Latest on top (updated
regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
April
30
***
Ban U.S.
Weapon Sales To Human Rights Violators: Sen. Menendez
A bill would ban U.S. arms sales that inflict misery on civilians in foreign nations. It's "common-sense reform," Sen. Bob Menendez says.
https://patch.com/new-jersey/montclair/ban-u-s-weapon-sales-human-rights-violators-sen-menendez
https://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/SAFEGUARD%20ACT%202021.pdf
***
South
#Korea’s defense procurement agency has announced a plan to
introduce locally built marine attack helicopters based on the Surion
designed for amphibious assault and close-air support. #KAI developed
the Surion with the help of #Airbus Helicopters.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2021/04/28/south-korea-chooses-locally-built-marine-helicopter-over-foreign-offers/
***
180
organizations from 30 different countries have come together to urge
governments to drastically reduce their military expenditure and make
human security-oriented sectors, such as health and the environment,
the priority of public policies and budgets.
https://mailchi.mp/3f848f102784/april-26-pr-180-organizations-demand-military-spending-cuts?e=dd0de5e04e
April
29
***
Europees
Netwerk tegen Wapenhandel Persbericht - Vandaag brengt 't Europees
Parlement een beslissende stem uit over het Europees Defensiefonds
#EDF, waarmee € 8 miljard uit de EU-begroting 2021-27 wordt toekend
aan R&D van wapens en militaire technologie.
https://stopwapenhandel.org/EDFvoteEP
Addition: A majority in @Europarl_EN end of European Union #peace project. All changes proposed by @Left_EU & @GreensEFA to stop #EuropeanDefenceFund or at least improve transparency, parliamentary oversight, ethical control or prohibition of weapons of mass destruction were rejected.
Addition: European Parliament approved the controversial €7.9 billion European Defence Fund (EDF), clearing the way for the bloc’s first-ever dedicated programme for military research intended to bolster military cooperation between EU member states. https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/european-parliament-backs-eus-e7-9-billion-defence-fund/
***
Hypersonic
Weapons: Background and Issues
for Congress
Updated April 26, 2021
***
The good
news: Brisbane weapon expo protest planned.
https://westender.com.au/brisbane-weapons-expo-protest-planned/
***
1
- The European Parliament last week tabled motions to report on
EU-NATO cooperation in the context of transatlantic relations.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/AFET-AM-691406_EN.pdf
2 - US F-35 fighter jets delivered to Israel this week. https://de.abna24.com/news/israel-bekommen-first-f-35-fighter-aircraft-under-biden-from-the-usa_1135468.html
3 - As an example, Honeywell and GKN Aerospace’s Fokker Landing Gear business in the Netherlands have signed a license and parts supply agreement for an authorized service center for Honeywell’s wheels and brakes on the F-35 military fighter jet. https://www.gknaerospace.com/en/newsroom/news-releases/2021/honeywell-gkn-aerospace-sign-license-and-parts-supply-agreement-for-f-35-wheels-and-brakes/
4 - Who knows how many European components and parts are assembled in those F-35's, from which countries and how this relates to the European arms export policies?
It is a secret to civil society.
No knowledge.
No questions asked.
No debate.
***
The reason I
come across this opinion on how #Zuma is playing for time (privilege
of the powerful and wealthy) in the corruption case, is that the
partly French state owned military company #Thales is mentioned (nice
and quiet behind its brother in crime).
https://thoughtleader.co.za/zuma-is-playing-for-time-a-privilege-of-the-powerful-and-wealthy/
***
The Sherpa
association, which fights against economic crime, is relaunching a
court case: the Rafale affair. The sale of 36 French fighter jets by
Dassault Aviation to India involves alleged corruption, now widely
documented by the Indian and French press.
https://www.lemonde.fr/police-justice/article/2021/04/27/l-association-anticorruption-sherpa-porte-plainte-avec-constitution-de-partie-civile-dans-l-affaire-des-rafale-vendus-a-l-inde_6078276_1653578.html
***
Responding to
new delays to F-35 fighter program, senior House Democrats are
threatening to limit aircraft production & end the practice of
adding funding for aircraft the Pentagon never requested. Laundry
list of program problems includes cost overruns...
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/us-lawmakers-vow-limit-f-35-production
***
The appeals
court ruling will lift restrictions on exporting specs for 3D-printed
guns, but President Joe Biden announced in early April that the
Justice Department would issue new rules for ghost guns within 30
days.
https://www.courthousenews.com/ninth-circuit-lifts-ban-on-3d-printed-gun-blueprints/
***
Hiding behind
a leap forward? Brussels should look into the issue of private
entrepreneurs being involved in ammo depots in the Czech Republic and
Bulgaria, Russian FA Minister Lavrov said, commenting on the
accusations of Bulgaria against Russia.
https://tass.com/politics/1284279
***
Retweet
@keesamok: European police developed a
manual of crowd control techniques for the Myamar police as part of
the EU support scheme Mypol - "the [Myanmar] police took the
draft [manual] and added the ‘offensive’ chapters themselves"
Mypol did not provide training in progressive use of force or use of weapons to the specialist units, the EU official said. “Eventually the [Myanmar] police took the draft and added the ‘offensive’ chapters themselves,” they said. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/11/eu-provided-crowd-control-training-to-myanmar-police-units
***
Report by the
ATT expert group convened by Saferworld on ATT Article
7(1)(b)(iii–iv) relating to terrorism and transnational organised
crime (TNOC).
Also for those who think arms trade should be brought down by pressure and not demand, interesting reading. https://www.saferworld.org.uk/downloads/att-briefing-no.7-arms-exports-terror-and-crime.pdf
***
Corruption in
military business shows how they despise what they say to protect
(and are paid for by all): the values, human rights and democracy,
let alone the peoples. Maybe that's the biggest fraught.
Retweet
@andrewfeinstein: GPT pleads guilty to
corruption in yet another corrupt UK - Saudi defence contract. It is
only when senior executives go to jail that corruption in the arms
trade will slow down
https://wsj.com/articles/airbus-subsidiary-pleads-guilty-in-saudi-bribery-case-11619631031
***
Want to know
which weapons #EU is funding?
http://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Flyer_WhoProfitsEDF_210416EN.pdf
Today @ecrgroup should vote against #EuropeanDefenceFund and promote
a new human- and climate-centred security paradigm. #noEUmoney4arms
#MoveTheMoney #HealthcareNotWarfare #EarthCareNotWarfare
#EuropeanDefence
Retweet @_ENAAT: Want to know which weapons #EU is funding? http://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Flyer_WhoProfitsEDF_210416EN.pdf Today @ecrgroup should vote against #EuropeanDefenceFund and promote a new human- and climate-centred security paradigm. #noEUmoney4arms #MoveTheMoney #HealthcareNotWarfare #EarthCareNotWarfare #EuropeanDefence
***
Retweet @_ENAAT: Want to know which companies and countries get most subsidies with #EuropeanDefenceFund?http://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Flyer_WhoProfitsEDF_210416EN.pdf
Today @Europarl_EN should stop it and #MoveTheMoney to human security and peaceful resolution of conflicts. #noEUmoney4arms #EuropeanDefence #EarthCareNotWarfare
April
28
***
Op-ed on
Military Expenditures, Gender Equality & Peace. By Ms. Nakamitsu,
UN HR for Disarmament Affairs & Ms. Mlambo-Ngucka, Director of UN
Women. “Security” that fuels the weapons industry cannot protect
us from dangers & challenges we routinely face.
https://reliefweb.int/report/world/safer-and-more-resilient-world-put-people-runaway-military-spending
***
Italy’s
armed affairs with al-Sisi’s Egypt (in spite of Zaki and Regeni)
Rete Italiana Pace e Disarmo has been saying for some time: for the
2nd consecutive year, Egypt is the main buyer of weapon systems
exported by Italian military production companies.
https://www.italy24news.com/News/30344.html
***
@letysedou"how,
where and when should the EU act militarily". When @_ENAAT was
denouncing rampant #EU militarisation since 2016 we were not taken
seriously... #noEUmoney4arms #EuropeanDefence #MoveTheMoney
Original
tweet Daniel Fiott: Today, we keep
the dialogue on the #StrategicCompass going. This time with a special
focus on the operational dimension! How, where and when should the EU
act militarily? Thanks to our partners @Clingendaelorg @minbuza
@Defensie Thanks to our speakers @DGEUMS @Nic_Koenig!
***
A Proposal
for a Ban on Destructive Anti-Satellite Testing: A Role for the
European Union
https://www.sipri.org/publications/2021/eu-non-proliferation-and-disarmament-papers/proposal-ban-destructive-anti-satellite-testing-role-european-union
***
Retweet @gppacnea: Civil society in #Seoul join the #GDAMS Global Day of Action on #MilitarySpending @DemilitarizeDay calling for a stop to increased defense spending for progress of the Korean Peninsula peace process, and responding to #COVID19 - see their declaration here! http://peoplepower21.org/English/1787824
***
Thales
selected by Lockheed Martin to supply anti-submarine warfare sonar to
the US, Indian, Greek & Danish navies; Lockheed & Thales have
finalized negotiations to supply up to 55 ALFS anti-submarine warfare
sonars to the US Navy and several other navies.
https://www.edrmagazine.eu/thales-selected-by-lockheed-martin-to-deliver-airborne-anti-submarine-warfare-sonars-to-the-u-s-indian-greek-and-danish-navies
***
***
Military
transport helicopters is a capability that is in short supply. So the
UN, through #EDA and on German recommendation, hired a civilian
aviation company: the Global Helicopter Service (GHS) from
Kirchanschöring in Upper Bavaria.
https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/plus230698655/Einsatz-in-Mali-Wenn-Zivilisten-verwundete-Bundeswehr-Soldaten-retten-sollen.html
***
US military
starts a policy of “multiple lines of defense” approach to
countering climate risks “that can include a mix of management,
temporary, structural, nature-based, and nonstructural measures.”
