woensdag 31 maart 2021

My tweets for March 2021

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

March 31

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Retweet @RetePaceDisarmo with comment: Italian civil society organizations ask the Cheddite company for clarification on the sale of ammunition used by the military in #Myanmar to brutally repress the demonstrations against the military coup. Read the joint statement: https://retepacedisarmo.org/2021/bossoli-italiani-myanmar-societa-civile-chiarimenti-cheddite/

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Second, an embargo must be imposed on arms sales to Burma, Khin Ohmar, democracy activist, said in an interview with Die Welt.

But how to massage Russia, China & India in that direction? And how stop EU members exporting on the fringes of the EU embargo?

https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article229420859/Myanmar-Sie-schiessen-vorsaetzlich-Gestern-habe-ich-eine-Freundin-verloren.html

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Germany will continue to contribute to implementing the UNs’ arms embargo on Libya & driving the Berlin Process forward, Heiko Maas said during UAEs Ambassadors Conference. We are counting on your support, which will be crucial, he added.

& If #UAE don't?

https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/news/maas-boko-vae/2451058

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Not to forget French complicity. During the genocide, Védrine, the former Secretary-General of l'Elysée under #Mitterrand is known to have given direct orders to rearm the #Rwandan army and #Interahamwe militia, defying a UN arms #embargo.
https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/activists-react-new-report-frances-role-1994-genocide-against-tutsi

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As part of the Franco-Japanese bilateral defence agreement, the 2nd fase starts of the development by Thales & Mitsubishi Heavy Industries #MHI of a sonar demonstrator at dual frequency for mine action. It will be installed on an autonomous drone.
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/group/journalist/press-release/thales-and-mitsubishi-heavy-industries-mhi-combine-forces-develop

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Thales and Inetum Deliver Smarter Border Management at Spanish Valencia and Bilbao Airports. This technology eases passenger management at borders by verifying the traveler’s identity and travel documents, including biometric checks.
http://libyabizinfo.com/storyad-z18836595

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Turkey’s security & intelligence forces detained 26 people in a March 30 joint operation, charging the suspects with defence industry espionage. They are employees of Turkish Aerospace Industries, Aselsan, Havelsan, TUBITAK, Roketsan, and SSM or SSB. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2021/03/30/turkey-detains-26-suspects-over-defense-industry-espionage-charges/

March 30

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Retweet with comment: All you wanted to know about #EDA, but didn't dare to ask.

A number of AI-related projects have been launched in 2020, including on AUtonomous DROne Services #AUDROS.

One of the focus areas for member states to invest & cooperate is Defence in #Space.

And so much more. #PESCO

Retweet @EUDefenceAgency: A comprehensive overview of EDA's work and achievements across domains last year. Get it here | https://eda.europa.eu/publications-and-data/latest-publications/annual-report-2020.pdf #EUdefence

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Retweet @AktionAufschrei BGH bestätigt Urteil gegen Heckler & Koch. https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bgh-heckler-koch-103.html

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The German government is buying a minority stake in defense supplier Hensoldt — a company that derives from European aircraft manufacturer Airbus' former defense and security electronics division — for security reasons. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2021/03/29/german-government-buys-stake-in-defense-supplier-hensoldt/

Addition: See also on #Hensholdt & #Airbus article on #NightOwl optech system; ordered in 2009 by #Saudi's for border control, but not delivered because of tightened arms export rules. Now part of a juridical fight between Airbus & its former section, now Hensholdt https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article229258479/Airbus-und-Hensoldt-Bizarrer-Streit-um-Nachteulen-made-in-Germany.html

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Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first H225M medium helicopter to the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). At least one was ferried in an Antonov An-124 to the RSAF base of Paya Lebar on March 22.
https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2021-03-29/airbus-delivers-first-h225m-helicopter-singapore

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On MBDA: it booked 2 major international export results in 2020: 1) The VL-Mica NG missiles are part of the German frigates MEKO A200 frigates sold to Egypt (estimated value €300m). MBDA has sold the same missiles to the Saudi navy & also the Exocet MM40
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/le-missilier-mbda-plie-mais-ne-rompt-pas-en-2020-881105.html

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Nederland besteedt grensbewaking uit aan landen rondom Europa
https://www.stopwapenhandel.org/grensexternalisering

English summary: Dutch border protection outsourced to countries surrounding Europe. https://www.stopwapenhandel.org/sites/stopwapenhandel.org/files/English%20Summary%20Report%20Dutch%20Role%20Border%20Externalisation.pdf

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Labour MP Jones paid £9k paid-for six-day trip to Saudi Arabia. Jones has previously argued in the Commons that UK should hold off on calls from Jeremy Corbyn to suspend arms sales until a full review into the arms export licences to the KSA had finished.
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/durham-mp-criticised-over-9000-20265171

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The German Greens published their Manifesto. Reason to look in the Greens on a common European defence production (included the FCAS), a more restrictive arms trade policy and the nonsense of the NATO 2% of GDP claim and limit tech relations with China.
https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/bundestagswahl-2021-was-an-den-vorbehalten-gegen-die-gruenen-in-der-aussenpolitik-dran-ist/27040282.html?ticket=ST-2322774-2CiZF4VfMVn9e6LfiRrp-ap3

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Attorney Eitay Mack, who aims for greater public oversight of Israel’s military export, and to exposing alleged arms deals with dark regimes, explains to Israel Defense that if the current path continues, the country could find itself in a lot of trouble
https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/49077

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Andere invalshoek. Na 6 jaar oorlog blijft er slecht nieuws komen uit #Jemen. De Jemenieten verlangen naar het moment dat de wapens eindelijk zullen zwijgen. Dan zullen ook de imkers van de beste honing ter wereld de economie weer mee vlot kunnen trekken.
https://www.mo.be/reportage/honing-uit-jemen

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Turkey to test indigenous engine for main battle tank Altay in April, it says. The engine is made with the help of two South Korean companies, Doosan Infracore Co. and S&T Dynamics Co.

Article contains more self confidence domestic arms production issues. https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/turkey-to-test-indigenous-engine-for-main-battle-tank-altay-in-april

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New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) approved export permits for military equipment that was sent to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a key partner in Saudi Arabia's military intervention in Yemen, in 2018 and 2019.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/439445/mfat-approved-military-equipment-export-permits-to-uae-land-forces

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The reopening of hiking trails and various white-sand beaches on Vieques and Culebra, two tiny Puerto Rican islands, long used as Navy bombing ranges will be delayed more than a decade, according to a GAO report released Friday.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/03/29/report-military-cleanup-on-puerto-rican-islands-once-used-as-navy-bombing-ranges-slow-going/

GAO https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-21-268

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The separatists’ war, Europe’s hottest armed conflict, has killed more than 13000 people and uprooted hundreds of thousands.

For those in the Ukrainian weaponry industry, the war has a silver lining.

“The conflict gave us a boost,” an arms producer said.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/29/amid-war-ukraine-tries-to-boost-arms-sales

March 29

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Retweet @keesamok: Een geheime analyse van de Duitse regering, waarover persbureau DPA beschikt, concludeert dat de Europese militair-industriële samenwerking PESCO de slagvaardigheid van Europa tot nu toe nauwelijks heeft vergroot.

Am Ende zählt, was auf dem Hof steht: Drei Jahre nach Beginn der europäischen Verteidigungskooperation unter dem Titel PESCO gibt es kaum nennenswerte Ergebnisse. https://www.reservistenverband.de/magazin-loyal/am-ende-zaehlt-was-auf-dem-hof-steht/

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The good news in a bad case: Activists Block General Dynamics Armoured Vehicles Bound for Saudi Arabia: Demand Canada Stop Fueling War in Yemen.
https://socialistproject.ca/2021/03/activists-block-general-dynamics-armoured-vehicles-bound-for-saudi-arabia/

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Dutch PM Mark Rutte promised during debate with Parliament to raise arms embargo to #Turkey during European summit of 25-26th of March. (Wij zullen een moratorium op moratorium op het leveren van wapens aan Turkije op blijven brengen.) What was the result?
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=cc77ebe1-1d2b-441d-a702-e8335456aab8&title=Debat%20over%20de%20Europese%20Top%20van%2025%20en%2026%20maart%20%28ongecorrigeerd%20stenogram%29.docx

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#Mensenrechtensituatie in #Thailand is zorgelijk en Bangkok onderhoudt vriendschappelijke relaties met #Myanmar, erkent Regering, maar ze ziet er geen been in 'n exportvergunning voor wapentech aan de Thaise marine blijkt uit overleg met de Kamer #SP #PvdA
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=33a4cbfc-58fe-418c-9e62-f66776d788d9&title=Verslag%20van%20een%20schriftelijk%20overleg%20over%20de%20afgifte%20van%20een%20vergunning%20voor%20de%20export%20van%20militair%20materieel%20naar%20Thailand%20%28Kamerstuk%2022054-337%29.doc

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The immoral world of military intervention. French, Belarussians, Ivorians, a peace mission, a bombing raid and several dead. Preparations were seen peeping through a small hole in a tent and the radio of the planes intercepted.
https://www.lanouvellerepublique.fr/poitiers/proces-du-bombardement-de-bouake-l-incroyable-fuite-des-pilotes-mercenaires

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_French%E2%80%93Ivorian_clashes

More is written on this angle to look at the bombing in Bouaké, Ivory Coast, since last week, here Le Figaro:
L'étrange procès du bombardement de Bouaké (The peculiar trial on the bombing of Bouaké)https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/l-etrange-proces-du-bombardement-de-bouake-20210330

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France announces start of next French aircraft carrier to replace the Charles-de-Gaulle in 2038. Naval Group, Chantiers de l'Atlantique & TechnicAtome, will join with the General Directorate of Armaments and the CEA (the French atomic agency for engine).
https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/le-porte-avions-du-futur-reunit-naval-group-et-les-chantiers-de-latlantique-1302174

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As #Korean defense companies eye potential expansion into the Middle Eastern arms market, Defense Minister Suh Wook met his United Arab Emirates #UAE counterpart in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday to discuss defense and arms industry ties.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/03/28/national/defense/defense-arms-exports/20210328181800529.html

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Japan hopes to sign an agreement with Indonesia on Tuesday to clear the way for exports of defense equipment amid stepped-up Chinese activities at sea.

