(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
“... to
forget that we are all citizens of the world, not just citizens of a
place, would be a reckless mistake.” Kwame
Anthony Appiah.
Foreign Affairs march/April
2019.
December 31
***
By @EmilyKilcrease1 &
@sarahbauerle: "US officials must have difficult conversations
with allies about how wide the yard and how tall the fence should be
with respect to so-called dual-use technologies, those that have both
military and commercial uses."
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/illusion-controls
***
Russia launches fewer missiles
at Ukraine with every new massive missile attack, while the intervals
between such attacks grow, according to Ukraine’s Defence
Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense official Andrii Yusov.
https://euromaidanpress.com/2022/12/30/russian-capacity-to-launch-massive-missile-attacks-on-ukraine-dwindles-ukraines-intelligence/
December 30
***
To improve the global human
rights situation ;-) Sweden’s Defence Ministry is examining what
changes in policy are required, including legislative action, to
allow Sweden’s defence groups to obtain export licenses to deliver
weapons to Turkey.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/12/29/sweden-finland-try-future-ally-path-with-turkey-in-bid-to-join-nato/
***
Why is Karachi still a customer for European arms?
Myanmar Junta leaders on Dec. 15 proudly unveiled new fighter jets and attack helicopters purchased from Russia, China and Pakistan at a 75th anniversary celebration of the country’s air force. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/airpower-12292022172130.html
***
You want something else as
beefed up Cold War 2.0 language dressed in the robe of empathy?
Read this piece for ideas by a range of
experts aiming for less war, arms control and shrinking military
budgets.
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2022/12/30/what-biden-should-do-immediately-to-start-2023-out-right/
***
Modifications to turn
Japanese naval vessel JS Kaga into an F-35B aircraft carrier are
nearing completion at a dock in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture. But
the Japanese armed forces are still called a self defence force.
https://news.usni.org/2022/12/29/f-35b-upgrades-near-completion-aboard-japanese-warship-kaga
December 27
***
#Israel has grounded eleven of
its F-35A stealth fighters following the advice of the #F35 Lightning
II Joint Program Office #JPO following the crash of a US F-35 Type B
fighter jet in Texas. This to determine if they are at risk of a
similar malfunction. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjapl18to
***
The German government has
approved arms exports worth at least €8.35 billion this year, the
2nd-highest annual figure in the country's history.
More than a 1/ of the military
equipment delivered in 2022 to December 22 went to Ukraine. https://www.anews.com.tr/economy/2022/12/27/ukraine-war-drives-german-arms-exports-to-exceed-8-billion-in-2022
***
Wapenfabrikant Rheinmetall
is met een koerswinst van 120% de absolute uitblinker in de Europese
beursindex in de Stoxx 600, waarin de 600 grootste Europese
beursfondsen.
https://fd.nl/financiele-markten/1459220/wapenfabrikant-rheinmetall-blinkt-uit-in-europese-beursindex
De wapengrutteer heeft ook in Nederland vestigingen. https://stopwapenhandel.org/app/uploads/2021/09/Rheinmetall_Nederland.pdf
December 26
***
Nederland stelt in 2023 2,5
miljard euro beschikbaar voor steun aan Oekraïne. Het kabinet
verwacht dat dit bedrag nodig is voor militaire steun, ondersteuning
bij kritieke herstelwerkzaamheden en bijdragen aan de strijd tegen
straffeloosheid.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2022/12/23/nederland-steun-aan-oekraine-2023-nieuws
***
Latvian drone company Atlas
Dynamics plans to open in early 2023 a research and development
factory in Ukraine and later on a production plant in collaboration
with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.
https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2022/12/23/latvias-atlas-dynamics-to-open-drone-production-plant-in-ukraine/
***
#Colombia is negotiating the
purchase of 16 Dassault's Rafale multirole fighter jets for its Air
Force, a deal potentially worth $3.15 billion, according to a news
release from the country’s president.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/12/23/colombia-begins-negotiations-to-buy-16-rafale-fighter-jets/
***
Even though the relations
between Pakistan and Russia are said to be on an upswing, Islamabad
is reported to be supplying weapons and ammunition to Kyiv, according
to Geo-Politik citing the report published in the Russian web portal,
Riafan.
https://www.dtnext.in/world/2022/12/23/pakistan-backstabs-russia-supplies-arms-to-ukraine
***
The Ministries of Defence of
Japan and India have already started a joint arms development project
for unmanned vehicles. This is very important because recently, India
and Japan have had many differences.
Read more at:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/view-how-japans-new-national-security-strategy-impacts-cooperation-with-india/articleshow/96516738.cms
Key
Japanese defense contractors, citing low profitability margins and
export curbs, are pulling out of the industry even as the government
forges ahead with a historic increase in spending to bolster national
security. https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14792673
December 25
***
#Morocco is the country which
invaded a neighbouring country itself and keeps it occupied ever
since, isn't it?
