Latest on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
September 30
***
French MoD has unveiled a 2023
budget worth billions more than the previous year to launch a new war
economy to boost orders of equipment to keep the production lines
moving for France’s defense and industrial base, to keep ammunition
supplies high.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/09/28/french-2023-defense-budget-adds-3-billion-to-fund-war-economy/
***
US representatives Castro TX-20,
Torres CA-35 & Senators Warren MA and Murphy CT sent a letter to
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo expressing serious concern about the
Commerce Dep's process for approving export licenses for assault
weapons and magazines.
https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/castro-torres-warren-murphy-demand-answers-from-commerce-department-about-troubling-increase-in-assault-weapon-export-approvals
***
Allies among each other:
Turkey is set to reinforce its military presence of 40,000 troops in northern Cyprus with more arms and equipment, following the United States' lifting of an arms embargo off the island. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220929-turkiye-to-reinforce-military-presence-in-n-cyprus-after-us-arms-embargo-lifted-erdogan/
***
#Germany's coalition government
has approved new arms export deals to the oil rich butcher of #Saudi
Arabia. The reports emerged after German Chancellor Olaf #Scholz
returned from a trip to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates #UAE
and #Qatar.
https://www.dw.com/en/german-government-approves-arms-exports-to-saudi-arabia-reports/a-63288334
September 29
***
Where
are US weapons going? US transparency on arms sales is taking a
nosedive. As conflict rages overseas, the public is losing the
ability to effectively track the use of American guns and other
weapons of war.
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2022/09/28/where-are-our-weapons-going-us-transparency-is-taking-a-nosedive/
***
One armed conflict overflows
into another. #Pakistan’s friend #Azerbaijan will be breathless
from the blow of #Indian ‘Pinaka’ missiles, #Armenia has given a
big order.
https://www.newsdayexpress.com/world/pakistans-friend-azerbaijan-will-be-breathless-from-the-blow-of-indian-pinaka-armenia-has-given-a-big-order/
***
Sevim Dağdelen - deputy
chairwoman of the group of the Left in the German Bundestag, says
it’s necessary to immediately stop the #European #arms exports to
#Turkey.
https://www.armenpress.am/eng/news/927883/eng/
***
Long interview with Palestine
Action: "We, the people, not the government, are directly
disrupting the production of #Elbit’s weapons, which will
eventually force the company out of the country."
https://www.investmentmonitor.ai/interview/palestine-action-protest-israel-elbit-systems
September 28
***
Where are US weapons going? US
transparency on arms sales is taking a nosedive.
As conflict rages overseas, the public
is losing the ability to effectively track the use of American guns
and other weapons of war.
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2022/09/28/where-are-our-weapons-going-us-transparency-is-taking-a-nosedive/
***
One armed conflict overflows
into another.
#Pakistan’s friend #Azerbaijan will
be breathless from the blow of #Indian ‘Pinaka’ missiles,
#Armenia has given a big order.
https://www.newsdayexpress.com/world/pakistans-friend-azerbaijan-will-be-breathless-from-the-blow-of-indian-pinaka-armenia-has-given-a-big-order/
***
Sevim Dağdelen - deputy
chairwoman of the group of the Left in the German Bundestag, says
it’s necessary to immediately stop the #European #arms exports to
#Turkey. https://www.armenpress.am/eng/news/927883/eng/
***
Long interview with
Palestine Action: "We, the people, not the government, are
directly disrupting the production of #Elbit’s weapons, which will
eventually force the company out of the country."
https://www.investmentmonitor.ai/analysis/palestine-action-protest-israel-elbit-systems
September 27
***
Large amount of firearms seized from
various persons suspected of right-wing extremist terror plans in
Belgium. Several are member of shooting club, but also illegally-held
firearms seized, incl. automatic weapons and reactivated firearms
https://hln.be/vtm-nieuws/tiental-huiszoekingen-naar-voorbereiding-van-terroristische-aanslag-groot-aantal-wapens-in-beslag-genomen~abd8a78e/
***
Sweden's Saab wants to ramp up
production to meet growing demand for "anti-tank capabilities."
The company is set to build a new facility in India that will produce
shoulder-fired anti-tank weapons, according to a company executive.
https://www.englishnewspost.com/western-arms-maker-reveals-plans-for-india-rt-world-news/
***
Gross human rights violator
#Egypt tops list of arms importers from #France.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220928-report-egypt-tops-list-of-arms-importers-from-france/
***
UN Security Council open to
sanctioning #Haiti gangs and those who arm, finance them.
https://www.voanews.com/a/un-security-council-considering-sanctions-on-haitian-gang-leaders-/6764747.html
Haiti has received automatic #weapons from the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Central America, Brazil, South Africa, Israel and foremost the US. https://gsdrc.org/document-library/the-call-for-tough-arms-controls-voices-from-haiti
***
NGO calls on #EU to urgently
sanction #Myanmar military arms brokers.
Of the 31 #arms brokers identified by
Justice for Myanmar only one – Htoo Group of Companies – has been
sanctioned by the EU to date.
https://mizzima.com/article/ngo-calls-eu-urgently-sanction-myanmar-military-arms-brokers
***
Exclusive: Weapons firms
install 50 staff inside the Ministry of Defence
#BAE among arms firms paying MoD
staff’s salaries while winning lucrative contracts
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-money-investigations/arms-companies-install-staff-inside-ministry-of-defence/
Wapenbedrijven
installeren 50 medewerkers in het Brits ministerie van Defensie
https://vrede.be/nl/nieuws/wapenbedrijven-installeren-50-medewerkers-het-brits-ministerie-van-defensie
September 26
***
Revolving doors: European public
affairs & strategic communications group Rud Pedersen has
strengthened its public affairs offering in the UK market with
geopolitics, defence and security specialist Reg Pula, who worked for
#Labour, #EDA & #ADS.
https://www.publicaffairsnetworking.com/news/rud-pedersen-enlists-defence-industry-specialist-reg-pula
***
When do you say? On Tuesday,
September 20, Japan's MoD announced that as of 2023 it would no
longer accept new #military personnel from the #Myanmar military for
#training in #Japan.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/09/23/national/myanmar-military-training-halt/
***
"People sometimes feel the
pressure of the horrors of what's happening in Ukraine & the
horrors of what Russia has done in Ukraine & their reaction to
that is 'let's give them more weapons.' But we have a bigger role to
play." US Congress Jayapal, Rep, WA.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/sep/24/far-left-democrats-break-their-anti-war-allies-bac/
***
The international aerospace
industry can register for the #Bahrain International Airshow
#BIAS2022. Organised by the Bahrain Ministry of Transportation and
Telecommunications and the Royal Bahraini #Airforce in association
with #Farnborough International.
https://www.bahraininternationalairshow.com/
***
Airbus now plans Saudi border
protection without German technology. After arms export stop,
alternative solution is sought. Airbus boss Faury accompanies the
German chancellor to the Gulf states.
https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article241261515/Nach-Scholz-Besuch-bei-den-Saudis-muss-Airbus-auf-Plan-B-setzen.html
***
Reasons behind the call to:
"This development of the EU into a global military power must be
countered by pressure from society so that people in third countries
no longer have to pay the price with their lives for this military
upswing" by arms exports.
https://www.imi-online.de/2022/09/26/funktionen-der-eu-waffenexporte/
***
Answer to Frederike Geerdink
@fgeerdink: hurray, my #scotland story is online!
with photos by @monafotografie!