Growing insecurity infuses regional arms buys and sales and doesn't calm down the tension. https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Japan-to-iron-out-deal-on-arms-exports-to-Indonesia

See also here: Japan, Indonesia sign arms transfer pact amid China concerns. https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2021/03/30/japan-indonesia-sign-arms-transfer-pact-amid-china-concerns/

March 28

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Study analysed the types of strategies used by UAV or drones firms to remove technology transfer barriers to legitimate the transfer of controversial military-use technology to the general business, humanitarian, and the entertainment sectors.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0040162520313652

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US #Raytheon M&D has won a contract valued $518 million to produce AMRAAM missiles to ten countries including #Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Qatar. Opponents criticize the Saudi deal because involvement in the Yemen War. See:
https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2552501/

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29221/Raytheon_Produce_AMRAAMs_for_Saudi_Arabia__S_Korea__Qatar#.YGBeg6_7SUk

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Retweet @AndrewBuncombe: After six years of war in Yemen, the UK is still arming Saudi Arabia, says @CAATuk https://caat.org.uk/news/after-six-years-of-war-in-yemen-the-uk-is-still-arming-saudi-arabia/

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The US House Foreign Affairs advanced the Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act it limits arms exports to Saudi intelligence, internal security, or law enforcement entities if the President finds that Saudi Arabia has engaged in listed activities, see:
https://connolly.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4255#:~:text=Connolly's%20bill%20would%20hold%20Saudi,intimidation%20and%20violence%20going%20forward

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Russia wants to strengthen military ties with Myanmar, state media reported on Friday, after a meeting between senior defence officials and a junta condemned by Western countries for killing hundreds of civilian protesters.
https://www.reuters.com/article/myanmar-politics-russia/update-1-russia-says-it-is-seeking-to-strengthen-military-ties-with-myanmar-idUSL1N2LO197

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Pakistani paper states in support of democracy in Myanmar: "An arms embargo could also be deliberated upon as a viable option. No arms should be supplied to a military that subjects them to its people."
https://dailytimes.com.pk/738565/lets-support-democracy-in-myanmar/

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Coalition against Yemen justifies the naval blockade as enforcement of the arms embargo on Yemen established in UN Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015), but says nothing about Saudi and Emirati aggression.
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views/lift-the-blockade-on-yemen-now-1616853961

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Retweet with comment: Buried in a new report by the United Nations Panel of Experts on Libya comes disturbing news about recent transfers of internationally banned antipersonnel landmines. See for full Panel of Experts Report (548 pages) https://undocs.org/Home/Mobile?FinalSymbol=S%2F2021%2F229&Language=E&DeviceType=Mobile

@hrw: Russia-Linked Landmines Threaten Lives in Libya https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/03/25/russia-linked-landmines-threaten-lives-libya

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Military robotics and autonomous systems (virtual conference). April 12-13th, UK.

Speakers from the Netherlands:

Lt. Col. Martijn Hädicke (Commander RAS Innovation Program, Royal Netherlands Army)

Eric den Breejen (Intelligent Autonomous Systems at TNO)

http://www.smi-online.co.uk/defence/uk/robotic-autonomous-systems

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Universities to develop civil/military applications with military industries. Here it's about "photonic integrated circuits". The INSPIRE project consortium is made up of TU/e, imec, Thales, University of Cambridge, X-Celeprint, SMART Photonics, & Amires.
https://www.tue.nl/en/news/news-overview/24-03-2021-new-project-set-to-inspire-advances-in-photonic-devices/

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How surprising. Optimist, le patron de l'équipementier de défense #Thales, Patrice Caine believes that Europe is not condemned to a technological dropout, as long as it buys - among other products/tech - weapons like the FCAS & spends more on its military. https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/leurope-nest-pas-vouee-au-decrochage-technologique-affirme-le-patron-de-thales-1301731

March 27

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Australia is good at giving guns, but not at taking in victims of war. People are fleeing wars in which Australia is deeply involved, so our responsibility to provide asylum seekers with a safe home is not an abstract one, writes Sam Brennan. https://independentaustralia.net/article-display/were-good-at-giving-guns-but-not-at-taking-in-victims-of-war,14935

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Retweet with comment (@beretta_g): Italy advances arms deals with Egypt despite opposition

As Egypt becomes one of the world's largest importers of arms, Italy is seeking to sign additional arms deals with Cairo despite sour bilateral relations in light of Egypt’s human rights record. https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/03/italy-advances-arms-deals-egypt-despite-opposition

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Biden’s US arms policy likely to allow blocked drone sales to Morocco. All signs at hand show US President Joe Biden’s plans to further boost Morocco-US relations despite maneuvers by some congress people to strain cooperation between the two countries.

https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2021/03/338267/bidens-us-arms-policy-likely-to-allow-blocked-drone-sales-to-morocco/

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Some argued nuclear weapons provide ‘cheap security’ to its possessors i.e., there wouldn't be a need to spend heavily on conventional armaments.

India, 3rd 2019 military spender, shows this isn't true. India imports 9.3% of the global arms production. https://www.thestatesman.com/opinion/south-asia-without-nuclear-weapons-1502959578.html

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The JSF again. A Marine Corps F-35B flying out of a Marine Corps Air Station in Arizona, was damaged in early March when one of its rounds exploded while the plane was conducting a gunnery evaluation, according to a report from the Naval Safety Center.
https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2021/03/26/marine-f-35b-damaged-by-exploding-round-for-corps-first-aviation-class-a-mishap-of-the-year/

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ctivists block railway near General Dynamics protesting arms sales. A group of activists blocked some railway tracks in London on Friday, calling on Canada to end exports of locally made arms to Saudi Arabia. https://blackburnnews.com/london/london-news/2021/03/26/activists-block-railway-near-general-dynamics-protesting-arms-sales/

March 26

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In Asia Russia is developing military cooperation with China, India, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia and building ties with Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia and other countries, Head of the Defense and Security Committee, Viktor Bondarev said. https://tass.com/defense/1270319

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On Saudi relations with Turkey (incl. defence industrial) to break away from the position of isolation Ankara faces. Deepening cooperation on defence industries "depend on whether Turkey and KSA could resolve their deep-running disagreements in the region." https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2021/03/25/playing-both-sides-will-saudi-greek-drills-impact-ties-with-turkey/

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Rafale may have edge in Ukraine fighter stakes

Dossier said to be at top of the agenda of French President Emmanuel Macron's upcoming visit to Ukraine

https://asiatimes.com/2021/03/rafale-may-have-edge-in-ukraine-fighter-pact/

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Mint press has its own explanation why Biden changed US policy towards Saudi Arabia: it may be an attempt to control the narrative and save face around what is looking like yet another defeat in the long-running American-sponsored global war on terror. https://www.mintpressnews.com/us-lobbyists-arm-dealers-scramble-reposition-amid-impending-saudi-defeat-yemen/276430/

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There are now fewer special operations forces deployed globally than at any point since the US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 after 9/11, the commander of U.S. special operations said Thursday. Still there are some 5000 US SOF deployed in about 62 countries. https://www.stripes.com/news/us/fewest-number-of-special-ops-forces-deployed-since-2001-as-pentagon-reviews-decisions-to-draw-down-troops-1.667292

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Big money: Northrop Grumman (up to $3.9 billion) and Lockheed Martin (up to $3.7 billion) won separate contracts to design the next-generation interceptor for the US missile defence network, the Pentagon announced.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/northrop-and-lockheed-win-missile-defence-contracts-valued-at-up-to-7-6-billion/articleshow/81670254.cms

Addition: Not all won. Boeing’s Defense Unit Dealt Setback by Pentagon. Loss in missile-killer contest comes just as plane maker is relying more on military revenues. https://www.wsj.com/articles/boeings-defense-unit-dealt-setback-by-pentagon-11616675746

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F-35 deal could trigger arms race. The UAE hopes to finalise a deal to acquire 50 Lockheed Martin-made F-35 fighters ahead of the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence this year. https://www.arabianaerospace.aero/f-35-deal-could-trigger-arms-race.html

March 25

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Norway, Germany to buy 6 submarines from ThyssenKrupp https://malaymail.com/news/money/2021/03/24/norway-germany-to-buy-six-submarines-from-thyssenkrupp/1960539
TK krijgt Noors-Duitse order voor 6 onderzeeboten https://fd.nl/ondernemen/1378132/thyssenkrupp-krijgt-noors-duitse-mega-order-voor-zes-onderzeeers

Enighet om ubåtkontrakt https://regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/nyeubater/id2840758/

Agreement in German-Norwegian U212 Common Design project https://www.thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/press-detail-page/agreement-reached-in-german-norwegian-u212-common-design-u212cd-project-97392

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Question MEP Idoia Villanueva Ruiz
@IdoiaVR: Will the Vice-President / High Representative push for a joint arms embargo by the 27 on Saudi Arabia? https://europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2021-000680_EN.pdf

Answer Josep Borrell @EUHighRep on behalf of EC: buzz of words, but in the end a No. https://europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2021-000680-ASW_EN.pdf

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The United Nations Human Rights Council #UNHCR approved a resolution calling for an arms embargo against Israel that had the support of many of the European countries but received a nod of disapproval from Bahrain. https://www.jpost.com/international/unhrc-arms-embargo-call-against-israel-passes-with-eu-ok-bahrain-absence-662938

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UK Defence Minister Jeremy Quin has outlined how more than £2bn of investment in the #Tempest fighter programme will power the next phase to build a 2nd European (besides #FCAS) combat air system in a keynote speech at RUSI yesterday.
https://www.wired-gov.net/wg/news.nsf/articles/Defence+to+invest+2bn+in+next+stage+of+UK+combat+air+system+24032021162500

March 24

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Jordan makes new US defence agreement public. It was published on news site Ammon (https://en.ammonnews.net ). But where? Agreement stipulates that 'US forces may possess weapons and circulate with them on Jordanian territory while exercising their duties' https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/407501/World/Region/Jordan-makes-new-US-defence-agreement-public.aspx Not published Was it this one? https://www.ustranscom.mil/dtr/part-v/dtr_part_v_512.pdf+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=nl&client=firefox-a

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1/.. Ammunition & armaments are shipped from Hamburg to ports of countries delivered, in which, in the opinion of the questioner, armed internal conflicts persist (like Cartagena in Colombia) and to countries directly involved in the Yemen War (such as Jebel Ali in the UAE). ../2

Recently civil society started a campaign to make the Port of Hamburg a civilian port that does not contribute to the cause of war as a logistical hub. https://www.heise.de/tp/features/Ziviler-Hafen-Volksinitiative-in-Hamburg-will-Ruestungsexporte-verbieten-5995217.html

2. Ammunition is transported even to states with which Germany has no diplomatic relations (like Kaohsiung in Taiwan, http://daten.transparenz.hamburg.de/Dataport.HmbTG.ZS.Webservice.GetRessource100/GetRessource100.svc/a738bf8f-47be-49d4-b28e-76198fed4b4c/Upload__20210104_4._Quartal_Munition_2020.pdf). The transports were questioned by Die Linke, Martch 2020. https://dip21.bundestag.de/dip21/btd/19/276/1927684.pdf

