Latest on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
June 30
***
Celeste Wallander: US DoD fully
supports #Turkey’s modernisation plans for its F-16 fleet. These
plans are in the works...US supports Turkey’s modernization of its
fighter fleet because that is a contribution to NATO security &
therefore American security.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2022/06/29/on-the-record-press-call-by-nsc-coordinator-for-strategic-communications-john-kirby-and-assistant-secretary-for-defense-celeste-wallander/
***
The #Philippine Army has
established a new battalion to operate its newly acquired Autonomous
Truck Mounted howitzer System (#ATMOS) 155 mm/52 calibre
self-propelled gun system, produced by Israeli firm #Elbit Systems.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177445
***
2/2 Also this with implications for Damen, Netherlands: Two more MKS 180 frigates — F126s — are on the military’s recently compiled “wish-list”. If those contracts are not awarded to Thyssenkrupp, Burkhard said, “the signal would be not a great one”. https://www.ft.com/content/fc8012bf-f6fe-4737-935e-e59425b0ef9d
***
#Corruption. After the German
branch of the EFA manufacturer group EADS (now Airbus Defence) had
sealed the fighter deal with Austria in 2003, almost €8m flowed to
the Londoners by 2009 Letterbox company City Chambers. On the basis
of bogus contracts.
https://www.diepresse.com/6159132/eurofighter-causa-grasser-kam-diesmal-als-zeuge
***
Four consortia were each given
£5million by the UH MoD to develop their bids for a Fleet Solid
Support vessel: Babcock and BAE Systems; Mumbai-based Larsen &
Toubro; Team Resolute, led by Spanish shipbuilders Navantia; and
#Damen Group.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/firm-bidding-15bn-warship-contract-27349946
***
DeNatris: Met de Chinezen
praten? Die tijd is voorbij. Ze zijn de grootmacht aan het worden.
MB: Als de strijd om de
SLOC's tussen de grootmachten in de havens beslecht zal worden - wat
een snel in aanhang groeiende visie is - wat betekent dat voor het
onderzeebootwapen? Uitrusten met hypersonische raketten voor
offensieve operaties? Pas in 2040? Of toch praten met Beijing?
DeNatris: Zuidelijke Noordzee is te ondiep. Sealines
of communication zijn wereldwijd belangrijk voor Nederland.
MB:
De NL industrie trekt te grote schoenen aan; juist dat gaat geld
kosten. Als, met nadruk op als, je dan perse onderzeeërs wilt kopen,
laat ze dan bouwen door een werf met ervaring. Nog minder kost het
als je ze bouwt voor Noordzee en Atlantische Oceaan en niet v/d hele
wereld.
DeNatris: Waarom Martin? Het mooie van in NL
besteden is dat Nederland innovatiever wordt en een groot gedeelte
van het budget terugvloeit naar de Belastingdienst.
MB:
Haast was geen goede raadgever bij de vorige aankoop van
onderzeeërs. Daarna moest de hele materieelverwervingsstructuur op
de schop.
Als ik lees dat de lobby voor de
Nederlandse inbreng blijft geloven dat ze in Nederland kan bouwen dan
vrees ik 't ergste en snap de nervositeit.
Retweet
@VoorzitterCMHF: En hoe langer we wachten hoe
duurder het wordt #inflatie
Tweet: JuVi @SciteCito:
Staatssecretaris Van der Maat ’lichtelijk
nerveus’ door miljardenaanschaf onderzeeboten
https://telegraaf.nl/t/267892334/
***
Weapons and military equipment
sold to Indonesia are used to occupy and oppress in West Papua. Find
out if a company near you is profiting in this new resource
https://www.waronwestpapua.org/
***
Gezamenlijke Nederlandse lobby voor de wapenindustrie (NIDV, NMT en FME en VNO-NCW) willen een flinke hap van de wapenproductie voor de nieuwe Koude Oorlog die in Madrid is aangekondigd. Vooral op de bouw en het onderhoud van onderzeeërs zijn ze gespitst. https://maritimetechnology.nl/betrek-nederlandse-industrie-bij-aanschaf-nieuw-defensiematerieel/
***
Retweet @janbuelinckx:
'...een nieuw tijdperk van zware spanningen en
groeiende dreigingen tussen rivaliserende grootmachten, gekenmerkt
door een hernieuwde wapenwedloop.' Echt niet wat de wereld nodig
heeft.
Tweet @Ludodb: NAVO-top in Madrid kiest
voor verdere militaristische en mondiale koers:
https://vrede.be/nl/node/52254
***
Despite Egypt's human rights
concerns, CRS report says US may look other way in exchange for
procurement of American arms & cancelling of Russian deals.
https://middleeasteye.net/news/russia-ukraine-congress-us-egypt-arms-deals-rights-concerns
That's because we are the good side. Russia & China the wrong
side. So our wrongs are right.
June 29
***
***
£6.3bn takeover of aeroplane
giant #Meggitt heading for final approval as UK govt is ‘minded to
accept’ #ParkerHannifin
https://www.cityam.com/6-3bn-takeover-of-aeroplane-giant-meggitt-heading-for-final-approval-as-uk-govt-is-minded-to-accept/
***
Exporting danger. #Djibouti has
revealed itself to be an operator of the Baykar #Bayraktar TB2,
parading the Turkish-built unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV or
#drones) at its independence day celebrations on June 27.
https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/now-official-turkeys-bayraktar-tb2-spotted-in-military-parade-in-djibouti
***
South China Sea: #Philippines
protests over #Taiwan’s live-fire drills.
Manila condemns military exercises near
Taiping Island as ‘unlawful’.
Boats and aircraft urged to avoid area
as Taiwanese weapons fire into air and sea.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3183505/south-china-sea-philippines-protests-over-taiwans-live-fire
***
China tells UN expansion of
NATO, or a NATO-like body, into the Asia-Pacific will stir up
conflict.
Beijing is concerned US is building an
Asian version of NATO as Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South
Korea attend the Nato meeting for the first time.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3183466/china-tells-un-expansion-nato-or-nato-body-asia-pacific-will
***
Zie voor een bespreking: https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2022/06/tamingsino-american-rivalry-van.html
China’s debut as threat
For the first time, NATO’s long-term
planning document also includes a mention of China, declaring that
Beijing’s “stated ambitions and coercive policies challenge our
interests, security and values.”
https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2022/6/pdf/290622-strategic-concept.pdf
***
President Erdo lifted his
blockade on Finland & Sweden joining NATO. In Exchange for a nod
by the US Congress for F-16 deliverances or even to rejoining the
F-35 program?
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/biden-press-erdogan-finland-sweden-turkey-seeks-f-16s-madrid-meeting Bombings on civilians in Iraq, Syria,
and even in Turkish Kurdistan itself who cares?
What is agreed between Turkey, Finland en Sweden on cooperation concerning Kurdish activities? Here a list. https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/turkey-got-what-it-wanted-ankara-says-on-sweden-finland-deal
Retweet @urgewald: At a time when arms companies are trying to sell themselves as "security guarantors," it comes at just the right time: after months of research, we're teaming up with @FacingFinance to publish the #ExitArms database. It reveals who supplies arms to which warring parties.
***
Interessant dat
Marshenkulova de machocultuur als basis voor de oorlog in Oekraïne
aanwijst. Hoe anders is het feminisme van de Duitse Groene minister
van BuZa Annalena Baerbock. Zij laat zich er op voorstaan een
feministisch buitenlands beleid te voeren.
https://stopwapenhandel.org/angst-boosheid-verdriet-en-onzekerheid/
***
Remember the times I read NATO
Fithteen - and later Sixteen - Nations (of Mönch) during the Cold
War. Since the fall of the wall NATO dubbled in membership. Peculiar.
Finland and Sweden to join Nato, as Erdoğan drops veto.
https://euobserver.com/nordics/155374
28 juni
 |
| Uit tweet. |
Hoe krijg je als #wapenboer geld vanuit Brussel?
Retweet NIDVnews: Network day Eur Defense Fund of @RVO_Int_Ond and @NIDVnews : Explaining opportunities and stimulating matchmaking. High attendance. Also thanks to @MinisterieEZK and @Defensie @Defensie_DMO @ariejandewaard
***
Proposal to the Indian military
industry and the semiconductor industry to step up investments in the
research and development of critical semiconductor materials and
products for the military domain.
https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/focus-on-innovation-in-semiconductor-technology-will-boost-defence-manufacturing-5454397.html
***
South #Korean President Yoon
Suk-yeol is expected market domestically developed weapons at
#MadridNATO22.
(Although Korea doesn't belong to #NATO, it was invited along with Japan, Australia, and New Zealand as Asia-Pacific partner.) https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2022/06/205_331788.html
***
Why EU's increased
militarisation should worry us all. Without long-term investment in
building peace, the EU's approach to defence will only lead towards a
more aggressive arms race. This exacerbates geo-political tensions.
https://euobserver.com/opinion/155328
***
Ukraine was already an
international center for arms trafficking, but after the invasion of
Russia, experts sounded the alarm: thousands of tons of arms that the
EU & US deliver to the Ukrainian militias & army are at risk
of ending up in the wrong hands.
https://www.proceso.com.mx/reportajes/2022/6/26/toneladas-de-armas-en-ucrania-mafias-terroristas-al-acecho-288436.html
***
Russia will provide
nuclear-capable #Iskander-M missiles to #Belarus and upgrade the
country’s fighter jets to allow them to carry tactical atomic
weapons, President Vladimir Putin said over the weekend.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/06/27/russia-to-provide-nuclear-capable-missiles-and-fighter-jets-to-belarus/
June 27
***
Saudi Arabia exported weapons,
weapons parts and ammunition worth €3.4 million during the month of
April 2022, which is an 87.77 percent jump compared to April 2021
when the value of arms exports stood at €1.8 million.
https://www.zawya.com/en/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-posts-88-increase-in-weapons-export-qabxesls
***
#Ukraine will get 18 patrol
boats to defend its waterways and ports as US military aid, a senior
defense official said Friday.
The 18 boats include 2 11mtr riverine craft, 6 12mtr maritime combat craft boats and 10 10mtr Dauntless Sea Ark patrol #boats.