According to a report by Le Journal de l'Afrique, the Moroccan government has agreed to transfer spare parts for T-72 tanks to #Ukrainia. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221222-morocco-becomes-first-african-country-to-provide-military-aid-to-ukraine/
***
Colt announces that on December
22 it signed a Joint Venture Agreement with N7 Holding Ltd.,
Hungarian state-owned. Under the JVA it is planned to establish #Colt
CZ #Hungary. Colt CZ Group will own a 51% in the JV and the Hungarian
government a 49%.
https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/COLT-CZ-GROUP-SE-119082312/news/Colt-CZ-signed-a-joint-venture-agreement-in-Hungary-42604694/
While the US exports its deadly
business to the European champion of human rights with a clear view
on Russia, Viktor Orbán's Hungary ;-), in the US itself Buffalo (New
York) sues gun makers - Colt included -, accusing industry of fueling
violence.
https://www.reuters.com/legal/buffalo-new-york-sues-gun-makers-accusing-industry-fueling-violence-2022-12-20/
***
The supply chain that keeps tech
flowing to Russia
In March this year, a new firm appeared
in Turkey’s corporate registry. Azu International described itself
as a wholesale trader of IT products, and a week later began shipping
US computer parts to Russia.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/12/24/world/russia-supply-chain-tech/
***
A top Ukrainian official and
presidential aide has called for the "liquidation" of
Iranian factories producing missiles and drones, along with other
measures to be taken against them and their suppliers.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221225-ukraine-official-calls-for-liquidation-of-iran-arms-trade/
Iranian
weapon drones used in the war in Ukraine contained chips supplied
from Dutch companies. The British research organization CAR, which is
responsible for researching Western technology in Iranian drones,
confirmed this to the Dutch newspaper AD.
https://nltimes.nl/2022/12/10/dutch-computer-chips-found-iranian-killer-drones-used-war-ukraine
December 22
***
Romania’s state-owned defense
company Romtehnica, acting as a representative of the country’s
Ministry of National Defence, has signed a framework agreement with
Israel’s Elbit Systems to buy up to seven Watchkeeper X drones. The
dealis valued at up $410m.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/12/21/romania-spends-410-million-on-israeli-british-watchkeeper-drones/
***
Among the recipient countries of
Bulgarian arms exports are Austria, Uganda, India, Germany, Poland,
Croatia and #Azerbaijan, writes Romanian Agerpres.
https://www.tylaz.net/2022/12/21/bulgaria-exported-arms-worth-2-3-billion-euros-to-50-countries-from-january-to-august/
***
The rationale behind French
military sales policy to Middle East is considered weak. 4 of
#France's biggest customers in terms of arms sales are Middle Eastern
countries: KSA, Egypt, Qatar & UAE. However, France is not such
an important supplier for them.
https://www.ifri.org/en/espace-media/lifri-medias/frances-strategic-thinking-middle-east-standstill
***
The UN Security Council adopted
a resolution Tuesday relaxing the embargo on arms exports to the
Democratic Republic of Congo, a decision hailed by Kinshasa as an
“injustice repaired”.
https://von.gov.ng/un-security-council-relaxes-arms-embargo-on-d-r-congo/
***
Morocco to sell US 100+
tanks for Ukraine after Secret Negotiations. Under the deal the US &
the Netherlands will buy 90 T-72B MBTs for $95m with an option of 30
more next year. Rabat will provide spare parts. The tanks will be
upgraded by Czech Excalibur.
https://libertarianinstitute.org/news/morocco-to-sell-us-over-100-tanks-for-ukraine-after-secret-negotiations/
December 21
***
Scheepswerf De Haas past
landingsvaartuigen van de marine aan.
https://issuu.com/nmt2020/docs/12901lr_nmt2022_4-5
December 20
24th Annual Report on Arms Exports (for 2021) launched: #EU is a transparent and responsible trader in arms https://eeas.europa.eu/eeas/24th-annual-report-arms-exports-2021-launched-eu-transparent-and-responsible-trader-arms_en
All 8 parts: https://consilium.europa.eu/en/documents-publications/public-register/public-register-search/results/?WordsInSubject=&WordsInText=&DocumentNumber=16164&InterinstitutionalFiles=&DocumentDateFrom=&DocumentDateTo=&MeetingDateFrom=&MeetingDateTo=&DocumentLanguage=EN&OrderBy=DOCUMENT_DATE+DESC&ctl00%24ctl00%24cpMain%24cpMain%24btnSubmit
Database: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/eeasqap/sense/app/75fd8e6e-68ac-42dd-a078-f616633118bb/sheet/74299ecd-7a90-4b89-a509-92c9b96b86ba/state/analysis
 |
For a change it isn't France but Sweden which is - in the case of UAE - the biggest 2021 EU arms trader.
***
What's the share of the #Saudi market in FN #Herstal's arms sales? Wallonian PM Elio Di Rupo didn't like to answer questions by Belgian broadcaster RTBF. https://www.rtbf.be/article/quelle-est-la-part-du-marche-saoudien-dans-les-ventes-d-armes-de-la-fn-herstal-11125809 Recently EDR noted FN's turnover for the Saudi market is estimated at 20%-50% of the company's total.
***
Dark clouds over Moscow
‘Everybody has weapons’: Russia’s
balkanized military sparks civil unrest concerns
The Wagner Group is one of several
armed factions that rarely coordinate with Russia's mainline military
forces - and more may be forming.
https://breakingdefense.com/2022/12/everybody-has-weapons-russias-balkanized-military-sparks-civil-unrest-concerns/
***
US Representatives introduced
the Americas Regional Monitoring of Arms Sales #ARMAS Act, which
seeks to disrupt firearm trafficking from the US to Latin America &
the Caribbean with stronger transparency, accountability, &
oversight mechanisms for exports.
https://sires.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sires-castro-torres-lead-introduction-of-armas-act-to-stem-gun
***
Defending
democracy?
Ethiopia Obtains Phone-hacking Tech From Israeli Firm
Cellebrite. The Ethiopian federal police have been using Cellebrite's
systems since
2021.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2022-12-18/ty-article/.premium/ethiopian-police-obtain-phone-hacking-technology-from-israeli-firm-cellebrite/00000185-2556-defc-ab97-2d77e1a10000
Since
the beginning of the civil war (Nov. 2020), 63 journalists have been
arrested, most of them Tigrayan. In August, the federal police
indicted 111 "unauthorized" digital media outlets claiming
incitement to violence, hate-mongering and harming the government.