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Interesting article on different looks on foreign and defence policy in Paris and Berlin. There is also something on the double standards in Germany when it comes to arms exports to defend its own military industry (exports to Israel, Egypt & Algeria). https://www.latribune.fr/opinions/armement-les-erreurs-allemandes-de-la-france-880193.html

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Free' frigate offer from France to Greece France offered to transfer 2 very old frigates in the French Navy to the Greek Navy for free, if Greece accepts its frigate program offer. https://www.haber7.com/dunya/haber/3080400-fransadan-yunanistana-ucretsiz-savas-gemisi-teklifi

Addition: The Dutch proposal plays a strong role in the preferences of the Greek Navy. Nl includes in their proposal 4 SIGMA 11515 and 2 Karel Doorman frigates as intermediate solution for Greece. US is also offering ships until the new ones are ready. [In Greek] https://newpost.gr/amyna/60599832114e2ed07fe1a937/neo-senario-gia-tis-fregates-toy-pn-amerikanikes-mmsc-erhontai-mehri-na-einai-etoimes-oi-ellinikes

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Will the UK Government cut its F-35 acquisitions, because of domestic production? When the model for Tempest was unveiled in 2018 at Farnborough, one of the biggest questions was how the UK government could afford it while also maintaining its F-35 buy. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/03/23/new-british-plan-looks-to-boost-f-35-numbers-but-is-it-still-aiming-for-138/

Addition: More on the most expensive weapon ever. F-35 aims to use agile software development practices to ensure the it can quickly receive fresh code to meet emerging threats, but production of new software is still lagging behind schedule. https://defensenews.com/air/2021/03/23/f-35-program-not-moving-quick-enough-to-get-software-out-on-time-congressional-watchdog-finds/

https://gao.gov/assets/gao-21-226.pdf

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The EPF "marks a disturbing change" in the EU's foreign policy, Oxfam, EPLO, Saferworld, Pax NL etc state. This "opens the door for the EU to finance lethal equipment such as machine guns, pistols and ammunition". https://saferworld.org.uk/resources/news-and-analysis/post/917-joint-statement-a5billion-european-apeacea-facility-risks-fuelling-conflict-and-human-rights-violations-around-the-world

Addition: Despite criticism the EU adopted the €5bn worth French-brokered European Peace Facility #EPF on March 22, which will open the door for the bloc to deliver military aid to partner countries and finance the deployment of its own military missions abroad.

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Damen Shipyards tugboats heading to Kenyan navy Africa Intelligence The Dutch firm Damen Shipyards is making the final preparations for its delivery of two tugboats to the Kenya Navy to boost its logistics capacity. https://www.africaintelligence.com/eastern-and-southern-africa_business/2021/03/24/damen-shipyards-tugboats-heading-to-kenyan-navy,109652644-bre

March 23

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UK Telegraph reports that Babcock, BAE and Thales are hoping to sell their aircraft carrier technology to South Korea. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/03/21/aircraft-carrier-tech-offered-south-korea-royal-navy-extends/

***
Retweet @arjenvanderziel: Kijk, #Uruzgan-veteraan Servie Hölzken vertelt in een documentaire, die vanavond op tv komt, hoe hij in 2007 in de #Chora-vallei huizen beschoot en mogelijk burgers doodde. Lees m'n eerdere stukken hierover: https://www.trouw.nl/binnenland/militair-servie-holzken-ging-volledig-over-de-schreef-in-uruzgan-het-moet-verteld-worden~b9cafa0c/

https://www.trouw.nl/buitenland/justitie-onderzoekt-of-nederlandse-militairen-burgers-hebben-gedood-in-uruzgan~b7dddb69/

#Defensie #Afghanistan

***

On 25th of March in Lannion (France) the local Amnesty group will carry out a "die in" in front of the town hall. Lying in the street, the demonstrators will challenge passers-by on the “necessary transparency of the French arms trade and its control”. https://www.letelegramme.fr/cotes-darmor/lannion/a-lannion-un-die-in-pour-un-commerce-des-armes-francaises-plus-transparent-jeudi-25-mars-18-03-2021-12721236.php

***
Contract to develop the SAMP/T NG for France & Italy signed at OCCAR premises in near Paris. Present: the French Air and Space Force staff, the Italian Army staff, OCCAR Director, French #DGA and Italian #SGD & backed by MBDA France, MBDA Italy and Thales. https://thalesgroup.com/en/group/journalist/press_release/european-cooperation-defense-occar-contracts-eurosam-sampt-ng

***
Fighter aircraft lobby mission to Switzerland. French Minister of Defence Florence Parly promised Swiss that it would have full control over its weapon systems, if it is to decide to buy Dassault's Rafale fighter & long range missile system Eurosam Samp/T https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/fil-dactualites/220321/contrats-d-armements-mme-parly-promet-la-pleine-souverainete-aux-suisses

***
Workers in Dutch civil military industry on strike. Workers employed and flex personnel of Damen Shiprepair, Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding, Fokker Elmo, and Fokker Techniek expected to join Forces between 9-11.00 hours in Flushing for better wages. https://www.ad.nl/zeeland/metaalarbeiders-staken-woensdag-in-vlissingen~a54565d5/

March 22

***
Two Saudi Arabian manufacturers have started co-producing a Turkish-made medium-altitude, long-endurance drone.

Intra Defense Technologies and Advanced Electronics Company will produce the Karayel-SU under license from the Vestel Savunma.

https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2021/03/22/two-saudi-companies-to-produce-turkish-drones/

***

Retweet with comment: Former Dutch Labour MP Angeline Eijsink becomes chairwomen of Dutch military industry lobby.

@NIDVnews: Met trots kunnen wij u mededelen dat @AngelienEijsink benoemd is tot voorzitter van de Stichting NIDV. Zij volgt Hans Hillen op per 1 oktober a.s. https://nidv.eu/nieuws/angelien-eijsink-benoemd-tot-voorzitter-nidv/

***
Opinion: What Next For European Military Aircraft? What about Germany? What about the Tempest or FCAS?
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/opinion-what-next-european-military-aircraft

***

Turkish military forces have now established 4 small bases near the town of Ain Issa in northern Syria. Move comes as clashes continue between Turkish-backed forces of the Islamist Syrian National Army and the Kurdish-led Syria Democratic Forces #SDF, which controls Ain Issa.

Retweeted
@FrankSlijper: https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/03/turkey-reinforces-military-posts-around-ain-issa-amid-clashes-kurdish-forces

***
A license to pressure an acquisition. The U.S. government has cleared the sale of five P-8A maritime patrol aircraft to Germany, but Berlin is nowhere near ready to make a decision on the $1.8 billion purchase. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/03/19/proposed-us-submarine-hunting-plane-prompts-hand-wringing-in-germany/

***
New commercial success for Thales! The company has been selected by the French Ministry of Interior to sell several hundred pre-registration border kiosks, equipped with a biometric entry and exit system to register non-European citizens passing. https://www.capital.fr/entreprises-marches/thales-selectionne-par-la-france-pour-le-controle-de-lespace-schengen-1397695

***
Airbus Joins Milipol Qatar 2021 to Showcase Solutions for Homeland Security and Civil DefenceAirbus Joins Milipol Qatar 2021 to Showcase Solutions for Homeland Security and Civil Defence. http://www.qatarprnetwork.com/PR.asp?PR=2879469

***
Israeli-Indian joint venture KRAS delivered 1st sections of India's medium-range surface-to-air missile #SAM made jointly by the Kalyani Group & Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The SAM is manufactured at the KRAS plant located near Hyderabad airport. https://www.defencestar.in/defence-industry/defence-company/rafael-kalya

***
Without much fanfare, Turkey has steadily spread its political, economic and even military foothold across Africa. Is Turkey's expanding African footprint also a proxy battleground for Erdoğan's Middle East and European rivalries? https://www.eurasiareview.com/21032021-making-turkey-great-again-analysis/

***
Drones, counter drones (C-UAS), deceiving C-UAS tech. The classical arms race.

Also the European Defence Agency #EDA has recommended the development of a European C-UAS capability to ensure better force protection.

No arms race, but human security.

https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/unmanned-combat-air-vehicles-primary-driver-for-global-c-uas-development-poll

March 21

***
Indian MoD inks contract with Bharat Dynamics for 5,000 Anti-Tank Guided Missiles. They can be deployed in Anti-Tank role for offensive and defensive roles and will be produced by #Bharat Dynamics Limited under license from #MBDA Missile Systems France.
http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Defence-Ministry-inks-contract-with-Bharat-Dynamics-Limited-for-nearly-5%2C000-Anti-Tank-Guided-Missiles&id=412295

***
Manifestation 27/03/21 in Chambéry organised by Amnesty International and Le Mouvement de la Paix-#Chambéry. They ask the French government to stop the sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia.

Manifestation contre la vente d'armes à l'Arabie Saoudite https://www.ledauphine.com/defense-guerre-conflit/2021/03/18/une-manifestation-le-27-mars-contre-la-vente-d-armes-a-l-arabie-saoudit

***
“European Peace Facility”: Will the EU soon, for the first time be delivering weapons to third countries?

Green MEP @HNeumannMEP warns: "We have seen it before that rules on arms exports are often ignored." https://www.rnd.de/politik/eu-bald-waffenlieferungen-an-drittstaaten-grune-fordern-kontrollmoglichkeit-ENWEM2OAOVEI5NCA55QRQK4EQI.html

***
Israel's Armenian community urges government to stop arms sales to Azerbaijan
https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1046391.html

Addition: See also: Did Azerbaijan’s use of Israeli weapons make the war worse or better?