***
Thousands of people
protested in Madrid on Sunday, demanding the dissolution of the Peace
and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Movements such as “Fridays for the
Future” took part in the march.
https://www.dubaiweek.ae/struggle-in-madrid-against-the-nato-summit/
June 26
***
In EU/NATO country A there is
pressure to ship arms to Ukraine in EU/NATO country B there is
pressure to refrain from it.
Bulgaria’s government ministers deny
supplying weapons to Ukraine.
https://sofiaglobe.com/2022/06/26/bulgarias-government-ministers-deny-supplying-weapons-to-ukraine/
***
1/3 (Automatically translated from
Spanish.) A large part of the left and the European greens is
suffering from a sudden attack of tired eyes that prevents them from
seeing what is closest to them. Great connoisseurs of the situation
in both Ukraine and Russia, but unable to see h
2/3 how the European elites and US imperialism are using this war as a moment of deep-seated capitalist and imperialist reorganization in the context of a global geopolitical disorder and ecological crisis. https://www.desdeabajo.info/mundo/item/45599-la-remilitarizacion-de-europa-y-la-mirada-cansada-de-la-izquierda.html
3/3 Desde Abajo is a Colombian montly connection to Le Monde Diplomatique.
The article points to @_ENAAT:
Fanning the flames How the European
Union is fuelling a new arms race (English, Español. Summaries in
Français, Deutsch, Nederlands, and Italiano)
https://www.tni.org/en/publication/fanning-the-flames
***
Wolfgang Ischinger warns
against stricter German rules for arms exports
The government wants to limit arms
exports more. The ex-head of the Munich Security Conference speaks of
a mistake, because it would put Germany on the sidelines within the
EU.
https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/deutschland-soll-keinen-sonderweg-gehen-wolfgang-ischinger-warnt-vor-schaerferen-regeln-fuer-ruestungsexporte/28454718.html
June 25
***
100 billion euros in special
funds are to be invested in the armaments industry.
The main chunk is to go to the USA.
https://www.br.de/nachrichten/wirtschaft/zeitenwende-was-kommt-bei-bayerns-ruestungsindustrie-an,T9TtN3g
***
Erosion a sign of the times? At many
German universities, a so-called civil clause prohibits research for
military purposes. The President of the German Academy for
Engineering Sciences, Professor Wörner, calls for these clauses to
be reconsidered.
https://www.welt.de/wissenschaft/plus239526151/Johann-Dietrich-Woerner-Deutsche-Universitaeten-sollten-Verteidigungswaffen-entwickeln-duerfen.html
***
Latest @_ENAAT news from the
Brussels’ bubble
Items:
✔ #EDF news: main priorities
✔ ‘Defend-EU’ plan: EU funding
for joint acquisitions, institutional rivalries
✔ Peace Facility News
✔In short #Ukraine #AI etc.
✔ EU Calendar: main upcoming meetings
http://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ENAAT-NBB-2022-2_June2022.pdf
***
Outsourcing the design and
manufacturing of products, components and software to foreign
contractors has become a significant part of manufacturing in the US
but presents export control challenges.
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/outsourcing-manufacturing-of-sensitive-2607936/
***
America Is the World’s Gun
Store
US sales of firearms aren’t just a
domestic issue.
Biden's administration has continued to export small arms, ammo etc. to the security forces of Saudi Arabia and the Philippines, where human rights are flagrantly violated. https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/06/24/us-weapons-small-arms-firearms-exports-lethal-violence-military-police-gun-control/
***
Veterans targeted by #extremists
preying on patriots. A Military Times article on recruting veterans
for white supremist groups. “I’d been to combat,” Buckley says.
“I knew how to shoot, move, and communicate, lead a team.” We the
veterans trained them.
https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2022/06/23/military-veterans-targeted-by-extremists-preying-on-patriots/
***
Military is Weaker Since
Coup and Momentum is With the Armed Resistance. Interview with Ye Myo
Hein who recently published a research report: “One Year On: The
Momentum of Myanmar’s Armed Rebellion.”
https://www.irrawaddy.com/in-person/interview/military-is-weaker-since-coup-and-momentum-is-with-the-armed-resistance.html
June 24
***
#Gambia has apparently become
the latest customer for #Turkey's Hizir armoured personnel carrier,
after ordering 20 of the type.
Turkey increased its defence exports to
Africa by 700% in 2021, from $41 million to $328 million,
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/gambia-orders-hizir-apcs/
https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/turkeys-katmerciler-exports-armored-land-vehicles-to-gambia-report
***
The European heavy launcher
Ariane 5 succeeded in its 1st mission of the year, putting 2
satellites into orbit. This mission is one of the last of Ariane 5;
Ariane 6 will succeed it. The launcher is used to bring civil &/or
military saterlites into space.
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/en-attendant-ariane-6-le-lanceur-lourd-europeen-ariane-5-fait-le-job-922959.html
***
Armed Forces of the Philippines
aimes at strengthening the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
Knock knock who is there? Airbus, Diehl, Korea Aerospace Industries #KAI, Saab Philippines, Lockheed, Jet Aviation Asia Pacific & Textron Aviation Defense line up. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177365
***
Wow what an argumentation.
Donations from Bundeswehr stocks such as the Panzerhaubitze 2000 are
not arms exports : "Therefore it is not necessary to decide this
in the Federal Security Council." The Ministry of Defense does
that alone.
https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/plus239533089/Panzer-fuer-Ukraine-Lambrechts-Maer-von-der-schnellen-Ringtausch-Hilfe.html
***
Explanation: "Why many
African countries do not feel concerned by the fate of Ukraine."
Nicolas Normand was French Ambassador to Mali from 2002-06, to Congo,
Senegal & Gambia.
https://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/monde/nicolas-normand-pourquoi-nombre-de-pays-africains-ne-se-sentent-pas-concernes-par-le-sort-de-l-ukraine-20220622
***
***
“Wat hebben we liggen? Wat
doet ons pijn? Wat kunnen we missen?” Vragen waar het
Munitiebedrijf over moest nadenken toen er via de politieke lijn een
verzoek binnen kwam voor de levering van munitie aan Oekraïne.
Uiteindelijk werd de beslissing gemaakt.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/materieelgezien/2022/05/dmo-bedrijven-in-touw-voor-oekraine
***
Must read: The former Labour
Party leader sits down with Declassified for his most candid
interview yet – on the British media, UK military and intelligence
services, Israel, Keir Starmer, Julian Assange and Saudi Arabia.
https://declassifieduk.org/exclusive-jeremy-corbyn-on-the-establishment-campaign-to-stop-him-becoming-pm/
***
Spanje heeft na overleg met
Airbus Defence and Space over de aankoop van twintig nieuwe
EurofighterTyphoons het contract hiervoor tijdens de ILA Berlin Show
2022 getekend.https://www.pilootenvliegtuig.nl/2022/06/23/project-halcon-spanje-wil-meer-eurofighters/
BAE Systems wins £500m jet order https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bae-systems-wins-500m-jet-order-fdhw52fbk
Order intake also claimed by #Spain. Spanish Eurofighter #EFA is assembled at the Airbus facilities in Getafe and contributes to generating 20,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs in the industry, says the company. Aircraft are also tested at this base. https://www.expansion.com/empresas/industria/2022/06/24/62b4f862468aeb55498b4587.html
***
"Putin's war in Ukraine,
which could last for years, is in fact an absolute godsent to the
most destructive forces on the planet, namely the arms industry and
the fossil fuel companies." https://www.commondreams.org/views/2022/06/23/war-ukraine-pushes-world-closer-edge-climate-precipice
More money to buy weaponry and fight inflation in House defense bill. https://www.defensenews.com/news/pentagon-congress/2022/06/23/more-money-to-buy-weaponry-and-fight-inflation-in-house-defense-bill/
***
The struggle in the south of
Japan continues:
#Okinawa wants US base reduced 77 years
after battle’s end. Because of the US bases, Okinawa faces
noise, pollution, accidents and crime related to American troops,
govenor Tamaki said.
https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2022/06/23/okinawa-wants-us-base-reduced-77-years-after-battles-end/
***
Revolving doors:
Former top UK civil servant joins
defence contractor BAE Systems Lord Mark Sedwill appointed to board as
governments consider greater security spending after invasion of
Ukraine. https://www.ft.com/content/e5e55900-c048-4c2d-947d-a71b015ae4f7
***
Sales of Spanish arms to
countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE was harshly criticized in Spanish
Parliament on Wednesday, where it was argued that exporting weapons
to those countries “is not investing in security.”
https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20220623/espana-exporto-material-defensa-2021/2385173.shtml
'translated':
https://plainsmenpost.com/spain-exported-almost-3300-million-euros-in-defense-material-2/
The sale of Spanish armament to Saudi Arabia has doubled in 2021 by going from €48.3 to €109.1m, 126% up, the same as to the UAE, which has gone from €27.7 to €73.7m, 164% up, although the Government has stressed that it is not aware that such material has been used in Yemen.
June 23
***
Lockheed Martin en Ko Colijn zijn het
helemaal niet met elkaar eens. Het is een kostbaar debat.
https://www.nu.nl/spanningen-oekraine/6208041/deze-lessen-trekt-defensie-expert-ko-colijn-uit-het-wapengebruik-in-oekraine.html
Retweet
@SciteCito: The War in Ukraine Proves the F-35 Is the
Essential Fighter -
https://19fortyfive.com/2022/06/the-war-in-ukraine-proves-the-f-35-is-the-essential-fighter
Replying to @SciteCito and @nifarp
***
From Moscow to Paris. Cyprus
will be buying six H145M French light fighter helicopters to replace
the 11 Mi-35 attack helicopters that are currently in service with
the Cyprus Air Command. The 11 Mi-35s will be sold to Serbia,
according to news reports.
https://politis.com.cy/politis-news/enischyetai-i-polemiki-aeroporia-me-exi-gallika-epithetika-elikoptera-to-kostos-kai-oi-leptomereies-tis-symfonias/
The to be expected happened:
Turkish Cypriot side says Cyprus’
helicopter purchases ‘a provocation’
https://en.protothema.gr/turkish-cypriot-side-says-cyprus-helicopter-purchases-a-provocation/
***
The planned acquisition of
Israeli firm RADA Electronics Industries by Leonardo DRS is driven in
part by lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, according to the CEO
of the company. It is about protection of US soldiers in comming
wars, he said.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/06/22/ukraine-lessons-helped-drive-acquisition-of-rada-leonardo-drs-chief-says/
***
(Ook voor wie Herwijnen beter wil begrijpen. Kort door de bocht: ruil Aegis ashore in voor radar aldaar gepland). https://twitter.com/vrij_nederland/status/1539918691868868608)
***
UK Ministers Liz Truss (Foreign
Minister) and Defence (Ben Wallaceare) in Turkey for defence
cooperation, with their Turkish counterparts.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/nato-turkey-uk-ministers-charm-offensive
***
Men heeft - beetje gekscherend -
becijferd dat als 't huidige tempo van prijsstijging van
gevechtsvliegtuigen doorzet, de hele defensiebegroting in 2054 opgaat
aan één zo'n vliegtuig. Iets om te onthouden voor MoD Kajsa
Ollongren, die 6 extra F-35's koopt.
https://www.nu.nl/spanningen-oekraine/6208041/deze-lessen-trekt-defensie-expert-ko-colijn-uit-het-wapengebruik-in-oekraine.html
Nederland koopt versneld zes F35 gevechtsvliegtuigen. https://fd.nl/politiek/1443564/nederland-koopt-versneld-zes-gevechtsvliegtuigen
***
1/2 Headline & text.
