Latest on top (updated
regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
January 31
***
“Hoogtechnologische bedrijven
die actief zijn in projecten van het Europees Defensie Fonds #EDF”,
zijn indrukken bij bezoeken van voorzitter NIDV Eijsink aan bijv.
Microflown (binnenkort te zien op een wapenbeurs in #Saudi Arabië
https://www.worlddefenseshow.com/exhibit/exhibitor-list/).
https://www.nidv.eu/nieuws/werkbezoek-nidv-voorzitter-eijsink-aan-microflown-thales-en-demcon/
***
#Nexter is selected by the
#Italian Army to evaluate its robotic platforms. It chose the
ULTRO-600, in the mule version for evaluation. This multi-purpose
tactical robot can carry up to 600kg of load or accommodate a weapon
system ranging from 5.56-12.7mm.
https://www.defesanet.com.br/en/technology/noticia/43440/Nexter-is-selected-by-the-Italian-Army-to-evaluate-its-robotic-platforms/
***
Je zou ze bijna vergeten, maar
ook de Nederlandse F-16's worden nog opgelapt. De miljoenen vallen
weg tegen de miljarden voor de F-35. Aerospace & Commercial
Technologies, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $10.7 million
contract for F-16 flaperons.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/2914949/
***
@lailazwaini 'Als
landen steun aan Jemen stoppen, raken kogels een keer op.' @NOS
@Nieuwsuur: goed dat er meer aandacht voor de #Yemen-oorlog is èn
voor onze rol als westen daarin! Maar: niet de steun aan Jemen moet
stoppen, maar onze wapensteun aan de Saudi-coalitie..
https://nos.nl/nieuwsuur/artikel/2415038-als-landen-steun-aan-jemen-stoppen-raken-kogels-een-keer-op
***
Germany’s foreign minister
Baerbock, defended the country’s ban on arms exports to Ukraine,
saying that allowing them would run the risk of “closing the door
for de-escalation which has just opened up again in such a tentative
way”.https://www.ft.com/content/b02434fc-b00b-4e6b-8fc8-218601eb18ec
***
Why arms to Riyad (article
gives many examples) and not to Kyiv, while the 1st is governed by a
brutal regime and the 2nd under threat of a terrible neighbour? As if
human rights on the Arab peninsular improve by supplying fuel to the
conflict with Russia.
https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2022/01/31/Canadas-Military-Aid-Hypocrisy/
This
brings the two together: "Defense Express" reported on
August 13, 2021, the Ukrainian company NVO Practika has announced two
export contracts for 2021, including the delivery of Kozak-5 4x4
armored vehicles to Saudi Arabia.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_august_2021_global_security_army_industry/ukraine_has_delivererd_kozak-5_4x4_armored_vehicles_to_saudi_arabia.html
January 30
***
Incredible but true: Australia
joins OCCAR, a European armaments agency. Not liked in La Tribune:
OCCAR welcomes a country which has ostensibly turned its back on
Europe and France. The Paper mentions AUKUS, NH-90, and Tiger heli.
***
US blocks $130 million in aid
for Egypt over rights abuses (10% of annual military aid). But the
Middle Eastern ally continues to buy billions of dollars worth of
military equipment from the United States.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/28/us/politics/egypt-us-human-rights.html
***
China's newest combat drone, the
Wing Loong-1E - aimed at competing with the US MQ-1C Grey Eagle - has
completed its maiden flight, as its state-owned developer adds to its
fleet and potentially its overseas market.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3165186/could-chinas-new-combat-drone-be-rival-us-armys-grey-eagle
Addition:
China in talks with Egypt to deliver Wing Loong I-D drones
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2022_global_security_army_industry/china_in_talks_with_egypt_to_deliver_wing_loong_i-d_drones.h
***
Amnesty said the Saudi-led
coalition used US-manufactured precision-guided munition in its Saada
prison massacre in Yemen. The laser-guided bombs are manufactured by
US military company #Raytheon, Lynn Maalouf of the human rights
organisation said.
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-us-made-weapon-used-air-strike-killed-scores-escalation-saudi-led-coalition
***
CAAT's reaction to Statement by
the Quint (Oman, Saudi Arabia UAE, UK, and US) on Yemen: "This
extremely disappointing statement cements the UK's selective
application of International Humanitarian Law to customers of UK arms
exports."
https://caat.org.uk/news/international-and-yemeni-civil-society-responds-to-extremely-disappointing-uk-government-statement-on-yemen-conflict/
***
Nonprofit Human Rights Watch
(HRW) urged the international community on Friday to block the
Myanmar military junta's access to funds and weapons.
https://www.laprensalatina.com/hrw-urges-blocking-myanmar-military-juntas-access-to-funds-weapons/
***
1/2 Based on the UN "final
report of the panel of experts on yemen" AFP reports: The report
did not confirm frequent US and Saudi allegations that Iran is
directly involved in the violations.
https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2022/01/767367/huthi-continuing-violate-arms-embargo-yemen-un-report
2/2
The experts said evidence showed that weapons components and other
military equipment "continue to be supplied overland to the
Huthi forces by individuals and entities based in Oman."
January 29
***
Jan. 26, 2022 Congressional
Research Service In Focus report, on Ukrainian Armed Forces.
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21190949-ukrainian-armed-forces-jan-26-2022
***
In the book Has China won?
Kishore Mahubani makes the point the many wars the US fought
(1798-2018, 1.1x & 1989-2014, 6.1x a year) is the result of
groupthink. At least Germany seems not to fall for a so-called
NATO-solidarity. Look for allies in Europe for a diplomatic
solution.
Retweet @dwnews: Is Germany
the 'weak link' of the West in its standoff with Russia?
***
The UAE tries to balance
relations between the US and China. It recently suspended F-35
acquisition talks amid US concerns over 5G of Huawei, but is still
carrying on with its network connectivity efforts. Will it circle
back to negotiations over the F-35?
https://www.c4isrnet.com/smr/5g/2022/01/27/f-35-fighters-5g-networks-and-how-the-uae-is-trying-to-balance-relations-between-the-us-and-china/
***
Dick Zandee (Clingedael) knap
dat een land zonder wapenindustrie
(https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2022/03/01_rusland-oekraine_03)
zo hoog scoort in de SIPRI overzichten wapenexport.
https://sipri.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/fs_2103_at_2020_v2.pdf
Waarom willen VVD (geen echte wapens, https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=bbf40ffa-584c-4b8d-904f-4af67f446bc8&title=Verslag%20van%20een%20commissiedebat%2C%20gehouden%20op%203%20november%202021%2C%20over%20Wapenexportbeleid%20.pdf) en Zandee van 'wapen' af? Klinkt dat te rot?
***
Lobby organisatie #NIVD stelt
wapenbeurs uit tot 17/11. Thema: krijgsmacht en klimaatverandering.
Grote motoren & veel mobiliteit, geen wonder dat de organisatie
die de toegang tot de fossiele brandstoffen mede waarborgt, zo
bijdraagt aan de CO2 uitstoot.
https://www.nidv.eu/nieuws/neds-uitgesteld-tot-17-november-2022/
***
#Sonar: onmisbaar bij
onderzeebootbestrijding #ASW, maar potentieel schadelijk voor de
#zeezoogdieren die in het ruime sop zwemmen. Defensie
onderwatergeluid expert: "We doen er alles aan milieuschade
zoveel mogelijk te voorkomen."
https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2022/03/03_sakamata_03
***
#US companies tied to the
military regime in #Myanmar run the risk of engaging in conduct that
may expose them to significant reputational, financial, and legal
risks, including violations of US anti-money laundering laws and
sanctions.
https://www.strtrade.com/trade-news-resources/str-trade-report/trade-report/january/u-s-warns-of-risks-to-businesses-with-supply-chains-involving-burma
***
Even UK weapons manufacturers
are impacted by Brexit. They are being forced to wait up to six
months for licenses to export their products due to #Brexit red tape,
MPs have been told. A trade group representing engineers wants a
speedier handling.
https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-arms-exports-held-up-months-brexit/
***
Gouden driehoek loopt vast.