Answer: The full reports from the conflict last year remain to be published, illustrating how efficient the weapons were and whether civilian casualties were avoided. https://www.jpost.com/international/did-azerbaijans-use-of-israeli-weapons-make-the-war-worse-or-better-662442

Addition: Israel said to have accounted for 69% of Azerbaijan's arms imports in 2020. https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/48964 Based on SIPRI report https://sipri.org/media/press-release/2021/international-arms-transfers-level-after-years-sharp-growth-middle-eastern-arms-imports-grow-most

***
Iranian Press TV: Sweden's arms manufacturer Saab opened an office in Abu Dhabi in 2017, in fact Saab, which has supplied military equipment to the Saudi led coalition, is complicit in the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/03/18/647608/Sweden-nowhere-near-paradise-for-human-rights

***
For who still missed it:

Canadian drone tech used in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Internal government documents revealed that the Trudeau government exported drone optics to #Turkey, which were in turn used by Azerbaijan in its 2020 war with Armenia.

https://www.jpost.com/international/canadian-drone-tech-used-in-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-662553

***
Turkish president Erdogan revealed on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia, struggling in its war in Yemen, was looking to buy combat drones from Turkey despite an ongoing rivalry between the two powers for influence in the Middle East.
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210319-after-big-wins-interest-in-turkish-combat-drones-soars

***
SA's state arms export industry stained by blood of Yemeni civilians

Body authorising munition sales ignores our possible complicity in war crimes (Pay Wall) https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/opinion-and-analysis/2021-03-21-sas-state-arms-export-industry-stained-by-blood-of-yemeni-civilians/

Research of Open Secrets is public: https://www.opensecrets.org.za/yemen/

***
EU foreign policy chief Borrell had a problem. It was hard to convince policy makers the ships involved in controlling the Libyan arms embargo (Irini) would not have a pull effect on refugees.

"Irini has not been involved in migrants issues," he said.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/migration-is-an-important-issue-for-all-europe-borrell/2182143

Addition: IRINI has done a good job, foreign fighters must leave Libya, the EU happy to send ceasefire monitors if the UN requests it: EU’s Josep Borrel https://www.libyaherald.com/2021/03/20/irini-has-done-a-good-job-foreign-fighters-must-leave-libya-the-eu-happy-to-send-ceasefire-monitors-if-the-un-requests-it-eus-josep-borrel/

Addition: Borrell: EU should support Turkey for hosting over 4 mln refugees. https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/eu-should-support-turkey-for-hosting-over-4-mln-refugees-borrell-163259 As if he wanted to underline a statement made by HRW: We are concerned that over the past year, the human rights situation in Turkey appeared to be largely absent... https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/03/18/joint-letter-hrvp-borrell-eu-turkey-relations

***
European cooperation in military production: OCCAR contracts Eurosam for for France and Italy to the Franco-Italian consortium eurosam; backed by its three shareholders MBDA France, MBDA Italy and Thales.
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/group/journalist/press_release/european-cooperation-defense-occar-contracts-eurosam-sampt-ng

***
Romania based Damen Shipyards has secured a contract from the Romanian Border Police for two maritime patrol and intervention boats, value € 26.5 million. The acquisition provides increased operative intervention capacities. https://www.politiadefrontiera.ro/en/main/i-two-vessels-will-be-purchased-by-the-romanian-border-police-7626.html

March 20

***
Thales Completes HMS Dauntless S1850M Long Range Radar Overhaul. Picture of the radar at Thales Nederland factory (
https://g7a6v6x7.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Thales-completes-HMS-Dauntless-S1850M-Long-Range-Radar-overhaul_003-1024x737.jpg Thales Nederland picture). https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/03/thales-completes-hms-dauntless-s1850m-long-range-radar-overhaul/

***
Dutch shipbuilder Damen is proposing a new design for the Greek navy frigate requirement. The brand-new SIGMA 11515 Frigates are part of a wider package offer by Damen in partnership with Thales Nederland, with support of the government of The Netherlands. https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/03/damen-details-dutch-frigates-proposal-for-hellenic-navy/

***
A critical review on Queen Elisabeth's Indo-pacific deployment. CSG-21 sets sail in May. Will London underline its imperial past? Is it making the position of smaller states to co-exist with China in the region harder? Ben Ho and Wendy He ask questions. https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2021/march/hms-queen-elizabeths-indo-pacific-deployment

***
Imagine any other field (except construction of public buildings) where this would be accepted.

Estimated development costs for the F-35′s modernization program increased by $1.9B in a year.

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/03/18/development-costs-for-the-f-35s-modernization-program-increased-by-19b-in-a-year/

***

Mannenbolwerk geslecht,
meldt de Defensiekrant (geïllustreerd met een foto uit begin 2017). Het is maar wat je wilt zien.

Dit zijn de Europese bevelhebbers der strijdkrachten in 2019. https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2021/10/02_vrouwelijke-ministers_10

***
F-35 saga continues, AW&ST (pay wall). Title (The Lockheed Martin F-35A is in trouble again.), the photo caption (engine issues) and the start of the text (looking for alternatives) are not really an advertisement for the most expensive weapon system ever. https://aviationweek.com/forum/aerospace-defense/f-35a-caught-acquisition-dogfight-within-us-air-force

***
To be remembered when the weapon is sold to regions with internal tension. The Italian Navy is replacing its Teseo or OTOMAT Mk2/A anti-ship missile with a new design designated as Teseo Mk2/E. This new missile is also capable of attacking land targets... https://www.mbda-systems.com/press-releases/mbda-to-supply-new-teseo-mk2-e-anti-ship-system-to-italian-navy/

***
Nigerian Army’s CoS General Attahiru has warned China’s leading defence equipment manufacturer Norinco that it could be sanctioned & excluded from future military contracts after several recently delivered armoured combat vehicles suffered tech problems. https://www.africanmilitaryblog.com/2021/03/norinco-under-fire-for-supplying-inferior-armoured-vehicles-to-nigeria

***
French Company ARQUUS announced it will deliver 300 latest generations of VLRA (Liaison, Reconnaissance and Support Vehicle), also called VLRA 2, 4x4 all-terrain multirole tactical to the Moroccan armed forces illegally occupying the Western Sahara. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_march_2021_global_security_army_industry/arquus_from_france_to_deliver_300_vlra_4x4_light_tactical_vehicles_to_morocco.html

March 19

***
As noted by The Tamil Guardian the leader of the UK Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey said during debate on 'UK commitments to reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka' that: "It is preposterous that arms exports are still not banned."
https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/british-parliament-debates-uk-commitments-reconciliation-accountability-and-human-rights-sri

***
The F-35 still has its defenders. The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith, is referred to the program as a “rathole” & news reports attacked the aircraft. However here's an other conclusion: The F-35 is an operational success.
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2021/03/18/f-35-in-the-crosshairs-despite-criticism-america-needs-the-fighter-jet/

***
#Airbus executives said they see no viable “Plan B” for the embattled Future Combat Air System #FCAS, as Eric Trappier, the CEO of fellow prime contractor Dassault, suggested earlier this month.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/03/17/airbus-execs-tell-french-lawmakers-they-have-no-plan-b-for-fcas/

***
Can European arms companies be held liable for war crimes in Yemen?

An Italian case raises a question rarely tested in courts: can arms companies be liable for crimes committed in war, regardless of whether they received state export authorisation? https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2021/3/18/how-european-arms-companies-are-aiding-yemens-war-crimes

***
Will Biden Curb Trump-Era Surge In Arms Sales?

US arms exports grew 15 percent, to more than a third of the global market, driven largely by a surge in Mideastern buying – but Biden is reviewing major sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.https://breakingdefense.com/2021/03/will-biden-curb-trump-era-surge-in-arms-sales/

March 18

***
The chairman of the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) says the aerospace company will be switching to Ukraine for the supply of engines for its T-929 attack helicopter.
https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/turkey-to-use-ukrainian-engine-in-its-heavy-class-attack-helicopters

***
Comment at retweet: On how Dutch technology is used for Bell V-280 Valor tiltrotor. This is one of the first military aircraft flying with thermoplastic technology on board. The environment friendly war.

Retweet @GKNAero: For #GlobalRecyclingDay and #TBT, we are featuring the successful flight testing of our thermoplastic ruddervators and recycled thermoplastic access panels on the @BellFlight V-280 Valor. Read more here: https://www.gknaerospace.com/en/newsroom/news-releases/2020/gkn-aerospaces-thermoplastic-components-flight-tested-on-bell-v-280-valor/ #BellV280 #FVL #MakingThingsFly

***
10 years ago, on March 14, 2011, Saudi-led intervention began in Bahrain at the request of its government. Three days after Saudi and Emirati forces crossed the border, all seven Bahraini opposition groups signed a declaration condemning the intervention..
https://english.almanar.com.lb/1295747

***
Years into its fight with Boko Haram, Nigeria is getting some new weapons: a pair of Wing Loong II drones from China. The deal is one of a growing number of sales by state-owned Aviation Industry Corp. But isn't the biggest global arms trader. Guess who?
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-17/china-s-combat-drones-push-could-spark-a-global-arms-race

***
Why India Needs Israel & South Korea As ‘Role Models’ If Delhi Aims To Become A Defense Super-Power.
https://eurasiantimes.com/india-russia-continue-to-hold-2nd-largest-importer-exporter-ranks/ Article mentions United States only once (1st arms exporter), but US support was crucial for both to develop their own military industry.

Addition: How India changed preference for arms suppliers in 50 years

India's arms suppliers are changing from traditional arms partners like Russia, towards new markets such as South Korea, Brazil and South Africa. A report by India Today's DIU team. https://www.indiatoday.in/diu/story/how-india-changed-preference-for-arms-suppliers-in-50-years-1780458-2021-03-17

***
Psst THE NETHERLANDS – AH-64 PILOT TRAINING & LOGISTICS SUPPORT. Total overall estimated value is $190 million. https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/netherlands-ah-64-pilot-training-and-logistics-support THE NETHERLANDS – CH-47 PILOT TRAINING AND LOGISTICS SUPPORT. Estimated cost of $125 million. https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/netherlands-ch-47-pilot-training-and-logistics-support Both to be spent in the US

March 17

***
World has more border walls than ever. Trend would even be “the walling of the world”, according to Damien Simonneau, researcher at Collège de France and author of L'Obsession du mur. @TNI @CTWnl (Dutch not German) @CentreDelas From 6 in 1989 to 63 today.
https://www.rfi.fr/fr/technologies/20210316-les-murs-frontaliers-se-multiplient-%C3%A0-travers-le-monde

***
The UK Government's Integrated Review of Security talks of conflict resolution, yet there is nothing about updating our arms export regime, and in particular suspending arms sales to Saudi Arabia, noted Keir Starmer of the Labour Party yesterday.
https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-03-16/debates/52D67D49-A516-4598-AC69-68E8938731D9/IntegratedReview#contribution-0598BF1E-A088-46C2-B397-C2E8E29B6E49

***

Retweet @AnnQuann: "Welcome to the family"
Shots from various angles of Damen RoRo 5612 No. 529 in its launching ceremony. The ship is ordered by Vietnam People Navy and it could be used in a wide range of roles from logistics to troop transport.