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/04/27/climate-change-an-existential-threat-says-secdef/
Included
links
to:
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/military-spending-diverting-much-needed-resources-tackling-unfolding-climate
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-05-19-exclusive-uk-military-and-arms-companies-produce-more-carbon-emissions-than-60-individual-countries/
https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article/ngo-claims-eu-climate-policy-not-coherent-with-blocs-stance-on-peace-and-human-rights-and-even-impeding-unions-declared-climate-aims
https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article211016375/CO2-Emissionen-Krieg-und-Ruestung-die-vergessenen-Klimasuender.html
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02460-9
https://www.ft.com/content/ac8fda05-19e1-4ecc-b87a-7f0d4701bf97
***
NATO officials are
kicking around a new set of questions for member states on artificial
intelligence in defense applications, as the alliance seeks common
ground ahead of a strategy document planned for this summer.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/artificial-intelligence/2021/04/27/nato-tees-up-negotiations-on-artificial-intelligence-in-weapons/
Addition:
High-level conference online conference
co-hosted today by #EDA & Portuguese MOD, senior representatives
from MoDs, defence research centres, industry, European institutions
as well as NATO discussed impact of emerging disruptive technologies
on defence
https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2021/04/20/high-level-conference-discussed-impact-of-emerging-disruptive-technologies-on-defence
***
Light tanks,
fighter jets and more: India 3rd largest military spender in world
In the pandemic year, the Stockholm-based SIPRI noted, US accounted for 39% of the money spent on military globally, China accounted for 13%, and India 3.7% of the global share
***
Retweet @SIPRIorg: Military spending as a share of GDP—military burden—reached a global average of 2.4% in 2020, up from 2.2% in 2019. This was the biggest year-on-year rise in the military burden since the global financial and economic crisis in 2009. Read more -> https://sipri.org/media/press-release/2021/world-military-spending-rises-almost-2-trillion-2020
#GDAMS
***
@janbuelinckx:
Er woedt een gezondheidscrisis, er woedt
een klimaatcrisis, er is een groeiende ongelijkheid tussen rijk en
arm.... maar => Militaire uitgaven stijgen wereldwijd tot
recordhoogte.
https://www.mo.be/analyse/militaire-uitgaven-stijgen-wereldwijd-tot-recordhoogte
April
27
***
Arms
exports to the UAE encourage repression and tyranny in the region
https://libya-press.com/deutsche-welle-arms-exports-to-the-uae-encourage-repression-and-tyranny-in-the-region/
Original is half a year old, but the message is unfortunately still valid: https://www.dw.com/en/us-european-weapons-exports-middle-east-north-africa/a-55039271
***
The US State
Department on Friday approved a $1.6 billion foreign military sale of
MQ-9B #drones for #Australia. It also contains a suite of sensors and
weapons, predominantly manufactured by #Raytheon Technologies,
#Lockheed Martin and #Leonardo.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2021/04/26/state-department-clears-australia-to-buy-mq-9b-drones/
***
Israel's
Rafael is reportedly on the verge of acquiring Bavarian drone
producer Firma EMT Ingenieurgesellschaft Dipl.-Ing. Hartmut Euer mbH,
which is in the process of bankruptcy.
***
Swedish SAAB
on its rosy future: “There is no sign of any less market activity
or less demand,” he said. “On the contrary, many countries have
the feeling that they need to protect societies. There is a little
bit more nationalist sentiment.”
https://www.ft.com/content/9b0cbae4-77b3-465c-a8d4-6166ef7addeb
***
Illegal
occupation backed by a strong military. "Maintaining a modern
and well-supplied army has become a key aspect of Morocco's strategy
for Western Sahara," wrote Economist in Intelligence Unit report
of 26/04/21. Rabat+Algiers took 70% of Africa's major arms imports,
2016-20.
***
This citicism on
arms control sounds familiar & pops up regularly in several
countries. "Significant delays in reviewing applications for
arms exports are hurting Canada's defence industry and could cost
this country jobs, business groups and experts say." Globe &
Mail 27/4/21
Addition: Here a link to the text on Canadian 'Consultants say delay in evaluation of arms exports threatens jobs' https://ca.granthshala.com/consultants-say-delay-in-evaluation-of-arms-exports-threatens-jobs/
***
Turkish
nationalist viewpoint on Turkish-US relations. "Nothing will be
the same." But although low there is no end in sight.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/opinion/yusuf-kanli/turkey-us-ties-nothing-will-be-the-same-164264
***
The
Air Force of #Zimbabwe (AFZ) has taken delivery of an #Airbus H215
helicopter that is set to replace the aged Cougar helicopter
currently used to fly President Emmerson Mnangagwa around the
country.
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/military-helicopters/air-force-of-zimbabwe-takes-delivery-of-h215-vip-transport-helicopter/
***
Next step in
#F126 frigates (formerly #MKS180). #Damen Shipyards Group and the
Hamburg Ship Model Basin have concluded a contract for an extensive
series of model tests for the hydrodynamic development of the F126
frigates for the German Navy.
https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29443/Damen_Shipyards__Hamburg_Ship_Model_Basin_to_Conduct_Hydrodynamic_Tests_on_Models_of_Germany___s_F126_Frigates
***
Why Biden
White House lifted arms sales freeze to #UAE #KSA. Article lists:
Iran, economics, Saudi relationship (considered to adapt to
criticism), keep China away. Hardly why Biden has backed off pledge
to treat the Saudis as “the pariahs that they are”.
https://breakingdefense.com/2021/04/why-biden-white-house-lifted-arms-sales-freeze-to-uae-ksa/
***
Global
military expenditure hit record levels last year, with governments
shelling out nearly $2 trillion (CHF1.8 trillion). #Switzerland was
the 14th biggest exporter of weapons, according to the Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-contributes-to-global-arms-trade-boom/46565762
***
#France's
Naval Group is trying to get back into the Egyptian market. It offers
to sell #Egypt mine countermeasures vessels via a contract which will
certainly involve offsets, which are the key to success on the
Egyptian military equipment market. PayWall
https://www.africaintelligence.com/north-africa_business/2021/04/26/naval-group-navigates-its-way-through-egypt-s-military-procurement-labyrinth,109660489-ge0
April
26
***
Honeywell and
GKN Aerospace’s Fokker Landing Gear business in the Netherlands
have signed a license and parts supply agreement for an authorized
service center for Honeywell’s wheels and brakes on the F-35
military fighter jet.
https://www.gknaerospace.com/en/newsroom/news-releases/2021/honeywell-gkn-aerospace-sign-license-and-parts-supply-agreement-for-f-35-wheels-and-brakes/
***
Leonardo
to acquire a 25.1% stake in HENSOLDT AG for approx. € 606 million
https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/press-release-detail/-/detail/24-04-2021-leonardo-acquista
***
The
super slomo of getting a trial and justice done on corruption in the
military industry deserves a place in the World Guinness Book of
Records. Former SA president Zuma and Thales protested the
accusations many times and delayed the process.
https://fr.africanews.com/2021/04/21/afrique-du-sud-jacob-zuma-sans-avocats-a-un-mois-d-un-enieme-proces/
***
Dutch
frigate goes to Asia alongside British aircraft carrier HMS Queen
Elisabeth - "a floating trade center" - to protect British
hard and soft power.
@BBCBreakfast: Aircraft
carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth will depart for it’s first operational
deployment next month. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace spoke to
#BBCBreakfast alongside the warship in Portsmouth. He explained what
it will be used for.
https://twitter.com/BBCBreakfast/status/1386580572416446465
Assertive China policy made central in UK (with US and Dutch in its furrow) sales and hard diplomacy naval trip to Asia. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-26/hms-queen-elizabeth-aircraft-carrier-to-visit-japan-south-korea/100096854
***
Die
Linke stands alone with demand to ban weapon exports passing the
harbour of Antwerp. Green MP Michael Gwosdz said "a strict arms
control law at the federal level" is key in dealing with arms
exports.
https://www.welt.de/regionales/hamburg/article230562651/Linke-bleibt-mit-Forderung-nach-Waffenexportverbot-allein.html
***
It sounds as a 19th Century -
when steel was central in military production - outburst with a pun.
STEELING OUR JOBS Industry fury as imported steel used for Britain’s new fleet of warships.
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/7016914/new-warships-made-with-foreign-steel/
***
A shocking graph. 12 NATO members spent 2% or more of their GDP on their militaries, NATO’s guideline spending target, compared with 9 members in 2019. France e.g., the 8th biggest spender globally, passed the 2% threshold for the 1st time since 2009. https://sipri.org/media/press-release/2021/world-military-spending-rises-almost-2-trillion-2020
April 25
***
Dutch
Government on export of naval systems to Brazil, value € 20
million.
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=d3964392-b853-4f79-b9dc-14ef2cb7af14&title=Afgifte%20vergunning%20voor%20export%20militair%20materieel%20naar%20Brazili%C3%AB%20.doc
Dutch MP @JaspervanDijkSP #SP asked a wide ranging and interesting series of questions on the deal (based mainly on English language sources with URLs). https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=972937be-6d08-469f-bcf1-3729ed0859c7&title=Het%20verlenen%20van%20een%20wapenexportvergunning%20voor%20Brazili%C3%AB.docx
***
Selling arms
to the #UAE is not In US security interests. By @WilliamHartung
***
Realised the
European Satellite Center works on all those fields?
Maritime Ops EU NAVFOR MED Atalanta (combatting countering piracy near Somalia),
EU NAVFOR Med Sophia (stopping refugees) &
Ops EU NAVFOR MED IRINI (implementing UN arms embargo to Libya).
https://www.satcen.europa.eu/News/visit-of-italian-navy-general-staff-to-satcen
***
European
lobby for higher military expenditures, defence industry and military
capacity expansion. European Defence Agency #EDA proposes achievable
objectives for 2021 as well as options on how the agency could
support the Member States in their efforts.
https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2021/04/22/card-implementation-and-eda-s-roles-in-edf-discussed-at-nad-steering-board
April
24
***
Yolcu,
the research assistant in the Middle East Institute at Sakarya
University, notes that "Western powers symbolize the first ring
of arms production enjoying the innovative superiority for almost
over three centuries."