Vice-admiraal wast publiekelijk de Nederlandse industrie en
kennisinstituten de oren in verband met mega-project. Jullie moeten
sneller en goedkoper werken!
Retweet @marineschepen:
Zorgen bij Defensie om nieuwe fregatten voor
Nederland en België (ASWF). Deel 1 van interview met directeur
Defensie Materieel Organisatie:
https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Zorgen-bij-Defensie-om-nieuwe-fregatten-260122.html
January 28
***
“China appreciates the strong
support given by the Saudi side on issues related to Xinjiang, Hong
Kong and Taiwan, and fully respects Saudi sovereignty and firmly
supports [its chosen] development path,” Chinese MoD General Wei
Fenghe told Saudi colleague.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3164943/china-saudi-arabia-set-closer-military-ties-sun-sets-us-middle
January 27
***
In plaats van wapenleveranties
aan de Oekraïne is een heel scala aan beleidsmaatregelen mogelijk.
Dit is niet het moment voor de grootste spierballen maar voor de
grootste hersenen. Buitenlands beleid moet niet gaan over macht en
prestige, maar over veiligheid van staten en mensen. Martin Broek en
Wendela de Vries
https://www.grenzeloos.org/content/de-escaleren-geen-wapens-naar-oekraine
***
EU High representative takes
title literally and want to organise a European military presence in
#space.
https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/110109/space-speech-high-representativevice-president-josep-borrell-14th-european-conference_en
***
France: A “die-in” organized
by Amnesty International on January 29 against arms sales resulting
in the death of civilians. The statue below of Jean Mathon will be
blindfolded with a scarf to symbolize the secrecy around arms
exports.
https://www.ledauphine.com/societe/2022/01/26/aubenas-amnesty-international-organise-un-die-in-le-29-janvier
***
US Congressman have called on
Joe Biden to update and upgrade Turkey's current fighter jet
inventory. They claim that under President Erdogan, Turkey used its
military to destabilize the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, South
Caucasus, and North Africa.
https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-and-colleagues-oppose-sale-f-16s-turkey-demand-information-state
***
La UE pide información a España
sobre las exportaciones de armas a Turquía
https://www.europapress.es/internacional/noticia-ue-pide-informacion-espana-exportaciones-armas-turquia-20220125151635.html
Turkey/Spain - EU requests information from Spain on arms exports to Turkey. Financial News Español 25/1/22
***
It isn't only Germany. "We
have very strong rules on arms exports, so it is not an option for
us. But we do support Ukraine in many ways, especially through a very
high level of aid for reforms" said Swedish foreign minister Ann
Linde.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/sweden-doing-everything-to-keep-out-of-war-says-foreign-minister/
However
using the UK to export. Swedish made NLAW anti-tank weapons have
recently been exported from UK to Ukraine.
https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/svenska-tank-dodaren-kan-anvandas-i-ukraina/
***
MEP @androulakisnick raises
concern on Spanish military exports to #Turkey & demands an arms
embargo.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2021-005215_EN.html
@JosepBorrellF answers the concern according to EU policy: it's on Madrid to interpret the rules & responds negatively to demand. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2021-005215-ASW_EN.pdf
***
A confidential EU military
report calls for continuing a controversial EU programme to train and
equip Libya's coast guard and navy despite growing concerns about
their treatment of migrants, a mounting death toll at sea, and lack
of any central authority.
https://www.euronews.com/2022/01/25/eu-report-calls-for-libya-training-to-continue-despite-migrant-abuse-claims
***
#Eurodrone agreed by France,
Germany, Italy & Spain. The drone - wingspan of 30 meters - will
be an essential part of the future air combat system #FCAS; used for
intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition & reconnaissance
ops. It will be armed.
https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/defense-leurodrone-enfin-en-piste-apres-le-feu-vert-espagnol-1382168
Addition:
With Spain on board, final contracts imminent for Eurodrone
program. The participants (States/military industry) and the European
intergovernmental Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation #OCCAR
will now get together to finalize the global contract.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/01/27/with-spain-on-board-final-contracts-imminent-for-eurodrone-program/
***
Retweet: @_ENAAT: French
Presidency of the #EU and #Europeandefence: serving French military
interests? @letysedou, @t_fortin and @stopfuellingwar write about how
the government misuses its Presidency for national strategic and
industrial interests #noEUmoney4arms
http://enaat.org/2022/01/27/eu-presidency-and-european-defence-serving-french-military-interests
***
In the endless “Fat Leonard”
scandal, another Navy officer pleaded guilty to taking bribes from
foreign defense contractor Leonard Glenn Francis in exchange for
classified ship schedules and other information, the US Justice
Department announced Wednesday.
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2022/01/26/fat-leonard-scandal-brings-another-guilty-plea-from-a-navy-officer/
***
Italy’s Leonardo said it is
not subject of a judicial investigation in relation to the Kuwait
Eurofighter program.
(https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/leonardo-says-it-is-not-subject-kuwait-eurofighter-investigation-2022-01-25/)
Kuwait’s Anti-Corruption Authority
said that high ranking army officers would face prosecutors in a
corruption case related to this purchase.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2011066/middle-east
***
Boeing has handed over the 1st
CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters for #Saudi Arabia
(https://www.janes.com/defence-news/air-platforms/latest/saudi-receives-first-chinooks).
The US government approves a FMS to Saudi Arabia for CH-47F Chinook
Cargo Helicopters & related equipment, training, and support back
in 2016.
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/kingdom-saudi-arabia-ch-47f-chinook-cargo-helicopters
***
Damen commissions Rolls-Royce
business unit Power Systems, headquartered in Friedrichshafen,
Germany, to deliver the automation solutions (in German FüSAS –
Führungssystem Automation Schiffstechnik) for the four new F126
frigates for the German Navy. https://en.portnews.ru/news/324366/
***
US has approved an arms sale to
Egypt valued at about $2.5bn, despite continued calls for Washington
to curtail its support until Cairo improves its human rights record.
The sale, which is not finalised, includes 12 Super Hercules C-130
transport aircraft.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-egypt-military-sales-state-department-approves
Addition: US approves $2.2 billion sale of C-130J aircraft to Egypt. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/01/25/us-approves-22-billion-sale-of-c-130j-aircraft-to-egypt/
***
Most Germans oppose arms
sales to Ukraine.
Mehrheit der Deutschen gegen Waffenlieferungen an Ukraine
Januari 26
***
Game developer Unity hired to
create a ‘dogfight’ simulation, according to internal USAF
documents obtained by Waypoint. Contracting agency is the Air Force’s
“Kill Chain Integration Branch". Kill chain is a military term
related to performing a strike.
https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgdv8q/unity-dogfight-simulation-air-force-kill-chain
***
#Thales's offshore payments
system exposed by court case brought by former agent in India. [1049
words behind pay wall]
https://www.intelligenceonline.com/international-dealmaking/2022/01/25/thales-s-offshore-payments-system-exposed-by-court-case-brought-by-former-agent-in-india,109718900-eve
See also e.g.: Indian sues for unpaid
'cut' in deal
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/eastern-eye-uk/20220114/281586653956821
#corruption
***
broekstukken: De-escalate, no arms to Ukraine
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2022/01/de-escalate-no-arms-to-ukraine.html
January 25
***
Retweet kees kalkman: Newly
obtained photographs of missile fragments provide the first material
evidence that Ethiopia used a Turkish drone this month in an attack
that killed 58 civilians sheltering in a school.
https://www.politico.eu/article/evidence-civilian-bombing-ethiopia-turkish-drone/
***
European Defence Agency #EDA
concluded an Arrangement with Ukraine Dec 7, 2015. To date, there
remains potential for deepening cooperation in capability development
@JosepBorrellF answered
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-9-2021-005446-ASW_EN.pdf
to questions by Polish MEP @AnnaFotyga_PE
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-9-2021-005446_EN.html
***
The uses of space transport are
multiplying: telecommunications, climate monitoring, #military, space
monitoring, science, tourism, human exploration and in that respect
Airbus and Safran will soon be launching the new Ariane 6 rocket.
https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/arianegroup-prepare-deja-lapres-ariane-6-1381615
***
Specialized asset management
company Ossiam, a subsidiary of Natixis Investment Managers, has
decided to exclude arms industries. European military manufacturers -
BSDI (Bel), AFDA (Fin), CIDEF (France), BDSV (Germany), NIDV (Nld) &
FSi (Norw) complain.