***
France's foreign minister said on Tuesday that the European Union would next week approve sanctions against the business interests of those responsible for last month's military coup in Myanmar. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-eu/eu-to-sanction-myanmar-militarys-business-interests-next-week-france-says-idUSKBN2B82NV

***
Retweet: @JMJalel_H: The 2021 UN Panel of Experts on #Libya report is now public. Link below 548 pages https://undocs.org/Home/Mobile?FinalSymbol=S%2F2021%2F229&Language=E&DeviceType=Mobile

***
The arms embargo imposed on Libya is "totally ineffective," say UN experts in a stark report which underscores "extensive, blatant" violations by actors including its own member states. UAe, Jordan, Russia, Syria,Egypt, Turkey and Qatar all singled out. https://www.aaj.tv/news/30255047/

***
Civil military company Thales helps Microsoft customers protect their sensitive data in the cloud
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/thales-helps-microsoft-customers-protect-090000202.html

Civiel militair bedrijf Thales helpt Microsoft-klanten bij het beschermen van gevoelige gegevens in de cloud https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210316005093/nl/#:~:text=cloud%20%7C%20Business%20Wire-,Thales%20helpt%20Microsoft%2Dklanten%20bij%20het%20beschermen%20van%20gevoelige%20gegevens,controle%20over%20hun%20encryptiesleutels%20behouden.

***
Lockheed Martin Space won a $558.8m contract modification external link for Trident II (D5) missile production and deployed systems support. The UGM-133A Trident II, or Trident D5 is a submarine-launched ballistic missile SLBM with a thermonuclear warhead. https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2536304/

***
Israel's three defense giants, Elbit Systems, IAI and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, lead world in arms industry. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/israel-and-middle-east-lead-arms-deals-662145

***
Staff at Lancaster University have launched a petition aimed at shining a light on the links between universities and the arms industry, and putting pressure on Lancaster University and the University of Cumbria to break their ties with BAE Systems https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/people/lancaster-universities-urged-to-break-ties-with-arms-industry-3167978

March 16

***
US-Taiwan relations: Biden administration gives green light to exports of key submarine technology

The island’s plans to build its own submarine fleet receive a boost after sales of the sensitive equipment are approved by Washington https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3125640/us-taiwan-relations-biden-administration-gives-green-light

***
Hypersonic and directed-energy weapons: Who has them, and who’s winning the race in the Asia-Pacific? Several countries in the Asia-Pacifi c region are caught in a race for global hypersonic and directed-energy weapons. https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2021/03/15/hypersonic-and-directed-energy-weapons-who-has-them-and-whos-winning-the-race-in-the-asia-pacific/

***
Chaos, cash and COVID-19: How the defense industry survived — and thrived — during the pandemic https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2021/03/15/chaos-cash-and-covid-19-how-the-defense-industry-survived-and-thrived-during-the-pandemic/

***
Damen Shipyards Roemenië wil fors investeren in modernisering van de scheepswerf die het scheepsbouw-concern sinds 2018 samen met de Roemeense staat exploiteert in Mangalia. De staatsbank CEC leent het bedrijf daarvoor 12,3 miljoen euro.
https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2021/03/15/miljoenenlening-voor-damen-mangalia-in-roemenie/

***
Israel Elbit Systems and South Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) are to co-operate in the field of unmanned airborne intelligence, surveillance, targeting and reconnaissance (ISTAR). A MoU was signed on March 15.
https://elbitsystems.com/pr-new/korea-aerospace-industries-and-elbit-systems-to-cooperate-on-next-gen-uas-solution-for-istar-missions/

***
Lease weaponry. The German Air Force has delivered a replacement Heron drone from Israel to Afghanistan to replace one that was forced to make a controlled landing on March 5. Germany leases two Heron drones from Israel for its mission in Afghanistan.
https://www.flugrevue.de/militaer/a400m-der-luftwaffe-holt-uav-in-israel-ab-ersatz-heron-1-fuer-afghanistan/

***
Openheid nu! In 2007 viel bij de Slag om Chora 1 Nederlandse dode. Aan Afghaanse kant werden +- 250 mensen gedood. 't Nederlandse Ministerie v Defensie houdt het op 50-80 dode burgers, maar hoeveel van hen werden gedood door Nederlands vuur is onduidelijk.
https://www.trouw.nl/buitenland/afghanen-eisen-logboeken-op-van-nederlandse-f-16-s-jullie-kwamen-helpen-maar-hebben-ons-verwoest~b6bca916/

***
Kernenergie is niet vredig
Kernenergie is niet groen

Kernenergie is niet duurzaam
Kernenergie is niet schoon
Kernenergie heeft tal van problemen

en tot slot is het ook nog duur en langzaam, terwijl de klimaatcrisis snel ingrijpen vereist. https://www.kernenergiealarm.nl/

***
Israel breidt nucleaire capaciteit uit blijkt uit foto's. Terwijl alleen al verdenking van een nucleaire politiek elders in het Midden-Oosten reden is voor oorlog en/of sancties kan Israel dit blijkbaar ongestraft doen. De Rights Forum noemt dit hypocriet.
https://rightsforum.org/nieuws/hypocrisie-rond-israels-nucleaire-programma/

***
In Europe Tatra is mainly known because of its steel production (closures) but in India Tatra Defense Vehicle unveils first Titus Command and Control vehicle.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_march_2021_global_security_army_industry/tatra_defense_vehicle_unveils_first_titus_command_and_control_vehicle.html

***
Canadian Government withheld documents on Turkish lobbying for arms export permit

Files show PCO did not expect media coverage of lobbying efforts and provided more heavily redacted documents to Parliament than to the press. https://ricochet.media/en/3545/government-withheld-documents-on-turkish-lobbying-for-arms-export-permit

***
Pakistan extends delayed T129 helo deal with Turkey — again

A diplomatic row between the United States and Turkey is continuing to jeopardize a planned procurement by Pakistan. US refuses Ankara export licenses for Karachi. https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2021/03/15/pakistan-extends-delayed-t129-helo-deal-with-turkey-again/

March 15

***
After the banks. Now we have: The Fighter Jet That's Too Pricey to Fail.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/12/opinion/f-35-fighter-jet-cost.html

***
Turkey hired law firm Arnold & Porter for F-35 program in Feb. Despite Turkey's removal from F-35 & sanctions imposed on Turkey's military industry in December, the Pentagon has said it'll continue to depend on Turkish contractors for key F-35 components.
https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/turkey-hiring-law-firm-for-f-35-program-also-benefits-us-firms

***
Airbus is taking part in the 13th edition of Milipol Qatar for the very first time to showcase its mission-critical collaboration and communication solutions.
http://www.gulfindustryonline.com/stories/source/?url=IND_379947.html

***
Media planner already mentions the DSEi Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition, the world's largest military and security exhibition, September 15-17.

"The event usually attracts protests outside by campaigners against military arms sales" http://www.dsei.co.uk/

***
Franco-German cooperation in defense is crippled. Dassault has shone the spotlight on the blockages in the negotiations on the #FCAS, but an other major Franco-German coop program launched in 2017, the combat tank of the future, is just as difficult. https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/char-franco-allemand-les-negociations-prennent-du-retard-1298036

***
In the last 5 years, data provided should that +/- 30% of the weapons smuggled into Mexico come from 6 European countries. Between 2014-19, authorities seized more than 5,600 from Spain and 4,200 from Italy at the US-Mexico border. More info in article. http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2021/03/the-european-union-and-necessary-fight.html

***
For the first time since 2001–2005, the volume of deliveries of major arms between countries did not increase between 2011–15 and 2016–20. However, international arms transfers remain close to the highest level since the end of the cold war. https://sipri.org/media/press-release/2021/international-arms-transfers-level-after-years-sharp-growth-middle-eastern-arms-imports-grow-most

More than a third of the global arms sold worldwide during the past five years originated in the United States, underscoring its role as the world’s top weapons seller, a Swedish-based research institute said on Monday. https://www.dpa-international.com/topic/report-us-world-top-arms-supplier-saudi-arabia-top-importer-urn%3Anewsml%3Adpa.com%3A20090101%3A210315-99-823616

The Netherlands is 11th in the table with the largest exporters of major arms and their main recipients, 2016–20. Main recipients (share of exporter’s total exports, %): Indonesia (17) USA (15) Mexico (10). https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/fs_2103_at_2020.pdf

Germany remains the fourth largest arms exporter. In the period from 2016 to 2020, Germany exported 21% more armaments than in the previous 5-year period. https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article228260015/Sipri-Bericht-Corona-legt-selbst-den-Waffenhandel-lahm.html

Exports of weapons of war by Western & European democracies - who pride themselves on their adherence to international norms and commitments to peace - surged over the last 5 years even as sales by the authoritarian nations they frequently decry plunged. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/arms-weapons-sales-western-military-b1817559.html

March 14

***
P-72 is the Turkish Navy version of the ATR 72ASW, a highly effective, middle-size, anti-submarine aircraft. The plane is build with Leonardo as main contractors with the intense participation of Turkish industry.

Against Greek submarines? https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2021/march/9810-second-p-72-maritime-patrol-aircraft-delivery-to-turkey-has-been-made.html

***
Over 30 major French companies will attend Milipol Qatar 2021 in Doha from March 15 to 17 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. The trade fair specializes in for Homeland Security and Civil Defence. https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/13/03/2021/Over-30-major-French-companies-to-attend-Milipol-Qatar-2021


***
Naval shipbuilding in Northern Germany summarised. "Around 300 employees there have also built patrol boats for Saudi Arabia in recent years. When these arms exports were stopped, ten finished boats found Egypt as a new buyer in 2020. (...)" https://www.abendblatt.de/region/article231778427/Hintergrund-Die-grossen-Werften-in-Norddeutschland.html

***
Congress could prove to be a wild card: It will weigh the same issues as the White House, but historically it has shown more appetite for restricting arms sales to Saudi Arabia. https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/03/12/congress-may-have-act-punish-saudi-arabia/

***
State Department spokesperson Price said on US arms sales, according to Egypt Independent, US was reviewing sensitive arms deals with Egypt, to make sure that they're in line with its interests & values. https://egyptindependent.com/us-voices-concerns-about-human-rights-situation-in-egypt/ It was somewhat more vague. https://www.state.gov/briefings/department-press-briefing-march-11-2021/

March 13

***
Shenstone: The English village caught in anti-Israel rooftop protests

Locals of the Staffordshire village are divided over the presence of UAV factory owned by an Israeli company accused of war crimes against the Palestinians

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-palestine-uk-shenstone-village-protests

***
Within the span of a few decades, the United States has utterly transformed its military, or at least the military that is actively fighting. This has taken place with little fanfare and little public scrutiny. American Special Ops Forces Are Everywhere. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/04/how-special-ops-became-the-solution-to-everything/618080/

For those less familiar with Special Operation Forces, Dutch military magazine, the Military Spectator published in its latest issue, an introduction to #SOF-forces, tactics and operations and their rol in "diplomatic sensitive environments". https://militairespectator.nl/thema/geschiedenis-operaties/artikel/special-operations-forces-explained

***
Het Nederlandse Photonis heeft een groot contract gekregen van de NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) om nachtkijkers te upgraden met 4G-beeldversterkers voor een NAVO-land in Europa. https://www.nidv.eu/nieuws/photonis-wint-grote-opdracht-van-de-nspa/

***
France’s Arquus unveils Scarabée, a hybrid armored vehicle that moves like a crab. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/03/11/frances-arquus-unveils-scarabee-a-hybrid-armored-vehicle-that-moves-like-crab/ The vehilce may be armed e.g. with an 30×113 mm cannon https://www.edrmagazine.eu/first-public-appearance-for-arquus-scarabee-hybrid-recce-vehicle

***
Nice result of a peace agreement. Emirati defense conglomerate Edge plans to develop counter-drone systems with Israel Aerospace Industries, marking the first defense collaboration of its kind between the two countries. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2021/03/11/uae-and-israeli-firms-to-collaborate-on-counter-drone-system/

***
For once good arms trade news from Seoul. South Korea will suspend defence exchanges with Myanmar and ban arms exports to the country after a military coup and violent suppression of pro-democracy protests, the foreign ministry said on Friday. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-myanmar-idUSKBN2B40M8

Addition: Burma Campaign UK today welcomed an announcement by South Korea that it is imposing an embargo on military supplies to Burma.