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/460121/Iran-and-Turkey-reject-band-wagoning-strategies-researcher
***
More
bad news for JSF customers. The cost of the F-35′s engine is set to
increase by 3 percent due to Turkey’s removal from the program in
2019, the head of Pratt & Whitney’s military engines division
said Thursday.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/04/23/turkeys-removal-from-f-35-program-to-cause-hike-in-engine-price/
***
Quakers
says that the EU continue to invest in carbon-intensive activities
such as the arms trade. Its report entitled, Climate, Peace and Human
Rights (http://www.qcea.org/peace/climate/),
says that Europe’s military sectors operate under a “state of
exemption.”
https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article/ngo-claims-eu-climate-policy-not-coherent-with-blocs-stance-on-peace-and-human-rights-and-even-impeding-unions-declared-climate-aims
***
Nederlandse
marine wil nieuwe schepen, maar: "op dit moment [is] geen enkel
marineschip robuust gevuld. Ofwel, in staat om met een volledige
bemanning 24/7 alle taken uit te voeren die worden opgedragen."
https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2021/15/03_vanspeijk_15
***
#US is
by far the leading arms supplier to #Saudi Arabia & #UAE
(respectively 61 & 56% of all weapons imported 2000-19). China
did not break with both the 1% mark during that period. But this
percentage is mentioned to defend Bidens potential sales to KSA.
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2021/04/23/chinas-surprising-drone-sales-in-the-middle-east/
***
The
F-35 (the most expensive weapon system ever) debacle part 932:
The US DoD is pausing its efforts to field replacement software for the F-35′s troubled logistics system due to a lack of funding, the head of the F-35 program office said Thursday. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/04/22/f-35-program-office-announces-a-strategic-pause-on-new-logistics-system/
April
23
***
Retweet
@nukestrat: @GAO report concludes
the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s current sustainment costs make the
aircraft unaffordable. And mission capable rates are well below
requirement: In 2020, full mission capable rate was 54%, nearly 20%
below 72% goal. https://gao.gov/assets/gao-21-505t.pdf
#F35
***
BAE faces
growing investor revolt over chief executive’s pay
Shareholder unrest increases over plans to hand extra £2m to head of UK’s largest defence contractor
https://www.ft.com/content/5b86193d-9e37-4759-897d-65f2e1f575cb
***
High
court to hear legal battle over UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia
Campaign Against Arms Trade claims UK-made weapons have been used in airstrikes in Yemen that breach humanitarian law.
April
22
***
How to produce more
Dutch parts of weaponry for international Original Equipment
Manufacturers? Dutch military industry lobby organisation NIDV
bridges gap between OEMs and Dutch small and middle seized tech
producers.
@NIDVnews We gaan
beginnen met de #InternationalMatchmakingDay2021 waarbij
internationale OEM's in gesprek gaan met #MKB over #kansen.
https://nidv.eu/agenda/international-matchmaking-day/
***
No country
has halted arms deliveries to Myanmar following a military coup in
February or taken any real steps to impose an arms embargo despite
relevant appeals, military government spokesman Gen. Zaw Min Tun told
Russian Sputnik.
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/myanmars-military-says-no-country-halted-arm-1231190.html
***
Australian
Karen Organisation national president Saw Lwin Oo asked the Aussie
government to impose an arms embargo on Myanmar.
***
Opzij, opzij,
opzij. Militairen hebben ongelofelijke haast. Defensie volgt de
tijdlijn voor nieuwe onderzeeboten op de voet, maar bij de marine in
Den Helder groeit de twijfel. ’Komen die boten nog wel?’
https://m.noordhollandsdagblad.nl/cnt/DMF20210421_4359772
***
One
East German, one Korean and three Dutch naval vessels of the Indonesian naval forces searching for
lost submarine.
https://surabaya.tribunnews.com/2021/04/22/5-kapal-perang-tni-al-dikerahkan-cari-kri-nanggala-402-yang-hilang-kontak-berikut-kehebatannya
***
Greek
newspaper Proto Thema says Athens could buy another six Rafale
fighters from France to increase the fleet size from 18 to 24. The
jets will be assigned to 332 Squadron which is now flying the Mirage
2000 at Tanagra air base.
https://www.protothema.gr/greece/article/1116373/pame-gia-alla-exi-rafale/
***
The Advanced
Electronics won a contract modification for the F-15 Royal Saudi Air
Force (RSAF) Electronic System Test Set (ESTS). Services acquired
under this effort are to provide the RSAF with an upgraded ESTS.
https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2577890/
***
Q&A on Dutch sales of 1.275 Glock pistols, 9 M2.50 Browning .50 caliber machine guns en 800 Heckler & Koch MP5s to Malta. Most remarkable is:
the search for a new policy on the sale of surplus military materiel for SALW which excludes private customers except for the producers or licensed producers.
In Dutch (see answer on question 4)
opdracht gegeven om een nieuw afwegingskader op te stellen voor het afstoten van overtollig Defensiematerieel, waarin het beleid wordt aangescherpt door de verkoop van handvuurwapens aan private partijen, niet zijnde de fabrikant of een licentiehouder van de fabrikant, uit te sluiten.
Questions by Van Dame and Van Helvert (Christen Democrats, CDA).
Answer Barbara Visser outgoing
Secretary of Defence.
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=cfd46662-d5a5-4590-915f-f0822609dccd&title=Antwoord%20op%20vragen%20van%20de%20leden%20Van%20Dam%20en%20Van%20Helvert%20over%20de%20verkoop%20van%20Nederlandse%20MP5%E2%80%99s%20in%20een%20Maltese%20wapenhandel.doc
***
Mayor of
London Sadiq Khan has said that the controversial DSEI arms fair –
where arms firms can pitch their weapons to governments – has ‘no
place in London’ and committed to ‘explore all possible options
to end it being hosted in the city.’
https://leftfootforward.org/2021/04/radical-roundup-10-stories-that-have-got-buried-week-4-april-2021/
***
Elbit
supplies 85 per cent of the drones used by the Israeli military. Some
have been used in extrajudicial killings as well as being deployed to
target and destroy Palestinian homes and suppress legitimate
protests.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210421-whistle-blowers-targeting-israeli-arms-firm-accuse-britain-of-intimidation/
***
#Sumitomo
withdraws from Japanese machine gun tender. European arms contracted
ordered by the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency #ATLA:
4 FN Minimi Mk3 weapons; 4 Heckler & Koch MG4s, with #SHI
contracted to produce ... [pay wall]
https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/premium-sumitomo-withdraws-japanese-machine-gun-te/
***
It can't be
said more concise:
Military expenditure foolish when social services are lacking
***
Selçuk
Bayraktar, top executive with Turkish drone producer #Baykar &
president Erdo's son in law, claims #Turkey no longer needs Canadian
military #drone tech. Military experts say they're skeptical of
Turkish claims related to domestic drone technology.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/turkey-drone-armenian-nagorno-karabakh-1.5996570
April
21
***
Turkey is one
of the most important markets for the Italian military industry. Such
military cooperation was not interrupted during diplomatic crises.
When Foreign Minister Di Maio announced that he would block arms
exports to Turkey they increased.
https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/04/20/erdogan-risks-losing-italy/
***
Dutch MoD
established 'drone catalog' to be able to quickly order drones for
cartography, cargo, als voor intel, observation and reconnaissance.
MoD works with civil company BSS Holland B.V.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/materieelgezien/2021/03/04_dronecatalogus-kijken-klikken-krijgen
***
Lost in the
fanfare around the Korean fighter jet was any criticism of an arms
industry known for runaway budgets and arms trade contributing to
destabilising regions or to states in conflict.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/20/south-korea-3
***
Swapping
up bits and pieces: In utter secrecy, France and Israel are
cooperating on the digital warfare of the future, despite competitive
tensions on the African arms market.
https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/comment/2021/4/21/scorpion-how-israel-is-developing-frances-future-defence-system
April
20
***
Thales is one
of the richest weapons corporations in the world. From their
factories in Bendigo and Benalla, Thales has exported killing
machinery, aka weaponised vehicles, to Indonesia's notorious Special
Forces Kopassus.
https://www.facebook.com/338217390201017/videos/429536498279116
***
Millions of bullets passing the harbour of Rotterdam in Jan-Feb 2021. Thailand and Philippines most remarkable destinations.
***
Dutch Dual use exports in Feb 2021:
Despite the ever ongoing information security technology going to
almost all countries int he world, the most remarkable in Februari a
thermal imaging camera to Nigeria, valued € 28.927
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-dual-use-vergunningen
***
Remarkable
arms export licences from the Netherlands Jan-Feb 2021. Djibouti
patrol vessels €25,7m Taiwan submarine parts €3.3m
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-uitvoer-militaire-goederen
***
How slashing
oil prices by Riyadh eroded the Saudi position among Republicans. How
lobbying firm Larson Shannahan Slifka #LS2 operates to regain the
close relations between the US and the desert Kingdom.
https://www.alternet.org/2021/04/saudi-lobby/
***
Russia tries
to ease arms embargo on CAR. "We've already managed to reach
some targets, 14.5mm calibre weapons are now imported not by permit,
but by notification...it isn't just Russia. The French are following
the matter very intensely," Ilichyov said. Interfax 190421
***
Retweet
@AirbusDefence: Airbus has signed a five-year
services contract with The Egyptian Air Force, the largest #C295
fleet operator worldwide, for the performance-based support of its
fleet, composed of a total of 24 aircraft. 
Read
more in our latest press release:
https://airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2021/04/airbus-signs-major-integrated-support-contract-with-egypt-for-c295.html
***
Retweet with
comment @AirbusDefence: Expands
military use of helicopters in combat missions and thus the
implications of A400M sales to countries using them for internal war.