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/industrie-de-l-armement-ossiam-natixis-joue-contre-la-souverainete-de-la-france-902570.html
***
The maritime leg of the SA
National Defence Force #SANDF is due to take the first of 3
multi-mission inshore patrol vessels #MMIPVs into service in the 1st
quarter of this year. #Damen Shipyards in Cape Town is contracted to
build all three.
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/end-of-the-road-for-sas-adam-kok/
***
Israel launches state probe into
German submarine purchase
The graft scandal surrounds a possible
conflict of interest and alleged bribery involving a $2 billion
purchase of naval vessels from Germany’s ThyssenKrupp.
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2022/01/24/israel-launches-state-probe-into-german-submarine-purchase/
***
Six people arrested after
Palestine Action activists storm roof of Shenstone factory. Palestine
Action had been "calling for an end to the company's
facilitation of Israel's arms production."
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/six-people-arrested-after-palestine-22861017
***
Overview on US arms export
control policy and why it doesn't work. Writer argues the license
policy needs to be flipped over and the process must be revised by
requiring congressional approval for every sale and removing the
presidential veto.
https://www.cato.org/blog/new-attempts-change-arms-sales-policy-same-old-problems
January 24
***
Arms
supplies to Ukraine – Sweden will not export arms to Kiev
https://www.world-today-news.com/arms-supplies-to-ukraine-sweden-will-not-export-arms-to-kiev/
Retweet @JaspervandijkSP: De Kamer moet bovendien veel beter geïnformeerd worden (ipv een schimmige deal):
***
Bearbock: "if other states
are willing to supply weapons for defence, it isn't 4 us to criticize
that. But I don't think it's realistic to reverse the military
imbalance with such supplies. The best protection is that there will
be no further aggression."
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/newsroom/baerbock-sz/2507780
***
#Morocco drives a war in Western
#Sahara for its Phosphates. The #US, meanwhile, has continued with
its arms sales to Morocco.
https://menafn.com/1103577208/Morocco-Drives-a-War-in-Western-Sahara-for-Its-Phosphates
***
Wapens naar Oekraïne: SP'er Van
Dijk noemt het 'opmerkelijk wat Hoekstra hier doet. Zijn voorganger
Ben Knapen zei nog geen vier weken geleden in de Kamer dat Nederland
geen wapens aan Oekraïne levert, want dat draagt niet bij aan een
politieke oplossing.'
https://www.bnr.nl/nieuws/binnenland/10465505/kabinet-welwillend-over-voor-militaire-steun-aan-oekraine
***
FDP more open to arms
exports than Greens & SPD. But if weapons went to Ukraine, the
new coalition would be even more offensive than the previous
CDU/CSU-SPD government under Merkel, which at least claimed not to
want to supply weapons to crisis areas.
https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/plus236406821/Werte-vs-Realiaet-Wie-wertegeleitet-ist-Deutschlands-Aussenpolitik-wirklich.html
***
Now, 11 countries
have placed 176 orders for the #Airbus A400M. Nations that have
orders with Airbus include Malaysia, Belgium, France, Germany,
Luxembourg, Spain, #Turkey, #Saudi Arabia, #UAE, Kazakhstan, and the
UK. Overview article on the plane.
https://www.businessinsider.com/see-inside-airbus-a400m-atlas-military-cargo-plane-tom-cruise-2022-1
January 23
***
The new
German government is continuing to pursue the previous cabinet’s
policy on the non-supply of weapons to Ukraine and reaffirms its
commitment to the idea, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said.
https://ibcworldnews.com/2022/01/german-chancellor-reaffirms-berlins-stance-on-non-supply-of-weapons-to-kiev/
***
Hier
een hartenkreet: We roepen op tot verzet tegen de volgende #NAVO-top
in #Madrid in juni 2022 en te tonen dat we oorlog en militarisme
afwijzen. Laten we onze krachten bundelen in de strijd voor vrede, en
voor ecologische en sociale rechtvaardigheid!
https://vrede.be/nl/nieuws/vredestop-madrid-2022
January 22
***
“Ukraine is believed to have
one of the largest arms trafficking markets in Europe. While it has
long been a key link in the global arms trade, its role has only
intensified since the beginning of the conflict in eastern Ukraine,”
Organized Crime Index.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2022/01/21/why-sending-anti-tank-weapons-to-ukraine-may-end-badly/
***
China blasts US over 'hegemonic'
missile sanctions.
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/590751-china-blasts-us-over-hegemonic-missile-sanctions
Imposition of Missile Proliferation Sanctions on Three Entities in the People's Republic of China https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/01/21/2022-01117/imposition-of-missile-proliferation-sanctions-on-three-entities-in-the-peoples-republic-of-china-prc
China Aerospace and Tech corp. in Myanmar: https://burmacampaign.org.uk/take-action/china-aerospace-science-and-technology-corp/
***
South Korean civic group #PSPD
argued against arms exports to the #UAE due to the buyer's role in
Yemen's civil conflict. "The [S #Korean] government should stop
its arms export policy as it is trying to make economic growth
sacrificing others," it stated.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/South-Korea-inks-deal-to-lend-Egypt-1bn-for-infrastructure
***
Damen Shipyards Group has opened
new service hub in Panama City which will serve Central America and
the Caribbean, for both Damen-built and third party vessels.
https://www.bunkerspot.com/americas/55288-americas-damen-opens-service-hub-in-panama-city
Panama navy operates several Damen vessels.
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2018/01/kleine-schepen-t-bahamas-panama-deel-8.html
***
After a year of Biden, why do we
still have Trump’s foreign policy? it is asked in The Progressive
Magazine. @medeabenjamin & @NicolasJSDavies give several
examples; 3 Are arms trade related: weapons to Israel and Saudi's and
the arms race with China.
https://progressive.org/latest/why-we-still-have-trump-foreign-policy-benjamin-davies-220120/
***
Baltic nations send US-made
weapons to Ukraine. It seems not all EU-members just interpret the
arms control policy the same here. Germany has refused to issue
permits because of a longstanding policy over arms exports to tense
regions.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/baltic-nations-send-us-made-weapons-to-ukraine-amid-russian-threat_4229076.html
***
What arms export control? French
arms export tot the notorious regime in Egypt increased in 2016-202
by % compared to 2011-2015, with Egypt receiving 20 percent of French
arms exports – making it the second largest customer for French
arms after India.
https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/86239
***
#Germany
is said to be blocking Estonia from providing German-origin military
support to Ukraine, US newspaper The Wall Street Journal reported on
Friday.
Report comes after the US State Dep. gave Estonia the green light to send US-made weapons to Ukraine.
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-blocks-estonian-arms-exports-to-ukraine-report/a-60520988
January 21
***
New Dutch government will end
resistance to supply of 'defensive' weapons to Ukraine. And is not at
forehand against delivering itself, when requested.
Nederland geeft verzet tegen levering defensieve wapens in Oekraïne-crisis op.
***
German politicians urge new
government to stop arms exports to Egypt and Saudi Arabia – Middle
East Monitor
https://worldakkam.com/german-politicians-urge-new-government-to-stop-arms-exports-to-egypt-and-saudi-arabia-middle-east-monitor/662336/
***
The UK, Lithuania, Latvia and
Estonia are reported to have obtained authorisation by the US State
Department to transfer US-origin missiles and other weapons from
their inventories to Ukraine, as required by US export control
regulations.
https://www.europeansanctions.com/2022/01/uk-baltic-states-authorised-to-transfer-us-weapons-to-ukraine/
***
Israeli attack drone
manufacturer Aeronautics Ltd. and 3 senior employees are reported to
have been charged on 29 December 2021 with violating the Israeli
Defence Export Control Law during their dealings with a prominent
international client.
https://www.europeansanctions.com/2022/01/israel-charges-export-control-violations-updates-cyber-end-use-controls/
***
Qatar has requested an offer to
Eurosam to acquire SAMP/T air defense missile system
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2022_global_security_army_industry/qatar_has_requested_an_offer_to_eurosam_to_acquire_samp/t_air_defense_missile_system.html
***
ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems is
to build three submarines worth a total of three billion euros for
Israel in Kiel. The deal is controversial – due to suspicion of
corruption and because the submarines could be upgraded with nuclear
power.
https://exactrelease.org/arms-exports-submarine-deal-agreed-with-israel/
***
Conflicting claims made by the
two militaries after USS Benfold enters the chain in the disputed
South China Sea
PLA accuses US of ‘navigational hegemony’ but US Navy says ‘Chinese-claimed straight baselines’ around the islands are unlawful
***
NATO has its internal problems.