There is no indication that any of Airbus' technology has ended up in
the possession of the Chinese military.
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-champion-airbus-has-deep-links-to-chinese-military-industrial-complex-report-says/
Investigating and ending military
exports and human rights criticism is needed, but confrontational
policies and fear
2/2 mongering organisation aren't.
Article is based on a report by Horizon Advisory a front organisation
for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. FDD was pictured
hawkish & neocon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_for_Defense_of_Democracies
The neocon agenda has done enough bad to the world the past 30 years.
June 22
***
German Dynamit Nobel Defense
(DND), a subsidiary of Israeli defense giant Rafael, presented the
final design of the RGW110 HH-T (HEAT/HESH tandem) shoulder-launched
weapon, at the Eurosatory 2022 exhibition in Paris.
https://soldat-und-technik.de/2022/06/bewaffnung/31855/dnd-rgw110-hh-t/
***
The Bushmasters, designed by
Thales Australia for the Australian Army in the late 1990s, proved
indispensable in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are now proving their
worth under heavy bombardment from Russian artillery shelling,
missiles and airstrikes.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10939991/Ukrainian-soldiers-praise-life-saving-Australian-Bushmaster-vehicles.html
***
 |
| Clipping from page . |
***
Several German naval programs
are now being prepared and in the pipeline: corvet (K-130),
submarines (Type 212CD) and potentially frigates (F-127). TKMS wants
to be the wharf building them.
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/tkms-bid-german-defence-contracts-including-two-submarines-faz-2022-06-21/
***
The head of Turkey’s
weapons-production agency said the country must be cautious about
delivering more arms to Ukraine, months after Turkish-made drones
played a role against the Russian invasion. Ukraine is asking itself:
“Is Turkey switching sides?”
“Turkey increasingly
characterizes this as a contest between the West and Russia and does
not want to get caught in that,” Asli Aydintasbas of the European
Council on Foreign relations said.
For its operation against Kurds in
Syria Ankara needs approval from Moscow.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/turkish-defense-industry-grows-cautious-over-selling-weapons-to-ukraine-11655803802
June 21
***
1/2 Overheid nog steeds in de
maag met erfenis van Van den Nieuwenhuyzen's MD Helicopters (in 2005
verkocht). In 2001 plaatste de NL politie een order bij MD voor 8
heli's. In maart 2005 vastgesteld dat de toestellen niet geleverd
konden worden. https://helispot.nl/hs/page/detail.asp?oid=e6D3C4b4
Het beginv an een serie rechtzaken. Vorige week verneitigde een rechter in Delaware een vonnis uit een eerdere rechtzaak die de Nedelrandse overheid in het gelijk stelde en aanspraak gaf op een miljoenen claim. Door rente opgelopen tot $16.1.
https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/legaldocs/lbvgnmwmxpq/md%20helicopter%20sale%20motion.pdf
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/former-tilton-company-md-helicopters-to-sell-assets-to-lenders***
All German milirary deliverances
(lethal and non-lethal) to Ukraine public:
https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/krieg-in-der-ukraine/lieferungen-ukraine-2054514
De
Duitse regering heeft dinsdag een lijst openbaar gemaakt met alle
wapens die tot nu toe aan het Oekraïense leger zijn geleverd.
Berlijn vertelde tot nu toe alleen selectief om welke wapens het
ging, maar nu is de hele lijst online te vinden.
https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/839723645/live-poetin-zwaarste-nucleaire-raket-voor-einde-van-het-jaar-inzetbaar #Nederland?
***
A few days ago, members of a WRI
affilaite in Australia blockaded a bullet factory in support of a
demand from the aboriginal Yuendumu community for a ceasefire,
judicial and social measures to increase the communities safety, &
for the state to respect self-determination.
Retweet
@warresistersint There's a short write up of the
action on our website here:
https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2022/australia-activists-block-bullet-manufacturer-solidarity-ceasefire-call
***
China Conducts mid-course
ballistic-missile defence tests. Who made the use of this kind of
dual-purpose exosphere kinetic-kill vehicles against
ballistic-missile and satellite targets legal by ending the
ABM-treaty?
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/missile-defense-weapons/china-conducts-mid-course-ballistic-missile-defense-tests
***
't Feit dat dual-use onderzoek
en innovatie gepromoot worden [op EU & Belgisch niveau]
illustreert hoe momenteel de omgang met het dilemma vooral de
mogelijkheden en synergieën van zulk onderzoek benadrukt, terwijl
men veel minder oog heeft voor de risico’s die ermee samenhangen.
Retweet @Peace Institute: De Vlaamse
#defensie- gerelateerde sector staat op een kantelpunt.
* Lees
onze doorlichting in dit nieuwe rapport:
https://vlaamsvredesinstituut.eu/rapport/de-defensiegerelateerde-industrie-in-vlaanderen-doorlichting-van-een-sector-op-scherp/
*
persbericht:
https://vlaamsvredesinstituut.eu/persbericht/groeiende-vlaamse-defensiegerelateerde-sector-staat-voor-nieuwe-uitdagingen-op-het-vlak-van-controle/
*
of onderzoeker @Diederik_Cops @radio1be :
https://radio1.be/luister/select/de-ochtend/in-vlaanderen-gefabriceerde-beeldschermen-gebruikt-in-russische-militaire-wapensystemen
***
#Thales in Belfast is no
stranger to controversy:
Pickets in March because of the
Russia-Ukraine conflict;
Early 2000s protests because of the war
in Iraq;
Now the ire of the Kremlin, in 2003
President #Putin actually visited Thales' operation in Bordeaux.
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/inside-belfast-missile-factory-under-fire-from-angry-putin-for-aiding-ukraine-41768751.html
***
According to the Global
Organised Crime Index, Ukraine is the largest illegal arms market
with "few barriers" and "millions of small arms and
light weapons".
Its role has only strengthened with the outbreak of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, experts warn.
https://thestandard.newsday.co.zw/2022/06/20/ukraines-illegal-arms-market-a-recipe-for-disaster/
***
#ArmesWallonnes: #FNHerstal
charged for criminal action. It exported weapons to #Saudi_Arabia
with dire effects on the human rights and made it participant and
thus resonsible for war crimes in #Yemen. Its time to apply the
Walloon weapons decree, @eliodirupo (MP of Wallonia.)
Retweet @FrancoisGraas:
#ArmesWallonnes : criminal action against the
#FNHerstal , which illegally exported weapons to #Saudi_Arabia , hell
for human rights and responsible for war crimes in #Yemen . It is
time for the Walloon weapons decree to be applied, @eliodirupo
#FNHerstalAuTribunal
https://www.amnesty.be/infos/actualites/article/commerce-armes-wallonnes-nouvelle-action-justice-visera-herstal
Belgian arms manufacturer to face legal action over Saudi weapons sales. https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/242503/fn-herstal-to-face-legal-challenge-over-saudi-weapons-sales
***
Satellites. Thales Alenia Space
and Telespazio sign follow-on contract with Italian MOD to develop
the SICRAL 3 satcom system. The Italian System for Secure
Communications and Alerts supports various defense missions, both in
Italy and abroad.
https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/THALES-4715/news/Thales-Alenia-Space-and-Telespazio-sign-follow-on-contract-with-Italian-Ministry-of-Defense-to-devel-40768692/
***
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
has disrupted the market for a broad range of materials essential to
US munitions & other defense industry products, spurring hundreds
of millions in Pentagon spending to shore up supplies, a senior
defence official told.
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2022/06/20/vital-mineral-markets-not-functioning-in-wake-of-ukraine-war-says-dod-industrial-policy-chief
***
Israeli weapons maker shuts
London HQ following sustained protest
After relentless direct action and a number of arrests, Palestine Action has made business in Britain's capital inoperable for Israel's largest weapons company, Elbit Systems.
https://mondoweiss.net/2022/06/israeli-weapons-maker-shuts-london-hq-following-sustained-protest/
***
Bit old. But relevant.
Holtom, Paul. 2011 ‘The Risk of Diversion of Ukrainian Arms Exports
in Sub-Saharan Africa.’ Ukrainian Arms Supplies to Sub-Saharan
Africa; Section 4, pp. 8-9. Stockholm International Peace Research
Institute / SIPRI. 1 February
https://sipri.org/publications/2011/sipri-background-papers/ukrainian-arms-supplies-sub-saharan-africa
See also tweets of yesterday on recent published UN Security panel of experts on sanctions on Libya report. Ukraine is more than just present. https://twitter.com/martinbroek/status/1538789837246971904
https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N22/334/41/pdf/N2233441.pdf
June 20
***
No problem for UK: Turkey is
open to bid on Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes if F-16s deal fails.
Turkish airforce commander visited the UK last month and inspected
the EFA. But planes aren't UK made only.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-open-bid-eurofighter-typhoon-warplanes-if-f-16s-deal-fails
Neither a problem for Germany, Italy and Spain? (see image below)
***
Middle East accounts for 43% of
US arms transfers, report finds.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220620-middle-east-accounts-for-43-of-us-arms-transfers-report-finds/
Is that to improve security? It does not seem likely.
Is it for skimming #petrodollars (see David M. Wight's book on the topic) or to control oil, Iran, sea lines of communication?
