Latest on top (updated
regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
January 31
***
Practice of arms deliveries to
Ukraine demolishes German arms export control, because it has to
adhere to its own practice, its own interpretation and application of
a power granted in individual cases in following cases, argues German
sanctions expert.
https://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/gastbeitrag-von-viktor-winkler-bei-unseren-waffenlieferungen-uebersehen-viele-ein-wichtiges-juristisches-detail_id_184543137.html
***
The war in #Ukraine has sharply
divided African states: many refuse to condemn the invasion. Russian
arms sales and security support for #Africa play a part; so too do
memories of the West’s past behaviour, states @annececilrobert in
@LMdiplo https://mondediplo.com/2023/02/05africa-ukraine
***
Sagunto will once again open its
port to one of the #Saudi "death ships". The #Bahri_Abha,
one of the ships used by the dictatorship of Salman bin Abdulaziz for
the transport of weapons, is heading towards this Valencian maritime
terminal. (See for more: https://twitter.com/luarby)
***
#Italian arms supplies to
#Ukraine differ from most EU countries. They are a "state
secret" and must not be made public. According to the newspaper
Corriere della Sera, it is known that Italy has supplied weapons
worth around one billion euros.
https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/plus243464151/Panzerlieferungen-Italien-Der-zaudernde-Alliierte.html
***
Tank engines for Turkey, no
problem for Seoul. Korea's SNT to supply Turkey's national tank
project Altay with transmissions for engines.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-south-korea-altay-tank-parts-deal-signed
Why it shoud be? Erdogan says Turkey to attack Kurdish militants with tanks, soldiers. https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/erdogan-says-turkey-to-attack-kurdish-militants-with-tanks-soldiers/
***
n July 2021 #Zuma was given a
15-month jail term. That case is separate from the arms scandal, in
which he allegedly took bribes from French #Thales, which has also
been charged with corruption and money laundering. Both Thales &
Zuma deny any wrongdoing.
https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20230130-s-african-judge-in-zuma-graft-trial-recuses-himself-1
***
#Lockheed; failure upon failure.
780+ F-35s have already been delivered to the US military and allies,
but the stealth fighter is still #plagued with technical #problems.
#Canadian Parliamentary budget officer to examine Liberal decision to buy #F35 jets. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/parliamentary-budget-officer-to-examine-liberal-government-decision-to-buy-f-35
***
Sen. Elizabeth Warren wrote Friday to
the Federal Trade Commission #AltFTC to urge it to
oppose L3Harris Technologies’ $4.7 billion bid to buy Aerojet
Rocketdyne: “This deal between Aerojet and L3Harris would reduce
competition in the shrinking defense industry to a new low, and I
encourage the FTC to oppose this dangerous transaction.”
https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.militarytimes.com/assets/pdfs/1674833632.pdf
***
Israel’s Military Leaders
#Fueled a New Wave of Terror Attacks, and They Knew It
What were you thinking? That the killing of 146 Palestinians in the West Bank in 2022, according to B’Tselem, most of them noncombatants, would be meekly accepted? https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2023-01-29/ty-article/.highlight/what-where-you-thinking/00000185-f9d7-dfd4-add5-fbf708930000
***
US marines drone vessel
(Autonomous Littoral Connector #ALC) is campaining for funds to keep
the project afloat to get to next stages and in the end play part in
overcoming enemies coastal defences “to fight to get to the fight.”