French-built fighter jets roared Wednesday over the Acropolis as
Greece races to modernize its military and flaunts new security
alliances aimed at checking neighboring Turkey. Read More
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/01/19/greece-boosts-air-force-with-advanced-french-jets/
***
There will be pressure on
Germany to join forces and throw fuel on the Ukrainian fire.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/20/biden-lays-bare-nato-divisions-over-russia-aggression-in-ukraine
January 20
***
In Israel läuft immer noch das
Verfahren wegen Korruption im U-Boot-Deal mit TKMS und es soll einen
Untersuchungsausschuss dazu geben und trotzdem unterzeichnet man neue
Verträge?.
https://www.thyssenkrupp.com/de/newsroom/pressemeldungen/pressedetailseite/grosser-auftrag-fur-thyssenkrupp-marine-systems-126291
***
With 200 million in military
aid, Washington is encouraging an arms race in Ukraine. Avec 200
millions d'aide militaire, Washington favorise en Ukraine une course
à l'armement.
https://www.humanite.fr/monde/ukraine/ukraine-vente-darmes-et-appel-la-paix-735189
***
MEP Sergey
Lagodinsky used the hypocrisy argument to defend arms sales to
Ukraine: Why are the Greens against arms to the Ukraine and got Egypt
arms worth billions, he questions.
https://www.bild.de/politik/ausland/politik-ausland/ukraine-bedrohung-durch-russland-kritik-an-baerbocks-waffen-boykott-waechst-78882504.bild.html
He seems to have missed their are also strong calls in this party to
this.
https://zeit.de/news/2022-01/19/gruenen-politiker-nouripour-keine-waffen-mehr-fuer-aegypten
***
The UK should deploy diplomacy
rather than weapons in Ukraine.
https://www.thenational.scot/politics/19860289.uk-deploy-diplomacy-rather-weapons-ukraine/
***
It's time to defend stand of
Greens on this. Germany continues blocking arms exports to Ukraine
due to new foreign 'peace' policy.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/internal-rifts-loom-as-germany-ponders-arms-exports-to-ukraine/
***
Why s the UAE a South Korea air
defence system developed in partnership with Almaz-Antey (officially
JSC Concern VKO, Russia’s premier air defence system developer) and
with Fakel (P.D.Grushin Machine-building Design Bureau)?
South
Korean contractors participated included. Samsung-Thales – a
partnership with France’s Thales Aerospace Group – LIG Nex1 Co,
Ltd and
Doosan.
https://asiatimes.com/2022/01/why-the-uae-opted-for-south-korean-missiles/
Thales
Samsung ended in 2016. Hanwha defense unit ends partnership with
Thales.
***
Interessant artikel over
#Myanmar: Het is onze taak levens te redden, het is de taak van
anderen om tegen het regime te vechten, zei de chirurg. In zijn
woorden klonk geen spoor van ironie. Hij vond het nu of nooit om de
macht van de militairen te breken.
https://www.groene.nl/artikel/als-mensen-willen-vechten-dan-zal-ik-dat-respecteren
***
Turkey should strive to
balance its status as a major exporter of drones with careful
adherence to best practices and norms on arms sales and export
controls.
https://carnegieendowment.org/2022/01/18/strengthening-turkish-policy-on-drone-exports-pub-86183
January 19
***
Retweet @RetePaceDisarmo:
Italian munitions (Fiocchi) seized in #Senegal:
“UAMA, Customs Agency and La Spezia Port Authorities must clarify
immediately”. @AdmGov @ItalyMFA @ItalyMFA_intJoint statement by
@RetePaceDisarmo, @OpalBrescia& WeaponWatch
https://retepacedisarmo.org/english/2022/italian-munitions-fiocchi-seized-in-senegal-uama-customs-agency-and-la-spezia-port-authorities-must-clarify-immediately/
***
Under the coordination of deputy
Fabien Gouttefarde, a working group of the French ruling party on
defence proposes the deployment of a permanent amphibious group in
the Indo-Pacific zone.
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/elysee-2022-et-pourquoi-pas-un-groupe-amphibie-permanent-francais-en-indo-pacifique-lrem-902143.html
***
Eye on China, Indonesia launches
naval spending spree. Remarkable it is not any longer German and
Dutch vessels the notorious Prabowo looks for but het signed
contracts for Italian and UK frigates.
https://asiatimes.com/2022/01/eye-on-china-indonesia-launches-naval-spending-spree/
***
The top recipient country of
#German arms exports was Egypt last year. The Greens politician Omid
Nouripour has called for a stop to German arms deliveries to #Egypt.
https://www.zeit.de/news/2022-01/19/gruenen-politiker-nouripour-keine-waffen-mehr-fuer-aegypten
***
#Turkey kicks off serial
production for armed trainer Hurjet plane. #Azerbaijan will likely
become the second foreign customer.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2022/01/14/turkey-kicks-off-serial-production-for-armed-trainer-hurjet/
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney #Canada PT6A-68T turboprop
aircraft engine, 1,200 kW (1,600 shp).
https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.php?aircraft_id=1088
January 18
***
Gamble at cost of tax payer?
While the Dutch in the midst of a tricolore quarrel if inexperienced
#Damen gets the costly chance to build 3-4 submarines, the Germans &
Norway build theirs. Last year #TKMS was awarded €5.5bn to build
two German and 4 Norwegian 212CD submarines.
https://www.hensoldt.net/news/hensoldt-equips-norwegian-and-german-submarines-with-next-generation-optronics-suite/
Two British C-17 transport aircraft carrying anti-armour weaponry to Ukraine were forced to fly around German airspace after Germany refused to supply defensive weapons to Ukraine https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-aircraft-avoid-germany-on-ukraine-weapon-supply-run via @ukdefjournal
***
Congressional Report #CRS on
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (#JSF) Program. Includes advise to limit
the number of F-35s that could be procured based on the cost of
operating and maintaining them.
https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/21180828/f-35-joint-strike-fighter-jsf-program-jan-14-2022.pdf
***
There will be an arms export
control law before the end of 2022 TAZ reported (Tuesday), citing
State Secretary for Economic Affairs Sven Giegold. "Decisions on
arms exports need a restrictive and clear legal basis," said
Giegold. https://taz.de/Entscheidung-zu-Ruestungsexporten/!5828552/
***
Contrary to German policy London
embarks on adding glowing embers to conflict in Ukraine: UK supplying
Ukraine with anti-tank weapons, MPs told.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jan/17/uk-supplying-ukraine-with-anti-tank-weapons-mps-told
***
Warn famine in Yemen will risk
an entire generation. Meanwhile, arms companies are making billions
of pounds from arms sales to Saudi Arabia, helping to prolong the
conflict.
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/aid-agencies-warn-famine-in-yemen/
***
Perspective
People who have died as a result of war in developed nations is down 50% this decade versus 90s.
In 2021, there were 20 African countries with armed conflicts. Result: over 25000 Africans were killed, an almost 10x increase from a decade ago. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/commentary/how-wars-are-derailing-africa-s-progress-3685078
***
#Uganda has written to the UN
SC, detailing Uganda’s military hardware by type and numbers as
well as infantry and air force support weapons used in offence
against #ADF in eastern #DRC. (Newspaper has the full inventory but
withholds details).
https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-lists-arms-troops-in-adf-fight-3685162
***
In Foreign Affairs a plea for
NATO to change course by publicly & explicitly refusing to add
any more member states. Ending NATO expansion would be an act of
self-defense for the alliance itself, with positive result concludes
the writer, Michael Kimmage.
