2018/01/shoot-on-yemen.html

***
Retweet @ElluinA "Concernant l’activité de Naval Group, La #CGT sera toujours opposée à la vente d’armes à l’Arabie Saoudite, Les administrateurs salariés CGT voteront toujours « contre » en conseil d’administration à toute remise d’offre vers ce pays" : https://fnte.cgt.fr/sites/default/files/2021-02/20210205%20Tract%20Naval%20Group%20sur%20Arabie%20Saoudite.pdf

***
Naval Base Durban, home to the patrol squadron of the South African, is on track to welcome the first Multi Mission inshore patrol vessel #MMIPV come mid-year. They will be joined by a new hull currently under construction at Damen Shipyards in Cape Town. https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/naval-base-durban-shipshape-for-first-mmipv/

***
SAAB Kockums is looking to upgrade for Sweden’s possible sale of used submarines to Poland. In the competition to replace the Netherlands’ Walrus-class submarines, the Saab business is teamed with Dutch Damen Shipyards to offer a vessel based on the A26. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/saab-seeks-to-diversify-naval-business

***
The US Army wants to protect Special Forces operators from unmanned aerial systems—better known as drones—by shooting them out of the sky with high-energy weapons—better known as lasers. https://www.nextgov.com/emerging-tech/2021/02/army-special-forces-wants-lasers-shoot-down-drones/171990/

***
French and Spanish liberal MEPs have refused to endorse calls to end the sale of European security equipment that fuel conflict in Yemen and demand accountablity for member states that violate EU arms export rules. https://euobserver.com/foreign/150908

***
EP reiterates its call for an EU-wide ban on the export, sale, update and maintenance of any form of security equipment to members of the coalition, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, given the serious breaches of humanitarian & human rights law in Yemen. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2021-0053_EN.html

***
Addressing an open session of the European Parliament (EP) on Tuesday, several Members of the European Parliament strongly condemned continuing violence in Yemen, calling for an end to EU arms exports to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/02/12/645142/MEPs-condemn-war-on-Yemen,-demand-end-to-EU-arms-exports-to-Saudi-Arabia--UAE

***
10 years on: what role did UK arms sales play? 2021 marks 10 years of citizens’ revolt against autocratic regimes in the Middle East and the latest phase in a long history of UK manoeuvring in the region to further its own economic and military interests. https://caat.org.uk/news/the-arab-uprisings-10-years-on-what-role-did-uk-arms-sales-play/

***
President Biden was not the most hawkish member of Obama’s Cabinet—that distinction belongs to Hillary Clinton. But the militarized “counterterrorism” policy that Biden explicitly supported is precisely what keeps these conflicts raging. https://progressive.org/magazine/war-machine-new-management-davies-benjamin/


February 12

Reaction on: -@GKNAero in the Netherlands switches to 100% Wind power -Accelerating #NetZero journey with 8% CO2 reduction per year #sustainability #renewableelectricity #MakingThingsFly More here: http://ow.ly/nNJl50Dyu7m (url does not work) Photos Jens Van Hecke

Next point of attention. I read this week in a report by Transparency International: GKN Aerospace scores very low on commitment to tackle corruption. https://ti-defence.org/dci/


***
What is this child doing? Stealing the € 13 billion or giving it to the EU-soldier?

February 11

***
AI is redefining the "defence & security" landscape and so is the military industry. AI startups are seeking new commercial opportunities for their technology in defence contracting. Three of them pictured: Improbable Defence; Rebellion Defense; Adarga.
https://www.information-age.com/the-3-ai-startups-revolutionising-the-defence-sector-123493776/

***
Database exposing decades of Israel’s shady arms deals. Israel has been exporting arms to the world’s most repressive governments.

https://www.972mag.com/israel-arms-exports-database/

The database US Quaker American Friends Service Committee itself: https://www.dimse.info/

February 10

***
The details on the Sa'ar 6 corvettes build by TKMS in Germany for the Israeli navy. Remember similar ships were used during Israeli wars on Gaza.

Sa’ar 6 Missile Corvette Joins Israel’s Navy, Eric Wertheim https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2021/february/saar-6-missile-corvette-joins-israels-navy

***
PSST:

BAE Systems has been selected to supply 12 Bofors 40 Mk4 naval guns to the Belgian & Dutch navies as part of the Mine Counter Measures Vessels (MCMV) program.

MCMV program valued almost one billion (€923,2m), Dutch alone. https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/bae-systems-naval-guns-selected-for-belgian-and-dutch-navies

***

Despite a suspension by the Court, the Wallonian government gave export permissions for Saudi Arabia again.

This export is not only immoral, but also illegal.