Airbus #A400M new generation airlifter has conducted a major helicopter air-to-air refuelling certification campaign in coordination with the @DGA, completing the majority of its development and certification objectives. @AirbusHeli https://airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2021/04/airbus-a400m-conducts-major-helicopter-refuelling-certification-campaign.html
***
NHIndustries
heeft een contract getekend voor de levering van zes NH90 helikopters
aan Griekenland. Hierdoor zal het aantal NH90s in Griekse dienst
oplopen tot twintig. NHIndustries is een samenwerkingsverband tussen
Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo en Fokker.
https://www.pilootenvliegtuig.nl/2021/04/19/contract-maakt-levering-nh90s-griekenland-mogelijk/
***
Authorities
in Prague have said they believe a 2014 blast at an ammunition depot
was accidental, but doubled down on previous claims that Russian
special services were involved as part of a plot to destroy arms
exports to Ukraine.
https://www.rt.com/russia/521488-czech-officials-explosion-accident/
The
Czech Republic said it had informed NATO and European Union allies
that it suspected Russia of causing the 2014 blast, and European
Union foreign ministers were set to discuss the matter at their
meeting on Monday.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/czechs-discuss-alleged-russian-link-2014-blast-with-eu-2021-04-18/
Czech-Russian dispute prompts other
govts to get tough with Moscow; It's a warning not to go beyond
traditional spying, influence-peddling
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/czech-russian-dispute-prompts-other-govts-to-get-tough-with-moscow
The warehouse which exploded belonged
to a company specialising in the arms trade. At that time, the firm was stocking
weapons intended for the purchase of a Bulgarian arms dealer, who was
then expected to sell these to Ukraine.
Bulgarian arms dealer Gebrev first
denied any connection with the explosion, but his company EMKO has
now confirmed that it had ammunition in the warehouses, claiming,
however, that these were not destined for Ukraine.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/bulgarian-arms-trader-admits-he-had-ammunition-in-the-czech-warehouse/
Russian FA Minister Lavrov said there
are indications that international conventions have been violated,
including the Ottawa Treaty on the prohibition of the use of mines
"and the so-called arms trade treaty to which...all members of
the EU are parties".
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/eu-needs-to-look-into-explosions-in-czech-rep-1234771.html
Four explosions and an assassination attempt in Bulgaria were likely perpetrated by Russia, Bulgaria has said. https://euobserver.com/world/151707
2014 was also the year Bulgaria's role in the arms export for the war in Syria (https://balkaninsight.com/2015/12/21/war-gains-bulgarian-arms-add-fuel-to-middle-east-conflicts-12-16-2015/) started to surface.
The bomb in arms delivery for Ukraine probably should have exploded in Bulgaria so that the Ukrainians would see that they chose an unreliable supplier. But as the blast prepared by Russian agents occurred in Czechia, violation of Czech sovereignty is at stake. CTK 190421 argues.
April
19
***
The sniper
simulator developed by leading Turkish defense contractor Havelsan is
ready for use and will first be put into service at a commando
training command center in central-western Turkey’s Isparta
province.
https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/turkish-software-firm-havelsans-sniper-simulator-ready-for-action
***
The
wonderful world of fighter jet contracts. Here it is on the Rafale to
India. "The Modi regime succumbed to French pressure and deleted
anti-corruption clauses in the contract."
April
18
***
On German
arms exports in 1st qrt of 2021: with €31.4m Qatar is number one
among the Gulf-recipients of arms . Licenses for Saudi Arabia were
vallued at €806,995 despite an arms export ban, primarily because
of its participation in the Yemen war. Schwarzwälder Bote 15/4/21
***
The #UAE's
ability to project power in the region is a product of many years of
#US-UAE defense cooperation that includes U.S. arms sales and
training, strategic planning, and joint exercises and operations.
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc700662/m1/1/high_res_d/RS21852_2015Jun24.pdf
Retweet @ProudSocialist: The country with the third highest military budget in the world is the United States police department.
***
Senators
Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced the
Secure F-35 Exports Act of 2021, legislation to reassert
Congressional oversight over the sale of sophisticated and
mission-critical American military systems.
https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/f/c/fcab379b-76ef-4b5a-8f0e-1dfc04fead93/FB25F693BABF42CE3D20C972D7A23543.secure-f-35-exports-act-2021-signed-002-.pdf
#UAE #F35
***
US Deploys
F-16 Fighter Jets to Saudi Arabia Despite Criticizing Saudi War on
Yemen
https://www.airforcemag.com/south-carolina-air-guard-f-16s-deploy-to-saudi-arabia/
***
US
Resuming Arms Sales to UAE is Disastrous
https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/04/15/us-resuming-arms-sales-uae-disastrous
***
U.K.’s
“global force for good,” is irony at its top, when arms export
licenses for Turkmenistan has spiked 15,000% between 2016 and
2017, with 151 military arms exports licenses provided in one year.
https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/europes-troubling-turkmenistan-engagement/
***
French
Ministry of Defence orders 8 H225M Caracal long-range tactical
transport military helicopters at Airbus.
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/airbus-helicopters-engrange-enfin-la-commande-de-8-caracal-promise-par-l-etat-882525.html
***
Saga on
Romanian corvette acquisition continues. In July 2019, the French
Naval Group & Romanian Constanta Shipyard won the deal (later
Italian Ficantieri). 2 Years later the €1.2bn contract has not yet
been signed, with appeals pending before the courts.
https://www.monitoruldegalati.ro/evenimente/dosarul-corvetelor-romaniei-ajunge-la-curtea-constitutionala.html
***
Uruguay
received an offer to get US military equipment. The countries are
negotiating the transfer of 3 Marin Protector patrol boats from the
US Coast Guard to Uruguay, built by Bollinger Shipyards on the basis
of Damen's Stan 2600 project.
https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2021/0416/160062478/detail.shtml
***
Retweet @npanagioto (Greek Minister of Defence): "I
received today at my office, at the Greek MoD @Hellenic_MOD the
Ambassador of the Netherlands @StellaRonner and company who presented
to me their proposal for the acquisition of new multi-role frigates
for @NavyGR"
In casu the SIGMA 11515 (see also: https://www.newsbomb.gr/ellada/ethnika/story/1187177/fregates-dynato-mpasimo-ton-ollandon-oi-sigma-11515-kai-to-delear-tis-endiamesis-lysis)
With video clip
April
17
***
"Canada’s
export ban on crucial imaging technology will damage Turkey’s armed
drone capability, Dr Chris Kilford, a retired Canadian Air Force
officer and former defence attaché to Turkey and Azerbaijan, told
Ahval on Thursday." (Source not aloud by twitter, easy to
google)
***
#Turkey to
continue push into #drone industry after Canadian ban, analysts say
https://themedialine.org/by-region/turkey-to-continue-push-into-drone-industry-after-canadian-ban-analysts-say/
***
To read the
new issue of l'Humanité Dimanche, the main feature of which, devoted
to "the arms race", includes an interview with Tony Fortin
d '@obsarm. The interview follows the report made with
@RosaluxEuropa on parliamentary control of arms sales
https://www.humanite.fr/controle-des-ventes-darmes-lopacite-une-specificite-francaise-703335
***
Afghanistan
war costed the US alone more than US$ 2 trillion!! 240,000 lives were
lost!!
https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/figures/2021/human-and-budgetary-costs-date-us-war-afghanistan-2001-2021
In the Dutch Defensiekrant (official MoD pub) lt. General b.d. Commanding Regional Command South 2008-09 was the man to talk the failure away. https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2021/14/03_afghanistan-terugtrekken_14
***
German
Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said she will continue to
push for armed drones in the military, after lawmakers this week
insisted on keeping the Franco-German Eurodrone weaponless for now.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/04/16/german-defense-secretary-vows-to-keep-fighting-for-armed-drones/
Addtion:
Three other countries may approve this program: France, Italy
and Spain, whose Parliaments could validate this program in May.
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/le-bundestag-approuve-le-financement-de-l-eurodrone-drone-male-europeen-882507.html
***
Commentary
[Washington] Don’t sell arms to the Philippines
... it would end American complicity with the violence and abuses of the Duterte regime.
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2021/04/16/dont-sell-arms-to-the-philippines/
***
A duo of
Democratic senators offered a bill Friday that could block the U.S.
sale of F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates after the Biden
administration acknowledged it is advancing the Trump-era deal.
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2021/04/16/us-senators-propose-roadblock-for-f-35-sale-to-uae/
Isn't
it possible to send a letter of support by MP's and MEP's of nations
(European wide) participating in the F-35 fighter program?
***
Rivalry
between Greece & Turkey helped enrich the Western defence
industries — lately Russia too. Greece has become a battleground
for competing NATO allies who have rushed to sell new frigates and
capitalize on the country’s massive modernization program
https://greekreporter.com/2021/04/16/greece-turkey-dispute-arms-sales-mediterranean/
***
Two sides of
gun trade. US-made guns are ripping Central America apart and driving
migration north.
https://www.dailyhindnews.com/us-made-guns-are-ripping-central-america-apart-and-driving-migration-north-arms-trade/
***
Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam readies HNLMS Evertsen for Voyage to Japan; nearly 40,000 kilometres together with the UK Carrier Strike Group. https://maritime-executive.com/corporate/damen-shiprepair-amsterdam-readies-hnlms-evertsen-or-voyage-to-japan
***
French Naval
Group formally delivered a 2nd Bouchard Class multimission offshore
patrol vessel to the Argentine Navy. Piedrabuena (P 52) is the second
of four Gowind OPVs ordered by Argentina under a $380 million
contract signed with Naval Group in 2018.
https://www.navaltoday.com/2021/04/13/naval-group-delivers-new-opv-to-argentine-navy/
***
Extreem right wing president, violence against indigenous people & poor in the favelas, Covid-19 disaster, replaced military top, destruction/conflict Amazon basin, Brazil.
But the Netherlands gave an export
persmission of € 20 million for arms sales.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/binaries/rijksoverheid/documenten/kamerstukken/2021/04/15/kamerbrief-inzake-afgifte-vergunning-voor-export-militair-materieel-naar-brazilie/kamerbrief-inzake-afgifte-vergunning-voor-export-militair-materieel-naar-brazilie.pdf
Reaction @quinsyg: Dit is het buitenland beleid van Blok en Kaag. En dat hebben ze ons vanaf de aftrap van het vorige kabinet verteld.