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/russia-fsu/2022-01-17/time-nato-close-its-door?
***
Germany reiterated its refusal to send defensive
weapons to Ukraine. This comes as part of a new German peace policy
that aims at restricting arms exports and fostering peace via
diplomacy.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/germany-continues-blocking-arms-exports-to-ukraine-due-to-new-foreign-peace-policy/
January 17
***
The arms bazaar. In a deal
hailed as the biggest single defense equipment export ever by South
Korea, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will reportedly buy a
surface-to-air-missile system for 4 trillion won (US$3.3 billion).
https://asiatimes.com/2022/01/south-korea-uae-strike-3-billion-missile-deal/
***
Austrias Defence Minister
Klaudia Tanner told she met with the Chief Executive of the European
Defence Agency Jiří Šedivý to discuss current projects and future
cooperation between the EDA and the Austrian Armed Forces.
https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2022/01/11/ce-in-austria-for-high-level-talks
Saab to deliver the Carl-Gustaf M4 and ammunition to Lithuania. In 2014, Saab signed a framework agreement with the European Defence Agency #EDA to provide Carl-Gustaf ammunition to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and Poland. https://www.army-technology.com/news/saab-deliver-carl-gustaf-m4-lithuania/
***
By preferring to buy 36 F-35
fighter planes from the Lockheed rather than French Rafales, Bern has
blurred its relations with Paris. A confidential note revealed that
“France has severed all high-level diplomatic relations” since
last June.
https://www.lesechos.fr/idees-debats/editos-analyses/coup-de-froid-entre-la-suisse-et-la-france-1379308
January 16
***
Business diplomacy firm LODI
Consulting has walked away empty-handed after a lengthy legal wrangle
(since 2018) with the ODAS, France's military exports office.
[Paywall] Case shedded light on ODAS dealings & who was involved
arms deals in Cairo and Ryadh.
https://www.intelligenceonline.com/international-dealmaking/2022/01/17/lodi-loses-battle-for-damages-over-riyadh-and-cairo-odas-defence-contracts,109717002-art
***
Remarkable Dutch dual use
licenses in November 2021:
Nano observation satellites for #SouthAfrica, € 1.2 m. (Probably wild park control.)
Contribution to #Turkish (military) tech development. Cryocoolers for research into image intensifiers. € 80.560 https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-dual-use-vergunningen
***
Scrap plan for Ukraine
ammunition factory.
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canada-making-plans-to-build-ammo-factory-in-ukraine-amid-tensions-with-russia
Instead of a deeper involvement with the international arms trade,
Canada should take Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly's own
advice: "de-escalate and engage in meaningful dialogue."
https://www.pressreader.com/canada/ottawa-citizen/20220115/281724092914808
***
Blurring the lines between civil
and military. US multinational conglomerate holding company focused
on transportation, e-commerce and services based in Memphis wants to
fit some of its planes with anti-missile lasers.
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/fedex-seeks-faa-approval-anti-missile-lasers-2022-1
Addition: FAA rejects FedEx request to install anti-missile systems on Airbus planes. https://www.valuewalk.com/faa-rejects-fedex-request-to-install-anti-missile-systems-on-airbus-planes/
***
Airbus has been contracted to
supply space start-up Loft Orbital with more than fifteen satellite
platforms derived from the Airbus Arrow platform.
https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-01-industry-first-loft-orbital-signs-agreement-with-airbus-to-procure
Loft is seriously interested in becoming a service provider for the
US military.
https://breakingdefense.com/2021/06/loft-orbitals-rideshare-sats-take-an-uber-to-space/
***
While experts in #AI wrote an
open letter to the new German government calling for a ban on
autonomous weapons systems, the EU military industry is already
developing such software. Industry representatives are openly
promoting its development.
Welt am Sontag NR. 3 January 16, 22
***
Indonesian President Joko
Widodo has ordered a thorough investigation into alleged legal
violations in the procurement of a defence satellite that inflicted
Rp800 billion (€ 49 million) in losses to the state exchequer.
https://en.antaranews.com/news/209573/president-orders-probe-into-defense-ministrys-satellite-project
January 15
***
Ik kreeg de Militaire Courant
met in 'n column de stelling dat #GroenLinks & #SP volledig
ontgaat wat er in de wereld aan de hand is. Freek Jansen #FVD mag 'n
Nationaal militair ruimtevaartprogramma bepleiten. Blad wordt
verspreid via middelbare scholen, mbo, hbo & universiteiten.
https://militairecourant.nl/column-niels-roelen-contrast/
***
What a position.
10 yr AgustaWestland ban revoked after 6 yrs. It isn't in India’s interest to ban significant military firms an observer said. “Not only does it have a massive impact on competition, but it is also against national interest.” https://law.asia/agusta-westland-ban-revoked/ #corruption
Dutch MoD has signed a 10-year lease agreement for a medium #RoRo ship, most probably the Finnmerchant of Finnlines (http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2431755), that will allow the military to move cargo and vehicles on strategic operations. https://defbrief.com/2022/01/14/dutch-lease-roro-ship-for-military-operations/ Name and 'F' are hidden. Why?
***
Thailand's cabinet approved a
plan to buy four fighter jets starting in the next fiscal year. The
approval follows a recent expression of interest by the air force
chief Marshal Napadej Dhupatemiya, in procuring eight F-35 fighter
jets from Lockheed.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2245879/air-force-eyes-b13-8bn-jets-purchase
***
Leonardo has won 260 million
euros ($296 million) in Eurofighter European Common Radar System Mk1
E-scan radar work from Germany’s Hensoldt, meaning the Italian firm
now has a major role in all 3 of the new e-scan radars being built
for Typhoon customers.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/01/14/deal-with-hensoldt-expands-leonardos-stake-in-eurofighter-radar-business/
***
For India, Philippines’
BrahMos missile order is a win as LAC border dispute with China
continues.
New Delhi is also talking to Vietnam and Indonesia about buying the supersonic cruise missiles as part of its efforts to ramp up arms exports.
January 13
***
Article by military historians
on the recent use of #drones in warfare, most notably Turkish and
Israeli drone tech, but also on counter measures by the US naval
ships in the Middle East. Based on public available sources.
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2022/january/new-wrinkles-drone-warfare
***
In the lawsuit filed by the
Mexican government before a US court against illegal trafficking of
500,000 weapons a year, the country can defeat giant arms producers
(Beretta; Glock; Sturm, Ruger & Co etc.) and distributors that
feed criminal organizations.
https://www.dossierpolitico.com/vernoticias.php?artid=260205&relacion=&tipo=Principal&categoria=12
***
French MoD Parly will put on the
table of the CEO of Airbus Helicopters the problematic maintenance of
the Cayman heli's (French navy #NH90 version) whose availability
under the supervision of NHIndustries (#Airbus Helicopters, #Leonardo
& #Fokker) is bad.
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/soutien-le-caiman-de-la-marine-nationale-boit-la-tasse-899907.html
***
It is not a secret Damen
Shipyards is building a naval shipyard in Kenya. But it has never
been reported in the Dutch press. Not with and not without context.
Kenya has its election violence cycles, oil and conflicts and is near
Somalia.
https://nation.africa/kenya/news/uhuru-kenyatta-makes-impromptu-visits-to-kisumu-port-mbita--3680458
***
For years, #Egypt has been a
major customer for #German arms exports. However, a policy
reassessment is long overdue as the exports to Cairo are sending
dangerous political signals.
Placing an embargo on all deliveries to Egypt would be a strong signal.
https://ip-quarterly.com/en/germanys-problematic-billion-euro-weapons-deals-egypt
January 12
***
Which companies will visit March
arms fair in Saudi Arabia, the WORLD DEFENSE SHOW 2022?
So far it is only one from the Netherlands: Microflown Avisa. But it is 20 from the UK, 13 from France, and 8 from Italy and 2 from Germany. https://www.worlddefenseshow.com/exhibit/exhibitor-list/
***
Ah that's the tool we need to
fight climate change and improve health standards.