#StopArmingSaudi

https://www.knack.be/nieuws/belgie/waalse-regering-volhardt-in-illegale-wapenexport-naar-saudi-arabie/article-normal-1698317.html

Tweet has illustrated thread in Dutch.

Retweet @Vredesactie: BREAKING Ondanks een schorsing door de rechtbank, exporteert de Waalse overheid toch opnieuw wapens naar Saudi-Arabië. Deze export is niet alleen immoreel, ze is ook illegaal. #StopArmingSaudi

***
Yemen may be far away but ... there is a keen interest in Scotland in the conflict - & a deep shame at our role in perpetuating it. If the Tories & their "Global Britain is a force for good" mantra want to be taken seriously, they should change policy now.
https://www.thenational.scot/news/19077711.alyn-smith-global-britain-will-not-force-good-selling-arms/

***
Turkey is undergoing extensive upgrades of its fleet of F-16 fighter jets, its air force’s backbone. Such efforts are undoubtedly essential because Ankara is unlikely to procure any fifth-generation replacements for a long time to come.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2021/02/09/f-16s-for-the-foreseeable-future-how-fate-of-turkeys-air-force-could-resemble-irans-experience/

***
A UN report in December accuses several countries of breaching a 2011 arms embargo by supplying both camps.
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210210-libya-s-decade-of-turmoil-since-kadhafi-s-fall

See also Final report of the Panel of Experts on Yemen, 25/01/21: https://undocs.org/S/2021/79

***

Retweet @HneumannMEP (Feb 8): Germany can stop arms exports to Turkey - if it wants to. But while it backs Greece e.g. in the Foreign Affairs Council, on the other hand it keeps delivering weapons to Turkey, including submarines that may be used against Greece. This is hypocritical! @skaigr


***
UK authorised £1.4bn of arms sales to Saudi Arabia after exports resumed

Campaigners accuse ministers of ‘putting profit before Yemeni lives’ as figures revealed

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/09/uk-authorised-14bn-of-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia-after-exports-resumed

February 9

***
GKN Aerospace, mother company of Fokker, scores very low on commitment to tackle corruption. Thales, mother of major Dutch defence company Thales Netherlands has a limited commitment as has Damen. Another part of Dutch economy not to be proud on.
https://ti-defence.org/dci/

***
They are paid for products sold to governments, paid by taxes of all. But nearly three-quarters of the world’s largest defence companies show little to no commitment to tackling corruption, new research from Transparency International reveals.
https://ti-defence.org/defence-companies-index-on-anti-corruption-and-corporate-transparency/

***
Turkey will propose only partially activating its Russian S-400s in negotiations with the United States, which sanctioned Ankara over the air defence systems late last year, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was cited as saying on Tuesday.`
https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN2A9237

***
Retweet @DMRKMexiko: Heckler & Koch vor dem höchsten deutschen Strafgericht - Am 11. Februar 2021 verhandelt der Bundesgerichtshof die Revision im Fall der illegalen #Rüstungsexporte von H&K nach #Mexiko. Pressemitteilung von @ECCHRBerlin, @AktionAufschrei und @DMRKMexiko

***
We zien een toenemend militair-industrieel complex aan onze grenzen', zegt Mark Akkermans van @CTWnl. Hij onderzoekt al jaren de defensie-uitgaven aan de buitengrenzen. 'De grootste Europese exporteurs van wapentuig naar conflicten in het Midden-Oos ...'
https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20210205_98020768

***
Een recent verschenen rapport over Frontex geeft een ontluisterend beeld van het Europees Grens- en Kustwachtagentschap. Het laat zich belobbyen door de wapenindustrie, houdt zich niet aan het EU-lobbyregister en onttrekt zich aan democratische controle.
https://www.groene.nl/artikel/de-europese-grenswacht-heeft-zich-ontwikkeld-tot-een-oncontroleerbaar-beest

***
A Qatari cyber research center has selected Leonardo to provide a cyber range and training system to support security operations, the Italian firm announced Feb. 3.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/cyber/2021/02/03/qatari-research-center-chooses-leonardo-for-cyber-range/

https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/press-release-detail/-/detail/03-02-2021-leonardo-to-provide-a-cyber-test-and-training-system-tailored-for-qatar

***
The LongShot program wants to build a drone to be shot from a plane before firing missiles itself, said the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency #DARPA running it. General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, & Northrop Grumman are funded for design work.
https://www.airforcemag.com/design-gets-underway-on-darpas-longshot-drone/

***
The latest edition of the annual exercises between the Indian and US armies kicked off on February 8 at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan, a western Indian state bordering Pakistan.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/indo-us-joint-military-exercise-yudh-abhyas-to-begin-in-rajasthan-on-february-8/article33739938.ece