***
Retweet @janbuelinckx: Boeiend
artikel van @MissTieover de impact van het militaire apparaat op het
klimaat. ‘De band tussen de fossiele industrie en het militaire
apparaat is heel nauw. We gebruiken fossiele brandstoffen om fossiele
brandstoffen te beschermen.’
https://www.mo.be/analyse/ook-het-leger-hangt-aan-de-oliekraan
***
Brokers report that Moscow has
threatened some countries (able to export equipment inherited from
the Soviet Union or made in Russia) with depriving them in the future
of spare parts and services for their Russian-made systems that many
of them rely on for their national defence.
Retweet with
comment @ElluinA: How Russia seeks to prevent arms
sales to Ukraine
https://www.lopinion.fr/international/comment-la-russie-cherche-a-empecher-les-ventes-darmes-a-lukraine
***
De kernwapens die op Volkel
geplaatst worden, hebben volgens @CTWnl een potentiële
vernietigingskracht die ruim 280 keer zo groot is als de atoombom die
op Hiroshima werd gegooid, schijft @MayMayMeijer in het
@NederlandsDag: Teken verbod op kernwapens.
https://www.nd.nl/opinie/opinie/1129793/we-dienen-geen-mogelijkheid-onbenut-te-laten-om-samen-kernwapen
***
You'll presume the German
military industry applauds the policies of the Government.
But no. Minister of Economics Habeck wants to tighten the rules for German arms exports.
The industry association BDI warns against going it alone on a national level. https://www.braunschweiger-zeitung.de/politik/article235647291/robert-haback-ruestungsexporte-bdi-kritik.html
***
US spends more on arms to
Ukraine than on climate change. How to keep track of where the
weapons go. Ukraine "has a history of an illicit arms trade
(...). And these arms were in Ukraine and have actually ended up in
places all over the world."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-20/ukraine-weapons-biden-us-russia-abc-daily/101160650
***
A report submitted to the UN SC
has alleged that the Turkish government is deploying Syrian fighters
to Libya, replacing those whose contracts have expired, with fresh
fighters and supplied arms to various factions in violation of the
arms embargo.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/turkey-under-lens-for-rotating-syrian-mercenaries-in-libya/articleshow/92322960.cms
Turkey
is listed among Egypt, Jordan, Russia, Sudan, Syria and UAE.
Remarkably also several Ukrainian air frighters are mentioned for
transports.
The very interesting report:
https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N22/334/41/pdf/N2233441.pdf
Ukraine
(indirectly) violating UN arms embargo on Libya (1/:
- S-124 missiles supply from Ukraine to Turkey, and then deployed to Al Watiya.
- BRDM-2 armoured vehicle sold to UAE.
- 800,000 rounds of small arms ammunition through a Ukrainian broker (Ukrinmash) ../2
- Alpha Air LLC and FlySky
Airlines LLC (FSU) (both Ukrainian) Flight operations for the direct,
and indirect, supply of military equipment and other assistance to
Libya. With lots of information on planes, flights, arrivals etc.
https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N22/334/41/pdf/N2233441.pdf
***
Conference on Robotics &
Automous Sys, #RAS. With topics like 'drones that hunt other drones
with AI.'
Head of Development & Innovation RAS-Program of Dutch Army is speaker: "2nd priority is the military development of AI for autonomous task execution.” https://www.smgconferences.com/defence/northamerica/robotics-usa
***
An extensive LinkedIn based
investigation in Turkish military industry brain drain: 1 out of 6
(most experienced) left Turkey.
There are 600 Turkish engineers in ASML in the Netherlands alone. More than 70% of these came from military industry companies.
***
Berlin and Paris wanted to
develop tanks and military aircraft together. The armaments projects
are increasingly wobbling. Industry and politics defend their
interests and this strive increasingly turns into a mud fight.
https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/industrie/verteidigung-zoff-statt-zeitenwende-deutschland-und-frankreich-blockieren-sich-bei-ruestungsprojekten/28434356.html
***
An overview on who is delivering
what for the German F-126 frigates whith emphasis on Thales
Netherlands (based on a press briefing) and Romanian participation.
https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-defense-25628380-romania-dezvolta-sistemul-thales-tacticos-pentru-marina-germana-fregatele-f126-mks180-germania-cel-mai-mare-contract.htm
***
Russia’s botched invasion of
Ukraine has been a public relations disaster for the world’s
second-largest exporter of weaponry. Sanctions on dual-use components
won’t help.
Meanwhile the merits of equipment produced by the West have been shown. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-06-20/russia-s-exploding-tanks-create-opening-for-western-arms-diplomacy
***
De aanschaf van 4
#onderzeeërs door Defensie leidt tot oplopende spanningen binnen de
sector. Onder de aangesloten bedrijven van de stichting #NIDV leeft
ongenoegen over hoe deze brancheorganisatie daarin opereert.
https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1442554/aanschaf-onderzeeers-leidt-tot-schisma-binnen-brancheorganisatie-voor-defensie
June 19
@WendelaVries, @CTWnl: Het is
belangrijk niet alleen te duiden dat het onze oorlog is, maar
ook de discussie te starten ’wat willen we hier nou
eigenlijk mee vanuit Nederland?’ Willen we dat er een einde komt
aan het geweld of willen we die oorlog winnen?
https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/262539242/uitspraak-rutte-over-onze-oorlog-maakt-de-tongen-los
Retweet @urgewald: Wendela de
Vries von @CTWnl: Wir diskutieren nicht einmal andere Optionen als
Waffenlieferungen, um der Ukraine zu helfen. Und was passiert, wenn
die Waffen nach dem Krieg auf den illegalen Waffenmarkt gelangen?
Nog meer De Vries over de Russische oorlog in Oekraïne:
June 18
***
Ondanks 'de oorlog tegen drugs' blijft het aanbod groeien. Wie is er gediend met deze strijd? https://www.statista.com/chart/27631/number-of-drug-seizures-on-the-rise/
***
End to potential neutrality?
#Ukraine has a deal in place with the EU Defence Agency #EDA that
could be triggered to enable defense-cooperation projects with the
bloc once the war with Russia ends, according to the agency’s chief
executive, Jiří Šedivý.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/06/17/ukraine-eu-make-deal-for-defense-cooperation-projects-if-and-when-the-war-ends/
***
India is making overtures to
Israel, the U.S. and Europe in an effort to reduce its dependence on
Russian arms, as the war in Ukraine highlights the risk of relying
too heavily a single partner.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/India-bolsters-arms-ties-with-West-to-sever-Russian-dependence
***
To defend Western
civilisation Canada has Israel 10th in a list of the top 12 non-US
countries to which Canada exported military products. Saudi Arabia,
which leads a coalition that has been waging a brutal war on Yemen,
is listed no. 1 non-US importer.
https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/nora-barrows-friedman/canadas-arms-exports-israel-skyrocket
June 17
***
Retweet @wammezz: More Turkish #drones strikes in Iraqi Kurdistan, this time targeting a car south of Slemani, allegedly killing Syrian Kurds. https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1537707922788171777/pu/vid/480x270/bTKa8rxyVRR6JzSz.mp4
***
Adam Smith, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said that Turkey won’t be offered to rejoin the F-35 program when asked whether Turkey could be reinstated as a partner to stop blocking the entry of Finland and Sweden into NATO. https://www.aviacionline.com/2022/06/turkey-will-not-rejoin-the-f-35-program-house-armed-services-committee-says/
***
Saudis want Biden to counter
Iran, forget Khashoggi in gas crisis bargain and sell arms.https://www.newsweek.com/saudis-want-biden-counter-iran-forget-khashoggi-gas-crisis-bargain-1716193
Potential bitter fallout of the Russian war & the subsequent coalition building by the West. It threatens human rights, peace & security on the Arabian peninsula.
***
France, Germany, Greece,
Italy, the Netherlands and the UK are committing €26.7 million for
the Next-Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) heli project,
according to a NATO statement. Canada will likely be an observer
nation.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/2022/06/16/six-nato-countries-sign-agreement-to-collaborate-on-next-gen-helo/
https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2021/2/pdf/2102-factsheet-ngrc.pdf
Eurosatory
Voor de Nederlanders die zich afvragen of er echt geen protest bij #Eurosatory was, zoals onze man in Parijs @WouterZwart vertelde; ze waren er wel. Protest klein als altijd, maar de Franse beweging tegen wapenexporten groeit wel. Ook, of juist, in deze tijden.
Retweet @stopfuellingwar: #Eurosatory2022 Pas de contestation sur le salon d'armement à Paris. Toute distribution de tracts, de banderoles et tout type de manifestation pacifique ont été interdites par arrêté préfectoral pendant toute la semaine aux abords d'Eurosatory.
Eigenlijk ook best ironisch van de
columnist van het NOS-journaal om te zeggen dat er geen protest is
als dit verboden is tot aan folderen aan toe.
In
1998 en 2000 waren de protesten groter door deelname van mensen uit
België, Engeland en Nederland. (Er waren ook 2 bedrijfsspionen bij:
Adrian Le Chene (zijn moeder Evelyne was de spil)
(https://evel.nl/spinwatch/adrian.htm)
en Zuid-Afrikaan/Brit Martin Hodgebin
https://theguardian.com/world/2007/dec/04/bae.armstrade)
Misschien is een brief die er op
aandringt ook andere problemen in de wereld te willen zien niet wat
de journalist als activisme ziet. De schrijvers bepleiten geen wapens
te leveren die mede de grootste huidige humanitaire ramp in de wereld
veroorzaken, het conflict in #Jemen.
Sig Sauer prominent in beeld is 'n grote leverancier van handvuurwapens in de VS (demonstraties afgelopen weekend). https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/how-sig-sauer-became-largest-us-firearms-exporter-198670 Daar blijft het niet bij. Er zijn ook exporten. https://stopusarmstomexico.org/sig-sauer-mexico-fact-sheet De blik richt zich op Kyiv. Uitstekend. Maar niet de hele tijd.
Bijzonder dat iemand van de zgn. gouden driehoek (de samenwerking tussen Overheid, defensie-industrie en militaire onderzoeksinstellingen), Marja Eijkman - de Managing Director Defence, Safety & Security bij #TNO -, tot schijnbaar onafhankelijke wapenonderzoeker wordt benoemd.