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/01/inside-the-marine-corps-project-to-automate-the-journey-through-key-last-mile/
Helft Nederlanders vindt dat Nederland tanks mag leveren aan Oekraïne, ook groot deel kiezers linkse partijen voor. https://eenvandaag.avrotros.nl/panels/opiniepanel/alle-uitslagen/item/kleine-meerderheid-vindt-dat-nederland-tanks-mag-leveren-aan-oekraine-ook-kiezers-meeste-linkse-partijen-voor/ Zie https://eenvandaag.avrotros.nl/panels/opiniepanel/alle-uitslagen/item/kleine-meerderheid-vindt-dat-nederland-tanks-mag-leveren-aan-oekraine-ook-kiezers-meeste-linkse-partijen-voor/
***
"this kind of rhetoric"
by the former US deputy ass. sec. of defense for Europe #NATO under
Obama & currently an senior fellow @ the #CNAS
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_for_a_New_American_Security) is
as predictable as what is "coming out of North #Korea &
China amid Stoltenberg's visit".
https://www.dw.com/en/will-more-nato-support-increase-tensions-in-asia/a-64557391
***
#France hopes to secure arms
deals in #Romania after deploying Leclerc tanks and an air defence
system. Aspirations include delivering Gowind corvettes, a troubled
deal because of the struggle with Dutch #Damen (backed from within
the Romanian government).
https://www.romania-insider.com/france-more-defence-contracts-romania-plans
January 30
***
Double standards #Yemen.
#Saudi #arms sales: #UK accused of
'hiding behind exemptions' over files
Government departments say it is too
costly to consider releasing details of discussions about arms
exports policy in wake of 2016 bombing in Yemen.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-saudi-arabia-arms-sales-hiding-behind-exemptions-accused
#UK Campaigners seek to overturn Liz
Truss’s resumption of Saudi arms sales
Lawyers will argue the then trade
secretary ignored #Saudi air force’s #bombing of #civilians in
#Yemen
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/31/campaigners-seek-overturn-liz-truss-resumption-saudi-arms-sales-yemen
***
Retweet @keesamok: Reinecke:
Het debat over onderhandelingen en een plan B zal vroeg of laat
plaatsvinden - Vroeg zou beter zijn, als je denkt aan de slachtoffers
die een escalerende oorlog de komende maanden en jaren zal kosten
https://taz.de/Lieferung-von-Kampfpanzern-an-Ukraine/!5908991/
@tazgezwitscher
***
“Never let a good crisis
go to waste”.
Nou, heel simpel: de besluitvorming moet sneller. Geef ons voldoende financiering en een opdracht en we gaan aan de slag', stelt ceo Henk van der Scheer van Defenture, dat militaire voertuigen levert aan de landmacht. https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1465886/de-wapenindustrie-moet-opschalen-maar-kampt-met-onzekerheid-en-trage-procedures
January 29
***
German arms maker Rheinmetall is
ready to increase its production of tanks and artillery munitions, as
well as begin manufacturing the U.S.-designed HIMARS multiple rocket
launchers, the company’s CEO Armin Papperger told Reuters.
https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/reuters-german-weapon-manufacturer-rheinmetall-ready-to-boost-arms-production-build-himars
***
#België heeft geen
#Leopard-tanks? Freddy Versluys (CEO van OIP en #OIP Land Systems)
heeft er 50. De wereld van de afgestoten wapens. Hier draait het
vooral om de #kosten (bepaald door: aankoop, opslag, onderhoud,
modernisering, verwachte levensduur etc.)
https://www.hln.be/binnenland/hoezo-belgie-heeft-geen-leopard-tanks-freddy-heeft-er-50-in-zijn-hangar-staan-hier-legt-hij-uit-waarom-hij-ze-aan-een-veelvoud-van-de-aankoopprijs-wil-verkopen~ac80ec59/
Belgian buyer of Europe’s spare tanks
hopes they see action in Ukraine. OIP built up a huge private arsenal,
banking on there one day being demand for the weapons again. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/31/ukraine-europe-tanks-belgian-buyer-oip
***
Next?
US Air Mobility Command chief General
Mike Minihan expressed that he had a gut feeling that a US-China war
would take place in 2025.
https://www.livemint.com/news/world/us-air-force-general-asks-officers-to-prepare-for-war-with-china-11674960495101.html
***
Hungaria & its state-owned
holding N7 have signed 3 JVs in December alone, with:
•Rheinmetall (prod. explosives,
response to European shortage of ammunition);
• Dynamit Nobel (acq RGW 110 HH-T
anti-tank weapon);
•Czechian Colt CZ Group (acq.
firearms).