***
Jerusalem Post reports Israel’s security cabinet has approved the Defense Ministry’s proposal to buy new aircraft and helicopters from the US. This ends a three-year long dispute between the Defense and Finance ministries over how to pay for the purchase.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/cabinet-okays-massive-us-israel-aircraft-deal-658176

***
French arms trade corruption. One thing is certain: the settling of accounts, against a background of unpaid commissions, remains the most serious explanation for the attack committed on 8/5/02 in Karachi ... result: 15 dead, including 11 French employees.
https://www.letemps.ch/monde/armes-largent-republique-lecons-proces-karachi

***
German refused 79 licenses for arms exports in 2020. The total value of the applications was around € 55.46 million, the German government replied to questions by Die Linke.
https://www.bundestag.de/presse/hib/820694-820694

***
Nederland belangrijkste afnemer Duitse wapens in 2020 met 823 deals ter waarde van een kleine €108 miljoen.
https://dip21.bundestag.de/dip21/btd/19/262/1926290.pdf

***
Q&A on German arms exports to Thailand worth a total of € 52.4 million between 2006 and October 2020.
https://www.bundestag.de/presse/hib/821144-821144

***
Burma Campaign UK welcomed news that the EU has suspended its controversial #Mypol training programme, training & equipping the Myanmar Police Force. The police force took part in the genocide of the Rohingya and has helped implement the new military coup.
https://burmacampaign.org.uk/eu-suspends-training-of-military-controlled-myanmar-police-force/

***
Bad post-war policies in former Yugoslav republics one of the reasons organised crime still strong. Because of arms embargo payments 4 purchased weapons were usually made from uncontrolled budget funds. The specialised groups illegally operate until today.
https://www.eurasiareview.com/08022021-factors-of-organized-crime-presence-in-western-balkans-oped/

***
French company Thales announced last week that the French Army placed an order for 3,000 additional O-NYX night vision goggles part of the French government's project to replace small equipment like handguns, helmets and bulletproof vests.
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/group/journalist/press-release/france-places-additional-order-thaless-o-nyx-night-vision-goggles

***
How do you keep your Dutch business afloat? Damen built Russian yacht (https://www.damenyachting.com/yacht/sx-75-01/) illegally in Indonesian waters controlled by Damen vessel dominated Indonesian navy.
https://www.tribunnews.com/regional/2021/02/08/ditpolairud-dan-tni-al-periksa-kapal-rusia-yang-lego-jangkar-di-pulau-rusa-aceh

***
British ministers have refused to join the US in suspending arms sales to Saudi Arabia for offensive use in war-torn Yemen, saying the UK makes its own decisions about selling weapons.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/08/uk-declines-to-follow-us-in-suspending-saudi-arms-sales-over-yemen

***
As a lawyer who advised the Government on the export of arms to the Middle East, I worked with Boris Johnson – when he was Foreign Secretary – on support for Saudi Arabia’s military action in Yemen and saw first-hand his casual attitude to Yemeni life. https://bylinetimes.com/2021/02/08/boris-johnsons-disregard-yemen-saudi-arabia/

February 8

***

@thef35: Did you know? The F-35 program supports hundreds of thousands of quality jobs across the U.S. and the world. Click the link below to explore the F-35’s economic impact. Replying to @thef35

Reply: Did you know?

F-35 total acquisition and sustainment costs for the 3 US military services who fly the aircraft estimated at over $1.6 trillion from the government budget. (See https://www.gao.gov/assets/710/708308.pdf)

With such an amount for renewals a larger number of people would get a job.

***

Retweet @MilitaryMonitor Exclusive - Saudi soldiers trained on the simulator of the Swiss armaments company #Ruag . Saudi Arabia is responsible for the state of Yemen. Desert state fighters fuel the conflict. @FlorianIrminger @beretta_g https://blick.ch/schweiz/ausbildung-zum-toeten-saudische-soldaten-trainierten-an-ruag-simulator-id16333692.html

Aanvulling : Dutch export of components:

Date: February 14, 2019

ML14, B10

Description: components for simulation systems

destination: ZWITSERLAND

final destination: SAUDI-ARABIA

from: Netherlands.