New Lines Magazine
@newlinesmag: NEW: In northern Scotland, a
high-tech platform will be built to launch rockets, providing jobs
for locals. But first, a legal battle against a Danish billionaire
has to be won. @fgeerdink reports for @newlinesmag
https://newlinesmag.com/reportage/who-do-the-scottish-highlands-belong-to-the-crofters-or-a-danish-billionaire/
Hadn't expected such an plea for a
space launches from your pen. No fear it will be used for a large
part for military operations, good and bad?
It is not only a Danish billionaire
opposing. https://theferret.scot/tag/space-hub-sutherland/
***
Reuters reports that Israel
has agreed to sell the Spyder air defense system made by Rafael to
the United Arab Emirates.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/23/israel-to-supply-air-defence-system-to-the-uae
***
Retweet @keesamok:
NAVO-landen plannen een grote
reparatiewerkplaats in Rzeszow, niet ver van de Pools-Oekraïense
grens.
https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-war-how-to-repair-the-ukrainian-armys-modern-weapons/
***
French 2021
Arms Exports in short. France won €11.7bn of export orders for
weapons in 2021, more than double the €4.9bn orders in 2020, with
the Rafale fighter jet boosting the orders. The defense ministry had
predicted 2021 orders would exceed €10bn.
https://sldinfo.com/2022/09/french-2021-arms-exports-analyzing-the-french-government-report/
September 25
***
#Azerbaijan uses long experience
in battles against Armenia and then Russia’s airborne and special
forces branches use of heavy machine guns before coming up with their
own solution to its own domestically produced heavy machine gun.
https://21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com/2022/09/25/azerbaijan-makes-its-own-heavy-machine-gun/
September 24
***
@WilliamHartung on Six Stops on
the National Security Tour: Rethinking Warfare Economies (Routledge,
2022) by Miriam Pemberton. She ends her book with a fateful question:
“Will the US economy, steeped in the structures and self-serving
mechanisms of ...”
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/military-spending-pentagon-budget-security/
***
Canada is exporting more weapons
than ever before. Many of the top recipients are engaged in human
rights abuses, at home or in other countries. Ploughshares Monitor,
Autumn 2022.
https://ploughshares.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/PloughsharesAutumnMonitor2022WEB.pdf
***
The #Swiss government said on
Friday it had found “no overriding reasons” to block the export
of 6,000 27mm pieces are for use cannons onboard the European-built
Eurofighter #EFA to #Qatar.
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/qatar-to-get-shipment-of-swiss-made-ammunition/47925204
***
Tiny St. Lucia doesn't produce a
single gun, but feels the effects of small arms made by mainly
Western producers to the island. PM has called on manufacturers,
exporters, and importers of conventional weapons to live up to their
commitments.
https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/news/caribbean-news/st-lucia-pm-calls-on-gun-manufacturers-to-live-up-to-their-commitments/
***
Second Latin America Damen
sale in September 2022
The #Colombian MoD announced that local
shipbuilder COTECMAR will sign a contract with #Damen Shipyard in the
coming days to jointly develop the "first Colombian #frigate".
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/09/colombia-taps-damen-for-frigate-project/
Colombia
construirá por primera vez un buque de guerra en el país.
https://eltransporte.com/colombia-construira-por-primera-vez-un-buque-de-guerra-en-el-pais/
Colombia is launching a $2bn shipbuilding program that would see its Navy acquire five frigates. The announcement was followed by the signing of an initial contract between local shipbuilder Cotecmar & Dutch Damen to adapt the latter’s Sigma 10514 design. https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2022/10/03/colombia-inks-deal-that-could-see-damen-build-five-sigma-frigates/
***
Britain runs low on ammo as
Ukraine bombards Kremlin forces Arms industry yet to ramp up
production despite Ukraine's need for weapons
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/09/24/britain-runs-low-ammo-ukraine-bombards-kremlin-forces/
September 23
***
Naval blockade imposed on #Yemen
by a #Saudi-led coalition has substantially contributed to pushing
Yemeni civilians into starvation and can be considered torture, the
World Organisation Against Torture #OMCT reported.
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/torture-slow-motion-economic-blockade-yemen-and-its-grave-humanitarian-consequences
***
Retweet @wammezz: Satellite
imagery confirms #BurkinaFaso now also flying Turkish TB-2 armed
#drones. Two new hangars were built early 2022 at Bobo-Dioulasso
airport. An alleged drone strike killed civilians early August 2022
in a counter-terrorism operation near #Togo
https://reuters.com/world/africa/burkina-faso-army-admits-killing-civilians-counter-terrorist-strike-2022-08-03/
***
How to tap youthful knowledge
directly from Universities. The Dutch MoD has a formal so-called
Military INnovation by Doing MIND program. It started in Rotterdam it
expanded to the Technical Universities of Enschede and Eindhoven.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/materieelgezien/2022/07/mindbase-breidt-uit
***
Stoking fires or is
extinguishing them more needed?
US Representatives Chabot (R-OH) and Sherman (D-CA) introduced the Accelerating Arms Transfers to Taiwan Act, which urges faster shipment of weapons already purchased by Taiwan. https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4665118
***
#Morocco has invested
heavily in purchasing arms and other military hardware, including the
Iron Dome antimissile system and air-to-ground missiles from Israel,
but the country hasn’t recovered from the twin shocks of the
coronavirus and a serious drought.
https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/2022-09-22/ty-article/.premium/moroccos-economy-is-sinking-but-its-king-prefers-the-bright-lights-of-paris/
September 22
***
This spring, the Netherlands
delivered 5 & Germany 7 armored #PzH2000 howitzers to #Ukraine.
#Dutch daily reports that the delivery sparked a heated argument
between the Dutch Foreign & Defence ministries. This is evident
from interviews with stakeholders.
https://www.rd.nl/artikel/991547-knallende-ruzie-buitenlandse-zaken-en-defensie-over-houwitsers
***
Speaking to reporters in New
York, @JosepBorrellF said the 27 #EU states had made the political
decision to apply new sectorial and individual measures. The
ministers had also agreed to continue supplying more #weapons to
Ukraine.
https://www.france24.com/en/diplomacy/20220922-live-eu-s-borrell-says-member-states-agree-to-prepare-new-sanctions-against-russia
***
A mixture of arms was exported
via the Port of Hamburg in the 1st quarter of 2022. Exports are
listed in a response from the German Government (20/3235
https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/20/032/2003235.pdf)
to a Parliamentary question from the Die Linke (20/3127
https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/20/031/2003127.pdf)
***
Hmm.
- 5 UK prisoners held by separatists in
Ukraine were released. Saudi MbS played a key role.
- Russia, Ukraine exchanged 200
prisoners of war under a Turkish initiative.
- US and Russians cooperate in a Space
Station.
In the end a solution to the war and a start to peace must be and will be
by diplomacy. But when?
***
According to information from La
Tribune on 19/09/22, the French firm Naval Group has awarded a $ 120
million contract to support the Al Riyadh class frigates.
https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2022/september/12215-naval-group-wins-120-million-contract-to-support-saudi-al-riyadh-class-frigates.html
The ships don't have the wiki listed NG gun but an Italian Oto
Melara. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_frigate_Al_Riyadh
***
NH-90, the example of failing
European defence industrial cooperation.
Debate over the fate of Australia's
MRH-90 Taipan helicopters, as MoD Richard Marles faces opposition
demands to clarify the government's position on trouble-plagued
aircraft.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/dogfight-as-troubled-taipans-helicopters-face-chop/news-story/4a3a51267fd3dbe1c5d57d745a8fc224
September
21
***
Sluit monitoren ‘defensiegerelateerde
uitvoer'nog aan bij de realiteit? "Het voorbeeld van
Barco-beeldschermen, die ongecontroleerd in Russisch
luchtafweergeschut ingebouwd werden, illustreert dat de uitdaging om
Vlaamse goederen uit de verkeerde handen te houden nu al reëel is."