My reaction: Het is al
decennia lang buitenlandbeleid van de Nederlandse Staat (zie
illustraties). Het is verweven is de economische en
bondgenootschappelijke machtspolitiek. Aan ons de taak dat te
ontvlechten. Link naar Actiebrochure HSA
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S8QT1SgJghuCacgYeZTIUyJBeeSLBbak/view?usp=sharing
***
Canada
accused by Turkey of double standard in arms ban to Turkey.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/canada-accused-of-double-standard-in-arms-ban-to-turkey/2210863
But to end this hypocrisy the sales to Riyadh must end not those to Ankara relaxed.
***
Lumen AI, the
fourth start-up to integrate the Rennes-based Commandement de la
Cyberdéfense's factory has an investor with ties to Israeli cyber
sector. [Pay Wall]
https://www.intelligenceonline.com/surveillance--interception/2021/04/15/lumenai-the-israeli-touch-to-french-comcyber-s-factory,109656984-ar1
***
DECLASSIFIED
UK
BAE Systems sold weaponry worth £17.6bn to Saudis during Yemen war
***
“We
voelen ons in Nederland behoorlijk veilig. Brandhaarden lijken ver
bij ons vandaan. Maar dat zijn ze niet,” zegt nieuwe CDS.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2021/04/16/nieuwe-commandant-der-strijdkrachten-waarschuwt-voor-gevolgen-van-%E2%80%98nee%E2%80%99-zeggen
Nee maar ze klotsen tegen de duinen,
verspreiden zich in parken, zijn gesloten loketten voor geestelijke
(kinder) zorg etc.
April
16
***
The CAAT
UK arms exports browser has been updated to include data up to
December 2020:
https://caat.org.uk/data/exports-uk/dashboard
***
New
face of war: the Cloud and what it brings for warfare. NATO’s
Firefly effort developed by Thales offers cloud tech to NATO.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/it-networks/2021/04/14/cloudy-vision-can-natos-new-deployable-combat-system-focus-the-field/
April 15
***
Two
Damen patrol vessels rented by Honduras for 13 years are pestered
with problems.
https://www.elheraldo.hn/pais/1456046-466/inoperables-las-costosas-patrulleras-interoceanicas-en-honduras
The armed forces however are stating they are in an optimal condition
and reported malfunction is normal.
https://www.elheraldo.hn/pais/1456064-466/fuerzas-armadas-patrulleras-estan-en-optimas-condiciones
***
Military
ships for sale. The struggle for the Drachme. #Greece
#NavalGroup détaille son offre à la marine grecque
***
Given
the strong Saudi presence in both countries, the Malaysian and
Indonesian governments follow Riyadhs recently as in support for the
Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen in 2015, its blockade of Qatar
during
between 2017-2021 & the Iran nuclear deal. https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/malaysia-and-indonesia-in-the-middle-east/
***
While
the EU still holds the opinion that enhanced surveillance on because
of potential sources of economic and financial difficulties
(https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/economy-finance/ip145_en.pdf),
this doesn't witheld the Dutch military sector from market its
weaponry to Athens. (Pages 8-9
https://www.heda.com.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/HBR-April-2021.pdf)
The opportunities
identified for the Dutch Defense sector lie within aviation (F-35 and
all existing legacy systems), maritime (purchase new ships and
upgrades current fleet), ground-based systems (vehicles and
simulators) and ICT (cyber security).
***
This essay by Bill Arkin was advised to me as: a must read for everyone who wants to understand US change of warfare, the mentality & fabric of the endless war.
https://www.newsweek.com/why-america-cant-end-its-forever-wars-1582749
What should the implications be for those acting to limit arms trade and military production?
***
1/.. #Airbus’ HForce initiative has turned the company’s H145M twin-engine light #helicopter into a successful aerial scout that has been adopted by Serbia and Hungary and is being offered to Romania. ../2
2. Trials to launch guided missiles, such as the #Israeli Rafael Spike, from the H145M are expected to take place shortly. Leonardo is developing an armed capability for its AW149 twin-engine medium utility platform ordered by #Egypt.
***
Activists
have returned to the UK Oldham subsidiary of Elbit Systems occupying
the roof & entering the building where they covered computers
with blood red paint. At the same time, the roof of the Bristol
offices of Elbit was occupied by another group.
https://realmedia.press/two-elbit-sites-occupied/
***
Hogere
budgetten voor defensie maken de wereld niet veiliger. Steek niet
meer geld in defensie en wapens, reageren Bram Grandia
(@KerkenVrede), Mark Akkerman (@CTWnl ) & Jan Schaake (WG
inclusieve veiligheid) op de oproep van vier militairen in Trouw.
https://www.trouw.nl/opinie/hogere-budgetten-voor-defensie-maken-de-wereld-niet-veiliger~b2a1c5f4/
April
14
***
European
Defence Agency #EDA participates this week in Exercise ‘Locked
Shields 2021’, the largest & most complex international
live-fire cyber defence exercise organised from 13-16 April by the
NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence #CCDCOE.
https://www.pressreleasepoint.com/eda-participates-locked-shields-cyber-defence-exercise
***
NGO's
criticize Airbus for arms sales in advance of AGM.
Kritik an Airbus-Deals; Vor der Hauptversammlung des Konzerns kritisieren drei NGOs die Geschäfte der Rüstungssparte mit autokratisch regierten Staaten wie Saudi-Arabien. https://taz.de/Verwicklung-des-Konzerns-in-Kriege/!5760997/
***
German
government approved fewer arms exports in the first 3 months of 2021
than in the same period of 2020. The licenses were valued €978m
(16% less than 1st quarter of 2020 with €1.163bn), according to an
answer on questions of Linke MP @SevimDagdelen.
https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/deutschland/militaer-verteidigung/id_89839678/vorjahresvergleich-bundesregierung-genehmigt-weniger-waffenexporte-.html
***
The United
States as a mass-killing machine. Article not only providing strong
opinion, but also a wide array of figures and facts to underline it.
https://tomdispatch.com/slaughter-central/
***
The sale of F-35s, drones and other advanced equipment was being reviewed. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/14/biden-administration-to-proceed-with-23b-arms-sales-to-uae
Just retweeted this Heavily bombardment by #Saudi and #UAE warplanes. https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/1382066222783721475
Addition:
Deliverances of components by Dutch
industry for the F-35 fighter are an important part of Dutch military
exports. Although the Netherlands has a sound policy on arms trade
and Yemen, these sales will continue, without being seen, without
being debated.
***
University of
Twente participates in AiNed through the 'AI Hub Eastern-Netherlands'
together with, Saxion and a number of companies with their feet in
military or security business like Nedap, #Thales & #NXP. Soon
€276 million will be available for AiNed.
https://www.utwente.nl/en/news/2021/4/1023643/netherlands-growth-fund-invests-hundreds-of-millions-in-quantum-and-ai
***
NATO Relies
on #Thales for a Real-Time View of the Operational Situation in Joint
theaters. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210413005102/en/
***
Turkey
accelerates space program by building new satellites.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/science-technology/turkey-accelerates-space-program-by-building-new-satellites//2208150
The French aeronautics and space industries sector #Gifas has been supported by military aeronautics and space it fell only 3%, to € 16.5bn, 50/50 between exports and sales to the French army. For its part, the turnover of the space sector fell by 25%. https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/trou-dair-pour-le-secteur-aeronautique-francais-en-2020-1306439
***
Peace Group
is calling for the controversial Three Counties Defence and Security
Expo exhibition (in July) near Worcester to be cancelled. It has
launched a writing campaign to get their message across.
https://www.malverngazette.co.uk/news/19228482.peace-campaigners-call-three-counties-defence-expo-cancelled/
***
Retweet @jgstugent: Nu donderdag organiseren wij een zeer interessante webinar met @StefanieDeBock_(@Vredesactie). Belgische wapens duiken nog steeds op in conflictgebieden. Naast de Waalse regering, doet de Vlaamse regering ook nog steeds aan wapenhandel: https://fb.me/e/2rvjI63in
***
Italy
& EU could focus on space-based elements of missile defense:
“Constellations of satellites will be more and more needed to detect missiles since their launch, mainly through thermal infrared sensors,” IAI paper argued.
https://www.iai.it/sites/default/files/iai2105.pdf
April 13
***
Psst
Nederlandse mijnenbestrijdingsvaartuigen krijgen - tegen meerprijs -
radar die meer kan dan geëist. Met de NS50-radar kun je bij wijze
van spreken vanuit Zeebrugge het luchtruim boven Zaventem in de gaten
houden, maar ook dat van Heathrow en Schiphol.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/allehens/2021/04/07_nieuwe-radar-mbvs
***
It is
reported #Morocco has carried out its 1st drone strike in the Western
Sahara. The #Polisario Front announced that its police chief Addah
al-Bendir had been killed "on the field of honor" in a
Saharawi controlled part of the occupied territory.
https://thearabweekly.com/first-time-use-drone-moroccan-army-highlights-polisarios-vulnerability
***
U.S. Special
Operations Command #SOCOM created a task force in the Pacific region
to work with allies there to thwart China’s information operations.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/information-warfare/2021/03/25/special-operations-team-in-pacific-will-confront-chinese-information-campaigns/
***
Retweet with
quote @tdh_de: Kampfjets für den
Jemenkrieg, Militärtransporter für die Türkei, Hubschrauber für
die tödlichen Einsätze der brasilianischen Polizei und die
Grenzabschottung - made by @Airbus. Heute haben wir unser Dossier mit
@urgewald, @Krit_Aktionaere & @CTWnl veröffentlicht.
https://www.tdh.de/fileadmin/user_upload/inhalte/04_Was_wir_tun/Themen/Weitere_Themen/Kleinwaffen/Briefing_Airbus_05.pdf
Fighter jets to
used on Yemen, military transport planes delivered to Turkey, heli's
operated with deadly force by the Brazilian police, & closing
borders, all made possible by @Airbus. Today a dossier on the company
was published by @tdh_de, @urgewald, @Krit_Aktionaere & @CTWnl.