The announcement means that 42 countries now have arms embargoes against Burma, leaving 150 UN member countries which do not. https://burmacampaign.org.uk/burma-campaign-uk-welcomes-korean-arms-embargo-on-burma/

***
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has signed two contracts with the Pentagon worth $159m. The American aerospace manufacturer will be launching a special spacecraft for the US military by the fourth quarter of FY2023 as per a statement released by the DoD. https://yourstory.com/2021/03/elon-musk-spacex-wins-defence-contracts-us-pentagon

***
Retweet @FrankSlijper: Turkey aims to transform its helicopter dock Anadolu into carrier ship for attack drones. https://www.defensenews.com/global/2021/03/11/turkey-plans-to-deploy-attack-drones-from-its-amphibious-assault-ship/

***
Retweet @KelGallagh: From today's federal dump of docs related to WESCAM/Turkey: In May 2020, Champagne approved the export of WESCAM sensors to Turkey, explicitly to be used in N. Syria - even though Turkey's Oct 2019 invasion of N Syria was the original cause for pausing Cdn arms exports #cdnpoli

Including many other things, interesting to note what other Cdn arms manufacturers recently had exports to Turkey approved. Some aren't surprising (CAE trainers, GD display units, etc); others are, such as ELCAN rifle scopes and MDA parts for Turkish satellites

***
Documents released to Parliament show how Canadian-made military gear ended up in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict show that an arms embargo was circumvented after assurances from


Ankara that it would only be used to protect civilians under attack in Syria. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-turkey-pressed-canada-to-approve-export-of-air-strike-gear-later-used/



March 12

Retweet @FuckMAL: MAL#MyanmarCoup used rubber bullet made in #Italy . #Italy should cut tie of supporting weapon to #MyanmarCoup . JUNTA BESIEGING #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #Mar10Coup #Myanmar #OpCCP #CrimesAgainstHumanity #HumanRightsViolations #MilkTeaAlliance #HearTheVoiceOfMyanmar https://twitter.com/kyawwin78/status/1369625671828389888

***
Retweet @keesamok: Via de European Peace Facility (de groeten van George Orwell!) kan de EU nu ook zelf wapens gaan leveren aan krisisgebieden - 5,7 miljard euro tot 2027, Europese Raad beslist 22 maart - Geen kontrole door EU-parlement https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/monitor/eu-waffenexporte-101.html

***
Press release: Parliamentary oversight of arms exports having an impact. Report on arms export control in Western Europe published. It mostly targets France for it lax arms export control. But it is also an outside look at the Dutch arms export policy.

https://www.rosalux.eu/kontext/controllers/document.php/735.d/8/4655a2.pdf

***
US want to torpedo Dutch ASML sales to China. Denying China access to ASML's EUV scanners isn't enough, says a group of experts advising the US government. Immersion lithography equipment should be subject to export controls as well. https://bits-chips.nl/artikel/us-report-recommends-sinking-more-asml-exports-to-china/

March 11

***
Retweet @ElluinA“Enhancing parliamentary oversight of arms export: A Contribution to European Defence” , summary of an MPs report about the arms control export regime in France https://www2.assemblee-nationale.fr/static/15/commissions/CAffEtran/PDF/Summary_of_the_report.PDF @controlarms @saferworld @grip_org @StimsonCenter @PAXforpeace @ParlForumSalw @SmallArmsSurvey

***
#Milipol #Qatar is the international event for homeland security and civil defence in the Middle East. The 13th edition will be held from 15 to 17 March 2021 in Doha. Who have a stand in the Middle Eastern nation? See the list with exhibitors.
https://www.milipolqatar.com/Milipol-Qatar-Catalogue/exhibitors

***
Switzerland exported weapons over 900 million francs in 2020. This is the highest value since the start of statistics in 1983.
https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/exportations-darmes-suisses-montent-un-niveau-historique

***
At least 14 foreign firms from seven nations have supplied fighter jets, armored combat vehicles, warships, missiles and missile launchers to Myanmar since 2016, the UN Fact Finding Mission final report released in 2019 (
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/MyanmarFFM/Pages/Index.aspx) noted. https://www.bloombergquint.com/gadfly/myanmar-needs-un-security-council-to-sanction-military-protect-protesters

***
Unadvertising Chinese weapons. The China- Pakistan joint venture JF-17 program is an example of the state of affairs of Chinese military hardware. It is riddled with problems ranging from its RD-93 engine, to refuelling and the weapon systems.
https://www.eureporter.co/world/bangladesh/2021/03/09/bangladesh-faces-serious-problems-with-chinese-supplied-military-hardware/

***
State-owned arms manufacturer Denel has come under fire from Members of Parliament for supplying deadly weapons to what has been labelled an “unjust war” in Yemen.
https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/mps-flay-denel-for-supplying-weapons-in-yemen-conflict/ar-BB1erToq

***
Calming the waters? No.

Stresses need for ‘high-level strategic deterrence’ and more tech innovation

Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks follow defence minister’s call for PLA to be battle ready amid ‘high-risk phase.’ https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3124733/xi-jinping-tells-chinas-military-be-prepared-respond-unstable

***
Article on Dutch workshop (at industrial level) for servicing SALW in the Dutch armed forces: Servicecentrum Kleinkaliber Wapen #KKW In Den Helder. It repairs, adapts & overhauls for over 40 years. German army considers to sent G-36 for overhaul to KKW.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/allehens/2021/03/05_dmi-onderhoud-kkw

***
Stop Wapenhandel heeft in kaart gebracht wat politieke partijen doen op het gebied van wapenhandel, wapenexporten en de wapenindustrie.

Voor een uitgebreid overzicht zie: https://stopwapenhandel.org/verkiezingen2021

***
A PETITION opposing UK's BAE Systems' involvement in the new university campus in Barrow has been put forward. It is questioning whether BAE Systems is a suitable fit for this collaboration due to its involvement with arms deals with Saudi Arabia.
https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/19151200.petition-opposing-bae-systems-involvement-new-university-campus-barrow-started/

***
The Bangladesh government spent more than $330,000 on phone-hacking equipment made by an Israeli company, according to documents obtained by Al-Jazeera’s Investigative Unit (I-Unit) and Israeli newspaper Haaretz. https://www.dailysabah.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladesh-buys-phone-hacking-tools-from-israel-despite-palestine-row

Addition: Israeli Cellebrite Sold Spy-tech to Bangladesh ‘Death Squad’

The Rapid Action Battalion is accused of extrajudicial killings and torture of hundreds of civilians. Documents show they purchased Cellebrite’s phone-hacking tech and received training https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/tech-news/.premium.HIGHLIGHT-israeli-cellebrite-sold-spy-tech-to-bangladesh-death-squad-1.9603377

March 10

***
The UN SC failed to agree to condemn the coup in Myanmar. China, Russia, India and Vietnam all suggested amendments late on Tuesday to a British draft, diplomats said, including removal of the reference to a coup and the threat to consider further action.
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/world/china-russia-stop-un-security-council-move-to-condemn-myanmar-coup-1615350622

***
French Rafale Performs First Operational Flight With Live Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-To-Air Missiles
https://theaviationist.com/2021/03/09/french-rafale-performs-first-operational-flight-with-live-meteor-beyond-visual-range-air-to-air-missiles/

***
Two pleas on US policy connected to arms trade:

It is necessary to increase congressional powers surrounding major arms sales. https://www.jhunewsletter.com/article/2021/03/ending-u-s-offensive-military-support-to-saudi-arabia-was-the-right-decision-but-must-go-further

Why a Senate HR Commission is needed. It could be eg part of a policy to rein in the US global arms trade https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/foreign-policy/542440-brave-new-world-why-we-need-a-senate-human-rights

March 9

***
Italian ammunition, made by Italian firm Cheddite Italy S.r.l., used in Myanmar police assault on ambulance raises questions. Article by Dr. Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/italian-ammunition-used-myanmar-police-assault-ambulance-raises-questions.html

***
US Foreign Military Sale to Jordan for an F-16 Air Combat Training Center at $51.2 million. https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2021-04123.pdf?1614347140

***
The European Union is preparing to widen its sanctions on Myanmar's armed forces to target businesses they run, in protest at the Feb. 1 military coup, according to diplomats and two internal documents. The measures could be agreed on March 22. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-eu-idUSKBN2B01D1

***
Announced by Brazilian President Bolsonaro, the acquisition of 2 Airbus A330's for the Air Force was blocked by the MoEconomy. The intention was to use financial resources recovered from previous cases of corruption to buy widebodies in the foreign market.
https://www.airway1.com/brazilian-air-force-without-funds-to-purchase-two-airbus-a330s/

***
Seoul enables expansive Ankara to strengthen its muscles. Turkish armored vehicle-maker BMC has reached an agreement with two South Korean companies for work on the power pack of the future indigenous Altay tank, a senior official with BMC told. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2021/03/08/at-long-last-turkeys-altay-tank-finds-an-engine-from-south-korea/

March 8

***
Korean and Israeli firms eye partnership to arm helicopter with kamikaze drones. KAI and IAI have signed a MoU that aims to pair helicopters with loitering munitions and offer the drones to the South Korean military.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2021/03/05/korean-and-israeli-firms-eye-partnership-to-arm-helicopter-with-kamikaze-drones/

***
Why EU-members buy this product? US House Armed Services Committee chairman railed at expensive F-35 on Friday, saying he wants to “stop throwing money down that particular rathole,” ― just days after the Air Force said it too is looking at other options.
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2021/03/05/ripping-f-35-costs-house-armed-services-chairman-looking-to-cut-our-losses/

***
Plannen om toezicht op AIVD & MIVD te beperken - waaraan 't demissionnaire kabinet werkt, zullen privacy van burgers schaden. "Zonder toezicht & kaders waarbinnen bulkdata binnengeharkt mag worden opereren inlichtingendiensten als in een surveillancestaat."
https://www.villamedia.nl/artikel/toezichthouders-inlichtingendiensten-vrezen-voor-verzwakking-van-hun-rol

***
Spirited young women who want to act against French arms sales. Covid did not stop them.
https://www.lanouvellerepublique.fr/tours/ces-jeunes-femmes-qui-militent-et-qui-agissent

***
Not surprisingly, more than 80% of Germans oppose arms sales to countries involved in the Yemen war, according to a study by Greenpeace.