June 16
***
The European Commission is
looking for companies to develop new technology worth nearly €1
billion starting in 2023, with a semi-autonomous naval vessel and
space-based early warning capabilities topping the list of demands.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/06/15/half-autonomous-ships-and-space-systems-top-european-defence-funds-2023-wish-list/
***
Russia’s war with Ukraine
might be one of the first tests for the concept of Terminator-esque
robots, rolling into combat like the Temerland GNOM robotic vehicles
equipped with 7.62 mm machine guns go to the front lines near the
city of Zaporіzhzhia.
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/machine-gun-robot-ukraine-russia/
***
International Fighter Conference
(IFC) Marriott Hotel, Berlin, Germany; 16-18 November 2022 brings
together senior leaders to discuss; future programmes (NGAD, TEMPEST
and FCAS); Naval Air Power and Carrier Strike;...
https://www.defenceiq.com/events-internationalfighter
Sponsored by #Lockheed, #Airbus, etc.
***
Large arms exports in March 2022:
- to Morrocco for naval vessels, €17m;
- to Taiwan €10.8m for submarines;
and
- 2 exports to the UAE, € 3.6m a
launch system (via France) and radar.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-uitvoer-militaire-goederen
***
Transparency on arms
sales/support in official reports by Dutch Government victim of the
policy of secrecy in connection to Ukraine.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-uitvoer-militaire-goederen
Why is even the end user secret?
***
Sentence summarizes a lot: "The
West is locked in a struggle against two specific autocracies. Not,
as some would have it, against 'autocracy'."
https://www.ft.com/content/3542e4ce-47e9-4080-8543-40b435009392
***
The Gülen connected Nordic
Monitor reports on Turkish interventionist policy concerning Libya,
Syria and other 'countries'. NM states it is part of Erdoğans
presidential elections 2023 campaign to take advantage of creating a
wave of neo-nationalism.
https://nordicmonitor.com/2022/06/libya-troops-motion-to-grant-erdogan-unlimited-authority-to-send-troops-to-another-country/
***
The Air and Missile Defence
Technology Conference returns to #London in November 2022. Past
attendees include: #Egyptian Armed Forces, MBDA, Rafael, #Israeli Air
Force, IAI, #UAE General Headquarters (GHQ), US Air Force in Europe,
plus many more.
https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/576913646/the-air-and-missile-defence-technology-conference-returns-to-london-in-november-2022
***
#UtarPradesh’s Adjunct Home
Department Chief Secretary Awasthi has asked #Airbus Helicopters to
submit proposals for helicopters to be used during crowd control by
police (...) and for monitoring areas affected by insurgencies
(naxal) in the state.
https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/smart-infra/up-govt-plans-to-use-helicopter-in-tourism-policing-and-medical-emergency/
***
The endless quarrel between
#NavalGroup & #Damen (each with its own factions in the Romanian
military/political establishment behind it) to deliver #Romania 4
corvettes. President Macron's recent visit confirmed naval
cooperation between the two countries.
https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/naval-group-espere-finaliser-la-vente-de-4-corvettes-a-la-roumanie-1413610
***
#Hamburg goes to court against a
citizens initiative aiming to end the transport and handling of arms
via the Port of Hamburg. It has collected 16,000 signatures. Now the
court must decide whether the goals are in line with the Hamburg
constitution. https://taz.de/!5858209/
***
"Nederland heeft er zijn
eigen paviljoen: oranje gekleurd en met een foto van het koninklijk
paar. Er worden producten getoond, er wordt vooral heel veel
gepraat." Veel praten op wapenbeurs #Eurosatory met plaatjes
erbij; het lijkt me handel, #wapenhandel.
https://nos.nl/artikel/2432866-wapenbeurs-parijs-trekpleister-door-oorlog-in-oekraine
***
Turkish president Erdogan
turns crises into opportunities—it’s his modus operandi. After
the initial shock of the Russian invasion, which put Turkey in an
uncomfortable position, Erdogan now seems to be enjoying the
geopolitical reality. How far can he go?
https://national.interest.org/feature/will-erdogan%E2%80%99s-turkey-gain-war-ukraine-202995
June 15
***
1/2 CRS on The Nordic Countries
and U.S. Relations. It seems timely. From the intro: These refugee
and migrant waves also stirred debates about identity, integration,
and security (in relation to both terrorism and crime).
https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/22059561/if10740.pdf
2/2 Refugees from Russia’s 2022 war in Ukraine, however, generally have been welcomed by Nordic governments and societies. https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/22059561/if10740.pdf
***
Een collectie meningen in Vrij
Nederland over pacifisme in oorlogstijd. Niet om het idee af te
kammen, maar om er serieus over na te denken.
https://www.vn.nl/grote-vraag-pacifisme/
***
After the publication, in Jeune
Afrique of an investigation into the last barons of the arms sales in
Africa, Ivor Ichikowitz, CEO of Paramount group, sent a reply.
https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1353562/politique/vente-darmes-ivor-ichikowitz-repond-a-jeune-afrique/
However Paramount is a major partner of dictatorial Saudi Arabia. https://www.google.com/search?q=Paramount+Group+Saudi
***
Together with the soccer teams
to #Qatar2022 a bunch of companies travels to the emirate, like
French Thales which will bring real-world experience to young Qatari
professionals involved in building the Qatari National Cyber Security
Strategy.
#HumanRights?https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252521418/Qatar-bolsters-cyber-security-in-preparation-for-World-Cup
***
Staff from Belfast-based company
Thales UK have been hit with sanctions by Russia.
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/russia-adds-three-more-dup-mps-to-sanctions-list-41752834.html
It was Thales (the French part) which found ways to circumvent the
embargo on Russia after 2014 and is now hit in a tit-for-tat response
by Russia.
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2022/04/killed-by-thales-military-technology-in.html
***
Duitsers willen 2 extra
fregatten bij Damen Shipyards kopen. Om misverstanden te vorkomen. De
wapens, technologie, zeg maar de grote uitgaven, komen niet van
Damen. De werf = hoofdaannemer. Dat betekent niet dat ze het
merendeel v/d €1mljrd p.s.
opstrijkt.https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1442489/duitsers-willen-voor-miljarden-meer-fregatten-van-damen-shipyards
Ill. Damen has chosen Leonardo’s OTO 127/64 Vulcano gun for the German Navy’s F126 frigate programme. The contract requires Leonardo to equip its OTO Vulcano onto 4 F126 frigates. It also includes an option to provide the naval gun for two more vessels. https://www.naval-technology.com/news/leonardo-to-equip-germanys-f126-frigates-with-oto-127-64-lw-vulcano-gun/
The general contractor Damen Naval and RENK have signed a contract to supply gearboxes and innovative electric propulsion systems, initially for four new 126 Class (F126) frigates for the German Navy. https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/06/renk-receives-order-for-f126/
***
EU officials will craft
ground rules for a €500m fund to promote quick purchases of
military equipment. The fund may provide European countries with
another source to replace equipment sent to Ukraine, as US &
Israeli companies restock Europe’s arsenals.
https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/eurosatory/2022/06/14/nations-huddle-to-clarify-access-rules-for-523-million-buy-european-fund/
June 14
***
Wapenbeurs Eurosatory goed voor
het afstemmen van ... nog meer wapenproductie.
Zouden ze het ook over klanten als
Saudi Arabië, Turkije, Israël, en Egypte hebben?
Retweet
@NIDVnews: Our monthly director-level discussion
between several National defence industry associations on current
events is usually an online affair, but #Eurosatory2022 proved a
great in-person opportunity!
https://nidv.eu/en/news/national-defence-industry-associations-meetup-at-eurosatory/
***
Protest against arms fair
@Eurosatory near Paris continues. Protesters said @EmmanuelMacron
repeats justification that the domestic military industry gives
France a strategic autonomy is used for over 50 years. During that
time criminal regimes were armed and corruption thrived.
Retweet @vivelefeu: Remember
that the argument that "a strong arms industry is essential for
our strategic autonomy" has been used to justify for 50 years
(and in particular since 2017) the sale of French arms to criminal
regimes.
https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1536398434017677312
***
Another perspective on arms
smuggling. Myanmar junta police chief Major General Zin Min Htet met
his Thai counterpart. At the top of the agenda were the illegal arms
trade, smuggling, counter-terrorism and cross-border crime, said the
military regime.
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/junta-seeks-thai-help-in-crackdown-on-armed-groups-operating-along-myanmar-thai-border.html
***
The annual security forum in
Singapore shows China-US tension can be eased by talking. Positions
have now been made clear. Dialogue and consultation, not
sabre-rattling, are the best way to move forward.
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3181564/security-forum-shows-china-us-tension-can-be-eased-talking
***
Putting that nightmarish
possibility aside, there's another question that comes to mind (mine,
anyway): Does arming Ukraine really make Raytheon, Lockheed Martin,
and their cohorts "defenders of democracy"?
https://www.salon.com/2022/06/13/arsenal-of-autocracy-major-weapons-makers-cash-in-worldwide--not-just-in-ukraine_partner/
Addition: Illustration
from U-turn Germany.
Just don't attract attention, that has always been the law in the German armaments industry. The less the guns were talked about in public, the better.
But since the war in Ukraine tanks have
a new ring to them.
https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/rheinmetall-panzer-ukraine-1.5602298
***
Hungarian Minister of Tech Palkovics
applauded coopertion with #Rheinmetall on military vehicles, the
opening by #Airbus of a helicopter parts plant and that gun,
ammunition and land vehicle manufacturing, Hungary has also put
itself on the map of aircraft manufacturing.
Autocrats among each other.
#Hungary has also bought 500 vehicles from Nurol Makina, a #Turkish
armoured vehicle manufacturer, he added. https://dailynewshungary.com/german-arms-and-french-helicopter-plant-to-open-soon-in-hungary/
This all to support the war between
#democracy and #authoritarianism.
***
@JosepBorrellF on climate and
war: Greater energy efficiency equals greater operational efficiency
and safety. In Afghanistan and Iraq, re-supply convoys of fuel and
water accounted for 40 to 50% of the casualties.