***
German SPD, Greens,
Linke and the FDP are calling for stricter regulation of the arms
trade. At the center of this could be a new arms export law - with
effects on the entire industry.
https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/waffenhandel-nach-urteil-zu-heckler-und-koch-spd-gruene-und-fdp-fordern-ruestungsexportgesetz/27086356.html
***
Question
4221: What steps has the Commission taken to stop Germany exporting
arms to countries involved in armed conflicts and human rights
violations?
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2021-000718_EN.html
Answer 12421: The final decision...remains with the Member States’ authorities. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2021-000718-ASW_EN.pdf
***
The Nigerian
Navy says it has acquired 172 patrol boats, four helicopters, four
ships and 14 unmanned aerial vehicles, in the fight against crude oil
theft and sea piracy within the country's territorial waters.
https://sweetcrudereports.com/nigerian-navy-acquires-vessels-helicopters-to-oil-theft/
***
The global
disadvantages for control on military technology by introducing a US
control mechanism against tech transfer to China. "The value
proposition of a new COCOM is nil."
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2021/04/09/think-twice-before-bringing-back-the-cocom-export-control-regime/
***
The pandemic
could've been a chance to reverse high military spending globally.
Instead, we could be heading towards a new Cold War-style arms race.
A reversal of present trends would free resources to cope with pandemics, climate change & global poverty. https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/foreign-and-security-policy/on-the-way-to-an-arms-race-and-a-new-cold-war-5096/
***
At
last the Canadian government has cancelled arms export licences for
Turkey’s high-tech drone systems after a review found credible
evidence that Canadian technology was diverted to Azerbaijan without
Ottawa’s consent and used Nagorno-Karabakh last fall.
https://timesnewsexpress.com/news/world/canada/canada-cancels-permits-for-high-tech-arms-exports-to-turkey-cbc-news/
Addition:
The Canadian government is cancelling 29 permits for military
exports to Turkey, saying an investigation revealed that
made-in-Canada airstrike-targeting gear shipped to the Eurasian
country was illegally diverted to the war between Azerbaijan and
Armenia.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ottawa-cancels-29-military-export-permits-for-turkey-after-finding/
Addition:
Not what Turkey wanted. Turkish Foreign
Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu urged NATO ally Canada on Monday to review
defence industry restrictions which it imposed on Ankara last year.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2021/04/12/turkey-calls-on-canada-to-review-defence-industry-restrictions
Addition: Final report: Review of Canadian export permits to Turkey
April
12
***
#Armasuisse
signed early April a CHF 155m contract with Thales. It covers the
acquisition of the SkyView surveillance system, part of the Swiss
military modernization and also connected to the expensive purchase
of (French) fighter planes.
https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/un-systeme-francais-surveiller-lespace-aerien-suisse
***
Warmonger
Grant Newsham wants to reign in Wall Street, not because of the
impacts of investments on climate, social justice, peace & human
rights, but to limit Chinese economic activities; combined with a
proposal to strengthen US militarily in Asia.
https://asiatimes.com/2021/04/us-commander-needs-more-money-to-counter-china/
***
More than a
dozen rights groups (Amnesty, DAWN etc.) have urged the US
administration to restrict arms sales to Bahrain and pressure the
Arab monarchy to introduce reforms and address the severe
deterioration of human rights there.
https://en.abna24.com/news/rights-groups-urge-us-to-restrict-arms-sales-to-bahrain_1130246.html
***
Retweet with
quote @AirbusHeli: Check out the latest
Rotor Magazine online! Learn more about the #NH90, the new Caïman
Standard 2 & the plan to transform the support & services
related to this. Read also the stories: Eliance & SUMMA 112 in
Spain, Mercy Air in Mozambique, & much more.
https://fly.airbus.com/2RgCkvF
A
magazine on the NH90 helicopter, produced by Airbus Helicopters,
Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland) and Fokker Aerostructures (now
part of GKN).
The helicopter is used (by the military) for civil tasks (ending wild fires), and for interventions, in casu Mali and Afghanistan.
***
No
bombs, but health.
"Instead of selling weapons of war, the US should make global public health our No. 1 priority. It is by far the most effective way to enhance our national security," states Amy Goodman of @democracynow !, an TV/radio news hour. https://www.democracynow.org/2021/4/8/the_united_states_should_send_vaccines
***
EU foreign
policy chief Josep Borrell said on Sunday it was "no surprise"
that Moscow and Beijing were blocking efforts at the UNSC to impose
an arms embargo.
What's needed to change this position?
***
Scottish
Green's marine environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell told:
"The-Tories' nuclear posturing is reckless in the extreme and
Labour's ongoing support for Trident is a disgrace. The people of
Scotland shouldn't have to play their dangerous game.
https://www.thenational.scot/news/19224715.greens-pledge-ban-trident-scottish-independence/
***
Independent
Jewish Voices #IJV #Canada applauds New Democratic Party #NDP passing
a resolution calling for an end to the illegal Israeli occupation of
Palestinian land including suspending all bilateral arms trade with
Israel.
https://www.ijvcanada.org/ijv-applauds-ndp-convention-delegates-for-passing-the-palestine-resolution/
***
Retweet
with quote: @CAATuk Check out this new film
from @thejetline about living under a F-35 fighter jet flight path -
yet another way the arms trade intrudes on everyday life. Premieres
on Thursday, April 15th at 7PM EST: https://jetlinefilm.com
De
F-35, the most expensive weapon ever, is notorious for its cost and
failures. Jet Line will report how the fighter yet is harming lives
of the people living in regions it is exercising with enormous levels
of noise.
April
11
***
During the
period 2021–2027, Norway will participate for the first time in the
European Defence Fund #EDF, the EU programme for defence cooperation.
https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/participation_programmes/id2843246/
***
UK does not
limit arms exports to Ankara, but is promoting them in a bold way. On
board an aircraft carrier, UK Defence Secretary Wallace & Turkish
MoD Minister Hulusi Akar took part in a roundtable with
representatives from the British defence industry.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/turkish-defence-minister-visits-british-aircraft-carrier/
***
The US
ambassador to the UN urged the international community to take
"concrete action" against the military in Myanmar including
an arms embargo & sanctions against its holding companies and
those who profit from them.
How China and Russia will follow?
***
Another
controversy regarding the Indian #Rafale fighter deal. It's claimed
Indian businessman Sushen Gupta was paid € millions by Dassault. In
turn, #Gupta, provided them with confidential information from the
#Indian MoD about the ongoing negotiations.
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2021/page1/rafale-middleman-leaked-def-info-for-pay-off--says-mediapart.html
***
The
Korean fighter jet KF-21 is finished and is [partly] the first
self-developed fighter. Airbus wanted to participate, but it didn't
work out. Now the US is supplying important components. Indonesia,
the Philippines and Thailand are potential customers.
https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article230081163/Suedkoreas-Jet-KF-21-Besser-getarnt-als-Eurofighter-billiger-als-F-35.html
Addition:
South Korea soars into elite group with K-21 fighter
President Moon hails homegrown [but with essential US components] next-gen prototype as a 'new era of independent defence' https://asiatimes.com/2021/04/kf-21-jet-fighter-puts-south-korea-in-elite-group/
April 10
***
Blog:
German Companies Export Products Found in Turkish Armed Drones Used
in Nagorno-Karabakh War https://hetq.am/en/article/129514
***
Question
by Agnieszka Brugger Die Grünen to the German government (Member of
OCCAR's board) in regard to the repeatedly identified Turkish Libya
embargo violations (https://undocs.org/S/2021/229)
is the use the Airbus A400M transport plane ever raised?
https://dip21.bundestag.de/dip21/btd/19/279/1927994.pdf
***
https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2021/13/02_geheime-defhaven_13
Ooit
schreef ik een bespreking van een prachtig boek over deze plannen:
titel Koude Oorlog aan de IJssel; Roman in brieven
auteurs A.L. Snijders; Erik Harteveld
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2014/01/water-als-bondgenoot.html
***
DARPA
awards two contracts to BAE Systems for cutting-edge electronic
warfare technology.
https://defence-blog.com/news/darpa-awards-two-contracts-to-bae-systems-for-cutting-edge-electronic-warfare-technology.html
***
US
President Joe Biden’s fiscal 2022 budget request asks for $753
billion in national security funding, an increase of 1.6 percent that
includes $715 billion for the Defense Department.
https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2021/04/09/biden-requests-715b-for-pentagon-hinting-at-administrations-future-priorities/
Remember this piece on the US budget: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/07/opinion/biden-defense-budget.html
***
Retweet
@M__Verbruggen: The Dutch
counterterrorism unit NCTV: - Serious anti-muslim bias &
right-wing extremism blindness - Systematic and widespread illegal
data collection & monitoring of civilians - Threatening these
reporters to send intelligence services after their sources.
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2021/04/09/onmin-en-uitglijders-bij-de-club-die-het-land-moet-beschermen-a4039114
***
We
Canadians try to be on the right side of history – but too often we
fail. We fail largely because morality and money are seldom on
speaking terms. Consider our role in two immoral wars: Canada is
making the same mistakes in Yemen that it did in Vietnam.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-canada-is-making-the-same-mistakes-in-yemen-that-it-did-in-vietnam/
April
9
***
Het
rapport 'Financing Border Wars: The border industry, its financiers
and human rights' van Stop Wapenhandel en TNI onderzoekt de
anti-migratie-industrie en de grootste investeerders in de 23
belangrijkste betrokken bedrijven uit Europa, Australië & VS.
https://stopwapenhandel.org/financingborderwars
The report 'Financing
Border Wars: The border industry, its financiers and human rights' of
@CTWnl and @TNInstitute investigates the anti-migration industry and
it profiles 23 corporations as significant actors from Europe,
Australia and the US.
https://stopwapenhandel.org/sites/stopwapenhandel.org/files/financingborderwars-report-tni_2.pdf
These
actors are: Accenture, Airbus, Booz Allen Hamilton, Classic Air
Charter, Cobham, CoreCivic, Deloitte, Elbit, Eurasylum, G4S, GEO
Group, IBM, IDEMIA, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, Mitie, Palantir,
PricewaterhouseCoopers, Serco, Sopra Steria, Thales, Thomson Reuters,
Unisys.