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-uitvoer-militaire-goederen

***
Kazakhstan has unveiled an indigenous unmanned air vehicle (UAV) dubbed Chagall. The drone is developed by the National University of Defense of Kazakhstan. It has a range of 30 kilometers and an endurance of 2.5 hours.
https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mod/press/news/details/156718?lang=ru


***
Foto bij Elbit Ferranti factory in Oldham, VK, begin februari 2021

#Elbit Systems Ltd. announced yesterday that it was awarded a +/- $82m contract from BAE Systems Hägglunds AB to supply the Dutch army #RNLA with Active Protection Systems and electro-optical commander sights. The contract will be performed over 4½ years. https://elbitsystems.com/pr-new/elbit-systems-awarded-82-million-contract-to-supply-protection-systems-and-electro-optical-sights-to-the-netherlands/

***
Maltese Labour MEP Alfred Sant has abstained on a European Parliament report on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy as it may imply support for further militarisation of Europe. https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-02-06/local-news/Alfred-Sant-objects-to-further-militarisation-of-Europe-6736230776

***
Overestimation is endemic in Indian defence circles, but: military industry in India is eyeing a possible +/- $80bn of MoD orders over the next 7-8 years, says D Patil, who heads the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (with 400 members). https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/defence-industry-eyes-orders-worth-80-bn-208556

***
Space Norway HEOSAT SA Wins EU Contract worth € 1.5 million https://tenderwolf.com/fr-BE/marches-publics/vehicules/C0jqy+G+rNMWoo94iwd1Hw==/acquisition-of-right-to-use-space-radiation-data-from-a-norwegian-highly-elliptical-orbit-satellite
an arctic broadband system that has military and civil applications. https://spacenews.com/space-norway-in-final-procurement-for-two-highly-elliptical-orbit-satellites/

***
Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, specifically called for targeted sanctions to be imposed on the generals, those who are responsible for this for this coup, and an international arms embargo. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/andrews-02052021170622.html

Biden is making Saudi Arabia a pariah now, it’s a pariah with benefits. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/pariah-with-benefits-us-aiding-saudi-defense-despite-chill/2021/02/05/c15798b6-6775-11eb-bab8-707f8769d785_story.html

February 7

***
Question of August 2020 by Jordi Solé/Diana Riba i Giner (both Verts/ALE)
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2020-004680_EN.html on European collaboration with Turkish flights to the civil war in Libya were finally answered by EU High Representative Borrell. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2020-004680-ASW_EN.pdf He said Turkey has commi ...

***
BIDEN'S GULF ARMS BAN PUTS PRESSURE ON BORIS https://pressreader.com/uk/daily-mail/20210206/282089164457123

***
The director of the New York Center for Foreign Policy Affairs, said his team is “cautiously optimistic” that the Biden administration will follow through on “ending US support for UAE's actions and relevant arm sales.” https://thehill.com/policy/international/537618-five-things-to-know-about-bidens-yemen-move

***
Ankara intervened in 4 countries: 3x in Syria, Libya, northern Iraq & Nagorno-Karabakh. This would hardly've been possible without drones. The success of Ankara's expansionist foreign policy, which aims to establish a neo-Ottoman empire, is based on them. https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/plus225754371/Praesident-Erdogan-Tuerkei-setzt-im-Krieg-auf-militaerische-Drohnen.html

***
Merkel and Macron have sought to give new impetus to the European aircraft of the future #FCAS and to other military industrial cooperation projects which are still in a delicate start-up phase. https://www.lesechos.fr/monde/europe/securite-merkel-et-macron-poussent-leurs-projets-militaro-industriels-1287986

***
1) No country with as much people living below poverty threshold as India.

2) India 2nd arms importer (only after KSA). (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us-china-dominated-arms-market-in-2019-all-you-need-to-know-in-5-charts/articleshow/79607686.cms)

3) France made proposals to India as part of Dheli's "Make in India" policy in the field of armaments.

https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/defense-la-france-se-tient-l-arme-au-pied-pour-repondre-au-make-in-india-de-narendra-modi-876659.html

***
European Court of Justice #EJC in Luxembourg suspended the signing of the €1.47bn Galileo contracts with Thales Alenia Space & Airbus following a protest filed by OHB, the losing bidder. The complaint based on “allegations of theft of trade secrets.“ https://spacewatch.global/2021/02/eu-court-suspends-galileo-signing-with-thales-and-airbus-report/

***
SEA Defence is a feasibility study, within the European Defense Industrial Development Programme #EDIDP2019, to provide a roadmap of technologies to be included in the next generation of naval platforms & pursued in further European development programmes.