#PressFreedom
***
UN
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: "...challenges make some
want to throw up their hands and give up on international
problem-solving and diplomacy. But I end this year with one
overriding conviction: this is not a time to sit on the sidelines, it
is a time for resolve, determination, and -- yes -- even hope,
because despite the limitations and long odds, we are working to push
back against despair, to fight back against disillusion and to find
real solutions."
https://english.news.cn/20221220/acbca819091a41658b7e59c0e66c45fd/c.html
***
#FCAS
Phase 1B kicked off after signing contracts for €3.2 billion. The
first flight demonstrations are planned for around 2028, with the
ultimate goal of bringing the system into service in ... 2040.
https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-12-europes-future-combat-air-system-on-the-way-to-the-first-flight
***
Iranian-built drones over
Kyiv. Elsewhere in Ukraine, Turkish & US #drones help Ukrainian
forces. This demonstrate the growing role of remote-controlled
weapons in battle. It also shows how drone exports have increasingly
become an instrument of diplomacy.
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/dawn-drone-diplomacy
December 19
***
Wrestling with the war in
Ukraine.
The priority is to stop the killing and
this can be done at once. Let the Western Left, in solidarity with
progressive forces in Ukraine and Russia themselves, take up the
burden of campaigning for an armistice, peace.
https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/the-left-and-ukraine/
***
What is the evidence of
North Korean arms supplies?
Aside from the claims by US officials, much is guesswork.
IISS @walberque: "if there’s one
place I have a little bit less faith in quality control than Russia,
it would be North Korea.”
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/12/18/is-russia-receiving-weapons-from-north-korea-a79641
December 18
***
“We need to be careful about these
scarce precious assets,” said Tom Karako, a missile defense expert
with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “While
we're only sending one battery, once it's there, it's probably not
going to come back."
https://breakingdefense.com/2022/12/patriot-missile-system-not-a-panacea-for-ukraine-experts-warn/
December 17
***
#Pakistan
could upgrade Ukraine’s T-80UD tanks despite wanting to stay away
from ‘Disputes & Clashes’. Pakistan has been supplying arms
and ammunition to #Ukraine since its war with Russia started.
https://eurasiantimes.com/pakistan-could-upgrade-ukraines-t-80ud-main-battle-tanks/
December 16
***
Defense
Secretary Austin said the US makes sure it has the inventory it
needs. “That hasn’t changed and it won’t change ... We've drawn
down capability out of our excess stocks — what we have that was
above and beyond what’s necessary to defend ourselves.”
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-16/pentagon-revs-up-ukraine-weapons-as-it-works-to-replenish-its-stockpiles
December 15
***
Pratt says F135 upgrade
for F-35 would save $40bn over new #engines.
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/pratt-f135-upgrade-f-35-save-40-billion-over-new-adaptive-engines/
More on the engines by the CRS: https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23395781/f-35-joint-strike-fighter-jsf-engine-options-dec-2-2022.pdf
But the #noise levels are they go up or
down? People living near #Dutch AF-bases complain already.
https://www.invior.nl/uploads/files/d/5/d537d9c6b3e60d38e95bace1192c5c050c03cd8c.pdf
***
Hoe de EU wapenhandelaren en
corrupte bedrijven financiert
Wat is het Europees Defensiefonds?
https://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ENAAT_EDF-factsheet_Nov22-NL.pdf
***
Japanese ruling coalition
party Komeito objected to proposed language calling for reworking "as
soon as possible" the three principles governing Japan's arms
exports, which now essentially ban transfers of lethal weapons to
third countries.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Japan-ruling-bloc-split-over-China-threat-in-defense-policy-review
December 14
***
Motion passed:
the Dutch government must ensure more openness about the "European
Peace Fund" where member states are now declaring almost € 8
billion in military aid #blackbox (MB: We will see how this will be
exercised.)
Retweet @JaspervanDijkSP: Motie aangenomen: de regering moet zorgen voor meer openheid over het “Europees Vredesfonds” waar lidstaten inmiddels voor bijna 8 miljard aan militaire steun declareren #blackbox
***
Romanians suspect Damen of
channeling profits made in Mangalia to the mother company in the
Netherlands. Suspecion is raised because contracts between government
in Bucharest and Damen are kept secret.
https://www.national.ro/0pp/scandal-cu-olandezii-de-la-damen-mangalia-pierderi-dubioase-raportate-de-4-ani-783153.html
***
"Greece's Watergate"
erupted.
Police Raid #Israeli Spyware Company's Offices in #Greece
Raids on #Intellexa after revelations that dozens of political, military, and media figures were under surveillance. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2022-12-14/ty-article/report-police-raid-israeli-spyware-companys-offices-in-greece/00000185-0f4b-d26d-a1b7-dfdfb9710000
***
Amphibious America-class ship (which
may also be regarded a small aircraft carrier with e.g. 20 to 25
F-35s stationed aboard) cynically and despicable named after 2nd
battle (see picture) for #Fallujah part of the US military operations
in Iraq.
https://news.usni.org/2022/12/13/secnav-names-next-big-deck-amphib-uss-fallujah
***
Although the US
wasn't part of the shooting war in #Yemen, its level of
involvement—which in the views of many int lawyers made it a party
to the conflict—is part of the trend to increasingly become
involved in conflicts without congressional authorization
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/yemen/how-end-yemens-forever-war
221222: I was not the only one with
second thoughts it seems on the name. Now there is an opinion poll on
it in the US military press. A small majority is against.