Retweet
@lauderdale_l: Last week, we released the first
F-35 Fast Facts of 2022. The new look and feel showcases how @theF35
enables 21st Century Warfare. I encourage you to check out some of
the links to see the F-35 in action! To see the latest:
https://f35.com/content/dam/lockheed-martin/aero/f35/documents/F35FastFacts01_2022.pdf
***
Vervang dan ook 't woord pemuda
door jonge strijders. Zoals het woord nu gebruikt wordt, is 't alsof
alle Indonesische jongeren rond liepen met rotan speren om mensen af
te maken. Dat versterkt pas rassenhaat. Jongeren waren nog diverser
dan het geweld.
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2022/01/10/schrap-term-bersiap-voor-periodisering-want-die-is-racistisch-a4077367
***
Came across this summary of Dutch
industrial participation in the F-35 fighter program: Lockheed Martin
Rolls out the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s First Operational F-35A
Lightning-II (last column).
https://www.defenceturkey.com/files/issues/5c6ef9ccb75bb.pdf
Netherlands Economic Impact The design
expertise, development and manufacturing proficiencies Dutch industry
bring to the F-35 will ensure future economic growth and national
security for the Netherlands. Dutch Industry including 25 suppliers
continues to benefit from the F-35 program with contracts awarded for
high technology work. As estimated by the Ministry of Economic
Affairs, the F-35 has already generated more than $1B in contracts
for Netherlands Industry, creating thousands of direct and indirect
jobs for this country over the next 30-40 years. Dutch industry is
currently participating in high volume production, critical
technology development and strategic structural design ventures that
are integral to the F-35 program. Key industrial partners include
Fokker Technologies, Aeronamic, Thales, NLR, Airbus Defense and
Space, and DPCC. Dutch Industry will continue building F-35 parts for
over 3,000 aircraft over the next 30+ years. The Netherlands was also
assigned four major European regional sustainment projects: Engine
Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul, and Upgrade (MRO&U), Landing Gear
Component MRO&U, PTMS MRO&U, and Regional Warehousing.
***
The #Bremen Port Act is
used to deny harbour use for nuclear fuel transports. This also
served as blueprint to prevent eg. arms exports. Has also this become
impossible with the recent Karlsruhe decision that nuclear transport
is a federal responsibility?
https://taz.de/Karlsruher-Entscheid-zu-Atomtransporten/!5825099&SuchRahmen=Print/
***
The US should draw a distinction
between the Taliban as former insurgents and the state they now
control.
This starts by beginning to lift sanctions on the Taliban as a group (leaving sanctions on some individuals and an arms embargo in place)
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/11/opinion/afghanistan-taliban-us.html
***
Czech FA Minister announced that
licenses for arms exports for Kazakhstan would be scrapped. In 2020
the Czech Ministry of Trade provided 11 export licenses. Companies
have been able to export firearms, vehicles, chemicals and "riot
control agents."
https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/why-unrest-in-kazakhstan-strikes-a-nerve-in-the-czech-republic
***
A UK South/Africa arms
#corruption story of the 90's retold. "Given his complicity 20
years ago in the BAE/Saab fleecing of SA, perhaps Hain [a “Blair’s
buddies”] might now prevail upon the present UK government to make
restitution .. to the people of SA?"
https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/letters/2022-01-11-letter-hains-bain-critique-applies-to-arms-deal-too/
"I was soon informed that it was [then] not illegal in English law to bribe foreigners, and therefore there was no crime."
***
#Corruption claims threaten
Emmanuel Macron’s fighter jet deal. Claims by defence consultant
against #Thales brings scrutiny to #French arms deals with India.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/01/09/corruption-claims-threaten-emmanuel-macrons-fighter-jet-deal/
Is Thales corrupt? Oh we did know that already. But its only the French part.
***
#Rafale's to #UAE may
destabilize Europe’s efforts at defence collaboration. For it
strengthens Dassault’s hand in the still-troublesome negotiations
with Airbus’s German-based defence division over Europe’s
proposed Future Combat Air System #FCAS.
https://www.ft.com/content/095d4c62-f215-499e-9ea0-cd26e0f5b42b
Meanwhile,
the new German government’s plans to codify into law the country’s
tougher restrictions on arms exports — potentially limiting them to
just NATO and the EU — is adding to tensions. Such constraints on
exports “would be a deal killer”, said one French defence
executive.
https://www.ft.com/content/095d4c62-f215-499e-9ea0-cd26e0f5b42b
January 11
***
Why France must not sell
weaponry to India (a view from Islamabad):
1) it currently ruled by hawkish and insane leadership
2) already one of the world’s largest arms importers
3) it fuels regional tensions https://www.globalvillagespace.com/disturbing-trajectory-of-indo-french-defense-partnership/
***
Japan's international arms sales
never really have taken off. Uncompetitive, with high prices, aging
technology and scant government support, arms makers in Japan
increasingly are just withdrawing from the business.
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-12-29/despite-defense-buildup-japans-arms-industry-struggles
***
Arms sales to Kazakhstan are
relatively small, but significant. Kazakhstan's energy wealth gives
it money to spend. Israel and Kazakhstan signed a defense agreement
in 2014, particulars have never been revealed but appear to deal
mainly with weapons sales.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/oil-cyber-weapons-relations-israel-kazakhstan-protests-1.10527645
***
How US policy on China and
BDS-campaign against illegal occupation of Palestine have impact on
the Middle Eastern Apartheid State.
Israeli arms exports, the best-known trademark of Israeli industry, were closely controlled by the US; China was off-limits. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/bds-israel-china-us-trade-policy
***
Fighter arms race in Middle
East. Now besides EU and US also Russia became more active. It showed
off its SU-75 Checkmate jet fighter in hopes of getting Middle East
business. Will it win contracts over the F-35, Defense News asks.
(No, it answered.)
https://www.defensenews.com/video/2022/01/10/will-the-russian-checkmate-jet-beat-the-f-35-actionable-intelligence/
***
Information for sale.
Retweet @AirbusDefence: Whether you’re looking
for geospatial intelligence analysis or critical mission planning,
#PléiadesNeo has the vision. When it comes to Defence and Security,
our satellites deliver precise, reliable and continuous information
to prepare, confirm and assess operations.
https://www.intelligence-airbusds.com/imagery/constellation/pleiades-neo/#defence
***
The technology developed by
spyware firm NSO should be more strictly regulated but not discarded
altogether, Israel’s cybersecurity guru said — though he
acknowledged that the scandal surrounding the Herzliya-based firm was
blackening Israel’s reputation.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/dont-toss-the-spyware-with-the-nso-scandal-bathwater-says-israeli-cyber-guru/
***
Members of the group Palestine
Action celebrated victory on Monday as Israeli arms giant Elbit
Systems sold off one of its UK factories.
The group has carried out a sustained direct action campaign at the site since August 2020.
***
‘Een groep van 60 leden
van het Parlement vraagt de Commissie een streep te zetten door de
associatie van Israël met Horizon Europe. Zij vinden dat Israël’s
opstelling jegens Palestina niet in lijn is met de waarden van de EU.
Zie verder:
https://www.neth-er.eu/onderzoek/groep-meps-wil-isra-l-uitsluiten-van-horizon-europe
January 10
***
Germany and the Netherlands both have a new coalition government. France will have elections in April. What will this mean for EU arms export policy? New blog by @martinbroek https://stopwapenhandel.org/arms-exports-and-new-governments-in-the-netherlands-and-germany/
***
In South China Morning Post on
Myanmar: Interviewees with the anti-junta fighters, activists and aid
agency members suggested that without int. action being stepped up,
including an arms embargo endorsed by the UN, such killings were
likely to intensify.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3162697/bound-gagged-shot-myanmars-military-massacre-women-children
Whichever
country clinches the submarine deal, it is very clear that Russia or
China have absolutely no intention of heeding US's recent call for a
worldwide ban on arms sales to Myanmar. The geoeconomic stakes are
too high for Moscow and Beijing.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/commentary-why-china-transferred-submarine-myanmar-2416416
***
Does Berlin go American? US
Joint Strike Fighter could become Germany's nuclear bomber (thus not
Eurofighter); German government to reconsider purchase of US F-35
fighter as Tornado successor for nuclear bombs.
https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/plus236130848/F-35-Ploetzlich-ist-der-US-Jet-eine-Option-als-Deutschlands-Atombomber.html
January 9
***
Warships for the dictator; The
Bremen-based Lürssen shipyard wants to build corvettes for Egypt's
ruler al-Sisi. Trouble is programmed in the traffic light coalition.
https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article236097286/Ampel-Koalition-Gruene-gegen-Plaene-zum-Bau-von-Kriegsschiffen-in-Aegypten.html
***
Military industry has a bad
reputation. GIFAS (French Aerospace Industries Association) worried
about reluctance of the banking sector to finance military
production. Strictly follow the arms trade export rules, don't
produce nukes etc. & change will come.