Companies & institutions:

Damen, Nl
Fincantieri (supported by subsidiaries Cetena & Seastema), It
Naval Group, Fr
Navantia, Sp
SAAB Kockums, Sw
Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Ge
Lürssen Defence, Ge
TNO, Nl
MARIN, Nl
Odense Maritime Technology, De
CTN, Sp
https://www.portseurope.com/fincantieri-officially-takes-part-in-the-sea-defence-project/

February 6

***
Maltese Labour MEP Sant said that about half of the grants allocated under the Fund happen to go to the biggest EU arms producers and exporters, which leaves arms suppliers from other EU Member States with limited funding on which to draw. https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/107527/alfred_sant_says_eu_security_and_defence_policy_text_ignores_maltas_constitutional_neutrality

***
Boris Johnson under pressure to end support for Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen

US president Joe Biden reverses longstanding US support, branding war 'humantarian and strategic catastrophe'

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/biden-saudi-arabia-yemen-boris-johnson-uk-b1798037.html

***
The Biden administration has paused indefinitely two precision guided munition sales to Saudi Arabia, worth as much as $760 million, as part of a new policy aimed at curtailing violence in Yemen, Defense News has learned. https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2021/02/05/boeing-raytheon-missile-sales-to-saudi-arabia-canceled-by-biden-administration/

***
UK urged to follow US in restricting arms sales to Saudi Arabia

Tory former defence minister, Labour and charities call for rethink over Yemen conflict. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/feb/05/uk-urged-to-follow-us-in-restricting-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia

***
@hmtillack"European defence companies Airbus and Leonardo were awarded the most access, with five meetings each." Terrific work on #Frontex by @corporateeurope and @zdfmagazin #frontexfiles https://corporateeurope.org/en/lobbying-fortress-europe

***
Biden reiterates US support for Saudi Arabia, ends role in Yemen offensive

Saudi Arabia welcomed Biden’s “commitment to cooperate with the kingdom to defend its sovereignty and counter threats against it.”

https://thearabweekly.com/biden-reiterates-us-support-saudi-arabia-ends-role-yemen-offensive

***
Joe Biden speech transcript 4/2: On arms sales to Saudi's: "we’re ending all American support for offensive operations in the war in Yemen, including relevant arm sale," but "We’re going to continue to support and help Saudi Arabia defend its sovereignty." https://www.rev.com/blog/transcripts/joe-biden-speech-on-foreign-policy-transcript-february-4-america-is-back

February 5

***
The three-ship Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, the 2,500 Marines of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and F-35B's have taken position in U.S. 5th Fleet in the North Arabian sea and are an easy sail to the Strait of Hormuz, USNI News has learned.
https://news.usni.org/2021/02/04/f-35s-3-amphib-warships-2500-marines-operating-closer-to-iran-nimitz-reaches-edge-of-the-south-china-sea

***
India's adversaries, especially Pakistan, should be military hit back following terrorist attacks. Drones can help in low-intensity retaliation by inflicting damage on distant targets, said retired Indian general. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/drone-technology-critical-to-ward-off-threats-208104

***
Biden Says He’s Ending the Yemen War—But It's Too Soon to Celebrate The details of Biden’s Yemen war announcement are what matter. Those are still not clear. https://inthesetimes.com/article/yemen-war-end-saudi-arabia-biden-sullivan-trump

***
Staatssecretaris Visser geeft aan de Kamervragen over de verkoop van Nederlandse MP5’s in een Maltese wapenhandel niet op tijd te kunnen beantwoorden.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2021/02/02/uitstelbrief-beantwoording-kamervragen-over-de-verkoop-van-nederlandse-mp5s-in-een-maltese-wapenhande

***
UK military delegation to Egypt seeks to strengthen ties as rights abuses worsen https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210204-uk-military-delegation-to-egypt-seeks-to-strengthen-ties-as-rights-abuses-worsen/

***
While Biden announced Thursday he was making good on his campaign commitment to end US support for a 5-year Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen, Biden is making clear not to abandon military assistance & plans to help Saudi's strengthen its own defenses. https://www.whio.com/news/politics/pariah-with-benefits/6U2TCP53MCUMZNJKAFVEIZO6AE/

***
US military will no longer assist the bloody Saudi-led coalition attacking Yemen, President Joe Biden will announce today, according to Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan.

We must see what the real contents are, but its the right direction. https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2021/02/04/us-ends-support-for-saudi-led-war-in-yemen/

February 4

***
Retweet @ElluinA: Australia: Freeze Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE. https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/02/04/australia-freeze-arms-sales-saudi-arabia-uae

***
Why does French continue to provide operational support to the Saudi's - against public opinion, the media and NGOs - without demanding industrial compensation, in the form of arms sales, for its commitment, Michel Cabirol asks in La Tribune. https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/armement-l-arabie-saoudite-une-terre-devenue-inamicale-pour-la-france-840917.html

***
Retweet @NIDVnews: State Secretary for Defence @Barbara_Visser1 joins the Dutch-German Industry Day and stresses the importance of both industries meeting each other even more frequently. She also notes that the German Dutch cooperation is unique in Europe.