https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2022/12/21/tell-us-what-do-you-think-of-the-navy-ship-name-the-uss-fallujah/
***
It
is rumoured Italian PM #Meloni raised the possibility of purchasing
Turkish #Bayraktar drones. “She was mainly interested in them for
surveillance purposes against illegal #immigrants,” a Turkish
source said.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-italy-drones-interest-what-behind
***
Scholz
at submarine baptism in #Kiel With the delivery of two more
#submarines, #Germany is strengthening its strategic partnership with
the Southeast Asian city-state of #Singapore.
https://www.indonewyork.com/politics/defense-armament-aid-for-singapore-scholz-at-submarine-baptism-in-kiel-h62143.html
December 13
***
Airbus Defense and Space has
selected the Andalusian plants of Tablada, in Seville, and Cádiz to
participate in the industrialization and production of the Eurodrone,
the future medium-altitude remotely piloted aerial system (#drone)
https://www.diariodecadiz.es/noticias-provincia-cadiz/Airbus-selecciona-Cadiz-Sevilla-proyecto-Eurodrone_0_1747025809.html
***
Timely seen #Turksih action in
Norhtern Syria. #Finland could reconsider its decision taken in 2019
not to sell arms to Turkey to speed up its procedure for joining
NATO.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/finland-may-end-arms-embargo-on-turkey-for-natos-sake/
Critical Infrastructure Targeted; Basic #Rights Endangered. https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/12/07/northeast-syria-turkish-strikes-exacerbate-humanitarian-crisis
***
EU Council agrees €2bn
increase of the #financial ceiling in 2023 for the European Peace
Facility (a misnomer for a military fund). More can be added. The
total increase of the #EPF overall financial ceiling until 2027 would
be up to €5.5bn ('18 prices).
https://nsl.consilium.europa.eu/104100/Newsletter/nps4r3rqhjtptutakhqvws2bdxtc75ubwysjyynv7r4gdc2r4ftnfy24s43pqmv7wwgbiebwytzkk
***
Emirates calls for greater
European engagement in the Gulf: 'We need to see action'.
As this is in part a response on the initial block - but later unblocked - US arms transfers. Will growing arms exports to the #UAE be part of the wishlist?
#Yemen https://atalayar.com/en/content/emirates-calls-greater-european-engagement-gulf-we-need-see-action
***
Pentagon steered $369m in
military contracts to Azerbaijan's Silk Way Airlines in exchange for
US and NATO access to critical supply routes during the height of
America's war in Afghanistan, according to The Washington Post.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2022/air-force-azerbaijani-consulting/
Silk
Way was in 2004-05 al een goede bekende van de Nederlandse
krijgsmacht. (zie tabel 5.2: Onvolledig overzicht (Oosteuropese)
vliegtuigen op vliegveld Eindhoven).
https://stopwapenhandel.org/app/uploads/2011/02/onzichtbarehandel_mei2006_final.pdf
December 12
***
De regering moet steun
uitspreken voor een kerstbestand in Oekraïne, vinden @WendelaVries
en Harrie Lindelauff. ‘Ooit zal er onderhandeld moeten worden.
Waarom dan niet nu?’
https://www.parool.nl/columns-opinie/opinie-laat-de-wapens-zwijgen-in-oekraine-en-steun-het-kerstbestand~b614ec54/
***
Retweet @AirbusDefence: Live
at #AirbusTMB . Update on the #A400M for Indonesia: the contract has
formally entered into force. We welcome Indonesia to the #A400M
family as the 10th operator.
https://airbus.com/en/Trade-Media-Briefing
***
India is planning to acquire 15
more C-295 military transport aircraft for the Navy and CG part of
the Tata-Airbus project in addition to 56 ordered C-295's.
The first "Made in India" C-295, which will be able to carry 71 soldiers, is expected in 2026. https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/centre-to-order-15-more-c-295s-from-vadodara-tata-airbus-facility-report-122121200245_1.html
***
Trade unionists from the
#Mangalia Naval Shipyard are protesting at the Ministry of Economy,
being dissatisfied with annoucned restructuring. They said the wharf
still has 1,500 employees fewer than when Dutch #Damen took over. [in
Romanian]
https://www.realitatea.net/stiri/actual/val-de-proteste-inainte-de-sarbatori-saracia-ii-scoate-pe-romani-in-strada_63957d461ebe0c66aa25f882
***
Executive Director of #Damen
Shipyards Gorinchem, Arnout Damen said the firm plans to invest 100
million more USD in ship building in #Vietnam. Netherlands is now the
biggest EU investor in Vietnam, ranking 8th globally.
https://foreignaffairs.co.nz/2022/12/12/mil-osi-asia-pac-pm-commits-all-possible-support-to-dutch-firms/
Damen
Shipyards gaat in de komende tien jaar tot $100 mln (€95 mln)
investeren in zijn werf in Vietnam.
https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1460969/scheepsbouwer-damen-shipyards-investeert-tot-100-mln-in-vietnam
Vietnamese
innovations include a truck-mounted howitzer, MALE (Medium Altitude
Long Endurance) UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and radars. With
support from the likes of Dutch shipbuilder Damen, it is also
expanding its naval shipbuilding capacity.
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/vietnam/vietnam-defense-expo-12082022030531.html/ampRFA
US and Russian defense firms on
Thursday displayed weapons and promoted models of aircraft at
Vietnam's first large-scale arms fair, as the two powers vie for
influence and arms sales in the Southeast Asian country.