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/climate-change-and-defence-roadmap-speech-high-representativevice-president-josep-borrell-ep_en
***
Despite an global campaign to
curtail the illicit proliferation of man-portable air defense systems
(MANPADS), armed groups continue to acquire and use these weapons at
an alarming rate.
https://smallarmssurvey.medium.com/the-illicit-possession-and-transfer-of-manpads-a-global-assessment-7e2e75ff5fe2
(research done before Feb. 22)
***
A voice from Cowichan Valley:
"we should start by putting an end to arms exports, withdrawing
from NATO —an alliance that has become little more than a tool of
American hegemony— & by returning to our once honoured role as
a nation of UN Peacekeepers."
https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/opinion/letter-canadians-should-condemn-all-wars/
***
Finish Left Alliance on NATO,
nuclear arms, Kurds and arms trade to Turkey.
https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/politics/21722-finland-s-left-alliance-ditches-negative-stance-on-nato.html
***
In 2021, the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs denied 22 export licence applications, to Andorra,
Armenia, Botswana, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab
Emirates.
https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/exports_2021/id2917453/
Report [in Norwegian] https://www.regjeringen.no/contentassets/f9696f688c0444d9a0bd3e4028d46f6b/no/pdfs/stm202120220014000dddpdfs.pdf
June 13
***
Algerije verbreekt
vriendschapsband met Spanje om Westelijke Sahara. Algerije steunt
niet gespeend van eigenbelang de strijd tegen een bezetting die door
de VN niet erkent wordt. EU-lidstaat Spanje kiest echter voor
samenwerking met de bezetter in Rabat.
https://www.mo.be/nieuws/algerije-verbreekt-vriendschapsband-met-spanje-om-westelijke-sahara
***
In the first ten weeks after the
Russian attack, the German government approved arms exports to
Ukraine worth more than €300 million.
https://www.stern.de/news/bundesregierung-genehmigt-waffenexporte-an-ukraine-fuer-ueber-300-millionen-euro-31944518.html
***
Turkey stepped up arms sales and
President Erdogan met with his counterparts in Kazakhstan &
Uzbekistan. Turkmenistan is a client for Turkish arms (like the
Bayraktar drones). Kyrgyzstan also bought its own in 2021 following a
conflict with Tajikistan.
https://www.rferl.org/a/central-asia-turkey-china-replace-russia/31894543.html
***
Biden didn't ban
"offensive operations" in war on Yemen. Long piece in
Teheran Times.
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/473550/Biden-didn-t-ban-offensive-operations-in-war-on-Yemen
***
Nederlandse bedrijven,
organisaties en Ministerie van Defensie op wapenbeurs EuroSatory bij
Parijs. Van klein tot groot. Van brievenbus tot lobby organisatie.
***
One of the largest arms fairs
Eurosatory started today in France. Here the advertisement by the
notorious FN HERSTAL
(https://www.google.com/search?q=FN+Herstal+small+arms+human+rights)
from Belgium on what it is showcasing.
https://fnherstal.com/en/news/defnder-medium-remote-weapon-station-at-eurosatory-2022/
***
Often missed part of military
exports:
Türksat 5B is a Turkish communications satellite of Türksat A.Ş. developed for military and commercial purposes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%BCrksat_5B
It is delivered by European manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space. https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turksat-5b-satellite-to-come-online-next-week-174462
***
Global nuclear arsenals are
expected to grow as states continue to modernize
https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2022/global-nuclear-arsenals-are-expected-grow-states-continue-modernize-new-sipri-yearbook-out-now
See also: https://twitter.com/SIPRIorg/status/1536262763441532928
***
Reactie op
@robdewijk: Defensie kreeg überhaupt geen
aandacht. Hier niet en in andere Europese landen niet. Dat is een van
de redenen waarom Poetins agressie mogelijk werd. SP en GL nemen nu
weer afstand van hogere uitgaven. Lekker…
De Wijk is al jarenlang consequent in
zijn pleidooi: voor miljarden erbij voor de krijgsmacht; het
miskennen van de miljarden die al kwamen; en negeren dat de VS al 12x
zoveel uitgeeft aan het Pentagon als Moskou aan het rammelende leger.
Vecht Rusland nu tegen de NAVO? Nee toch?
***
Kurds in Turkey have legitimate
concerns.
It's about politicians jailed.
Freedom of press violated.
It’s about weapons exports,
Stoltenberg said.
Besides the last concern (to oppose the
limits) he didn't. He sided with the repressive, autocrat regime.
https://kashmirreader.com/2022/06/13/nato-chief-turkey-has-legitimate-concerns-over-terrorism/
***
Two pieces on negotians to end
the war in Ukraine. Both with a wide array of voices.
* primarily focussed on the
situation in Ukraine:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/a-judgment-day-is-coming-for-volodymyr-zelensky
* with the focus mainly on Western
efforts:
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/06/03/politics/ukraine-100-days-western-allies-regular-meetings-potential-ceasefire/index.html
Both are far from optimistic. Thnx to @keesamok
***
Retweet @SIPRIorg: Active
armed conflicts occurred in at least 46 states in 2021:
|
Americas: |
8 |
|
Asia and Oceania: |
9 |
|
Europe: |
3 |
|
Middle East and North Africa (#MENA): |
8 |
|
sub–Saharan Africa: |
18 |
Read more about the developments in armed conflicts in 2021: https://sipri.org/sites/default/files/2022-06/yb22_summary_en_v2.pdf
June 12
***
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are
now in possession of the state-of-the-art #UK LMM #Martlet missile
systems.
Ukrainian Air Assault Forces reported destruction of Russian drones with these weapons.
***
Thyssenkrupp Marine
Systems buys MV Werften Wismar to build submarines.
https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/Thyssenkrupp-Marine-Systems-kauft-MV-Werften-Wismar,mvwerften538.html
Scheepsbouwer TKMS neemt failliete werf
aan Oostzee over voor bouw van onderzeeboten.
https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1441957/scheepsbouwer-tkms-neemt-failliete-werf-aan-oostzee-over-voor-bouw-van-onderzeeboten
***
Spain this week confirmed an explosive
report that it is considering supplying the Ukrainian army with
dozens of Leopard 2 main battle tanks. German lawmakers would have
the final say on whether the German-built tanks ought to roll in
Ukraine or not.
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220610-spain-mulls-whether-to-send-high-tech-tanks-to-ukraine
June 10
***
The Swiss Federal Council has
confirmed that Switzerland will not approve requests by German &
Denmark to export war materiel to Ukraine as, under the War Materiel
Act, such export is prohibited if the destination country is involved
in an armed conflict.
https://www.europeansanctions.com/2022/06/switzerland-will-not-export-war-materiel-to-ukraine/
***
Arms transfers to Ukraine raises
questions. In the past, US weapons have often ended up in the hands
of adversaries, been turned against civilians, or used against the US
itself. How can those outcomes be avoided in Ukraine and elsewhere?
https://inkstickmedia.com/to-arm-or-not-to-arm-ukrainians/
***
Germany, the world's
fifth-largest arms exporter, plans to revise its rules on arms
exports to make it easier to arm democracies like Ukraine and harder
to sell weapons to autocracies, Der Spiegel reported on Friday.
***
***
Frustrated with the poor
availability of its NH90 naval helicoptert, #Norway has decided to
call it a day with the European rotorcraft. Oslo has halted
operations of the platform permanently & sent #NHIndustries—a
JV of Airbus, Leonardo & #Fokker—a
notice.https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/norway-terminates-nh90-program-returning-rotorcraft-oem
Noorwegen stopt met Europese
gevechtshelikopter NH90 en eist geld terug
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2022/06/10/noorwegen-stopt-met-gevechtsheli-a4133144
#NHIndustries and NAHEMA sign innovative NH90 support contract. The NH90 needed some good news after the storm which hit the naval helicopter. https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-06-nhindustries-and-nahema-sign-innovative-nh90-support-contract
***
In 2050 or never - next big
European arms embarrassment. The dispute between Airbus and Dassault
on the FCAS, Europe's most ambitious armaments project, escalates.
The joint combat aircraft launched seems to go the same path as the
disasterous
Eurofighter.https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/plus239268571/Ruestungsprojekt-FCAS-Europas-Superkampfjet-verzoegert-sich-bis-2050.html
***
Retweet @marineschepen:
Uitspraak Commandant der Strijdkrachten over
keuze onderzeebootwerf gaf 'persoonlijke intentie' weer, dus niet de
daadwerkelijke planning van Defensie. Lees meer:
https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Verwarring-na-uitspraak-CDS-over-keuze-werf-090622.html
June 9
***
The US has suspended export
privileges of three companies (Quicksilver Manufacturing, Rapid Cut
and US Prototype) that allegedly sent blueprints for satellite,
rocket, and defence prototypes to China without permission.
https://www.asiafinancial.com/us-bans-exports-by-firms-that-sent-defence-tech-to-china
***
Angry Erdo says Turkey 'not
joking' over warning to Greece to demilitarise Aegean islands.
The Turkish president urges Athens to stop 'arming islands' with non-military status in comments likely to renew tensions.
***
Sad story for those who want to
raise military expenditures even more: Russia is as it looks like,
technological backward.
Russia e.g. lacks the tech to produce sophisticated microchips. “Locally we can produce chips for travel cards — not much [else].” https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2022/06/08/russian-microchip-maker-eyes-taiwan-exit-in-response-to-sanctions/
***
Royals as ambassadors for the
arms industry.
Sustainability, Innovation & Equal
Rights unite #Sweden and The #Netherlands
HRH Crown Princess #Victoria visits UDT
arms fair and the Saab Damen team for Underwater Defence Cooperation.
https://www.saab.com/newsroom/stories/2022/june/sustainability-innovation-and-equal-rights-unite-sweden-and-the-netherlands
Koninklijk
bezoek voor Damen Shipyards tijdens de wapenbeurs UDT in Rotterdam.
Kroonprinses Victoria van Zweden nam een kijkje bij het schaalmodel
van de onderzeeboot die het Zweedse Saab en de Gorcumse scheepsbouwer
Damen samen hebben ontwikkeld.
https://www.ad.nl/rivierenland/koninklijk-bezoek-voor-damen-zweedse-kroonprinses-bekijkt-ontwerp-voor-onderzeeboot~a5640e81/
Heb
#vakbeurs door AD toch maar veranderd in #wapenbeurs. De aanwezige
bedrijven die zo'n ¼ (alleen al Lockheed en Raytheon samen, ruim
$100 miljard defensie omzet) van alle wapens in de wereld produceren
is dat net iets minder neutrale woord niet ongepast.