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/01/27/defense-firms-flock-to-hungary-amid-eu-isolation/
***
The peculiar relatiopnship of #Cyprus
with #Russia. A ‘humanitarian’ deal in October 2021 allowing
Russian ships in Cyprus almost jeopardised the lifting of US arms
#embargo on the island (September 2022). A detailed report on what
happened when.
https://cyprus-mail.com/2023/01/29/a-crafty-but-risky-humanitarian-deal-with-moscow/
***
Een overgrote meerderheid van
het personeel bij #Fokker Elmo in #Hoogerheide wil staken om net zo'n
hoge verhuisbonus af te dwingen als hun collega's in #Helmond is
beloofd. De vakbonden FNV en CNV gaan de directie een ultimatum
stellen. Dordtenaar 28/01/23.
***
2 Indian Air Force fighter
aircraft - Sukhoi-30 & Mirage-2000 - crashed in Madhya Pradesh on
Saturday. The fighters involved in the accident were on a routine
training mission. An inquiry has been ordered to probe the cause.
More on #India and the #Mirage.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/iaf-mirage-2000-jet-crash-in-madhya-pradesh-5-things-to-know-about-aircraft-101674900460399.html
At the Bodensee, near Friederichshafen, Rolls-Royce Power Systems (producing MTU brand) prepares for expected rise in volume of orders for tank and armour vehicle engines. Although the Südkurier reports drastic cuts int he workforce. https://www.suedkurier.de/ueberregional/wirtschaft/nach-brandrede-in-england-unruhe-beim-panzermotoren-bauer-rrps-vom-bodensee;art416,11447321
***
#Belgium MoD rents military
capability on the commercial market for military communications.
Airbus will provide tactical #satellite communications services (15
yrs). BE will utilise a payload on-board a commercial telecom
satellite manufactured by #Airbus
https://www.airbus.com/sites/g/files/jlcbta136/files/2023-01/EN-Airbus-Press-Release-UHF-Tactical-Satcom-Belgium.pdf
Belgium
not an exception to privitisation of military activities in space.Commercial SATCOM providers have long
urged US DoD and the services to move from buying bandwidth in fits
and starts using short-term contracts to service-style contracts.https://breakingdefense.com/2023/01/viasat-sees-marines-satcom-as-a-service-buy-as-harbinger-of-change/
***
Aussies are no friends of French
military products. Here the #NH90 (HQ Airbus France, with Dutch
#Fokker/GKN and Italian Leonardo,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHIndustries) gets a smothering kiss in
#Australian newspaper after $3bn heli order has been canceled
already.
https://targetsdown.blogspot.com/2023/01/chopper-fail-is-sad-but-familiar-story.html
***
SP-leider Lilian Marijnissen
pakt militair-industrieel complex aan: 'Nederland is een spil in de
internationale wapenhandel'
https://www.dagelijksestandaard.nl/politiek/sp-leider-lilian-marijnissen-pakt-militair-industrieel-complex-aan-nederland-is-een-spil-in-de-internationale-wapenhandel
#Wapenleveranciers
hebben het tij mee. Al een tijdje stijgen wereldwijd de
militaire-uitgaven en sinds de Russische inval in #Oekraïne deden
veel overheden er nog een schep bovenop. Een deel van dat extra geld
gaat naar de Nederlandse wapenindustrie;
https://www.trouw.nl/duurzaamheid-economie/nederland-profiteert-van-de-toegenomen-wapenhonger~b6120444/
January 28
***
De ene bezetting is de andere
niet: #Spanje verkocht in 2022 voor €30m aan wapens aan #Marokko.