***
The ongoing race for drones in the upper atmosphere. Thales Alenia Space & Thales e.g. signed a contract with French DGA in 2021 for a study of intelligence, surveillance, & reconnaissance applications using a Stratobus. The first flight will be in 2023. https://it-online.co.za/2021/02/04/the-ongoing-race-for-drones-in-the-upper-atmosphere/

***
EP Amendments on EU Guidelines for the 2022 Budget:

Some are power hungry in Brussels, at the cost of human security: Defence Fund "requires a large sum of money to be allocated quickly."

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/ITRE-AM-680881_EN.pdf

***
Whether the UK eventually joins some projects in the EU’s PESCO on defense remains to be seen. One test will be whether it seeks an administrative arrangement to collaborate with the European Defence Agency, as non-EU Norway, Switzerland, Ukraine & Serbia. https://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-britain-eu-uk-trade-smells-like-teen-spirit/

***
Halt on arms sales to UAE, but next exports are prepared. Global industry leaders & specialists will attend the International Defence Conference 2021 in Abu Dhabi, Feb 20. Arms fairs IDEX 2021 and NAVDEX 2021, will open the following day until the Feb 25. https://wam.ae/en/details/1395302906841

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Raytheon isn't blameless in Yemen's civil war crisis.

Villagers of Arhab were in a celebratory mood before the bomb exploded. The small Yemeni town had just struck water on a new well when a precision-guided munition crashed into the site, killing 31.

https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-arizona-republic/20210203/281784221773971

***
Japan as arms exporter. Having learnt from their early stumbles, the Japanese are having a go again with tech on offer https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/japan-as-arms-exporter-is-an-idea-thatll-take-some-getting-used-to

***
Fortify Rights, a Southeast Asian group, called on the UN Security Council to impose a global arms embargo on Myanmar and refer the situation in the country to the International Criminal Court at The Hague. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/expel-02022021174602.html

EU still has one: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/04/29/myanmar-burma-council-prolongs-sanctions/

***
Politieke druk op de Westerse regeringen om wapenleveranties en militaire samenwerking te stoppen totdat een werkende vredesregeling van kracht is, dat zou onze bijdrage moeten zijn tegen de oorlog in Jemen. https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2021/02/is-een-wapenembargo-het-antwoord.html

***
Turkey and Germany are set to take concrete steps in bilateral defence and security policy, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said. https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-germany/turkey-and-germany-take-concrete-steps-defence-security-akar-says

***
UK urged to follow US and stop arms sales contributing to ‘humanitarian catastrophe’. https://www.thecanary.co/global/world-news/2021/02/03/uk-urged-to-follow-us-and-stop-arms-sales-contributing-to-humanitarian-catastrophe/

February 3

***
The evident realpolitik that forms the tacit conceptual framework for the continued cooperation by European governments - included arms sales - with the Egyptian regime is increasingly becoming an unrealpolitik.
https://en.qantara.de/content/five-years-after-the-murder-of-giulio-regeni-europes-dangerous-egypt-policy?page=0%2C1

***
Retweet @AnneSofieLB: Norway is supplying arms to several dictators and countries at war. NGOs been talking about this for years. Now the Norwegian Auditor General delivers a stinging criticism of the government's strategic arms export control. #armscontrol @ChangemakerNor https://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/i/GaB7X6/sterk-kritikk-av-uds-kontroll-med-norsk-vaapeneksport-en-skandale

***
Don Heflin, Charge d'Affaires of the US in India said the American defence industry demonstrated its commitment to partner with India to provide high-quality, advanced defence equipment widely considered the most operationally reliable in the world.
https://www.expresscomputer.in/news/us-actively-exploring-ways-to-bring-advanced-tech-to-india-charge-daffaires/72544/

***
UAE ambassador to Washington says he is confident the sale of F-35 jets will go through after review by Biden administration.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/2/uae-confident-f-35-jets-sale-will-go-through-says-ambassador

***
The director-general of the Yemen Executive Mine Action Center (YEMAC) said the Saudi-led coalition has dropped 3,179 cluster bombs (made in US, UK and Brazil) on Yemen since the beginning of its aggression against the defenseless Yemeni people in 2015.
https://parstoday.com/en/news/west_asia-i133444-saudis_allies_dropped_over_3_000_cluster_bombs_on_yemen_since_2015_official

***
President Biden delegates to the Secretary of State the authority to determine whether it is vital to the national security interests of the US to make up to $6.8m in sales of cluster munitions technology under the Arms Export Control Act to South Korea.
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/02/2021-02250/delegation-of-authority-under-section-614a2-of-the-foreign-assistance-act-of-1961

***
Lord Judd ask Hr Ms Government what plans they have to suspend: the granting of arms export licences; 2 military support, to Saudi Arabia & its coalition partners involved in operations in Yemen. Answer: The UK has an ongoing defence relationship with KSA.
https://members.parliament.uk/member/1660/writtenquestions?page=1#expand-1279794