Retweet met comment @Nduquet: Vandaag in
@demorgen: “Durven Vlaamse beleidsmakers ook zonder garantie op
applaus de kaart van de vrede te trekken?”
https://demorgen.be/meningen/durven-vlaamse-beleidsmakers-ook-zonder-garantie-op-applaus-de-kaart-van-de-vrede-te-trekken~b872ce41/
***
Diplomatic relations between
Berlin & #Riyadh have been strained...along with #Germany's
decision to ban #arms exports to all parties involved in the war in
#Yemen.
Issues that "will certainly be addressed in the talks," German spokesman Heepstrait said. https://thearabweekly.com/scholzs-visit-germany-hopes-mend-ties-saudi-arabia
***
Retweet @marineschepen: Toevoeging:
de SMART-L MM/N radars voor de fregatten (en die voor de luchtmacht)
worden aangepast om ruimteobjecten en dreigingen voor satellieten te
kunnen waarnemen.
Toch geld voor wapens en radar voor
bevoorradingsschip Zr.Ms. Den Helder. Meer:
https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Toch-geld-voor-bewapening-en-radar-bevoorradingsschip-200922.html
***
France lobbies #Australia over
helicopters The French government have a stake in the #Taipan’s
manufacturer Airbus and is lobbying the government not to scrap the
program.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2022/09/21/taipan-helicopter-france/
(It is a version of the NH90 (#Airbus/#Leonardo/#Fokker).
http://www.nhindustries.com/website/en/press/Australian-Taipan-Achieved-30,000-Flight-Hours_151.html)
***
According to information
published by Pucara on 05/09/22, the navy of #Uruguay received the 3
#Damen Stan Patrol 2606 - #USCG Protector Class patrol boats, donated
by the US.
https://www.navaltoday.com/2021/12/22/uruguay-receives-three-marine-protector-class-patrol-boats-from-us-coast-guard/
They are/were armed with 2× .50 M2 Browning machine guns.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Protector-class_patrol_boat
***
In an alarming assessment, the
head of the UN has warned world leaders that nations are “gridlocked
in colossal global dysfunction” and are not ready or willing to
tackle the challenges that threaten humanity’s future.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/20/un-chief-says-world-in-peril-and-paralysed-as-summit-convenes
***
The #Slovenian MoD has announced
the country’s government will cancel a deal to purchase 45 #Boxer
armored vehicles with related equipment and services for a total of
€343.4 million ($343 million) from the European intergovernmental
organisation #OCCAR.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/09/19/slovenia-to-scrap-boxer-deal-seek-other-armored-vehicles
***
In a joint speech during the 51e
session of the #UN Council, the Euro-Mediterranean Monitor & the
Youth Parliament said that #European countries would be obligated to
stop arms sales to the parties to the war in #Yemen according to a
set of agreements. https://en.ypagency.net/273020/
***
The German government
approved significantly fewer arms sales last year, official figures
show. However, weapons exports to non-NATO countries increased, with
Algeria and Egypt the main recipients.
https://www.dw.com/en/german-arms-sales-drop-almost-10-percent/a-44301981
***
Putin calls on Russian arms
industry to increase production to meet needs in Ukraine. He also
stressed the importance of solving "the problem of component
supply" and called for replacing imports from third countries
with the manufacture of Russian parts.
https://msn.com/en-au/news/other/putin-calls-on-russian-arms-industry-to-increase-production-to-meet-supply-needs-in-ukraine/
September 20
***
Why is Apartheid state’s
defence company #Rafael arriving at #NATO Days in #Czechia as one of
the Main Marketing Partners of the event? #Israel is no member, but
close to the organisation & Rafael developed an air defence
system acquired by a NATO member.
https://www.joint-forces.com/defence-equipment-news/57568-rafael-is-participating-in-nato-days-2022
***
In pursuit of higher revenues,
weapons contractors exaggerate impacts of inflation. By
@WilliamHartung.
The Pentagon needs more spending
discipline and a smarter strategy, not tens of billions of dollars
extra on top of its already enormous budget.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhartung/2022/09/15/in-pursuit-of-higher-revenues-weapons-contractors-exaggerate-impacts-of-inflation/
***
Switzerland has inked a deal
worth 6.035 billion Swiss Francs ($6.25 billion) to procure three
dozen F-35A fighter jets, dodging a proposed popular referendum in
the hopes of receiving the new jets by the end of the decade.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/09/19/swiss-leaders-sign-625-billion-contract-for-f-35-fighter-jets/
***
Targeted sanctions on arms sales
key to ending violence in Myanmar.
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/sanctions-09192022185411.html
But where to start? Russia and China obviously. But Singapore isn't
insignificant either.
https://www.justiceformyanmar.org/stories/exposed-companies-brokering-arms-equipment-to-myanmar-military
***
Media Freedom Act makes it clear
that the use of spyware against media, journalists and their families
is prohibited. This is the rule. The Act narrows down any possible
exceptions to this rule on the ground of national security.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_22_5505
***
US State Department
announced in August that it will no longer publish World Military
Expenditures and Arms Transfers #WMEAT reports, which have been
released since the 1960s. The discontinuation reduces the US
government’s transparency.
https://news.antiwar.com/2022/09/19/state-department-stops-publishing-military-expenditures-arms-transfer-report/
***
Disrupt
the military industrial complex at Land Forces #Australia. The
Brisbane Exhibition Centre is about to play host to a weapons expo
from Oct 4-6. It is the largest event of its kind in the region. It
is not about defence, but the business of war.
https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/disrupt-military-industrial-complex-land-forces
September 19
***
When we see them used on the
coast of Gaza we now know who sold the guns.
The Israeli Navy has received the 76/62 Super Rapid Multi-Feeding naval gun for two Sa’ar 6-class corvettes at its Haifa Naval base. https://twitter.com/LDO_Electronics/status/1570406826356756482
***
China announced sanctions on
Friday against the chief executives of American defense contractors
Raytheon and Boeing Defense over a major US arms sale to rival
Taiwan.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2022/09/16/china-sanctions-raytheon-boeing-defense-ceos-over-taiwan/
***
The horrors of war, elsewhere.
Armenian female soldier mutilated:
Azerbaijan, EU, and Israel (Japan)
http://moderntokyotimes.com/armenian-female-soldier-mutilated-azerbaijan-eu-and-israel-japan/
***
Predictable:
Turkey "strongly" condemned
the decision and warning that the move would harm efforts for a
Cyprus peace deal, lead to an arms race on the island and undermine
regional stability.
https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/us-decision-to-lift-embargo-may-lead-to-arms-race-on-cyprus
Lifting
of arms embargo sees Cyprus aligning itself with the West.
In June, the north’s ‘foreign
ministry’ decried Cyprus’ move to purchase six Airbus attack
helicopters as it sought to replace 11 Russian gunships which will be
sold off to Serbia.
https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/09/19/lifting-of-arms-embargo-sees-cyprus-aligning-itself-with-the-west/
Lifting
the embargo offers the opportunity to transfer some of the Cypriot
Russian-made arms to Ukraine in return for the provision of modern US
equipment and other security assistance.
https://breakingdefense.com/2022/09/lifting-the-arms-embargo-on-cyprus-is-a-major-opportunity-to-aid-ukraine/
See also this April tweet
https://twitter.com/martinbroek/status/1511657688345817088
***
Overview: US arms producers gain
at the cost of Russia-Ukraine war. But also the France-based Thales
group, which is listed at the Paris stock exchange, was trading at
€84 when the war began, now it is being traded at €125-130, +55%.
https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/us-arms-manufacturing-companies-gain-cost-russia-ukraine-war
#ExtraWarTax?