***
Broekstukken
on the attempt to pull down the Dutch arms trade control. When
looking more closely it become clear the Parliamentarian responsible
for a memorandum with this aim missed (willingly?) some crucial
points.
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2021/04/race-to-bottom-on-arms-export-control.html
Addition:
MPs Van Helvert of the #CDA and Bosman of the #VVD used the
outcome of the Toulouse lobby event to propose a nearly full
demolition of Dutch arms export control. They wrote a memorandum on
arms export policy claiming that export control is undermining the
Dutch military industry.
***
The US has
reportedly delivered three military cargoes to Ukraine in the last
fortnight amid growing international demands for Russia to explain
its troop build-up on the border with its neighbor.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-demands-russia-explain-military-build-up-near-ukraine-after-sending-hardware-to-kyiv/ar-BB1foj4S
Voor Nederlandse samenvatting zie: http://troepenbewegingen.blogspot.com/2021/04/wapenleveranties-en-troepenopbouw-rond.html
***
Voertuigen en heli's (101st Airborne Division) aan boord van de Endurance onderweg naar Kentucky (https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:1.9/centery:51.2/zoom:8). Nl. militairen gaven ondersteuning in het kader van Host Nation Support. https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2021/04/09/omvangrijke-verplaatsing-amerikaans-militair-materieel-afgerond De MIVD deed veiligheidsonderzoek.
https://www.blogbeforeflight.net/2021/03/us-army-helicopters-eindhoven-rotterdam-netherlands.html
April
8
***
Retweet
@FrankSlijper: #Nigeria's Navy's substantial
number of recent acquisitions incl. ships from France, Malaysia &
Netherlands (via Vietnam) + drones from China and S-Africa + Italian
helos
https://defenceweb.co.za/featured/nigerian-navy-records-substantial-number-of-recent-acquisitions/
via @defenceweb_afr
***
Azerbaijan,Turkey
to set up joint defence industry cooperation commission
https://www.azernews.az/nation/177709.html
***
Good news:
Vivienne Westwood is marking her 80th birthday with some remarks: "Don't buy a car," "Don't buy a bomb!" "Get a life!" and to follow her on Climaterevolution.co.uk. Westwood highlights the Campaign Against Arms Trade, a U.K.-based organization. https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/dont-buy-bomb-warns-vivienne-westwood-80th-birthday-1234795864/
The US State Department has notified #CAATSA sanctions against Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and its senior leadership for Ankara’s purchase of Russian S-400 air defence systems.https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29281#.YG7mX-j7SUl
https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2021-07048.pdf
***
UN SG
Guterres called for implementation of the 2018 peace agreement in
South Sudan, disarmament of former combatants and establishment of a
truth and reconciliation commission as key targets in proposed
benchmarks to get rid of a UN arms embargo.
https://www.570news.com/2021/04/07/un-chief-proposes-targets-to-lift-south-sudan-arms-embargo/
***
Africom says
at least 14 Mig-29 and Su-24 fighter jets were flown from Russia to
Syria and repainted to cover the Russian markings. The aircraft were
then flown into Libya, breaching the UN arms embargo.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/07/exclusive-uk-prepared-confront-putins-private-army-says-defence/
***
#dpiX and
#TNO signed expand collaboration in thin-film semiconductor &
electronics R&D, prototyping & manufacturing.
https://money.yahoo.com/dpix-tno-holst-centre-sign-150000157.html
dpiX was established with financial support of US DoD to create semiconductor display products for the military. https://www.dpix.com/2021/01/frank-caris-new-honorary-consul-for-the-kingdom-of-the-netherlands/
***
Romania and
the corvettte deal won by French Naval Group is still part of the
Bucharest political proces. The MoD gen. Ciucă seems to have
humiliated his French colleague Florence Parly in a recorded
telephone conversation & said he wants peace with Damen.
https://www.national.ro/dezvaluiri/e-doar-inceputul-iohannis-trimis-dupa-seminte-de-macron-717595.html
***
Panamese
Ministry of public security posted a tender notice for "Purchase
Genuine Spare Parts, for Preventive Maintenance of Damen interceptors
1102 (3616, 3617, 3618, 3619, 3621, 3622, 3623, 3624) ordered in
2017. Reference price: 49950.85. Link to boats.
https://www.damen.com/en/news/2017/03/eight_damen_interceptors_for_panama
***
Kommer Damen met een vermogen van € 1,8 miljard is nr.8 op de Forbes lijst van rijke aardbewoners. Niet alles is met wapenhandel verdiend, maar wel een fors deel. https://www.forbes.com/profile/kommer-damen/?list=billionaires&sh=ae4c40137d16 Het gaat de Nederlandse rijken goed https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/economie/beurs/artikel/5223987/forbes-rijken-der-aarde-miljardairs-corona en ook deze scheepsbouwer.
***
Also with
Biden at the helm the US appears unlikely to rejoin the 34-nation
Open Skies Treaty international partners were told in a memo obtained
by Defense News that doing so would send the “wrong message” to
Russia. A wrong of Trump not to be repaired?
https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2021/04/07/rejoining-open-skies-would-send-wrong-message-to-russia-says-us-state-department/
Addition: CRS report: The Open Skies Treaty: Background and Issues, Updated April 7, 2021 https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/20604360/in10502.pdf
***
A Maltese
arms dealer has told the UN security council that he did not know his
military-grade vessels were to be used by private military
contractors in violation of sanctions on Libya. However Fenech’s
claims lacked credibility.
https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/maltese-arms-dealer-was-unaware-that-he-broke-libya-embargo-un.862728
***
Did
Russians violate the Wassenaar Agreement by delivering #Iskader-M
missiles to Armenia & were they used during the 2000 war against
Azerbaijan? Azerbaijan said it found parts of this longer range
variant. War is over, but the fallout hasn't stopped yet.
https://www.eurasiareview.com/07042021-iskander-missiles-dilemma-in-karabakh-oped/
April
7
***
"Pleitbezorgers
voor het enorme VS-defensiebudget beweren dat het banen oplevert.
Academische studies tonen aan dat het minder efficiënt is dan
overheidsinvesteringen in onderwijs, schone energie, transport en
gezondheidszorg," staat in de New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/07/opinion/biden-defense-budget.html
***
Is it a game?
Who is worse delivering arms to the Middle East: France or the UK?
The UK will establish a joint operating unit with Qatar for the BAE Systems Hawk advanced jet trainer (AJT) aircraft as part of a wider military co-operation agreement. https://www.blogbeforeflight.net/2021/04/uk-qatar-joint-hawk-training-squadron.html
***
In een brief
aan de nieuwe Tweede Kamer hebben maatschappelijke organisaties hun
grote zorgen geuit over een voorstel dat de deur wijd open zet voor
wapenexporten naar ongewenste bestemmingen.
https://stopwapenhandel.org/brief%20vvdcda%20nota
Lees de brief https://stopwapenhandel.org/sites/stopwapenhandel.org/files/Web%20Brief%20BZ%20D%20Cie%20nota%20wapenexport.pdf
SW English blog follows.
Addition: Het engelstalige blog dat ik gisteren beloofde: https://www.stopwapenhandel.org/RaceToTheBottom
***
"France
sold weapons to destinations which are hard to understand: to States
which are recognized to be committing war crimes and crimes against
humanity, and France is responsible. "
https://www.nicematin.com/faits-de-societe/la-france-mene-une-politique-nocive-pour-les-droits-humains-juge-la-cheffe-damnesty-666780
Addition: Amnesty International sends France a red card.
Amnesty International adresse un carton rouge à la France
***
UK's
'headlong rush into abandoning human rights' rebuked by Amnesty
Covid failings, crackdown on protest, police discrimination and resumed arms trade with Saudi Arabia all listed in annual report
Addition: UK rushing to ‘abandon
human rights’, Amnesty report warns
‘We’re speeding toward cliff edge,’
says NGO director
***
The 8th
edition of Cybertech Global, an international cyber event that until
now had only been held in Tel Aviv, will take place this week in
Dubai. Participating: DP World, the Israel National Cyber
Directorate, FAA, EuroControl, Israel Shipyards etc.
https://gulfbusiness.com/cybertech-global-exhibition-to-be-held-in-dubai-for-the-first-time/
***
Indonesia
paid just $22 million, about 13 percent of what it is owed for the
Korean fighter project. Now it wants to half its commitment. The
local economy, now reeling from COVID-19 fallout, is reportedly among
the reasons. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210406001101
***
“Who should
really be charged with criminal damage? The activists that spilled
paint? Or the war criminals that spill blood and destroy entire
communities? We look forward to seeing Elbit Systems in court and
exposing the criminal damage ... committed.”
https://realmedia.press/not-guilty-plea-over-elbit-protest/
***
According
to pictures released by the Official Website of The Presidency
Republic of Ghana, the Turkish company Otokar has delivered Cobra 1
and Cobra 2 4x4 armored vehicles to Ghana armed forces.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_april_2021_global_security_army_industry/ghana_has_officially_received_first_otokar_cobra_2_4x4_armored_vehicles.html
April
6
***
***
Reorganising
Indonesian military industry. The General Director of PT Pindad
Abraham Mose supports the plan of the Ministry of State-Owned
Enterprises (BUMN) to form a Defense BUMN Holding Company.
https://www.neraca.co.id/article/144607/pindad-dukung-holding-bumn-pertahanan-demi-hasilkan-produk-inovatif
***
Former
chief of Chinese defence giant #Norinco being probed for #corruption
https://www.wionews.com/world/former-chief-of-chinese-defence-giant-norinco-being-probed-for-corruption-375495
Anti-corruption
is often used in authoritarian states to tackle a real problem, but
also to remove people not in line with the leader, here Xi.