***

Airbus will showcase a wide selection of its military technology at 'Aero India 2021' an aeronautic fair in India 3-5, Feb. 2021. It involves the C295 transport A330 MRTT tanker aircraft, the combat-proven multi-role helicopter & the AS565MBe Panther etc. https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2021/01/airbus-prepares-for-a-strong-presence-at-aero-india-2021.html

***
With a feeling for understatement, the Greek Minster of Defence said "financial capacities aren't inexhaustible." A comment made in the context of acquiring more fighter jets: Rafales or the "main fifth generation aircraft" in NATO, Lockheed's F-35.
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/grece-f-35-ou-et-rafale-supplementaires-876185.html

***
Why arms trade isn't always just trade, but has more to do with geopolitics than with the quality & price of the products; as in the recent case of anti-submarine warfare helicopters for South Korea. A deal the US, rolling its muscles won, & Leonardo lost.
https://www.ft.com/content/29b720e5-c9f0-4ff2-92b6-fa9b942b150f

***
Israel Aerospace Industries on Monday announced more than $100 million in contracts for loitering munitions in three deals that include the Rotem VTOL and the Harop drones. The latter was sold in its land and naval versions. Customers were not disclosed.
https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2021/02/02/israeli-firm-sells-harop-rotem-kamikaze-drones-to-several-asian-countries/

***
Turkey launches F-16 life-extension program amid lack of replacement aircraft. The indigenous fighter program, dubbed TF-X (or MMU Turkish acronym), has been crawling over the past years due to technological failures and issues with know-how transfers. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/02/02/turkey-launches-f-16-life-extension-program-amid-lack-of-replacement-aircraft/

February 2

Retweet @FrankSlijper: UN Panel of Experts on #Yemen is "investigating chain of custody of components of the surface-to-air missiles, which were seized from the dhows Al-Raheeb and Al-Qanas-1".

"The main engine of the missile is a Titan gas turbine manufactured by AMT Netherlands. The Panel learned that the engines were part of two shipments in 2017 and 2019 that were received by companies in Hong Kong, China." "

The export licence for the engines issued by the Netherlands explicitly states that they should not be sold or re-exported. China has informed the Panel that the company whose name was used to import the engines ceased to exist in 2014"
https://undocs.org/S/2021/79

***
Damen Marine Components (Hardinxveld-Giessendam) will provide rudders & components for the control system of 4 French naval vessels build by French shipyard Chantiers de l'Atlantique. They will be used to deliver troops & supplies to combat ships at sea.
https://www.ad.nl/rivierenland/bedrijf-uit-hardinxveld-levert-roeren-en-onderdelen-voor-vier-franse-marineschepen~a8a3c3ab/

***
Turkey, China prepare Pakistan for future wars.
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=797461 (Dutch technology included, no problem The Hague stated https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=f04dff03-f93d-44e8-8d90-310058165b0a&title=Lijst%20van%20vragen%20en%20antwoorden%20over%20de%20afgifte%20vergunning%20voor%20export%20militair%20materieel%20naar%20Pakistan%20via%20Turkije.doc)

***
De minimaal €3½ miljard kostende onderzeeboten blijven gemoederen beroeren.
https://www.noordhollandsdagblad.nl/cnt/dmf20210201_3466798 Niet verwonderlijk. Nu de gevolgen van Covid-19 voor de langere termijn nog niet duidelijk zijn, een forse uitgave post.

Merwede grijs bestaat wel: https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/navy/capability/hmsnzs-canterbury-l421/

***
The US Coast Guard has announced a ceremony at Portsmouth Base to introduce the Sentinel-class Charles Moulthrope. The Sentinel class boat was developed on the basis of the Damen Stan Patrol 4708 to counter illegal migration and smuggling, control fishi...
https://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-commissions-first-patforswa-sentinel-class-cutter/2021/01/22/

***
Artikel over materieelprojecten in #Roemenië. Het lijkt een vriendjespolitiek bende als ik mijn vertaal programma er op los laat. Maar is er iemand in Nederland wapenprogramma's van dit land waar #Damen zo'n voorname militaire producent is kritisch volgt?
https://www.national.ro/dezvaluiri/efectul-bals-ciuca-inca-3-miliarde-pentru-lockheed-martin-710354.html

***
Boeing awarded a $20 million modification to a contract for long lead integrated logistics support, initial spares package and peculiar ground support equipment for the Royal Moroccan Air Force.
https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2487798/