***
French government is offering
its high-performance Scorpion-class submarines to the Philippine
Navy.
French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz said
the potential submarine deal was raised during her recent meeting
with Philippine President Marcos Jr.
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/09/15/france-submarines-philippines/
***
Are there overviews how many
- bombs were dropped on the wrong
targets
- people were killed by this force in
Southeast Asia, Middle East etc?
- How much is annually spend on the
USAF and a comparison with the no US citizens living in poverty?
- Overviews on CO2 exhaustion per year?
September 18
***
NATO not the most independent
source, but it's a story also popping up elsewhere now and
then:
Sanctions hamper Russia’s ability to make advanced
weapons, NATO says
https://chof360.com/sanctions-hamper-russias-ability-to-make-advanced-weapons-nato-says/
This
is how news is reworded to the needs of Moscow. "Some European
countries have run out of weapons to supply Ukraine. This, according
to RIA Novosti, was written in an article for Foreign Affairs
magazine by the former US envoy to NATO, Ivo Daalder."
http://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2022/0916/093569513/detail.shtml
***
How to arms India aginst its
neighbour? The Indian government’s unwillingness to condemn Russia
forcefully seems to have woken up leaders in Washington to a
long-simmering problem: how to wean the Indian military off its
dependence on Russian arms.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2022/09/18/commentary/world-commentary/indian-defense-industry/
***
On 13 September, Thierry
Lakhanisky from Belgium was arrested because of an attempt to
facilitate the transport of weapons to countries in Africa and the
Middle East. He is owner of Belgian humanitarian heavy-lift
helicopter company Skytech. More see
https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/290973/belgian-international-arms-broker-arrested
September 17
***
The schism between the party’s
establishment Republicans and Trump-style populists raises questions
about whether Pres. Biden can rely on lawmakers to continue funding
the influx of US military equipment to Ukraine if Democrats lose
control of Congress.
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2022/09/16/how-a-republican-rift-on-ukraine-could-complicate-future-aid-packages/
***
Liberia’s Small Arms
Commission Chief Atty. Maxwell Grigsby says the entity will destroy
255,000 weapons and ammunition on 27 October 2022.
https://thenewdawnliberia.com/liberia-to-destroy-255000-weapons/
September 16
***
French Navy is looks for
commercially developed drones and laser weapons to field new
capabilities before the end of the 2020s, a senior service officer
said on Monday. “We need to go faster to keep up with the threats
and to keep up with our competitors,”
https://www.compsmag.com/news/french-navy-adopts-commercial-technology-for-drones-and-directed-energy/
***
Sometimes even in Switzerland a
referendum is not conveniant.
Swiss lawmakers voted Thursday to
proceed with the controversial purchase of F-35 fighter jets without
holding a referendum and to go-ahead to buy the 36 aircraft from
Lockheed Martin.
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/09/15/path-clear-swiss-purchase-f-35/
***
Before being a EU & NATO
member Ukraine wants to document Int. Security Guarantees under the
so-called Kyiv Security Compact with US, UK, Canada, Poland, Italy,
Germany, France, Australia, Turkey, Nordic, Baltic, Central &
Eastern European countries.
https://www.president.gov.ua/storage/j-files-storage/01/15/89/41fd0ec2d72259a561313370cee1be6e_1663050954.pdf
***
Indian state Maharashtra 1st
minister Shinde and deputy chief minister Fadnavis will be meeting PM
Modi in Delhi next week to help Maharashtra secure the Rs.22,000
crore #Airbus-#Tata #military #aircraft project, said sources in the
state government.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/shindefadnavis-will-meet-pm-to-get-airbus-tata-military-aircraft-project-samant-101663259934032.html
***
DAMEN Drydock (IMO: 9785639)
center stage in public Nigerian debate on an extraordinary level of
waste and mismanagement of scarce resources and lack of
accountability in the Nigerian public space.
The dock costed € 116,8m. Who cares. https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/09/15/squandermania-nigeria-unlimited/
***
Does the US recalibrated
relationship with the Gulf change the prospects for the sale of
F-35's to the UAE? Recently the Emirate was of the opionion the US
dictates over its usage began veering into what could be considered
infringement on its sovereignty.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2022-09-13/ty-article/.premium/two-years-after-abraham-accords-why-the-uae-f-35-deal-remains-grounded/
September 15
***
9 civilians killed and 24
wounded.
This kind of attack by Turkey, which targets civilians, has been taking place for seven years in northern Iraq, and have killed a minimum of 98 civilians, also causing thousands of displaced persons. https://cpt.org/2022/08/24/new-report-reveals-civilian-victims-of-turkeys-cross-border-attacks-in-iraq-kurdistan
***
#China Accuses the #NSA of
hacking a top University to Steal Data. The accused is the Tailored
Access Operations group #TAO, the notorious NSA hackers.
https://gizmodo.com/china-nsa-northwestern-polytechnical-university-hack-1849530364
TAO is also discussed in New York Times journalist David E. Sangers
2018 book 'the perfect weapon'.
***
US, NATO need to turn attention
to Black Sea, European policy experts say at panel of experts said
during a Center for European Policy Analysis discussion Tuesday.
https://news.usni.org/2022/09/13/u-s-nato-need-to-turn-attention-to-black-sea-european-policy-experts-say
What about the Turkish position and the Montreux Convention of 1936?
https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/naval-arms-control-1936.htm
***
The prospects for peace
in Ukraine are "minimal" at present, the United Nations
chief lamented Wednesday after a telephone conversation with Russian
President Vladimir Putin.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/09/15/22/chance-for-peace-minimal-un-chief-says-after-putin-call
***
#France has already offered
#India joint development and manufacture of Safran aircraft engines,
AIP submarines and is also willing to help India with the
construction of #nuclear #powered #conventionally #armed #submarines.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indiafrance-are-no-limits-allies-with-full-spectrum-opcooperation-101663204038921.html
***
Kogelsdraaien.
Defensie-industrie om tafel met Ollongren. "Nederland heeft de
kennis in huis, maar die moeten we wel gebruiken", vindt
SGP-Kamerlid Chris Stoffer.
https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/2028754817/ollongren-wil-niet-als-kip-zonder-kop-kogels-draaien
Maar de #munitie-industrie is toch echt weg. Zie https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8nHmbT0qNjWTXJQeUMzTldoVk0/edit?resourcekey=0-LNwyVl7NLhZlxqdfbS7rSg
September 14
***
Is a naval vessel a weapon
system? Two recent military export permits induce this question: 1)
an export license for three ASW underwater #drones to #India and 2)
th export of two #Damen naval surface vessels to #Pakistan. broekstukken.blogspot.com/2022/09/monsoon-and-dutch-military-sales-to.html
***
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
"emphasized that any further Russian annexation steps would not
go unanswered and would not be recognized under any circumstances,"
during a call with the Russian president. Scholz and Putin agreed to
remain in contact.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-scholz-russias-putin-discuss-ukraine-phone-call-2022-09-13/
It
is not promising, although the only thing we have in the end. The
prospects for peace in Ukraine are "minimal" at present,
the United Nations chief lamented Wednesday after a telephone
conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/09/15/22/chance-for-peace-minimal-un-chief-says-after-putin-call
***
What happens to the #EU? Like
here with @presidentaz.
"We value our partnership. And
this partnership will consistently grow and deepen over time,"
@vonderleyen told the Azerbajan president.
Europe is on oil. All oil - no strings
attached, except for one: not Russian. #HR? #War?