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/us-russia-vie-to-sell-arms-to-vietnam-at-first-hanoi-fair-4545888.html
***
Something is missing in this
sentence: "The arms deal was the ANC’s original sin and set
the scene for subsequent corruption and failures of infrastructure
projects and service delivery."
It were Western European arms companies involved in the bribes. https://mg.co.za/opinion/2022-12-11-the-arms-deal-was-the-ancs-original-sin-that-set-the-stage-for-corruption-in-south-africa-today/
December 11
***
The
Finlandization of Ukraine – an option that should have been pursued
before the war – is probably the most promising for an end on the
war. While Ukraine will have to give up NATO membership, its
accession to the EU should be accepted by Russia.
https://www.brusselstimes.com/opinion/335434/it-is-in-wests-interest-to-end-the-war-in-ukraine
December 10
***
Chips van Nederlandse bedrijven
zijn aangetroffen in dodelijke drones die op Oekraïne zijn
afgevuurd. Hoe technologie uit een gehoorapparaat of broodrooster
terechtkomt in 'n 'killerdrone'. Als je hoort dat jouw spullen in
raketten zitten die mensen vermoorden, komt dat hard aan.
Retweet
@m_nieuwenhuis: Nederlandse huis-tuin-en-
keukenchips in killerdrones: bedrijven geschokt.
https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/nederlandse-huis-tuin-en-keukenchips-in-killerdrones-bedrijven-geschokt~af6b3105/
***
Saudi's said it would stop
doing business with foreign firms that don’t have their regional
HQ's in the Kingdom early 2024. Analysts note that threat hasn't
carried much weight.
https://breakingdefense.com/2022/12/saudi-arabia-demanded-defense-firms-set-up-in-country-by-2024-so-far-most-seem-unmoved/
Companies like Thales already have a footprint in Ryad https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/countries/middle-east-africa/saudi-arabia
December 9
***
Dutch report on F-35 noise:
Horrible compared with F-16. (Verschrikkelijk veel lawaai! Bijna
asociaal tov dat van de F-16’). Citizens surrouding air base are
very negative (especially those under the routes the planes take).
https://www.invior.nl/uploads/files/d/5/d537d9c6b3e60d38e95bace1192c5c050c03cd8c.pdf
***
Retweet @_ENAAT: Latest
issue of our Newsletter"News from the Brussels' Bubble" is
online, providing main news of the month on #EU militarisation
https://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ENAAT-NBB-2022-5_02.12.22.pdf
#noEUmoney4arms #Europeandefence #EuropeanDefenceFund
***
Retweet @EUDefenceAgency: #EUdefence
spending surpasses €200 billion for first time, driven by record
defence investments. Spending by 26 states in 2021 €214 bn 6%
increase on 2020 7th year of growth €43 bn equipment procurement
1.5% GDP 18 states increased spending #EDAconf22.
https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2022/12/08/european-defence-spending-surpasses-200-billion-for-first-time-driven-by-record-defence-investments-in-2021
***
Pentagon awards Google, Amazon,
Microsoft, Oracle $9bn cloud contract. JWCC is a multi-vendor,
multi-#cloud follow up to the infamous single-source Joint Enterprise
Defense Infrastructure #JEDI contract, which was worth up to $10bn
and canceled in 2021.
https://breakingdefense.com/2022/12/pentagon-awards-google-amazon-microsoft-oracle-9b-cloud-contract/
***
The biggest lesson the West
needs to learn is to have massive stockpiles of artillery shells and
missiles. https://www.politico.eu/article/europes-war-lessons/
***
With an $858 billion!!! plan
Congress on Tuesday night unveiled plans for a compromise defense
authorization bill that would boost the military budget by 8% over
fiscal 2022 levels, setting up a vote in the House as soon as
Wednesday.
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/budget/2022/12/07/congress-reveals-plan-to-increase-defense-budget-by-8/
The
preliminary estimate – carried out by the Mil€x Observatory based
on the tables presented by the Italian government with the new Budget
Law – shows an MoD budget increase of over € 800 million.
https://www.milex.org/2022/12/02/italian-military-expenditure-to-rise-in-2023/
Berlin
optimistically forecasts that military procurement spending will
dramatically increase to reach a target of €15 billion by 2024,
jumping from €9.9 billion set to be spent on equipment in 2022.
https://breakingdefense.com/2022/12/germany-looks-to-close-peacetime-capability-gaps-targets-e15b-procurement-budget-by-2024/
***
‘Ukrainian officials and
lawmakers have in recent months urged the Biden administration and
members of Congress to provide the Ukrainian military with cluster
munition warheads, weapons that are banned by more than 100
countries.’
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/07/politics/ukraine-cluster-munitions-us-war-russia
***
Retweet @bitsoffreedom: Belangrijke
stap in deze zaak over anti-spieksoftware: het College vindt dat het
vermoeden van discriminatie overtuigend is aangetoond, en geeft de
universiteit nog een kans te bewijzen dat daar geen sprake van is
geweest. To be continued dus!
https://www.mensenrechten.nl/actueel/nieuws/2022/12/09/eerste-keer-vermoeden-van-algoritmische-discriminatie-succesvol-onderbouwd
***
Retweet @ForumArmsTrade:
Preventing US weapons from escaping Ukraine is a
challenge @jbcohen92
https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/3766309-preventing-us-weapons-from-escaping-ukraine-is-a-challenge/
December 7
***
After months of drama, France,
Germany resolve industrial fight over next-gen fighter
One analyst described the final
agreement between #Dassault and #Airbus as clearly a “French
victory, a German capitulation.” #FCAS
https://breakingdefense.com/2022/12/after-months-of-drama-france-germany-resolve-industrial-fight-over-next-gen-fighter/
***
[Opinion]
There has been little public scrutiny of those who are profiting from
the misery in Ukraine — the arms industry. By @DondeNiamh of the
@TNInstitute #arms #weapons #Nato #Ukraine
https://euobserver.com/opinion/156518
***
Israel’s
#NSO bets its future on Netanyahu’s comeback.