Cited in Die Welt March 8, 2021 by Amrit Siggh of the Open

Society Justice Initiative, which sued the US government to for the release docu..

***
Seattle's surveillance contractor (Oregon-based FLIR Systems) has history of illegal sales, bribery, worrying privacy advocates. In April 2018 FLIR agreed to pay $30 million in fines to settle 347 violations of the Arms Export Control Act and ITAR. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/times-watchdog/seattles-surveillance-contractor-has-history-of-illegal-sales-bribery-worrying-privacy-advocates/

***
Australia ends defense cooperation with Myanmar over coup. https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-australia-myanmar-economic-policy-2449dbf4d0948ecc9774837d6e211860

***
The committee representing Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) legislators is also calling for robust, targeted sanctions and an arms embargo against the junta in a letter dated March 4 to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/myanmar-security-forces-use-stun-grenades-tear-gas-against-protesters

***
The MIC seems to celebrate a day4change, but not to celebrate the War Machine.

So let me what I don't normally don't do: post some music. Leena Conquest sings: "Stop drop these bombs on me. … why you do not drop some food … drop your guns” https://youtu.be/6AQQyUQ0jNo?t=1024

***
Airbus and Dassault have only a few days left to agree on the new phase of the project. The future aviation combat system risks collapsing, while Germany, France and Spain all want to have slice of the project and can't agree. https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/avion-du-futur-dassault-et-airbus-cherchent-le-compromis-1295976

***
Comment at retweet: Think Clara Zetkin and her sisters creating Women's Day in 1910 on the still unseen brink of the first World War would be much more pleased by those visions on the Women's Day as the view held by NATO.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=qMHf2Iazdqc

https://youtu.be/2rXpp10uS7I

Retweet @NATO: ❝As a women at that time, your role tended to get reduced. You would get a sympathetic eye, but not more than that❞ #IWD2021#InternationalWomensDay This is Visare's story. https://youtu.be/3l0B0D6iEBY

***
Comment at retweet: International women's day was established in 1910 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Women%27s_Day) to improve the rights of women. Here is is used by a producer of components of war machinery (Reaper, F-35), dropping bombs and firing missiles on other people included women. https://progressive.org/dispatches/trump-biden-bombing-wars-benjamin-davies-210305/

Retweet: @GKNAero #HappyInternationalWomensDay! Today we recognize and celebrate the fantastic work of all the women at GKN Aerospace and beyond. Watch this video : https://youtu.be/m7IIFDZwpBk #MakingThingsFly​! #IWD2021#ChoosetoChallenge #EachforEqual

***
The largest arms acquisition in Finnish history is moving towards an end. An overview of ins and outs (https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000007844019.html) automatically translated from Finnish: https://www.tellerreport.com/news/2021-03-07-%0A---the-largest-arms-trade-in-finnish-history-is-moving-towards-a-solution---here-are-the-latest-twists-and-turns%0A--.B1GuRjZGmu.html

***
End Trump and Biden’s Secret Bombing Wars: The United States and its allies have dropped more than 326,000 bombs and missiles on people in other countries since 2001 - https://progressive.org/dispatches/trump-biden-bombing-wars-benjamin-davies-210305/

March 7

***
What Does China Have to Do With Israeli Weapons Industry Scandal?
https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/weapons-industry-scandal-israel-china-united-states-geopolitical-relationship-trade

***
Walloon arms licenses for Saudi Arabia suspended. The La Coordination Nationale d’Action pour la Paix et la Démocratie (CNAPD) argues for a definitive ban.
https://www.rtbf.be/info/monde/detail_licences-d-armes-wallonnes-pour-l-arabie-saoudite-suspendues-la-cnapd-pour-une-interdiction-definitive?id=10713046

***

Thales a renforcé ses piliers défense et spatial en 2020 Thales strengthened its defence and aeronautic production. http://lirelactu.fr/source/les-echos/82bcd378-b511-405b-8ee6-36e792a771b8

***
Retrofit on Turkish Air Force’s First Airbus A400M Atlas Strategic Transport Aircraft at the 2nd AMFD to be Completed in July 2021. Now hope (a word not suited for international political concerns) they will not be used to violate arms embargo's. https://www.defenceturkey.com/en/content/retrofit-on-turaf-s-first-a400m-atlas-strategic-transport-aircraft-at-the-2nd-amfd-to-be-completed-in-july-2021-4413

***
Politicians exonerated after 20 years of accusations. Balladur & his former defence minister, Leotard, were charged in 2017 with "complicity in the misuse of corporate assets" over the sale of submarines to Pakistan and frigates to Saudi's between 1993-95. https://www.hugheshubbard.com/news/la-cour-de-justice-de-la-republique-a-relaxe-monsieur-edouard-balladur-defendu-par-felix-de-belloy-dans-le-volet-financier-de-laffaire-dite-de-karachi

***
Before a Plan A established, talk already started on plan B for the Future Combat Air System. The #FCAS negotiations are facing a hard rock to climb. During the presentation of his group's 2020 results, Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier explained why. https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/scaf-la-mise-au-point-ferme-de-dassault-vis-a-vis-d-airbus-et-de-berlin-879245.html

***
Fragments of truth: putting a spotlight on arms sales to Yemen

Rowena Loverance shares why the organisations Mwatana and CAAT have been nominated for a Nobel peace prize by Quakers for their campaigning work on the civil war in Yemen.

https://quaker.org.uk/blog/fragments-of-truth-putting-a-spotlight-on-arms-sales-to-yemen

***
Infamous Israeli businessman hired to lobby in favor of Myanmar junta. Since rising to early infamy after trying to sell Iran 3 US transport helicopters, Ben-Menashe moved to Canada to start his own lobbying firm, representing many controversial clients. https://www.jpost.com/international/infamous-israeli-businessman-hired-to-lobby-in-favor-of-myanmar-junta-661132

***
David Stirling who created the SAS was a war hero, mountaineer, and landowner, and a controversial figure in his later years as a result of his involvement in the arms trade and his anti-union activities. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19130219.scottish-panoramas-david-stirling-memorial/

***
Although it accounts for less than 1% of world trade, the war business is estimated to account for 40-45% of global corruption. Arms trade corruption goes right-to-the-top. https://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/ramping-up-the-war-business-e3c5dc6a-b6b9-438c-ae6d-09b0870be616

***
France is stepping up its military presence in the South China Sea with a strategically balanced approach to avoid increasing tension with Beijing. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3123341/south-china-sea-how-french-navy-charting-its-own-course

March 6

***
Philippine Defense Undersecretary Raymund Elefante and Indian Ambassador Shambu Kumaran have signed an agreement that will support Manila’s potential purchase of the BrahMos supersonic missile. https://globalnation.inquirer.net/194117/ph-eyes-deal-with-india-for-worlds-fastest-supersonic-missiles

***
UK Minister Lord Grimstone answer on arms exports to Saudi's. Summary: expect nothing.

The US announced it would end support to Saudi-led offensive operations in Yemen, including relevant defence exports. This is entirely a matter for the US Government. https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2021-02-22.HL13362.h&p=13505

***
Commentary: It’s time to rethink foreign military sales

“War is too important to be left to the generals,” former French PM Clemenceau is supposed to have said. In a similar vein, arms sales are too important to be left to the military-industrial complex. https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2021/03/05/its-time-to-rethink-foreign-military-sales/

March 5

***
The Defense Intelligence Agency announced a contract worth up to $12.6 billion for a broad range of IT services, naming 144 vendors that can compete for pieces of the award.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/it-networks/2021/03/03/defense-intelligence-agency-awards-it-services-contract-worth-up-to-126-billion/

***
Twee MO* artikelen:

Israëlische technologie bedreigt privacy, en niet alleen die van Palestijnen

“Big Brother” Israël: al wie Palestijns is, is gezien https://www.mo.be/analyse/al-wie-palestijns-gezien

EU wil persoonsgegevens van Afrikaanse burgers in ruil voor ontwikkelingsgeld

https://www.mo.be/analyse/eu-wil-persoonsgegevens-van-afrikaanse-burgers-ruil-voor-ontwikkelingsgeld

***
In Vũng Tàu vindt van 30/6-2/7 2021 de enige internationale maritieme beurs van Vietnam plaats: INMEX Vietnam 2021. Nederlandse scheepsbouw maakt zich klaar af te reizen. Marinebouw voor Vietnam, export & dreigende conflicten bieden kans voor de bedrijven.
https://maritimetechnology.nl/events/inmex-vietnam-2021/

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#Onderzeeboten Koninklijke Marine, een geweldige kans voor de Nederlandse maritieme industrie, schrijft lobbyorganisatie NMT. Er wordt vooral getamboereerd op in Nederland aanwezige kennis. Vergeten lijk dat van 't laatste ontwerp niet één boot is gebouwd.
https://maritimetechnology.nl/onderzeeboten-koninklijke-marine-een-geweldige-kans-voor-de-nederlandse-maritieme-industrie/

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Britain's Labour Party is facing a legal challenge over its recruitment of former Israeli spy Assaf Kaplan. The former spy's "social listening" role raises "serious concerns" about Labour's position on Palestine, its recruitment process and data security.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210303-uk-lawyers-challenge-the-labour-partys-recruitment-of-ex-israeli-spy/

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Turkey in talks with supplier abroad for Altay tank engine. Crucial technology it does not have itself. But Ankara does not tell which supplier.
https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/turkey-in-talks-with-supplier-abroad-for-altay-tank-engine

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France and the Sale of Rafale to Egypt: Sans Meteor. https://sldinfo.com/2021/03/france-and-the-sale-of-rafale-to-egypt-sans-meteor/

March 4

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Military production as cushion during a pandemic. Thales resists crisis due to military and security orders.