Did you ask him where Khashoggi’s
body is ? Or why he tortured my sister and put my family on a travel
ban? Or why Salma Shehab was sentenced to 34 years for tweeting? Or
why Abdul Sadhan has been forcibly disappeared for years after MBS
infiltrated Twitter with spies ? “Reforms”
(https://twitter.com/CharlesMichel/status/1569726781594238976
#SaudiArabia is profoundly transforming. The EU is
also undergoing key transitions. We need to work together. With Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman we engaged frankly on all aspects of our
relationship.)
***
How the arms industry scams
taxpayers
If enacted, the US Senate's sum would
push spending on the military to at least $850bn annually, far more -
adjusted for inflation - than at the height of the Korean or Vietnam
wars or the peak years of the Cold War.
https://quincyinst.org/2022/09/12/spending-unlimited/
***
France's Dassault &
Germany's Airbus might be close to resolving their differences about
workshare on the Next Generation Fighter #NGF, the fighter at the
heart of the Franco-German-Spanish #FCAS - but disagreements seem to
have delayed proces with years.
https://breakingdefense.com/2022/09/mired-in-politics-franco-german-next-gen-fighter-likely-headed-for-the-2050s/
***
A Vienna court found an Austrian
arms lobbyist guilty of money #laundering related to European defence
giant #EADS, now #Airbus.
Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly received a
prison sentence & was ordered to pay €50,000, deemed to have
been "ill-gotten gains"
https://www.thelocal.at/20220913/austrian-arms-lobbyist-convicted-of-money-laundering/
***
Groups are calling
for the investigation into the alledged “execution of civilians”
and indiscriminate air strikes over suspicion of smuggling across the
border with Libya, made possible by intelligence provided by the
#French army to #Egypt six years ago.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/france-egypt-libya-border-operations-crimes-against-humanity-sued
September 13
***
Voorbeeld van het fenomeen van
een draaideur militair in dit reclame interview. "Hoge
militairen en ambtenaren die bijna met pensioen gaan, zijn
veelgevraagd door wapenbedrijven," las ik vorige week op de
website van @Ctwnl
https://stopwapenhandel.org/oorlogskabaal/
Retweet
@marineschepen: Samenwerken in een gevecht 2.0.
Interview met Paul Rouffaer van Thales over de ultieme samenwerking
tussen mensen, sensoren, wapens, schepen, vliegtuigen, voertuigen,
etc. Met andere woorden, over 'collaborative combat'. Meer in dit
gesponsorde artikel:
https://marineschepen.nl/dossiers/Collaborative-Combat.html
***
The year 2022 is shaping up to
be a record-breaking one for Israeli defense exports. Yet, there is
no public information on which countries are buying Israeli products,
and what exactly they are purchasing.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-eases-restrictions-on-defense-exports-but-refuses-to-disclose-its-customers/
***
Different positions on
delivering battle tanks to Ukraine by Germany: new build; from army
stocks; aranging deliverances of Sovjet based models from former
Warshaw pact EU/NATO-members.
And as often with a note to the past
history of the German whermacht.
https://www.dw.com/en/ukraines-advances-heighten-calls-for-german-tanks/a-63096241
Germany
could loosen arms export rules, still hesitant on tanks for Ukraine.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/germany-could-loosen-arms-export-rules-still-hesitant-on-tanks-for-ukraine-2/
September 12
***
Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelensky will address US defence contractors later this month when he
headlines the annual Future Force Capabilities Conference and
Exhibition hosted by the National Defense Industrial Association
#NDIA.
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/3636685-zelensky-to-headline-us-defense-industry-conference/
***
German Minister of Defence
Lambrecht spoke out in favor of more joint arms-development projects
with EU partners, but stressed that Berlin must be willing to drop
its veto right when it comes to selling those weapons to third
countries.
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-security-being-defended-in-ukraine-germanys-lambrecht-vows-continued-support-for-kyiv/
#Watering_down
***
According to the latest report
on arms exports from the Ministry of the Armed Forces, French arms
exports approached 12 billion euros in 2021. The 2022 financial year
promises to be record, with more than 20 billion euros.
Retweet
@ElluinA: Exclusif - Les ventes d’armes
françaises ont atteint 11,7 milliards d'euros en 2021
https://challenges.fr/entreprise/defense/exclusif-les-ventes-darmes-francaises-ont-atteint-117-milliards-deuros-en-2021_827438
via @Challenges
***
The supply of weapons to Ukraine to
defend against an aggressive invasion (condemned based on art 51 of
the UN charter) may not lead to a soft German arms export regulation.
Because this is an exception, while sales of weapons to brutal
regimes (Saudi Arabia, Turkey) is the norm.
Retweet
@AktionAufschrei: Aufschrei-Sprecherin
Christine Hoffmann in der Frankfurter Rundschau zu den
Waffenlieferungen in die Ukraine und zum geplanten
Rüstungsexportkontrollgesetz:
https://fr.de/politik/wie-kann-der-waffenhandel-trotz-des-kriegs-begrenzt-werden-91777307.html
***
Dutch Damen has given more
details about the ships it is building for the Pakistan Navy, which
are derived from the company's OPV 2600 design.
Report in Romanian Adevarul https://adevarul.ro/stiri-locale/galati/damen-galati-construieste-nave-de-lupta-pentru-2204207.html
***
In 2022 Bundesland Lower Saxony
topped the #German list for approved arms exports. The total of the
approvals as of August 4 was almost € 2.07 bn, as can be seen from
the federal government's response to a parliamentary question by
Linke MP Sevim
Dagdelen.https://www.welt.de/regionales/niedersachsen/article240976255/Ruestungsexporte-ueber-2-07-Milliarden-Euro-aus-Niedersachsen.html
***
Indonesian naval vessels are
used to smuggle rare animals.
The Kri Teluk Lada is Indonesian build,
the Kri Teluk Parigi is delivered by
Germany.
(Tempo is a major Indonesian magazine.)
September 11
***
Twitter trackers jeopardize military aircraft, wrote a marine corps sergeant in USNI Proceedings (Sept 2022 https://usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2022/september/twitter-trackers-jeopardize-military-aircraf). His plea for stricter rules on the availability of flight info is understandle from a military viewpoint, not from an angle of transparency.
 |
| Here an example of such information taken 14.45 today: a Lockheed produced Saudi military C-130 Hercules transport plane in Jemen. |
September 10
***
Egypt appears close to
finalising a $3bn deal with Italy for 24 EFA Typhoon fighter jets,
its 1st order for this model of aircraft. The deal is the latest in a
series of fighter acquisitions Cairo has made from several countries
over the past eight years.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-has-spent-big-diversifying-its-air-force-what-end
***
Signs that the US is looking to
deepen security cooperation with Saudi Arabia are likely to spark
pushback from rights groups, & some members of Congress.
President Joe Biden pledge to make the kingdom a pariah over human
rights abuses seems to evaporate.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-plans-open-new-military-testing-facility-saudi-arabia-report
***
Charles held 95 meetings with 8
repressive monarchies in the Middle East since the Arab Spring
protests of 2011 threatened their power. The now King played a key
role in promoting £14.5-billion worth of UK arms exports to these
regimes in the last decade:
https://declassifieduk.org/charles-of-arabia-how-britains-next-king-bolsters-autocratic-gulf-regimes-2/
According to a 300-page book
titledCharles At Seventy: Thoughts, Hopes and Dreams, published in
2018, Charles allegedly told UK ministers that he no longer wants to
use his Gulf connections to sell arms on behalf of British companies
in the Middle East.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/9/king-charles-iii-what-are-his-views-on-the-middle-east
In March 2013, Charles visited Saudi, Qatar, Oman and Jordan. The top theme for the Saudi leg was “military links” according to #CAAT which claims the government sent Charles to help close a multibillion-£ sale of EFA Typhoon jets by BAE Systems. https://www.zawya.com/en/economy/gcc/king-charles-iii-key-to-british-political-and-business-ties-with-gcc-states-qcsf9y74
***
A #US-led meeting of
armaments directors from around the world will take place in
#Brussels on Sep 28, the Pentagon’s acquisitions chief said Friday.