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/financement-un-mauvais-vent-souffle-sur-la-defense-guillaume-faury-gifas-899700.html
***
Also military industry in Turkey
negatively impacted by inflation. TAI, which will lead Turkish
fighter aircraft project at the facilities inaugurated by President
Erdogan, is experiencing a currency crisis with its subcontractors.
[in Turkish]
https://www.ogunhaber.com/genel/savunma-sanayisinde-kur-krizi-2260566h.html
***
The Department of Aeronautical
Maintenance of the French MoD awarded a contract to ensure the
monitoring of all aerial surveillance equipment. Thales becomes its
single point of contact. The contract over 10 years is valued +/- €
1.5 bn.
https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/defense-la-france-confie-a-thales-son-systeme-de-surveillance-aerienne-1377662
***
#Sogeclair, whose head office is
located in Blagnac, and operates on aerospace (commercial aviation,
business, space), simulation (automotive & rail) and defence
(military vehicles), quietly liquidated its #Moroccan subsidiary in
mid-December 2021. PayWall
https://mobile.ledesk.ma/enoff/le-toulousain-sogeclair-liquide-sa-filiale-aeronautique-au-maroc/
***
Worth reading on one of the
major issues in International Polltics.
What Should the Left Do About China?
Progressive thinkers are developing a foreign policy approach that opposes military confrontation while acknowledging Beijing’s oppressive policies.
https://www.thenation.com/article/world/china-left-foreign-policy/
Rayhan
Asat, a Uyghur human rights lawyer prefers an approach that the US
should apply targeted sanctions against Chinese officials complicit
in human rights abuses in Xinjiang. She's against a military buildup
in response because the US has a credibility problem on human rights.
January 8
***
Germany has temporarily halted
arms exports to Kazakhstan, report German media based on a report
from German news agency DPA. Last year, Germany issued twenty-five
export licenses for weapons worth €2.2 million in total.
https://www.paudal.com/2022/01/08/germany-stops-arms-supplies-to-kazakhstan-us-diplomats-are-allowed-to-leave-the-country/
***
The U.S. has established a
forward operating headquarters in Albania and will use the facility
in the Adriatic Sea-facing country as a home base for missions in the
broader Balkans.
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2022-01-06/albania-us-special-forces-forward-operating-headquarters-4202023.html
***
An overview of military
industrial meetings mainly in London, but also Hamburg and Washington
DC.
https://www.defenceiq.com/air-land-and-sea-defence-services/editorials/download-defence-iqs-event-calendar
Looking for an arms fair in the Netherlands? Protest the NIDV-NEDS
fair in February 2022 at Ahoy in Rotterdam.
https://www.nidv.eu/agenda/
***
Experts doubt the quality of the
Chinese arms given the fall in China’s global market share of arms
exports. Besides the hidden costs Chinese weapons are seemingly
losing charms as they remain largely untested in real combats, unlike
the western systems.
https://nationalcybersecuritynews.today/why-chinese-weapons-are-fast-losing-edge-in-global-arms-export-market-despite-tall-claims-cybersecurity-cyberattack/
***
Foreign arms sales plummet; F-35
deliveries rise. Lockheed delivered 142 F-35 fighters in 2021. That’s
up from 120 it delivered in 2020, a no. well below the 141-aircraft
goal due to the supply chain issues related to the pandemic.
https://www.state.gov/fiscal-year-2021-u-s-arms-transfers-and-defense-trade/
January 7
***
Aselsan has been adapting the
Sarp remote weapon station able to fire the Atom 40 mm high-velocity
airburst munition. Atom Sarp was test-fired in June 2021 against
dummies representing dispersed insurgents under cover, inside
buildings, and in the field.
https://www.turdef.com/Article/aselsan-s-40-mm-atom-is-ready-for-action/1110
***
Elbit Systems’ Brazilian
subsidiary, AEL Sistemas S.A. won a contract to supply additional
Hermes 900 UAS to the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira).
https://www.finanzen.net/nachricht/aktien/elbit-systems-awarded-a-follow-on-contract-to-supply-hermes-900-unmanned-aircraft-systems-to-the-brazilian-air-force-10896057
January 6
***
Zijn wij al wakker?
Wereldmachten spelen zeeslag in Azië.
‘De Australische vredesbeweging was klaar en duidelijk over AUKUS. Zij zeiden: “Dit is niet wie wij zijn. Wij hebben niets, maar dan ook niets te maken met dit nieuwe, witte kolonistenpact.”’ https://www.mo.be/analyse/wereldmachten-spelen-zeeslag-indische-en-stille-oceaan
***
A New York federal judge on
Wednesday set a fall trial date for a former adviser to ex-U.S.
President Donald Trump who stands accused of an illicit lobbying
campaign on behalf of the United Arab Emirates.
https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN2JF1NP
***
The #Qatar Air Force took
delivery of the first #NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH)
recently, manufacturer Leonardo has announced. The first TTH version
helicopter for land-based tasks was delivered on 11 December.
https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/news-and-stories-detail/-/detail/03-01-2022-leonardo-qatar-s-nh90-helicopter-programme-marks-major-milestone-with-first-delivery
***
Left in EP demands:
– a non-military CFSP that relies on diplomacy & maintains peace
– strict interpretation of article 41(2)TEU that prohibits to use EU-budget for arms industry or military ops
– sanction mechanism in Common Position on arms exports
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-9-2021-0358_EN.html
January 5
***
CRS-report: Turkey: Background
and U.S. Relations with e.g. information on the Bayraktar TB2s drones
and arms sales policy.
https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/21173835/turkey-background-and-us-relations-in-brief-dec-30-2021.pdf
***
An F-35A fighter operated by
South Korea's Air Force made an emergency landing during a training
session. SK's Air Force and the US military plan to initiate a joint
investigation into what went wrong with the fighter produced by
Lockheed Martin.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220104005053325?section=national/defense
***
1/2 „Dictators over de hele wereld
willen de Israëlische surveillance hebben, van Bolsonaro tot Orbán”,
zegt Benjamin Baars, die voor de Nederlandse campagne Stop
Wapenhandel onderzoek deed naar de Israëlische veiligheidsindustrie.
.../2
2/2 „Maar ook Nederland wil Israëlische technologie, zoals drones en gezichtsherkenning. Toegang tot de Israëlische veiligheidsindustrie kan voor Europese landen een reden zijn om kritiek voor zich te houden.” https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2022/01/04/surveillance-industrie-israel-in-schijnwerpers-door-pegasus-schandaal-a4075654
***
***
Military sales also include satellite exports. #Airbus is ahead of its competitors in the field, French La Tribune argues. In recent Airbus sold (in cooperation with #Thales Alenia Space) to the #UAE and #Morocco. https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/comment-airbus-va-croitre-sur-le-marche-mondial-de-l-observation-spatiale-898707.html
January 4
***
Blind anger is
often not the best advisor.
Heckler & Koch CFO Björn Krönert has no clue why his company is "being put in a half-silence corner by banks and the EU!" https://www.bild.de/politik/ausland/politik-ausland/neuer-eu-plan-angriff-auf-unsere-ruestungsfirmen-78715942.bild.html
Ever heard of Mexico? https://www.dw.com/en/court-heckler-koch-must-pay-for-illegal-arms-sales-to-mexico/a-57047654
***
The cynical
views from one of the largest military companies. Read and shiver.