Thales résiste à la crise grâce à la défense et la sécurité, maintien des efforts de R&D

https://www.capital.fr/entreprises-marches/thales-resiste-a-la-crise-grace-a-la-defense-et-la-securite-maintien-des-efforts-de-rd-1395899

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French Team Submits New Strategic Package Offer For The Hellenic Navy (see also previous posts on the issue)
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/03/french-team-submits-new-strategic-package-offer-for-the-hellenic-navy/

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Turkey has again blocked the EU's monitoring of the UN weapons embargo against Libya. In February, Turkey's foreign ministry in Ankara vetoed the search of 2 merchant ships suspected of being used for illegal transports to the war-torn North African country. DPA 4/3/21

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Waarom wil de krijgsmacht miljarden meer? Lees het in het verkiezingsnummer v/d wapenindustrie lobby, NIDV. https://eds4.mailcamp.nl/url.php?subid=9zm56ownoeq1ty3&nstatid=5e6641wze&info=n9w3d0v&L=6935&F=H

Ook als je denkt dat veiligheid uit een pen of injectiespuit komt en niet onder de vleugels van een F-35 hangt, aardig om eens kennis van te nemen.

Aanvulling: Twee partijen worden uitgelicht. Het #SGP, kampioen opkomen voor Defensie, maar ook #D66 dat wel wat miljarden extra voor wapens wil uitgeven, als het maar zoveel mogelijk Europees gebeurd. Voor de standpunten van anderen zie: http://www.politiekeweegschaal.nl/standpunten/Defensie-uitgaven.pdf

Wil je dat de uitgaven +/- gelijk blijven stem dan GroenLinks of SP. Wil je dat t minder wordt, dan zijn er de van Ankara's lange arm, Partij vd Dieren of Bij1 (beide niet doorgerekend). Deze laatste wil Nederland ook uit de NAVO. https://cloud.bij1.org/s/xzrjkqFDMrggo42/download

https://www.cpb.nl/sites/default/files/omnidownload/Keuzes-in-Kaart-2022-2025.pdf

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Report: PROFITING FROM MISERY SOUTH AFRICA’S COMPLICITY IN WAR CRIMES IN YEMEN; An Open Secrets Investigation. https://www.opensecrets.org.za/wp-content/uploads/Profiting-from-Misery.pdf

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US Reportedly Renews Investigation of Israeli Spyware Company NSO Group https://themedialine.org/top-stories/us-reportedly-renews-investigation-of-israeli-spyware-company-nso-group/

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"China’s military likely will remain relatively constrained for the foreseeable future in its ability to project force beyond its immediate periphery, let alone to marry power projection with political and economic influence on a global scale." https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/china/2021-03-03/china-not-ten-feet-tall

March 3

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Pakistan likely to tie up with Turkey in manufacturing missiles, fighters. Turkey's addition to Pakistan's defence & military manufacturing would also open a door for Istanbul to be part of the JF-17 Thunder fighters, that Pakistan develops with China

https://www.india.com/news/india/pakistan-likely-to-tie-up-with-turkey-in-manufacturing-missiles-fighter-jets-report-4463770/

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Terror wave in the eighties in Belgium by so-called Bende van Nijvel. Police is still searching for special machine gun used at extremely violent attack on supermarket in Aalst. The Ingram gun is probably stolen in 1982 at arms trader in Waverse. https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/speurders-maken-jacht-op-zeldzaam-bendewapen~bfc21e2e/

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Cherif Mansour, exiled Egyptian human rights campaigner, said president Biden must "not give Sissi carte blanche". The Biden administration, however, approved a sale of weapons nearly $ 200m to Egypt, as part of the massive military assistance to Cairo. https://information.tv5monde.com/afrique/meme-exiles-les-militants-egyptiens-des-droits-humains-ont-peur-398308

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Germany will send another ship to the Mediterranean at the end of the week to join the EU mission to monitor the United Nations arms embargo against Libya. Countries accused of violating the embargo include Turkey, Russia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). DPA March 3, 2021.

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Share of military production at French engine builder Safran grew during Covid-19 to 25% against an previous average of 16% to 18%. Military production is a cushion during times of crises La Tribune concludes. https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/defense-spatial-les-sept-dossiers-capitaux-de-safran-878649.html

Addition: Are there other sectors which can be developed where the Government can freely invest to keep jobs and which offer different, but important, security to citizens? Or which barriers have to be removed to make this possible?

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Tareq Abdulraheem Al Hosani, CEO of Tawazun Economic Council, said: "The collaboration with #Thales Emarat Technologies to establish the Radar Center of Excellence reflects Tawazun's commitment to the development of the #defence and #security industry." http://www.gulfprojects.me/DetailsTA/379130/Radar-Center-of-Excellence-set-up-in-UAE

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Saffron Walden’s Quaker community have said they are very concerned over District Council's decision to invest in a new building in Gloucestershire. The council's future tenant was named as Moog Inc, a well known manufacturer of civil and military tech. https://www.saffronwaldenreporter.co.uk/news/local-council/quakers-urge-council-to-reverse-decision-7799864

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OPEN SECRETS REPORT

Exposed: South Africa’s role in Yemeni civil conflict’s humanitarian crisis

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-03-03-exposed-south-africas-role-in-yemeni-civil-conflicts-humanitarian-crisis/

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WMP, a prominent German PR & lobbying agency has accused its former chairman Michael Inacker of concealing alleged evidence of terror funding & arms deliveries from Qatar to Hezbollah. https://www.businessinsider.com/arms-germany-hezbollah-qatar-khashoggi-weapons-terrorist-terrorism-hezbollah-2021-2 Inacker denied accusations.

Business Insider: https://www.businessinsider.de/wirtschaft/finanzen/lobbyagentur-wmp-michael-inacker-anzeige-untreue-saudi-arabien-katar/

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A plea to use offsets in Japanese foreign arms acquisitions. The interview is full of advances. Lowering the (debatable) cost of the military is emphasized. https://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00676/ There are many disadvances too, like corruption often following offsets. https://ti-defence.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/1004_corruption_risk_offsets.pdf

March 2

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Iran's Press TV reports on overhaul of Iran military aircraft, which are identified as F-4, F-14, #Fokker F-27 Friendship, and Mirage planes, and said the transport planes were of the 704, 707, and the C-130.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/03/01/646309/Iran-military-planes-overhauled

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The Dutch pension fund for doctors Pensioenfonds Huisartsen #SPH invests in companies such as General Electric and Leonardo, whose customers include Air Force of Saudi Arabia. Also the Pensioenfonds Medisch Specialisten #SPMS invests in military companies.
https://fd.nl/economie-politiek/1375336/pensioenfondsen-artsen-beleggen-deels-in-wapens

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In 2019, EU member states spent no less than 1,400 billion kroner on their military. It shows an annual report from the EU Defense Agency. The agency warns that the cost of fighting the corona could mean less money for the military. [in Danish]
https://arbejderen.dk/indland/eus-milit%C3%A6re-oprustning-n%C3%A5r-nye-h%C3%B8jder

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White House National Security Council (NSC) leads a process to evaluate proposed weapons transfers. That’s the way it should be. They’ll be evaluated based on those criteria on a case-by-case basis based on US interests and US values going forward. #Saudi
https://www.state.gov/briefings/department-press-briefing-march-1-2021/

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UAE ignored an arms embargo & supported Marshal Khalifa Haftar. ‘The UAE has been involved in numerous arms transfers to Libya, both for the rebels and Emirati forces based in Libya, in violation of the arms embargo,’ according to NGO PAX.
https://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/2021/03/THIEBAUD/62841 @FrankSlijper

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Israeli drones, hacking software used in Myanmar coup - NYT

Israel was supposed to end all military exports to Myanmar, after allegations emerged that weaponry was being sold to the army.

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/myanmar-junta-israeli-drones-hacking-software-used-on-protesters-nyt-660645

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The Pentagon announced Monday a $125 million military aid package for Ukraine, the first of its kind under the Biden administration. The package funded by the Foreign Military Financing program. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/03/01/us-announces-125-million-in-military-aid-for-ukraine/

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The story returns regularly as the tide does: US wasted billions of dollars in war-torn Afghanistan on buildings and vehicles that were either abandoned or destroyed, according to a report released by a US government watchdog. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/03/01/report-us-wasted-billions-on-cars-buildings-in-afghanistan/

Rep: https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/evaluations/SIGAR-21-20-IP.pdf

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Dhaka has genuine interests in learning more about Israel's arms trade with Myanmar because that country poses the principal threat to Bangladesh's physical security. https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Is-Bangladesh-moving-to-normalize-relations-with-Israel

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'Disastrous decision': UK slashes aid to Yemen while approving arms sales to Saudi Arabia Politicians and non-governmental organisations condemn major humanitarian cut as military exports to Riyadh continue https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemen-uk-aid-half-cut-saudi-arms-sales

March 1

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There are politicians & militaries, pointing at the other when it comes to military expenditures. “They spend much more than we do!,” they call out in public space.
Europe has its own statistic bureau and that offers the next diagram with the 2019 figures. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/images/2/29/Total_general_government_expenditure_on_defence%2C_2019_%28%25_of_GDP%29.png

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The combined military expenditure of the member states amounted to €186 billion in 2019. This represents 1.4% of European Union GDP. https://eda.europa.eu/docs/default-source/brochures/2019-eda-defence-data-report.pdf
Luitenant-admiraal Bauer komt met 1,9%. voor Europa. (Maar zelfs met de Engelsen erbij 1.7% halen we die 1.9% niet.)

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To block arms supply to Myanmar military from major providers China & Russia as violent crackdowns on demonstrators continue, the in Japan expats are calling on Tokyo to lobby other UN members so the Security Council urgently imposes a global arms embargo. https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/03/7851420e2bcc-focus-side-with-citizens-not-military-myanmar-expat-tells-japan-asean.html

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A view on the German military production at Airbus (such as the FCAS) and how the and how the trade unions support the proces. https://www.wsws.org/de/articles/2021/03/01/igme-m01.html

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The Saudi regime is responsible for one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises through its war in Yemen. The Biden administration has now frozen arms sales to the Saudis, but Trudeau’s government seems happy to continue arms sales. https://jacobinmag.com/2021/02/trudeau-canada-saudi-arabia-arms-sales-yemen