Addition: SCMP: Yin, 65, is the latest high-level official from the defence industry to be snared by President Xi Jinping's sweeping anti-corruption campaign that has seen more than 1.3 million officials investigated since 2012. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3128278/corruption-china-ex-boss-arms-company-norinco-placed-under
***
Ten minste 6
Nederlandse universiteiten werken indirect samen met het Chinese
leger door projecten met Chinese technische universiteiten. Deze
wetenschappelijke samenwerking geeft China toegang tot onderzoek of
dual-use tech meldde Delta, van de TU Delft.
https://www.computable.nl/artikel/nieuws/onderwijs/7158171/250449/nederlandse-universiteiten-helpen-chinese-leger.html
Addition: By the way in 2020 exporteerde Nederland voor € 8,7 miljoen dual use technologie naar China en daarbij komt export ter waarde van € 168,9 miljoen naar Hong Kong. Dat blijkt uit het overzicht dual-use exporten dat de Overheid mdet enige regelmaat publiceert.
***
Omid
Nouripour German MP for the Grünen lists a number of issues German
policy lacks behind the policy of the US on arms trade relations with
Saudi's, but also in regard to its assessment of the UAE's role in
#Yemen.
https://www.welt.de/debatte/kommentare/article229638775/Jemen-Konflikt-Die-grenzenlose-Naivitaet-der-deutschen-Aussenpolitik.html
He also mentions the
coalition's naval blockade of Yemen, which has led to a shortage of
almost all goods in Yemen. This operation is still denied in the
Netherlands.
***
A former MIT
research student married to the younger daughter of President
Erdogan, Bayraktar has been central to Turkey’s production of armed
drones. In 2020, his TB2 drones were used with devastating effect in
Tripoli and Baku, both Turkish allies.
***
After several
weeks of arduous negotiations & while deadlines are looming, the
office of the French MoD, Florence Parly, confirmed to have received
"an offer" by #Airbus & #Dassault for 2nd stage in the
development of the future air combat system #FCAS.
https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2021/04/04/airbus-et-dassault-ont-fait-une-offre-sur-l-avion-europeen-scaf_6075521_3210.html
***
French media
report alleging corruption in India’s Rafale fighter deal has
revived the debate on how corruption is intrinsic to the way global
arms trade takes place. Transparency & making lobby legal is the
method to limit the problem, the author states.
https://eurasiantimes.com/why-india-should-learn-the-american-lesson-in-arms-deals-to-fight-corruption/
***
What is also
called the "rat hole" by members of US Congres is
advertised in a sponsored link by its producer Lockheed Martin the
centerpiece of 21st century global security.
https://www.f35.com/f35/global-enterprise.html
***
As European
majors like Damen, Fincantieri and Navantia try to woo Cairo as it
plans to acquire 20 patrol vessels and six corvettes, the Egyptian
Navy insists on solid partnerships and the transfer of technological
knowledge. [Pay Wall]
https://www.africaintelligence.com/north-africa_business/2021/04/05/cairo-committed-to-corvettes-and-patrol-vessels-being--made-in-egypt,109655532-ar1
***
An
overview of European arms exports and on the other hand on countries
with restrictive policies in the context of the US policy concerning
Saudi Arabia, UAE and Yemen.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/3/advocates-see-opportunity-us-review-saudi-arms-review
April
3
***
Scheepsbeheerders
mogen straks aan boord van Nederlandse koopvaardijschepen onder
voorwaarden gewapende particuliere beveiligers meenemen, ter
bescherming tegen piraterij in de Golf van Aden.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2021/04/02/meer-bescherming-tegen-piraterij-voor-koopvaardijschepen
***
The planned
massive entry of the Israeli defense industries into the Gulf States
weapons market, has been slowed down and the companies here are
trying to convince the ministry of defense to change the pace.
https://breakingdefense.com/2021/04/israeli-defense-ministry-goes-slow-on-arab-weapon-sales/
***
The lucrative
business of the 'noble' act of providing weapons to the military. Sky
News revealed BAE Systems has increased Charles Woodburn's base
salary by +£100,000 & gave him an additional 'golden handcuffs'
share package worth £2m to keep him at BAES.
https://news.sky.com/story/bae-systems-hands-chief-woodburn-2m-pay-rise-to-head-off-poaching-bid-12263670
***
Myanmar-bound
grenades and M16 bullets seized at delivery company, north Thailand
https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/myanmar-bound-grenades-and-m16-bullets-seized-at-delivery-company-north-thailand-349565
***
Asaad Al-Jaboubi
left Yemen for love.
That was more than 15 years ago, not long after he’d met his soon-to-be Canadian wife.
Now he calls on Canada to stop exporting weapons to Saudi Arabia.
Long and telling story.
Addition:
Although small in comparison, Dutch component for one of
the Canadian exports to Saudi Arabia have never been questioned or
isn't even mentioned as far as I know. In a longer piece on
Rheinmetaal Nederland I made a small note on the exports.
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2021/03/rheinmetall-german-dutch-connection.html
April
2
***
The
diplomatic language around the F-35 "rat hole". Numbers may
go down, failures are not solved yet and cooperation with allies is
stressed, because of the buy American policy.
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2021/03/31/air-land-chairman-talks-f-35-costs-and-buy-america-in-the-next-defense-bill/
***
Days
after Khashoggi killing, British military sold crucial spare parts to
Saudi air force bombing Yemen.
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-04-01-days-after-khashoggi-killing-british-military-sold-crucial-spare-parts-to-saudi-air-force-bombing-yemen/
April
1
***
The Fokker
saga continues. Panta Holding buys Fokker Services en Fokker Techniek
from GKN. GKN keeps Fokker Aerostructures, Fokker Landing Gear and
Fokker Elmo (wiring). Twee dochters overgenomen.
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2021/03/31/luchtvaartondernemer-rosen-jacobson-meldt-zich-weer-bij-fokker-a4038066
***
BAE Systems
L&A (Minnesota), is awarded a $77m modification to a FMS $868m
contract (N00024-20-C-5380) for MK 41 Vertical Launching System
canisters & ancillary hardware for the US, South Korea, Japan,
the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Australia, and Turkey.
https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2557357/
Natuurlijk zijn het vooral China, Rusland & India die wapens leveren aan #Myanmar. https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2021/03/30/in-china-is-bijna-alles-te-koop-a4037921
Maar hoe zit dat met de Nl vliegtuigen bij de luchtmacht van Myanmar? Niets aan te doen. "Het leasen van civiele toestellen aan de luchtmacht van Myanmar valt ook bij strikte lezing echter niet onder dit wapenembargo."
Naast het Fokker
vliegtuig om militaire hotemetoten rond te vliegen is er ook nog een
voor militair transport. Konden we ook niets aan doen.
Hoe
zit het met die Thales technologie voor de marine van Myanmar?
Wapenembargo? Geen rechten meer op die technologie? Ach ouwe meuk,
lang geleden geleverd aan India.
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2015/07/despite-military-embargo-india-sells.html
***
Q (Katja
Keul, Bündnis90/Die Grünen) & A (Miguel Berger, FA state
secretary) in Bundestag on rules enabling the export of arms in the
context European Peace Facility & what role is left for the
German arms export regulations (see.
www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/monitor/eu-waffenexporte-101.html)?
https://dip21.bundestag.de/dip21/btd/19/279/1927994.pdf
***
Greece’s
military relations with the Persian Gulf monarchies of the United
Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have grown substantively over the past
year and continue to grow. But just how significant are these
relations?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2021/03/31/how-significant-is-greeces-growing-military-cooperation-with-the-uae-and-saudi-arabia/
***
2
messages on Libya:
Greek PM Mitsotakis to visit Libya next week. (To limit Turkish influence.) https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1158257/mitsotakis-to-visit-libya-next-week/
Iranian Press TV reports authorities in western Libya freed 120 captured fighters loyal to Haftar as part of reoncilliation process. https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/03/31/648483/Libya-fighters-Haftar
***
#Myanmar’s
National Assembly who formed a committee known by its initials CRPH
asked for an arms embargo. China opposed it loud and clear - with
hollow words - by stating it opposes “one-sided pressure and
calling for sanctions or other coercive measures."
https://globalnews.ca/news/7732615/myanmar-civil-war-un-envoy/
***
Heckler &
Koch; Illegale Waffenexporte: Was das Mexiko-Urteil des BGH für die
Rüstungsbranche bedeutet
What the German Federal Court of Justice judgment on Mexico means for the arms industry
***
Czech
president Zeman met with the Israeli state arms manufacturer Rafael
Advanced Defense Systems and the Czechoslovak Group, March 31. They
discussed cooperation between the Israeli firm and Czechia, including
the planned purchase of an air defence system. CTK March 31, 2021.
***
#EDA
supervised 3rd & last simulation session of #OCEAN2020 project
https://ocean2020.eu/: 12 simulations centers from research centers,
universities, small & industries in European countries were
linked together to run specific scenarios in real time.
https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2021/03/29/third-simulation-trial-for-ocean2020-project
***
Defence
planners at Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence have shortlisted
designs of Damen, Mitsui, Fincantieri, and Babcock in a programme to
procure follow-on vessels to the country’s Martadinata (SIGMA
10514)-class guided-missile frigates.
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/indonesia-shortlists-four-options-in-follow-on-to-sigma-10514-frigates
***
German
contractors Rheinmetall, Hensoldt (there the company is again
https://twitter.com/martinbroek/status/1376827114952003586) and Diehl
Defence have teamed up to bid on the country’s envisioned
short-range, air-defense program, the companies said Tuesday.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/03/30/three-companies-make-a-joint-run-for-germanys-new-air-defense-program/
***
Retweet
@FrankSlijper:
Sinotruk military trucks used in #Myanmar against
demonstrations; MAN has "asked the Chinese partner to provide
comprehensive information on business activities in Myanmar and to
place the issue on the agenda of the [...] meeting of the board of
directors"
https://projekte.sueddeutsche.de/artikel/wirtschaft/myanmar-the-role-played-by-the-german-company-man-e692964/