https://www.ft.com/content/88379bcd-2d99-427f-86e1-bcc841cb609f
***
Other states pass Swiss
companies. The Netherlands and Denmark wanted to order ammunition
from Switzerland, but cecause of the War Material Act, the order went
abroad. The act forbids to export weapons to countries involved in an
armed conflict.
https://www.bazonline.ch/zwei-weitere-natostaaten-trauen-schweizer-ruestungsfirmen-nicht-mehr-507242406461
***
“The
Pentagon routinely understates the costs of major systems, and I
expect the B-21 to be no different,” — @WilliamHartung @wjhenn
@TIME
https://time.com/6238168/b-21-raider-bomber-us-military-exclusive/
***
Taiwan thanks US over latest F-16,
C-130 support package. https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202212070007
***
Retweet @PAXforpeace: The
new @conflictarm report investigates the origin of components of
drones used in attacks in northeast Syria. They include
electromagnetic brakes made by the Dutch company Kendrion.
https://www.conflictarm.com/perspectives/missile-components-used-in-drone-attacks-in-northeast-syria/
Turkish
missiles used in Syria include Europe-produced parts.
https://apnews.com/article/europe-middle-east-business-syria-turkey-2bef8427d80830305a2c614cd9163dae
Spanish
Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism granted two loans to
#Airbus for a total of € 2,137 million to finance the #Spanish
participation between 2022 and 2028 in the Tigre MK III #helicopters
(€707m) and Euromale RPAS #drones (€1,429m).
https://www.lavanguardia.com/economia/20221205/8634955/gobierno-reparte-2-100-millones-airbus-helicopteros-drones.html
***
#Indonesia's Defence Minister
Prabowo Subianto has recently met his counterparts from various
countries in a bid to finalise several military equipment acquisition
deals with #France (Airbus, Dassault and Naval Group), #US (Boeing),
and #Turkey (Roketsan).
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indonesia-ageing-military-equipment-turkey-missiles-us-f15-3122611
***
After months of drama, France,
Germany resolve industrial fight over next-gen fighter. One analyst described the final
agreement between #Dassault and #Airbus as clearly a “French
victory, a German capitulation.” #FCAS https://breakingdefense.com/2022/12/after-months-of-drama-france-germany-resolve-industrial-fight-over-next-gen-fighter/
***
Retweet @PAXforpeace: The
new @conflictarm report investigates the origin of components of
drones used in attacks in northeast Syria. They include
electromagnetic brakes made by the Dutch company Kendrion.
https://www.conflictarm.com/perspectives/missile-components-used-in-drone-attacks-in-northeast-syria/
Turkish missiles used in Syria include
Europe-produced parts.
https://apnews.com/article/europe-middle-east-business-syria-turkey-2bef8427d80830305a2c614cd9163dae
***
Retweet @ElluinA: How
EU-made shotgun cartridges ended up being used to repress protests in
Iran
https://observers.france24.com/en/middle-east/20221125-iran-protests-eu-shotgun-cartridges-cheddite-sanctions
via @Observers
***
Head of the South African
National Conventional Arms Control Committee didn't explain why arms
exports were on hold while there are no sanctions against Turkey,
Poland etc. He hinted at the risk of diversion of destructive
weapons, presumably to Ukraine.
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/billions-of-rands-worth-of-sa-defence-exports-on-hold/
***
Pressure on neutrality. German
politicians are fed up. They came to the conclusion that #Switzerland
cannot be relied on as an armaments partner in times of war.
https://switzerlandtimes.ch/politics/commoners-want-to-facilitate-arms-exports/
***
Russia is burning through its
munitions stockpiles at an “extraordinary” rate as its invasion
of Ukraine grinds on into its 10th month, the US’s top intelligence
official said Saturday. It doesn't have enough ability to replace
those weapons on its own.
https://www.defensenews.com/smr/reagan-defense-forum/2022/12/04/russia-burning-through-ammunition-in-ukraine-at-extraordinary-rate/
***
1/2 #Pentagon announced an
effort to help smaller companies bridge “valley of death” between
tech development & revenue-generating contracts with the creation
of a new office connecting companies with private #capital, the
Office of Strategic Capital #OSC.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/pentagon-creates-office-connect-contractors-private-capital
2/2 REAGAN NATIONAL DEFENSE FORUM — The Pentagon’s top
civilian Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said today. “We’re not
setting aside a billion dollars of our own pot of money to fund this.
That’s not the intent of this,” she told.
https://breakingdefense.com/2022/12/pentagon-officials-tout-new-office-aimed-at-linking-defense-startups-with-private-funds/
***
De politieke onenigheid over een
geblokkeerde exportvergunning i.v.m. onderhoud van ‘Brits nucleair
militair materiaal’ doet de vraag rijzen België medeplichtig wil
zijn aan 'n nucleaire wapenwedloop, schrijft Stefan Nieuwinckel van
Pax Christi Vlaanderen.
https://www.mo.be/opinie/willen-we-medeplichtig-zijn-aan-een-nucleaire-wapenwedloop
***
France and Italy recorded a 15%
increase in arms sales among the 100 biggest arms companies, the
biggest overall rise.