Agenda can be summarised with the question: How to ramp up production
of #weapons & military technology?
September 9
***
Storm in a china cup. Lockheed
Martin is working with the US Department of Defense (DoD) to lift a
delivery pause of F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) combat
aircraft following the recent discovery of material from China.
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/09/07/pentagon-suspends-f-35-deliveries-china-00055202
***
When you can't kill the message,
kill the mesenger. former South African president Jacob #Zuma
initiated a private prosecution against #journalist Karyn Maughan.
Reporting on the bribe scandal he and #Thales are involved in.
#Hengelo?
https://theconversation.com/south-africas-jacob-zuma-is-taking-a-top-reporter-to-court-the-verdict-could-affect-journalists-rights-190276
***
#Airbus to provide #satellite
communications for Armed Forces of #Czech Republic and the
#Netherlands for a 15 year period. The privatisation of military
services.
https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-09-airbus-to-provide-satellite-communications-for-armed-forces-of
***
The Prometheus 2 satellites,
which have been designed by Airbus and In-Space Missions will be
launched from Newquay, Cornwall, later this year. The so-called
cubesats are owned by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
#Dstl on behalf of the UK MoD.
https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-09-uk-built-prometheus-2-imaging-and-monitoring-cubesats-on-track-for
***
Bayraktar TB2: UAE in talks to
buy large number of the notorious armed drones from Turkey
Sources tell MEE that an order of 120 TB2s is being discussed in the latest example of growing ties between the regional competitors.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/bayraktar-tb2-uae-turkey-talks-buy-large-number-drones
***
With Ukraine dependent on
Western military aid following Russia's invasion and Moscow burning
through stocks and under sanctions, both sides fear exhausting their
shells, bombs and missiles, experts say.
https://www.voanews.com/a/both-sides-in-ukraine-war-face-ammunition-squeeze/6737693.html
The cynical but simple mathematics of war explained.
***
History of Israeli arms
exports and its past and present customers – such as Uganda or
Myanmar, for example – does not inspire any great faith advertised
surplus weapons will arrive end up in deserving hands.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2022-09-04/ty-article/.premium/any-buyers-israeli-army-looking-to-sell-leftover-weapons/00000182-f886-d310-ade7-fbcf38d60000
September 8
***
Spanish & German missile
manufacturers are leading an effort to develop a new hypersonic
defense interceptor as part of the European Defence Fund’s #EDF
initial batch of sponsored projects.
https://asiatimes.com/2022/09/europe-scrambling-under-russias-hypersonic-threat/
When will arms control on the issue of hypersonic weapons start?
***
The US State Department has
approved the potential sale of F-16 aircraft sustainment and related
equipment to Pakistan in a deal valued at up to $450 million, the
Pentagon said.
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/pakistan-f-16-case-sustainment
***
United Kingdom based Thales UK
Limited has secured contract from Ministry of Defence for 703264452
(https://app.stotles.com/records/565a44b8-ba67-4f24-baeb-e8f9947b3f6f/703264452-develop-concepts-of-operation-for-autonomous-underwater-vehicles)
Develop Concepts of Operation for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles. The
value of the contract is worth £272,370.
***
PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI)
and Airbus signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore
cooperation in the production of aerostructure components.
https://bisnis.tempo.co/read/1631658/pt-dirgantara-indonesia-dan-airbus-teken-nota-kesepahaman-produksi-komponen-aerostruktur
***
Melrose to spin off auto
business in #GKN break-up. Melrose will retain ownership of GKN
Aerospace, a leading “tier one” supplier of airframe structures
and engine components for aerospace and defence companies including
Airbus and Rolls-Royce. #Fokker
https://www.ft.com/content/53884518-0781-4a4e-b5b7-425182e2b64c
***
THE secretive nature of defence
procurements appears to have provided the perfect cover 4 financial
mismanagement & #corruption. As a country in a relatively
peaceful region, #Malaysia has generally not prioritised defence
spending but stepped in the trap.
https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/cover-story-secrecy-and-complexity-defence-procurements-provide-perfect-cover-corruption
***
#Damen spokesperson said that
the #Pakistan Navy signed the contract for 2 more OPVs after
witnessing the satisfactory performance of the first two. OPVs are
equipped with electronic warfare, anti-ship, anti-air weapons/sensors
and self-protection systems.
https://propakistani.pk/2022/09/05/details-about-pakistan-navys-new-vessels-revealed-by-dutch-company/
Last
week it was reported the Netherlands sold 3 underwater #drones to
Pakistan's neighbour #India for anti-submarine warfare #ASW. The deal
was smaller, valued € 7.784.565. But the Dutch have always been
very good in selling both parties in a conflict
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2022/08/25/kamerbrief-inzake-afgifte-vergunning-voor-export-militair-materieel-naar-india
***
Defending values and norms? A UK
minister’s husband is facing scrutiny after £24 million of
government contracts were awarded to a company where he is a non-exec
director. Between October 2019 and May 2020 the MoD gave the IT
company 17 contracts.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/19706682/minister-husband-probed-government-contracts/
***
Altijd wat
met die JSF. Het Pentagon heeft de leveringen van
F35-gevechtsvliegtuigen van Lockheed Martin opgeschort nadat het
ontdekte dat een legering die wordt gebruikt in magneten voor pompen
op de straaljager, in China wordt gemaakt.
https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1450928/pentagon-schort-levering-f35-gevechtsvliegtuigen-op-wegens-chinese-legering
F-35 deliveries suspended after finding Chinese alloys in magnets
It is unclear when F-35s with magnets made from the new alloy will begin rolling off the production line, and if the Chinese alloy is found to violate defense acquisition regulations. https://breakingdefense.com/2022/09/f-35-deliveries-suspended-after-finding-chinese-alloys-in-magnets/
September 7
***
Uniform, Bribe, Flight. The
former US Navy contractor nicknamed "Fat Leonard," who
orchestrated one of the biggest scandals in Navy history, has cut off
his ankle monitor and skipped town less than three weeks ahead of his
sentencing.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/06/fat-leonard-flees-house-arrest-us-marshals-services-questions
You can also bring it in this way,
sensational, but not untrue: Manhunt on escaped bloke who ‘bribed
US Navy officers with sex parties and booze’.
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/manhunt-escaped-bloke-who-bribed-27935458
However
#bribery is a common feature in the military business. See
@ArmsTradeCT #fatleonard
***
%20blijft%20geloven%20in%20wereldvrede.jpg)
Opening toespraak 5 september 2022, 27e
#vredesactie op het Museumplein.
https://www.stopdeoorlogamsterdam.nl/oorlog-kost-werknemers-maandsalaris.html
Dit
zei Saar Boerlage in de Telegraaf (25 aug 2022) over de bijeenkomsten
op het Museumplein: "We moedigen elkaar aan, maar wij zullen de
vrede niet tot stand brengen. Dat doet een wapenzending trouwens ook
niet. Het doel is op de hoogte blijven. We houden elkaar bij de les."
***
When will justice be done?