Peettante Amalia even over; Zakelijk
bezoek vanwege jubileum Zweeds-Nederlandse Kamer van Koophandel in De
Telegraaf uitgebreid artikel met aandacht voor bezoek aan
onderzeebootbeurs.
***
Uit openbrief verschenen in
Dagblad Stentor:
Wij roepen de Europese politiek op:
keer terug van de heilloze weg van het bewapenen van Oekraïne en
het verder isoleren van Rusland. Voorkom een totale, uitzichtloze
oorlog in Europa voor het te laat is!
https://www.destentor.nl/opinie/open-brief-westen-stop-met-bewapenen-van-oekraine~a2ba516f/
Dat
een storm van kritiek zou komen was te verwachten. Afwijkende stemmen
worden in tijden van oorlog doodgemept. Geluisterd wordt er niet. De
vraag waar de oorlog eindigt die de brievenschrijvers stellen is
echter legitiem en wenselijk.
https://www.nd.nl/geloof/geloof/1128467/zelden-zoiets-doms-gelezen-veel-kritiek-op-open-brief-tegen-wap
***
#Turkey selects Leonardo’s
AW119T to train helo pilots. TAI builds the T129 #attack helicopters
under license from the Italian-British company #AgustaWestland and is
also a supplier of main body parts for #Leonardo’s AW139
helicopters.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2022/06/08/turkey-selects-leonardos-aw119t-to-train-helo-pilots/
***
Lockheed Martin, Northrop
Grumman and L3Harris Technologies said this week they are selected
for phase one of the air-to-ground stand-in attack weapon #SIAW that
the F-35 jet could use to destroy enemy air defences.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/06/08/us-air-force-awards-contracts-to-start-designing-f-35-weapon/
To enable initial phase in an
offensive?
***
As a new generation of
western-made arms goes to Ukraine, donors are assessing the risk of
revealing sensitive tech to Russia if the equipment is captured.
This danger is e.g. connected to deliverances strengthening Ukraines coastal anti-ship ability. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/06/08/the-race-to-arm-ukraine-highlights-wests-worry-of-losing-tech-secrets
***
With attention focused on
Russia’s war in Ukraine, our NATO ally Turkey is preparing to
launch its own “special military operation” in Syria. Ankara
appears to be taking advantage of the conflict in Europe to achieve
strategic goals in the Middle East.
https://asiatimes.com/2022/06/turkey-barters-with-us-russia-ahead-of-syria-incursion/
***
Van Halteren Technologies
Boxtel’ is de nieuwe naam Large Projects van Bosch Rexroth,
voormalig Hydraudyne, in Boxtel.
https://maritimetechnology.nl/van-halteren-technologies-boxtel-is-de-nieuwe-naam-large-projects-van-bosch-rexroth-voormalig-hydraudyne-in-boxtel
Deel van het Nederlandse marinebouw Cluster NMC en onderzeebootbouw groep DUKC.https://www.nidv.eu/en/industry-guide/bosch-rexroth-bv/
June 8
***
Want to find arms fairs nearby?
Want to know who exhibited? All in this easy to use armsfair website.
Found 3 listed in Rotterdam. One is ongoing now.
Lekker makkelijk: wapenbeurzen database.
Retweet @Omega_RF: Alternatively, users who simply wish to search or explore the insights the data provides, can do so using our interactive #armsfair website https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/da375ddd2fcc48a0b31eae58e2cf218e/page/EXPLORE/
***
A Saudi-led coalition has killed
civilians with US weapons, but the State Department and the Pentagon
have fallen short on tracking the deaths, U.S. GAO investigators
stated in an public unavailable report (GAO-22-105073SU,
https://www.gao.gov/reports-testimonies/restricted)
.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/07/us/politics/saudi-yemen-war-us-weapons.html
Addition: The internal report is obtained by HRW
US Government Watchdog Finds Flawed
Weapons Monitoring in Yemen
Oversight Needed to Protect Yemeni
Civilians, Hold Saudi Arabia and UAE Accountable
https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/06/13/us-government-watchdog-finds-flawed-weapons-monitoring-yemen
***
According to German Chancellor
Olaf Scholz, Spain has not yet submitted a request for the export of
German-made Leopard-2 tanks to Ukraine.
Should there still be such a request, it would be examined, Scholz said on Tuesday during his visit to Lithuania.
***
Recently, journalists and
scholars have remarked on the double standards and racism embedded in
US foreign policy. They point to the swift denunciation of Russian
atrocities in Ukraine. Meanwhile, similar atrocities in the global
south are often ignored.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/06/07/sanctions-russia-came-quickly-revealing-an-american-double-standard/
***
Question on exports of European
arms to Russia (E-001537/2022(ASW)) by @androulakisnick (S&D).
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2022-001537_EN.html
Answered by @JosepBorrellF: The exemption (...) under the arms
embargo on Russia is
not valid any more since 8 April 2022. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2022-001537-ASW_EN.pdf
***
Poland has signed a defense
contract with Ukraine worth PLN 2.7 billion (about $650 million) for
the sale of Krab self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine.
https://menafn.com/1104338451/Poland-Signs-650M-Defense-Contract-With-Ukraine
June 7
***
Laten we wapentuig slopen en
recyclen en soldaten omscholen. Warmtepompen installeren,
zonnepanelen aanleggen, windmolens bouwen en bomen planten; er is
werk genoeg dat echt bijdraagt aan vrede, veiligheid én een beter
leefklimaat, schrijft Dirk Kuiken.
https://www.volkskrant.nl/columns-opinie/opinie-als-we-de-wereld-willen-redden-moeten-we-juist-wapentuig-slopen-en-soldaten-omscholen~b82d45f4
Geschat
wordt dat de wereldwijde klimaatvervuiling van alle militaire
activiteit groter is dan die van een land als Zweden. De verhoging
v/h defensiebudget zal onherroepelijk leiden tot nog meer militaire
klimaatvervuiling, schrijven @KerkenVrede @CTWnl.
https://stopwapenhandel.org/app/uploads/2022/06/folder_aanvredemoetjewerken_web_organized.pdf
***
Military industries:
1) Russia will be the biggest loser
2) Russia’s loss is China’s gain
3) US arms makers will also be big
winners
4) More countries will become arms
producers.
https://theconversation.com/global-arms-industry-getting-shakeup-by-war-in-ukraine-and-china-and-us-look-like-winners-from-russias-stumbles-182213
***
***
Because of the German
government's new restrictive arms export policy, Saudi Arabia cannot
have its Eurofighter fighter planes repaired. The federal government
refuses to export important spare parts from European joint
production.
https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/deutschland-blockiert-reparatur-saudi-arabischer-eurofighter-kampfjets-a-d6b9c972-d0a2-48a0-ae5f-6e418d75553e
***
During the 100 days of the war,
a grassroots anti-war movement appeared in Russia. We analyzed 14,298
messages in 56 open coordinating telegram channels... We think our
findings will be useful to both activists and passive supporters of
the movement. https://t.me/s/nottowar
***
The representative of the
European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
@JosepBorrellF, welcomed the renewal of the UN Security Council
resolution on the arms embargo imposed by the United Nations on
Libya. https://lana.gov.ly/post.php?lang=en&id=244668
***
***
Arms manufacturers are winning
after 100 days of war in Ukraine.
US, Turkey, Nordic countries, France, even @Amsterdam is mentioned (due to the favourable tax regime in the Netherlands for internationally operating businesses like French-German Nexter). https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20220603-arms-manufacturers-are-winning-after-100-days-of-war-in-ukraine
***
20 years ago the US ended
unilaterally the ABM treaty; an important step in the deterroriating
relations between Russia & the West (see
https://twitter.com/martinbroek/status/1528661059938271232).
Now the Dutch government starts to use this space to buy Missile
Defence interceptors p.61.
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=407f3525-bdca-4c63-b7b8-d3646dad8450&title=Sterker%20Nederland%2C%20veiliger%20Europa.%20Investeren%20in%20een%20krachtige%20NAVO%20en%20EU.%20Defensienota%202022%20.pdf
***
 |
| EFA-workshare |
***
Kurdish MP warns Sweden against
NATO compromise with Turkey. "I have been in Sweden for 29
years, and I have never been so afraid,” MP Kakabaveh said in the
interview.
https://www.ft.com/content/c97ee60b-15d6-4b80-85dd-8d092573b72d
***
Turkey seeks to repair ties with Western procurement club. (Dutch policy is presented wrong: no embargo but sales are excluded when they may be used in Syria.) Article includes a table on Major Turkish Weapon Purchases 2012-2021 based on SIPRI database. https://defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/06/06/turkey-seeks-to-repair-ties-with-western-procurement-club/
***
Kyiv Post notices effexcts of sanctions: "In particular, extensive Western sanctions seem to have stopped most of Russian arms production and the Russians are fighting primarily with their volume of old Soviet artillery." https://www.kyivpost.com/article/opinion/op-ed/why-putin-is-losing-in-ukraine.html
June 5
***
“As global attention focused
on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year, the Saudi-led
coalition carried out more than 150 airstrikes on civilian targets in
Yemen, including homes, hospitals and communication towers”.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2022/saudi-war-crimes-yemen/
June 4
***
Clear piece on why Saudi Arabia
could get arms from Switzerland, but Ukraine can’t. (Since May 1,
2022, it has been forbidden to deliver new war material to countries
where Risks of human rights violations exist, including Saudi
Arabia.)
https://switzerland.detailzero.com/local/7875/Swiss-arms-exports-%E2%80%93-That%E2%80%99s-why-Saudi-Arabia-gets-arms-but-Ukraine-doesn%E2%80%99t.html
***
President Biden’s Trip to
Asia
Dividing the world into rival blocs, the Cold War way.
By Michael T. Klare
military encirclement "a strategy that is bound to encounter opposition from some regional actors and could result in a major, even a nuclear, war..."
https://www.thenation.com/article/world/bidens-trip-to-asia/
***
Veteranenorganisaties
verdraaien de uitkomsten van het onderzoek naar extreem geweld in
Indonesiëoorlog. Volgens de onderzoekers Thijs Brocades Zaalberg,
Rémy Limpach en Esther Zwinkels is dat contraproductief.