Dat jaar stond in het teken van de hervatting van de betrekkingen
tussen beide landen, nadat het Spaanse standpunt met betrekking tot
W-#Sahara gewijzigd werd.
https://www.bladna.nl/spanje-marokko-wapenhandel,45164.html
***
Detailed article: US Arms Sales
Shoot up Nearly 50 Percent in 2022, Driven in Part by Ukraine.
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/us-arms-sales-shoot-up-nearly-50-percent-in-2022-driven-in-part-by-ukraine/
***
Dit verhaal hoor ik al decennia: 'Nederland heeft een relatief kleine
defensie-industrie.'
https://fd.nl/samenleving/1465365/nederland-gaat-echt-geen-munitie-jachtvliegtuigen-of-tanks-maken
Aandeel vergunningen voor militaire componenten binnen totaal NL-wapenexportvergunningen Bron: Archief jaarrapport en wapenexportbeleid (https://rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/archief-jaarrapporten-wapenexportbeleid)
Some examples of the various naval build by Damen "frigates in Mexico and Indonesia and the construction of patrol vessels in South Africa for their Navy. Also, numerous design license packages were supplied to the US Coast Guard." [pay wall] https://en.trend.az/business/transport/3700589.html
***
Japan and the #Netherlands
join the #US in limiting #China’s access to advanced semiconductor
machinery, forging a powerful alliance that will hamper Beijing’s
ambitions to build its own domestic chip capabilities, sources said.
#ASML
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-27/japan-netherlands-to-join-us-in-chip-export-controls-on-china
January 27
***
Trillions
don't prevent failures.
Lockheed: F-35 deliveries can’t resume until mishap investigation done. Nearly six weeks into the acceptance flight pause that has halted deliveries of new F-35 fighters, it remains uncertain when they will resume. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/01/25/lockheed-f-35-deliveries-cant-resume-until-mishap-investigation-done/
***
The U.S. Army is rapidly moving
to expand its domestic production capacity of 155mm artillery shells,
according to the Army’s acquisition chief, as Ukraine uses
thousands daily fending off Russia.
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/01/26/with-demand-high-in-ukraine-us-army-ramps-up-artillery-production/
***
Custom
Developed Rudders for German Navy Frigates. #Damen Marine Components
has received the order to design, engineer and produce eight rudders
for the four #F126 frigates that Damen Naval is building for the
German Navy.
https://maritime-executive.com/corporate/custom-developed-rudders-for-german-navy-frigates
January 26
***
RAND
"Washington .. can take steps that
make an eventual negotiated end to the conflict more likely"
"impediments" identified "to
Russia-Oekraine talks, such as mutual optimism about the future of
the war & mutual pessimism about the implications of peace." https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PEA2510-1.html
***
Just what we need in times of
extreme tension.
South Korea’s Yoon ponders whether to ‘go nuclear’. https://thehill.com/opinion/international/3822738-south-koreas-yoon-ponders-whether-to-go-nuclear/
Why South Korea’s President is
Talking About Nuclear Weapons
https://www.voanews.com/a/why-south-korea-s-president-is-talking-about-nuclear-weapons/6919962.html
To be followed by Tokyo?
***
The ambassador of the UK to
Libya, Caroline Hurndall, said that Libya’s leaders are failing
their country.
http://libyaobserver.ly/news/uk-ambassador-says-libyan-leaders-are-failing-their-country
Military and geopolicial mistakes made in 2011 with consequences for #Libya, Northwest Africa and beyond seem to be forgotten by the West.
***
Human rights groups are
criticizing a reported deal between Myanmar's military and an Israeli
Israel's Cognyte Software for intercept spyware, accusing the company
of aiding and abetting the junta in crimes against humanity.