"Peace is not going to break out in the Middle East anytime
soon," Raytheon's CEO said. "I think it remains an area
where we'll continue to see solid growth."
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/01/02/business/they-have-massive-influence-how-raytheon-turned-potentially-hard-year-into-good-one/
***
The German
defence industry has expressed fears that it will suffer a
significant competitive disadvantage as a result of the new German
government's plans to restrict arms exports.
https://www.trtdeutsch.com/wirtschaft-inland/rustungsindustrie-warnt-vor-einschrankung-der-exporte-7580374
***
Excerpts
leaked to media of interim UN Panel of Experts report on Libya arms
embargo indicate that that the embargo remained ineffective and
existing stockpiles of weapons and ammunition in the country are
sufficient to fuel future conflict.
https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/libya-situation-security-councils-january-agenda
***
Tanker planes
better protected in the air. Good news for UAE Air Force, Elbit and
Airbus (+ shareholders), not so for victims of Emirati bombardments.
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-691394
***
Military
(industry) funded organisation give their opinions. At a minimum,
media outlets should point out their contributors’ direct or
indirect financial ties to the military when offering their opinion
on the armed forces. A view on this from Canada.
https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/of-course-these-experts-are-pro-militaryfollow-the-money
January 3
***
The new German government wants
to continue the arms export stop for Saudi Arabia in the coming year.
However, it is still unclear whether, like the previous government,
it will allow exceptions for joint projects with alliance partners.
https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/waffen-ruestungsexportstopp-fuer-saudi-arabien-bleibt-bestehen-ausnahmen-aber-unklar/
***
Employee of CMI Command proposes
to expand military exchange with UAE, eg with Special Forces &
Air Force. And points to the fact Dutch Defence attache in Abu Dhabi
considers The Hague policy on Emirati human rights violations harmful
to military
relations.https://www.militairespectator.nl/thema/geschiedenis-internationale-veiligheidspolitiek/artikel/klauwen-van-de-valk
***
Spanish news Larazon reports that
#Morocco will soon be taking delivery of the #MBDA VL MICA ground
based air defense missile system. The new system will complement the
#Chinese-made FD-2000 air defense system. #endlessconflict #Algeria
https://www.larazon.es/internacional/20211228/ixbrxbyqhverfkttxc44svsza4.html
***
Royal IHC rondt verkoop
bedrijfsonderdelen die niet tot kern behoren nagenoeg af. De werf
blijft samen met de Franse Naval Group meedingen naar de de bouw van
onderzeeboten voor de Koninklijke Marine.
https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1425412/royal-ihc-rondt-verkoop-bedrijfsonderdelen-die-niet-tot-kern-behoren-nagenoeg-af
***
Turkey’s top
defense industry official has reiterated that armed drones sold to
other countries will never pose a risk to Turkey in the future,
suggesting that engineers placed a kill switch on the exported
versions of the drones.
https://nordicmonitor.com/2022/01/turkey-may-have-planted-a-kill-switch-in-exported-bayraktar-armed-drones/
January 2
***
While French President Macron
visions a more federalized EU, his government has also made it clear
that this goal does not apply to arms exports, on which its arms
industry relies.
https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/france-wants-a-federalized-eu-but-not-for-arms/
So its up to the French NGOs to counter the arms sales.
***
The political reasoning behind
arms sales. Here the French example. Arms sales are the thermometer
of a nation’s influence abroad: it gives the exact measure of its
diplomatic, military, industrial and technological influence.
https://miwi-institut.de/archives/1609
***
1/6 De
Nederlandse Commando Stichting klaagt over vooringenomenheid bij het
onderzoek naar het Nederlandse optreden 1945/50 in Indië/Indonesië
(alleen al dit laatste woord in deze tweet zal tot een zelfde
veroordeling leiden. Men is het immers nog steeds niet eens met het
gestelde dat Indonesië op 17 augustus 1945 onafhankelijk werd.).
https://www.korpscommandotroepen.nl/stichting-nieuws/de-groene-baret-december-editie-2021-deze-week-in-de-bus/
2/6
Er bestaat een klankbordgroep die de onderzoekers gevraagd en
ongevraagd van advies voorziet. Ze is naast het Nationaal Comité 4
en 5 mei samengesteld uit organisaties van en voor veteranen en
Nederlanders uit Indië. De klankbordgroep heeft een zelfde kritiek,
maar is zelf niet bepaald onafhankelijk van samenstelling.
https://www.ind45-50.org/maatschappelijke-klankbordgroep
3/6
Hebben Indonesische vluchtelingen een formele status om ongevraagd en
gevraagd advies te geven of vredesorganisaties, oppositie groepen,
politieke stromingen, de nazaten van de Doopsgezinden, Remonstranten,
de dienst- en Indiëweigeraars?
4/6 In 1994 sprak ik de
Indonesische activist en antimilitarist Indro Tjahyono. Hij
had een boek geschreven 'Indonesia was under boots'
https://sangpemikir.wordpress.com/2018/07/29/indonesia-was-under-boots/
Die boots waren soldatenlaarzen. Hij wilde de historische context
aangeven van waarin het repressieve regime van Suharto wortelde. Hij
zelf ondervond de gevolgen aan de lijve.
5/6 In dat jaar las
ik ook Harolds Crouch standardwerk 'The army and politics in
Indonesia' https://books.google.nl/books?id=TJptHWc4i1EC&redir_esc=y
en leerde dat de Nederlandse militaire acties na 1945 de opmaat waren
naar het militaire regime en het idee van Dwi Fungsi. Het gevangen
zetten van de politieke leiding betekende immers de versterking van
de militaire tak van het verzet zowel politiek als militair.
6/6
Commentaar op het optreden van destijds is hard voor wie vochten en
hun leven waagden. Die kritiek is echter nodig om Nederland eindelijk
volwassen met haar geschiedenis om te laten gaan en niet gericht op
de militairen, maar op hen die de beslissingen namen. Die de tekenen
van de tijd niet verstonden en grepen naar militaire macht om te
verdedigen was onjuist was. Nu nog niet zien dat Indonesië zelf
bepaalde wanneer het onafhankelijk was, is alleen vanuit een
verstarde visie te begrijpen. Er waren destijds al heel wat mensen
die vonden dat Nederland onjuiste keuzes maakte.
***
#Ukraine's
state-owned arms exporter, Ukrspecexport, received 144 foreign
delegations and signed contracts worth $332 million in 2021, the
company's press service has said.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/3378521-ukraines-state-arms-exporter-signs-332m-worth-of-contracts-in-2021.html
January 1
***
#Berkel & #Rodenrijs gets
#satellite plant to build earth observation satellites. The
US-Argentine firm Satellogic plans to produce 25 satellites per
quarter. [in Dutch]
https://www.computable.nl/artikel/nieuws/digital-innovation/7297148/250449/berkel-en-rodenrijs-krijgt-ruimtevaartfabriek.html
Also for military and intel apps? https://satellogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Satellogic_Solutions-for-Defense_Intelligence.pdf
***
Will Germany freeze the arms
deal with #Egypt? Spoiler alert: Berlin will not. The market is to
big.
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/12/will-germany-freeze-arms-deal-egypt
Maybe even more important Cairo is a crucial geopolitical ally,
despite its terrible human rights record.
***
Czech military to adopt new
small arms including Belgian FN Minimi machine guns. Earlier this
year, Norway also adopted the Minimi—and it has clearly become the
NATO standard.
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/czech-military-adopt-new-small-arms-including-fn-minimi-machine-guns-198826
***
All over the world, countries
are spending exorbitant amounts on national security, while spending
on human welfare is declining.
Millions of children are out of school in Pakistan because its government doesn't spend similar resources on education. https://nation.com.pk/01-Jan-2022/guns-and-butter
***
India's deployment will
provide a major fillip to its air defence capacity as the weapon
system is capable of neutralising assets from +400km away.
Next logical step is Pakistan aiming for more nuclear warheads, to keep its nuclear threat at same level. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/eye-on-china-pakistan-s-400-unit-deployed-punjab-7700617/