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2022/06/03/veteranenorganisaties-stellen-eigenbelang-boven-waarheidsvinding-a4132205
June 3
***
@_ENAAT “Once
the guns fall silent [in #Ukraine], the illegal weapons will come. We
know this from many other theatres of conflict. The criminals are
even now, as we speak, focusing on them” alerts Interpol chief
#StopWarInUkraine #UkraineInvasion
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/02/ukraine-weapons-end-up-criminal-hands-says-interpol-chief-jurgen-stock
Not
the first warning. Dutch newspaper, mid May noted International
police investigators fear arms will end up in illegal circuits like
during Balkan war. Since the transparency on transits to Ukraine
become less and less, and thus potential for control.
https://www.limburger.nl/cnt/dmf20220520_97001866
***
France ignores its ethical
commitments for the benefit of its economic interests. It does not
hesitate to supply countries like Egypt or Saudi Arabia, which have
in common they violate human rights, Aymeric Elluin, jurist in
international law wrote.
@ElluinASilence, on
arme https://humanite.fr/monde/ventes-d-armes/silence-arme-752771
***
Tailhook circles don't agree:
Nature of war in Asia headed for quantum leap; Aircraft carriers are
starting to look obsolete considering the advances being made in
defence technology in multiple domains.
https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/nature-of-war-in-asia-headed-for-quantum-leap
Drones
included in refit for China’s second aircraft carrier Shandong
Seven UAVs seen on the flat-top’s deck in official video as the vessel undergoes scheduled maintenance after two years of service https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3180265/drones-included-refit-chinas-second-aircraft-carrier-shandong
***
Now and then it is arms fair
season. Seems it is now. UK's Jeremy Quin first foreign Defence
Minister to speak at Canada's Defence Exhibition.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-keynote-address-to-canadian-defence-exhibition
The
Future Soldier Technology USA Conference will be taking place on June
7th and 8th, 2022, in Arlington, Virginia.
https://www.asdevents.com/event.asp?id=23493
Armament becomes important at
International Aerospace Exhibition (#ILA) 22-26 June air show fair
due to increased military spending in focus.
https://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/ruestung-wird-wichtig-auf-der-ila-luftfahrtmesse-in-schoenefeld-durch-erhoehte-militaerausgaben-im-fokus/28397104.html
Hundreds
of people have blocked access to the opening of CANSEC, North
America’s largest weapons and “defense industry” convention at
the EY Centre in Ottawa.
https://socialistproject.ca/2022/06/hundreds-protest-na-largest-weapons-fair/
#Israeli company DSIT Solutions has unveiled its task force underwater security system KnightShield, at the #UDT2022 arms fair (https://www.udt-global.com/) in @Rotterdam, the Netherlands. https://raksha-anirveda.com/dsit-unveils-knightshield-mobile-task-force-underwater-security-system/
***
#UK MPs are piling pressure on
the government over the secretive punishment regime for British firms
that #breach weapons export #rules. One exporter was fined £2.7m,
but the sum was part of a deal that allows the firm to remain in the
shadows.
https://www.politico.eu/article/pressure-over-secretive-uk-arms-export-fines/
***
Autocrat armed diplomacy.
A Turkish arms manufacturer donates a $6m armed Bayraktar TB2 drone, which Lithuania was crowdfunding for, in support of Ukraine’s war against Russia.
The donation comes day after Lithuania
and #Turkey tighten military bonds.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-bayraktar-lithuania-drone-ukraine-b2092846.html
Words
missing (@borzou) in Independent article: Kurds, Libya, Azerbaijan,
Ethiopia (https://twitter.com/martinbroek/status/1508021369107357697)
and other battle fields where the notorious not "famous"
drones were used delivered by a repressive and autocrate state.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Interview/Latvia-ready-to-defend-itself-like-never-before-deputy-PM
***
Analysts think Russia is
hoping to overrun the Donbas before any weapons that might turn the
tide arrive. It will take at least three weeks to get the precision
U.S. weapons and trained troops onto the battlefield, the Pentagon
said.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2022/06/02/russia-warns-west-of-weapons-repercussions-pounds-ukraine/
June 2
***
“When you engage a security
company to do filtering on your data, you are giving that security
company access to your data … employing a security company means
trusting that company.” How about the Israeli company filtering for
CNN and Wshington Post?
https://electronicintifada.net/content/why-israeli-intelligence-linked-company-filtering-us-journalists-emails/35581
***
June 1st was a joyful day for
the top-3 US arms producers.
The Germans said they will purchase 60 Boeing Chinook heavy-lift heli's, worth $4bn. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/06/01/boeing-wins-bid-for-germanys-multibillion-dollar-helo-program/
The Dutch government will buy extra US weapons, like F-35's and Patriot missiles. https://www.defensie.nl/binaries/defensie/documenten/beleidsnota-s/2022/06/01/defensienota-2022/Defensienota_2022.pdf
***
Lobby to lessen German export
rules for the rest of the world continues in the interest of
German-French military industrial cooperation at the cost of
development & peace elswhere. Dieter Janecek, Günen, sticks to a
position that arms aren't vegetables.
https://app.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/verteidigung-ruestungsindustrie-sieht-habeck-plaene-als-gefahr-fuer-europaeische-zusammenarbeit/28392548.html
***
Finland has begun a charm
offensive to win over Turkey to its Nato application, suggesting it
could buy Turkish drones and loosen arms sales rules as well as
insisting it was tough on terrorism.
https://www.ft.com/content/cf154d42-d324-40a9-8478-9f59bee053b5
A fix creating problems
elsewhere.
Finland's foreign minister expressed confidence
Wednesday that his country and Türkiye would be able to reach a
compromise on the Nordic nation's bid to join NATO as well as on the
PKK terrorist group and arms trade.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/finnish-foreign-minister-confident-of-compromise-with-turkiye-on-nato-bid/2603577
***
The dangerous conflict on NATO's
southeastern flank; Conflict between #Turkey and #Greece appears to
be escalating. From Athens' point of view, #Germany is playing an
inglorious role, by @corajamine
https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/plus239103749/Tuerkei-vs-Griechenland-Der-gefaehrliche-Schwachpunkt-der-Nato-auf-dem-Mittelmeer.html
***
A FACTORY in #Glasgow has been
forced to evacuate and halt operations due to #Palestine Action
Scotland activists.
A team of six activists made their way onto the roof of the #Thales Glasgow building in Govan in the early hours of yesterday morning.
***
Israeli Rafael Advanced Defense
Systems Ltd. is showcasing a diverse array of defense solutions and
systems at the Hemus International Defense and Services Exhibition in
Bulgaria from June 1-4.
https://www.joint-forces.com/defence-equipment-news/54424-rafael-is-participating-in-hemus-2022-in-bulgaria
***
For those who think #3M is only
wrong on #PFAS (eg around de #Schelde, Belgium/NL), the company is
also in a juridical dispute on Combat Arms Earplugs, or #CAEv2 seen a
$55 million verdict.
https://www.lawsuit-information-center.com/13-million-3m-earplug-verdict.html
Sounds familiar: 3M allegedly knew. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/3m-company-agrees-pay-91-million-resolve-allegations-it-supplied-united-states-defective-dual
***
Deals with South Korea will help
boost Polish arms industry the Polish defence minister Mariusz
Błaszczak tweeted after he and his counterpart Lee Jong-sup signed
an agreement.
https://polskieradio24.pl/395/7785/Artykul/2970038,south-korea-will-help-boost-polish-arms-industry-defence-minister
***
Swiss veto Danish request to
re-export Piranha 3 armoured vehicles to Ukraine on the grounds of
the country’s neutrality, which prohibits it from supplying arms to
conflict zones.
https://defence-blog.com/swiss-veto-danish-request-to-re-export-piranha-3-armoured-vehicles-to-ukraine/
June 1
***
***
Strong logic: countries around
the Mediterranean arm themselves, so Spain has to do the same, in
casu acquire submarines. Because the Germans, French, Dutch, &
yes also Russians, sell major weapon systems it is inevitably Madrid
follows. Inevitable?
https://www.larazon.es/internacional/20220531/6i4g53o3ubfxvgk7kbeid4hjza.html
***
Kazakhstan buys military
equipment and weapons based only on their "tactical, technical,
and operational characteristics", privately-owned news website
Tengrinews.kz has quoted Deputy Defence Minister Ruslan Shpekbayev as
saying.
***
#Spanish NGOs asked the
State Attorney General, Dolores Delgado, to to investigate the
alleged use of Spanish arms in the Yemen conflict & the potential
responsibility of Spanish authorities/companies in war crimes by the
coalition led by #Saudi Arabia.
https://elpais.com/espana/2022-05-31/amnistia-internacional-pide-a-la-fiscalia-que-investigue-si-se-han-usado-armas-espanolas-en-los-bombardeos-de-yemen.html
#French arms producers Thales and Dassault Aviation were sued by three human rights groups for selling weapons to #Saudi Arabian and #UAE. They claimed that they are complicit in war crimes in Yemen committed by the Saudi-led coalition. https://www.massnews.com/rights-groups-accuse-french-arms-makers-of-war-crimes-complicity-analysis/
***
The first tank landing ship, the
NNS Kada, was just delivered when the Nigerian Navy announced that it
will buy a second such vessel. Damen built the Kada at Sharjah in the
UAE but it is not clear from where the second tank landing ship would
be coming.
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/nigerian-navy-to-acquire-a-second-tank-landing-ship/
***
When protesters took to the
streets of #Myanmar to oppose the junta that seized power in a coup
last year, none of them will have thought that they might be taking
up arms a few months later, or making their own weapons and putting
their lives at risk.
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-resistance-groups-get-creative-to-manufacture-weapons.html
#Canadian arsenal 'for democracy' has #Saudi Arabia as top export destination arms after United States in 2021 report shows. The Middle East in general was the most important export market for Canadian arms in 2021. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-saudi-arabia-top-export-destination-for-canadian-arms-after-united/
***
President Biden wrote the US
will continue shipping advanced weaponry to Ukraine, like Javelin AT
missiles, Stinger antiaircraft missiles, powerful artillery and
precision rocket systems, radars, unmanned aerial vehicles, Mi-17
helicopters and ammunition.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/31/opinion/biden-ukraine-strategy.html
A
senior Biden administration official says the US will send Ukraine
the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and assures
Kyiv will not use the missiles to hit targets on Russian territory.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/31/us-to-announce-new-ukraine-aid-package-before-too-long-liveblog