As for Russia, six companies were included with total sales of 17.8 billion dollars – a 0.4% increase from 2020.
***
While communicate the Western
arms industry is at the borders of its capabilities is cascading on
the news consumer daily, very large military acquisition come in also
regulary, like this one: US Army makes largest helicopter award in 40
years.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2022/12/05/us-army-makes-largest-helicopter-award-in-40-years/
#Estonia
has signed a contract with the United States to purchase six M142
#HIMARS launchers, joining a rapidly expanding group of Eastern
European allies who eye the weapons in the aftermath of Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/12/05/estonia-buys-himars-as-eastern-allies-boost-artillery-arsenals/
***
#Brunei is adding to its
transport aircraft fleet, ordering an unspecified number of #Airbus
#C295MW military transport aircraft. The contract was signed on Dec.
2 in Brunei between the Southeast Asian nation and Airbus.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/brunei-orders-multiple-airbus-c295-transports
December 5
***
Since President Biden took over
the office, Washington has identified Beijing as the most
consequential challenge to the US. This rhetoric is working; many
important Indo-Pacific countries have already doubled their arms buys
& the biggest seller: the US.
https://pakobserver.net/arms-race-in-asia-pacific-by-prof-shazia-cheema-prague/
***
Arms sales have grown for #China
& South #Korea because of the war in #Ukraine & regional
tensions. But there is a trend in Chinese military exports of
"providing systematic solutions rather than individual weapons,
which would be a comparative advantage".
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3201841/are-chinas-integrated-arms-systems-match-south-korean-rivals
***
A train with military equipment
for US troops went off the rails near a port in the city of
Alexandroupolis in northern Greece, the Greek Communist Party's (KKE)
news portal 902.gr reported.
https://hellas.postsen.com/local/188259/Alexandroupoli-A-train-carrying-US-war-material-derailed.html
***
In collaboration with South
Korea, the Netherlands is organising a summit on Responsible
Artificial Intelligence #AI in the #Military Domain: the REAIM Summit
2023.
Participating: UN, EU, NATO, Airbus, Thales, IBM, BAE Systems, PAX, TNO, SIPRI and more. https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2022/12/01/registration-open-for-reaim-summit-2023
***
Activists staged a sit-in at the
offices of #Thales in Sydney on Thursday, claiming the company's
Bushmaster armoured vehicles were linked to war crimes in West
#Papua.
https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/8003979/thales-in-protester-crosshairs-over-weapons-use/
***
Accord sur l’avion de chasse
européen du futur.
https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2022/12/02/armement-dassault-et-airbus-confirment-leur-accord-sur-le-scaf-la-cooperation-franco-allemande-relancee_6152634_3234.html
Dassault und Airbus einigen sich über Bau eines neuen Kampfjets https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/unternehmen/airbus-und-dassault-einigen-sich-ueber-kampfjet-18506461.html
Dassault and Airbus reach agreement on
FCAS
https://euro-sd.com/2022/12/news/28621/dassault-and-airbus-reach-agreement-on-fcas/
***
The Indian Air Force is
considering replacing its Antonov-32 planes with the #Airbus C-295s
to modernise its transport fleet when the Soviet-origin workhorse
comes up for retirement sometime after 2030, senior officials said on
Friday.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/iaf-considers-replacing-an-32-with-c-295-to-modernise-fleet-101670008161968.html
***
Japan plans to put off for now a
tax hike intended to finance a plan to double the country’s
military spending from 1% now to 2% of GDP in 2027, a government
source said Sunday.
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3202031/japan-postpones-tax-hike-meant-cover-higher-defence-spending
***
***
De 100 grootste wapenbedrijven leverden in 2021 wapens en andere militaire diensten voor in totaal €561 miljard. Dat bedrag is 1,9% hoger dan in het jaar ervoor. Dat blijkt uit een nieuw rapport van het SIPRI. https://www.nu.nl/buitenland/6240224/internationale-wapenhandel-minder-hard-gegroeid-vanwege-coronapandemie.html
The arms sales of the SIPRI Top 100 arms-producing and military services companies totalled $592 billion in 2021—an increase of 1.9 per cent in real terms compared with 2020. #ArmsIndustry
New SIPRI data on the Top 100 arms companies out now
December 4
***
Pentagon unveils first strategic
bomber in over 30 years. The #nuclear-capable B-21 Raider by
#Northrop Grumman is a component in US’s effort to counter #China.
The previous one is notorious for its
costs and failures.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/03/pentagon-new-strategic-bomber-counter-china
Arms race instead of arms control.
***
Protest at ‘direct links’
between #Wales Anglesey airbase and #Yemen bombing campaign.
https://nation.cymru/news/protest-at-direct-links-between-anglesey-airbase-and-yemen-bombing-campaign/
***
Agathe Demarais, wrote last week
in Foreign Policy: “Sanctions are almost never watertight — but
any leakage will probably not be enough for Russia to replenish its
missile stocks, especially if the war continues unabated in the
coming months.”
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/dec/3/sanctions-war-demands-leave-battered-russian-defen/
***
Gen. Onno #Eichelsheim, the
Commander of Dutch military forces on the sidelines of the Halifax
Security Forum last month about the challenge of reconciling his
military’s plans to ramp up its own capabilities and readiness
against the drive to arm Ukraine.
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2022/12/03/dutch-defense-chief-talks-ukraine-help-and-stocking-ammo-for-nato/
December 3
For the text in English just put 'https' in front of this url anfenglish.com/news/sweden-extradites-kurdish-asylum-seeker-to-turkey-64080 (twitter has problems with this website.)