***
Retweet @LaurieTreffers: Jip van Dort (@UtrechtUni) in @Trouw: "Alles is erop gericht de zwarte bladzijden van Nederlandse oorlogvoering, en het menselijke leed dat daarachter schuilgaat, uit beeld te houden, opdat de mythe van de schone oorlog in stand gehouden wordt." https://www.trouw.nl/opinie/nederland-probeert-de-mythe-van-de-schone-oorlog-in-stand-te-houden~bc63e9e7/

***
Spain based GMV Aerospace and Defence S.A.U has secured contract from European Defence Agency for Artificial Intelligence in Guidance, Navigation and Control for Aerial Applications (AI-GNCAIR).
https://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:35192-2021:TEXT:EN:HTML&src=0

***
On Friday, January 29, 2021, the German Bundestag discussed motions from Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and Die Linke for an arms embargo against Turkey for half an hour.
https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2021/kw04-de-u-boote-tuerkei-817450

***
The Greek Defense Minister Panagiotopoulos wanted his German counterpart Kramp-Karrenbauer to stop the German submarine deliveries to Turkey. He got a rejection.
https://www.heise.de/tp/features/Deutsche-U-Boote-Waffenhilfe-fuer-Erdogan-5042079.html

***
German comedian Evers: "you can say that I'm raising my daughter like the Min. of Economics executes arms export controls. Strict, according to all guidelines. But when someone wants to buy, then you've to examine the individual case & both always give in.
https://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/kultur/comedy-die-deutschen-koennen-ja-doch-selbstironie-also-zumindest-horst-evers-kann-das-ld.2093354

***
When it comes to the latest Eritrean war preparations, the most important goal in the rehabilitating mission was to convince the UN to lift the sanctions it had imposed on Eritrea, specifically the arms embargo.

https://www.ethiopia-insight.com/2021/01/23/the-peace-that-delivered-total-war-against-tigray/

See for background: https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2021/01/02/evidence-mounts-that-eritrean-forces-are-in-ethiopia

***
Retweet: @hmasson_FRS: Selles-Saint-Denis: the MBDA missile does not know the crisis / Selles-Saint-Denis : le missilier MBDA ne connaît pas la crise https://www.lanouvellerepublique.fr/loir-et-cher/commune/selles-saint-denis/selles-saint-denis-mbda-investit-et-recrute

***
"Decisive action is imperative, including the imposition of strong targeted sanctions, and an arms embargo until such time as democracy is restored," said Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26706&LangID=E

***
Overzicht: Nederland en de NAVO-kernwapenstrategie. Welke Nederlandse bedrijven zijn betrokken bij wapenproductie? Welke onderzoeksinstituten? Welke militaire installaties zijn betrokken bij de kernbewapening? En waar kan je zelf informatie vinden?
https://stopwapenhandel.org/sites/stopwapenhandel.org/files/wapenindustrie%20kernwapens.pdf

***
First Dutch military satellite BRIK II will be launched in March by Virgin Orbit. [ in Dutch]

De eerste Nederlandse militaire satelliet wordt in de ruimte gebracht door de Amerikaanse firma Virgin Orbit. https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2021/03/06_satelliet_03

***
Elbit: Activists stage protest at Oldham weapons factory

The protest comes weeks after the Ministry of Defence confirmed Elbit had won a contract for new "sensor to shoot" system. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-55891683

***
Turkish armoured vehicle manufacturer Katmerciler is negotiating a $30m contract to supply 50 Hizir armoured personnel carriers to the Kenyan police as the Kenyan army prepares to take delivery of 100 others. [pay wall]
https://www.africaintelligence.com/eastern-and-southern-africa_business/2021/02/01/katmerciler-s-armoured-vehicles-take-the-police-and-army-by-storm-with-erdogan-s-backing,109639095-ar1

***
Earlier this week, Italy blocked arms exports to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates after concerns were raised that the weapons could be used to kill civilians in Yemen, in a decision that campaign groups described as "historic".
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-matteo-renzi-mbs-renaissance-labour-costs

Addition: Italy blocks arms exports to Saudi Arabia and UAE

Campaigners said the decision would block 12,700 bombs bound for Riyadh and Abu Dhabi https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-uae-italy-blocks-arms-exports

Addition: Italy permanently blocks arms sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE over Yemen https://www.dailysabah.com/world/mid-east/italy-permanently-blocks-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia-uae-over-yemen

***
Pakistan daily the Nation signals: France is arming India to teeth

Europe is far more stable than South Asia but for France, South Asian instability appears to be a business opportunity to sell its arms

https://nation.com.pk/01-Feb-2021/france-arming-india-to-teeth

***
Activists petition against Israeli arms export to Uganda. On Jan. Defense Minister Benny Gantz called to halt the sale of Israeli arms to a private militia, the Special Forces Command (SFC), associated with Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni. https://pressnewsagency.org/activists-petition-against-israeli-arms-export-to-uganda/