Zuma and Thales (the military company defending Europe's freedoms and values, based near you https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/global/group/about-us/thales-worldwide) are facing charges of racketeering, corruption, money laundering and fraud charges relating to the arms deal. https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2022-09-06-jacob-zuma-pursues-private-prosecution-of-billy-downer/
***
If the US sells Norwegian
defense equipment to Saudi Arabia or the Emirates, and the Norwegian
equipment is used to kill children in Yemen – is that really our
problem?
https://norway.postsen.com/local/amp/43133
This failing national arms control is
an issue not limited to Norway.
***
“Once chips have left the
factory, it’s very hard to know for sure where they end up,” said
Diederik Cops, @Vredesinstituut.
While supply-side restrictions on microchips may have throttled Russia’s firepower, it may soon find a way to overcome this hurdle. https://eurasiantimes.com/out-of-missiles-russia-is-left-with-limited-stock-of-hypersonic-weapons/
September 6
***
Arms smuggling from the Ukraine,
a summary of the control mechanism and danger of arms falling in the
wrong hands. Audio in German. From 13:06 #NDR German Norddeutscher
Rundfunk.
https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/info/Waffenschmuggel-in-der-Ukraine-Tag-192-194,audio1205474.html
***
Microchips seems to get Moscow
in the end. 6 Months into its invasion of #Ukraine, Russia is being
throttled by a severe tech deficit inflicted by sanctions. Moscow's
soldiers are now increasingly relying on ancient stocks of primitive
Soviet-era munitions
***
Russian MoD is in the process of
purchasing millions of rockets and artillery shells from North Korea
for its ongoing fight in Ukraine.
And now Biden called with Xi to ask the
last to use his influence in Pyongyang? Oh not possible, relations
deteriorated.
Reaction with the speed of Kim on Sept 21.
North Korea denies sending arms to Russia amid Ukraine war
***
Sports and the arms industry.
The connection is closer than you may
think. With the the Rugby World Cup and the Olympic Games coming,
France is making progress in the fight against drones.
https://www.lesechos.fr/idees-debats/sciences-prospective/la-lutte-antidrone-change-dechelle-1785795
***
Indian military magazine has an
handy overview of Volkel air base from WWII until today. One obvious
weapon is missing in the article. Guess what.
https://www.vayuaerospace.in/Issue/202208021617347689.pdf
***
Rolls-Royce will deliver mtu
engines for German F126 frigates build by Dutch Damen.
https://www.damen.com/insights-center/news/rolls-royce-will-supply-mtu-naval-gensets-for-f126
They will be energy efficient! Does this mean they will use 2,000,000 liters of diesel a year? Or is it closer to 3 million liters?
***
NATO spending hike to be
able to withstand Russia? If you tell this over & over people
start to believe it, but that doesn't make it true. Find Russia in
this graph. Andreas Geldner, Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Zwiespältiger
Blick auf Rüstungsbranche 060922
https://www.axios.com/2022/04/25/countries-highest-military-spending-us-china
September 5
***
I will actively support South
Korea's arms exports on a parliamentary level," National
Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo said. "If there are laws and
regulations that are hurdles ... we can revise them and provide
necessary budget at the right time."
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220829006900315
***
Het is een cynisch iets,
nauwelijks een lichtpuntje, laten we hopen de kiem van meer.
Uiteindelijk stopt een oorlog door diplomatie, wapenstilstanden,
kleine afspraken, een ruil, etc.
Retweet @ChiemBalduk: Zo
werken de Russen en Oekraïners samen om omgekomen militairen een
waardig afscheid te kunnen geven: https://nos.nl/l/2443234
***
Dutch Minister of FA answered:
NL stops exports military, dual-use & "other tech which may
be used to strengthen Russia technological or military or develop the
defence or security sector.
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=2022D33991
How/when Dutch techology found by RUSI was delivered is not asked.
***
#ENAAT Newsletter. Enjoy the
reading!
Main news items:
•Updates on #EDF
•EU support & funding for joint
procurements
In short:
•updates on EU Peace Facility
•UK ‘winning’ the Ukrainian
military market?
•Massive increase of military
spending in EU-mem.
http://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ENAAT-NBB-2022-3_02.09.2022.pdf
***
O what fun it is to play winter
football in #Qatar on fresh graveyards paved by bribes. #WC2022
In the meantime: from fighter jets to
counter-UAV tech, Qatar prepares World Cup security.
Not sports, but weapon industry is
winning.
Workers are loosing.
https://breakingdefense.com/2022/09/from-fighter-jets-to-counter-uav-tech-qatar-prepares-world-cup-security/
Swiss arms exports increased more than 40% to $524m from $162m in the Jan_Jun 2022. Sales of air defense systems According to the Swiss economy ministry, a deal has been reached with Qatar. Switzerland’s defense system for the World Cup. https://worldakkam.com/credit-suisse-expands-operations-in-qatar-establishes-new-technology-hub-doha-news/910538/
***
The supply chain appears to be
solid for now – but offensives may expose weaknesses/bottlenecks
that could be critical to #Ukraine’s future military successes. The
followers of Saint Javelin will need to continue their worship at
factories across the West.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/09/04/how-west-racing-stop-ukraines-guns-falling-silent/
***
Ukraine has launched a bid for
its army to be a "guinea pig" for cutting-edge Australian
military technology, as it seeks a battlefield advantage over Russian
forces. Ukraine's bid for light armoured vehicles, 'Hawkeis' made in
Thales' facility in Bendigo.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/ukraine-s-pitch-to-australia-use-our-army-as-your-guinea-pig-20220904-p5bf7l.html
***
France certifies Airbus Aliaca
'mini-drone' for use by Navy vessels.
https://dronedj.com/2022/09/02/airbus-drone-french-navy/
***
#Airbus Defence and Space signed
a contract (announced march 25) with Avio Aero on Thursday for the
supply of 120 Catalyst 1300-ED1 engines, which will power the 60 MALE
drones of the #Eurodrone programme, under German prime contractor.
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/airbus-equipe-officiellement-l-eurodrone-d-un-moteur-italo-americain-929105.html
***
Despite calls from France to
“buy European,” the F-35 has beat out homegrown candidates in the
most recent fighter jet competitions, including the Dassault Rafale,
Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen, and the Eurofighter developed by Airbus, BAE
Systems and Leonardo.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/09/04/how-the-f-35-swept-europe-and-the-competition-it-could-soon-face/
***
Need to Get a Suicide Drone From
Tel Aviv to Paris? #Israel Wants to Help
On the ebb and flow of the rules governing the export of Israeli military technologies and knowhow reveal dramatic shifts in the shady world of arms sales.
***
While Beijing today is the
third largest arms provider in the world, between 2011 and 2015, 71
percent of Chinese arms exports were to Pakistan, Myanmar, and
Bangladesh – states proximate to both India and China.
https://www.thedailystar.net/op-ed/the-growing-strategic-importance-bangladesh-china-1393957
September 4
***
Holland en de maanmissie.
Assemblage European Space Module #Noordwijk. Machinefabriek West-End
#Lisse, ingenieursbureau Pentacon Engineering #Haarlem, Microtechniek
Special Products #Beverwijk leverden technologie & Airbus #Leiden
#Oegstgeest zonnepanelen.
https://www.noordhollandsdagblad.nl/cnt/dmf20220903_62705579
***
With global military
expenditure reaching yet record highs in 2021 "it is
increasingly clear that the military industrial complex is once more
moving into the position of what Dwight Eisenhower termed
‘unwarranted influence’."
https://www.redpepper.org.uk/the-war-racket/
Addition: Illustration of the above:
@GKNAero Congratulations @trussliz for
being chosen to be the next PM of the UK!
https://twitter.com/GKNAero/status/1566773860778889218
Looking forward to the UK Government's
continued support for the essential aerospace industry!