***
The Missile Technology Control
Regime #MTCR is a cornerstone of the non-proliferation architecture.
However, geopolitical & technical developments and operational
challenges threaten the regime’s effectiveness and create a need
for reform in several areas.
https://www.sipri.org/publications/2022/other-publications/missile-technology-control-regime-crossroads-adapting-regime-current-and-future-challenges
***
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann #KMW
kondigt strategische intensivering met het in #Ulm gevestigde #Elbit
Deutschland en Elbit Systems Land aan. Achtergrond is de
modernisering en capaciteitsuitbreiding van het European Multiple
Launch Rocket System #MLRS/#MARS II.
https://www.dutchdefencepress.com/kmw-en-elbit
***
For those who still hold the
opinion #Qatar2022 is about football (soccer). It is just a little
bit besies business, politics, sportwash and a gigantic military
opportunity.
US forces monitor Mideast skies at
Qatar base amid World Cup.
https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2022/12/02/us-forces-monitor-mideast-skies-at-qatar-base-amid-world-cup/
How
one NATO member frustrates the operations of an other; Turkey versus
the US, in favour of ISIS and against the Kurds. US military halts
patrols against Islamic State in Syria.
https://www.armytimes.com/flashpoints/2022/12/02/us-military-halts-patrols-against-islamic-state-in-syria/
***
Royal Navy Awards Contract
for Europe’s Largest Drone Submarine
The 12-meter (39-foot), 17-ton vessel
will enhance the service’s capacity to protect critical
infrastructure and monitor sub-sea activity, the navy stated.
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/12/02/royal-navy-drone-submarine/
Does this
somewhat erode the argumentation in the advertisement disguised as
article by Naval Forces.
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/11/swedens-a-26-submarine-creates-new-possibilities-for-seabed-warfare/
Eagerly underlined by #Saab_Damen Lees
hier welke en waarom seabed warfare juist nu zo belangrijk is.
https://twitter.com/SAAB_DAMEN/status/1598210288888778753
#wereldtijdschrift
December 2
***
Navantia and Saudi Arabia sign
an agreement for another 5 warships @CentreDelas reminded the Spanish
Government that the sale of weapons to countries in armed conflict is
illegal. Saudi Arabia leads the coalition in the war against Yemen
(377,000 dead 2014-2021)
https://www.navantia.es/es/actualidad/notas-prensa/arabia-saudi-firma-con-navantia-un-acuerdo-para-otros-cinco-buques-para-su-armada/
***
And the winner is:
Raytheon wins $1.2 billion
surface-to-air missile order for Ukraine. It takes 24 months lead
time to produce and deliver NASAMS, though the Army and industry are
looking for ways to shorten that
timeline.
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2022/12/01/raytheon-wins-12-billion-surface-to-air-missile-order-for-ukraine/
And
the other winner:
#Lockheed Martin has won a $431 million
contract from the US Army to produce M142 #HIMARS launchers at full
rate with the aim of rapidly replenishing the stocks of the U.S. and
its allies and partners who sent arms to #Ukraine.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2022/12/02/lockheed-gets-himars-contract-to-replenish-stock-sent-to-ukraine/
***
For drones to operate in
contested airspace, autonomy is key. UAVs capable of operating
independently from human control will still, however, require the
ability to talk to each other within a swarm while being jammed.
https://breakingdefense.com/2022/12/for-uas-to-operate-autonomously-in-contested-airspace-remove-the-human-in-the-loop/
***
Thales Alenia Space, a joint
venture between Thales and Leonardo, will partner with the European
Space Agency to develop new artificial intelligence-powered
space-based systems for Earth Observation. A a joint team will be
established to oversee research.
https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/THALES-4715/news/Thales-Leonardo-JV-To-Co-develop-AI-based-Space-Technologies-For-Earth-Observation-42447617/
***
Missile defenc: Every next-gen
US Navy ship will defend against ballistic missiles and other threats
with the same radar — the SPY-6.
https://breakingdefense.com/2022/11/every-next-gen-navy-ship-will-defend-against-ballistic-missiles-and-other-threats-with-the-same-radar-the-spy-6/
***
Raanan Horowitz, the
president and CEO of Elbit Systems of America gives advise how to
speed up military production in and for the United States.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/opinion-how-expand-capacity-us-defense-industrial-base
December 1
***
Biden should stop providing
weapons to new Israeli gov't -ex-US ambassador
Ex-diplomat Daniel Kurtzer and
negotiator Aaron David Miller call on the US to limit interaction
with Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-723701
***
The armies of the NATO countries
are supposed to keep ammunition for 30 days of fighting. Germany
probably has a maximum of two days. Exact numbers on the ammunition
stocks of the Bundeswehr are secret.
https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/bundeswehr-munitionsmangel-103.html
***
Huh?
A substantial number of arms from Libya
still finds its way to the Lake Chad Region & other parts of the
#Sahel. "Weapons being used for the war in #Ukraine and Russia
are equally beginning to filter to the region," said #Nigerian
president #Buhari.
https://saharareporters.com/2022/11/30/weapons-russia-ukraine-war-now-slipping-africa-used-terrorists-buhari
***
#Colombian Navy buys #Damen
frigate, ocean patrol ship and a logistics support ship. Cost $ 440
million. Vice Admiral Francisco Hernando Cubides Granados said the
new ships will protect Colombia's interests on both the Pacific and
Caribbean coasts.
https://www.onalert.gr/eksoplismoi/sigma-10514-proso-olotachos-gia-tin-kataskeyi-tis-protis-neas-fegatas-gia-tin-kolomvia/491656/