#MIC
Addition: #MIC Of zie deze als illustratie voor
Nederland: @DefensieMin Gesproken met Eurocommissaris @ThierryBreton
Nederland steunt zijn initiatieven om de ?ﾟﾇﾺdefensiesamenwerking
te versterken.
https://twitter.com/DefensieMin/status/1566754532201299969
September 3
***
A long list headed by an F-16
(93-0658) fighter jet.
Since 2015, under the pretext of fighting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Turkey’s attacks on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq resulted in the death of 110 civilians and the injury of 186. https://dckurd.org/2022/08/31/casualties-in-turkish-attacks/
***
Why go to so much trouble
denying the obvious?
“ #Saudi Arabia has been a key customer for FN #Herstal for several years. FN Herstal's turnover for the Saudi market is estimated, depending on the year, at 20% to 50% of the company's total turnover,” Elio Di Rupo said.
Retweet @ATTExpertGroup: Belgian weapons to Saudi Arabia: export at all costs (part 1/2) Risks of humanitarian and human rights law violations be damned! Leaked documents tell a sorry cynical tale of arms export policy and decision-making in the Walloon region of Belgium. https://medor.coop/nos-coups/nos-armes-et-larabie-saoudite/armes-belges-vers-larabie-saoudite-exporter-coute-que-coute-guerre-yemen-wallonie-industrie-emploi-fn-herstal/
***
10 Highest Pentagon Contract
Awards for August 2022 alone (in $ x million)
Lockheed 7,631
CACI NSS 5,713
Boeing 5,021
John Hopkins Uni. 4,396
L3 3,000
Boeing 2,215
Fed. Express Team 1,631
Lumen Tech 1,500
Patriot Team 1,448
Rolls Royce 1,014
Total 33,567
https://news.clearancejobs.com/2022/09/01/10-highest-dod-contract-awards-in-august-2022/
***
From 2016–2020 Israel
accounted for 69% of Azerbaijan’s major arms imports — a number
that represents 17% of Israeli arms exports for that same period.
Israeli arms currently used by Baku are loitering munitions used
during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.
https://breakingdefense.com/2022/08/israel-may-be-looking-to-strengthen-ties-to-azerbaijan-as-an-iran-counter/
***
Tactics Report: UK should impose
total arms Embargo on UAE, KSA.
https://tacticsinstitute.com/reports/tactics-report-uk-should-impose-total-arms-embargo-on-uae-ksa/
Report: https://tacticsinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/UK-Arms-Sales-to-the-Gulf-report.pdf
And there is not reason to limit this call to the UK. Other states may do the same!
***
Please not after all the
previous havoc.
A decade after it was declared a
supermarket for illegal arms traffickers, Libya once again has become
a source of illegal weapons flowing into conflicts across the Sahel
and neighboring coastal states.
https://adf-magazine.com/2022/08/libyan-cease-fire-could-renew-arms-trafficking-across-borders/
***
#UK Department of Int. Trade
#DIT has been accused of using "delaying tactics" after
twice telling Middle East Eye it needs more time to decide whether
releasing information about British weapons sales to #Saudi Arabia is
in the public interest. #FOI
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-saudi-arabia-arms-sales-government-accused-delay-tactics
September 2
***
Police clash with "Disarm
#Rheinmetall" protestors outside arms factory of
Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann. #KMW is the competitor of Rheinmetall at the
arms bazaar. Both are called "profiteers of human suffering."
#Germany is the 5th arms exporter in
the world.
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-police-clash-with-protestors-outside-arms-factory/a-62999853
***
The chief of staff of #Iran's
armed forces, Maj-Gen Mohammad Baqeri, has offered to engage in
"joint programmes" with #Pakistan on military aircraft,
including both drones and manned planes, the official IRNA news
agency reported on 1 September.
***
Who is jamming and spoofing
GPS-data in the East Mediterranean region? Haaretz comes to the
conclusion Israel must be one of the countries involved. It is part
of counter-droneattack operations.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2022-08-31/ty-article/massive-gps-jamming-observed-around-israel-are-anti-drone-weapons-to-blame/00000182-ea9d-dcde-a9d6-eeff04eb0000
***
Russia-Ukraine war: Algeria
could face weapons crisis due to conflict, say analysts.
Importers of Russian arms are facing
increased risks of supply shortages, with Russian manufacturers
racing to meet the needs of their own country's military.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/russia-ukraine-war-algeria-weapons-crisis
September 1
***
War is one of the most
profitable businesses; Conni Lenert and Nina Kemper from the alliance
Rheinmetall Disarm („Rheinmetall entwaffnen“) on arms exports and
hope for peace.
https://taz.de/Rheinmetall-entwaffnen-ueber-Abruestung/!5878538/
***
Waar ken ik dat bedrijf - De
Haas in Maassluis - ook al weer van? Hier. Ik had het genoemd in een
artikel over hoe de #oliewinning in #Nigeria beschermd wordt met
Nederlandse (militaire) leveringen:
https://stopwapenhandel.org/dutch-maritime-support-for-oil-industry-in-niger-delta/
@NIDVnews
@Defensie_DMO en 9 bedrijven uit de sector in
dialoog op de 15de Regiodag bij De Haas Maassluis. Dank aan de
gastheer en Defensie voor het mee mogelijk maken van transparante en
concrete gesprekken
***
Germany has in 2022 (so far)
exported arms worth almost € 5.1 billion. This is an increase of
almost 76 percent compared to 2021, when the black-red federal
government approved € 2.9 billion in arms exports by the end of
August. (Large deals ended 2021.)
https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/ruestungsexporte-rekordwert-eu-nato-ukraine-krieg-101.html
***
Peace activists to protest
against arms trade event in Liverpool
CAMPAIGNERS are taking to the streets
of Liverpool on Saturday in protest at a forthcoming “electronic
warfare” arms fair, which opponents have dubbed a gathering of
“merchants of death.”
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/peace-activists-to-protest-against-arms-trade-event-in-liverpool
***
1/2 US "deeply concerned"
about continuing hostility between rival leaders in Libya, as
militias continue to manoeuvre for political/military gains & the
continued flow of weapons & other military equipment into the
country in violation of UN arms embargo.
https://dailynewsegypt.com/2022/09/01/us-warns-libyan-leaders-and-foreign-forces-of-un-sanctions/
It's easy to find out who those villains are because of the research of the officially established panel of experts. So go through the report and directly address grievances to those reported e.g. in Table 3: Jordan, Russia, Syria, Turkey, UAE, (Ukraine) https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2074509/N2233441.pdf
***
Airbus OneWeb Satellites (AOS),
the joint-venture between constellation operator OneWeb and Airbus
Defence & Space, have contracted with Astra Space to use and
integrate Astra's spacecraft engines into its Arrow small satellite
portfolio.
https://advanced-television.com/2022/08/31/oneweb-to-buy-astra-space-engines/
***
As of August 2022 #EXIM was
monitoring the end use of a single transaction that it had continued
to finance in fiscal year 2020. Two satellites for the government of
Mexico. Mexico was in compliance with EXIM policy not to use them
military. https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-106090
But
: The spacecraft (Morelos III (originally MEXSAT 2) is designed to
provide L-band services to mobile 3G+ users AND armed forces via a
deployable 22m Herschelian antenna dish with RF transceivers, wiki
documents. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morelos_Satellite_System
***
Slovakia, Finland ink deal
for 76 Patria combat vehicles, part of Slovak's NATO modernisation.
“we firmly believe that the Russian aggression to Ukraine has made
it more and more important” to invest in defense MoD Nad said.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/08/31/slovakia-finland-ink-production-deal-for-76-patria-combat-vehicles
The war shows a strong Russia?