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/spyware-01232023164144.html
***
Making huge profits. Dutch
broker Applied Research Laboratory Europe B.V. (run by two former
Dutch servicemen, a marine and a policeman) #ARLE (https://arle.nl/)
sold - with other parties involved - Czech #Excalibur ammo against
exorbitant prices.
https://kyivindependent.com/investigations/how-western-companies-make-fortune-on-brokering-arms-deals-for-ukraine
***
Iranian Hendijan-class naval
vessel Ganaveh visited Karachi and participated in an exercise with
Pakistan Navy. The Hendijan-class are auxiliary ships in the #Iranian
Navy. The first 8 were built by Dutch #Damen Group just after the 1st
Gulf War.
https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2023/january/12741-iran-navy-hendijan-class-tender-iris-ganaveh-and-submarine-visit-pakistan.html
The
vessels are reportedly equipped with one 20mm GAM-BO1 cannon and two
12.7mm machine guns. At least two of them (Kalat and Sirik) were
modified to fire for Noor anti-ship cruise missile, as of 2015. IISS
mentions three equipped with AShM in 2020.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hendijan-class_vessel
Thanks to the Netherlands.
***
Geoffrey Roberts (emeritus
professor of history and a member of the Royal Irish Academy) warns
against unrestrained western intervention in the war, because there
is the danger of catastrophic escalation into an all-out war between
NATO and Russia.’
https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2023/01/25/germans-are-right-to-think-twice-about-sending-leopard-tanks-to-ukraine/
***
Mooi en interessant essay. De
Russische inval van #Oekraïne is volstrekt onacceptabel, hoe kun je
er dan voor pleiten om niet terug te vechten? Toch is dat een
misleidende vraag, schrijft pacifist Willem de Haan. ‘Oorlog is
niet de enige optie.’
https://www.groene.nl/artikel/waarom-ik-pacifist-blijf
***
Over 40% of German residents
oppose the supply of Leopard 2 tanks to Kiev, according to the
results of a poll by the YouGov sociological institute this year. 43%
of respondents were against the supply of Leopard 2, only 39% support
such a decision.
https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/ukraine/ua-leopard2.htm
***
#Thales opened a new
office in #Delft, located right next to Technical University, a
regular partner in the field of research & engineering. This year
Thales Netherlands expecting 450 new employees. The new building in
Delft is to accommodate this growth.
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/countries-europe/netherlands/news/opening-our-new-office-delft
***
#Finland's defence ministry said
Wednesday the country had issued the first commercial export licence
for military materiel to #Turkey since 2019 -- a key demand for
Ankara to approve Helsinki's NATO bid.
https://macaubusiness.com/finland-approves-military-sales-to-turkey-amid-nato-row
Human rights of #Kurds less imporant?
***
US arms exports soared 49.1 % to
nearly $205.6 billion in 2022 amid security crisis in Europe: State
Department. Included: Tanks to Poland, Patriot to KSA, F-16's to
Indonesia, naval combat vessel to Greece.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-arms-exports-soar-in-2022-amid-security-crisis-in-europe-state-department/2797492
January 25
***
#Oekraïne Stop de oorlog door onderhandelen - teken de oproep! https://stopwapenhandel.org/handtekeningen/
@CTWnl
***
Armed #drone production race between #Turkey and #Greece. Bayraktar versus Grypas. https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2023/01/24/greece-builds-first-locally-made-combat-drone/
January 24
***
#Wapenindustrie: Bij #Fokker
Elmo in #Hoogerheide dreigt een staking nu blijkt dat collega's van
Fokker Landing Gear in #Helmond een hogere vergoeding is beloofd als
ze na sluiting van hun fabriek in Papendrecht gaan werken.
https://www.bndestem.nl/bergen-op-zoom/staking-dreigt-bij-fokker-elmo-vanwege-lagere-vergoeding-na-sluiting-ze-meten-met-twee-maten-dit-is-onacceptabel~a9c8b1a7/
***
DRAFT REPORT on the proposal
for a regulation of the EP & Council on establishing the
#European defence industry Reinforcement through common #Procurement
Act.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CJ42-PR-740720_EN.pdf
How a horrible, but temporarily war
leads to structural adjustments. Is this what Europe needs?
#Sweden’s half-year rotating presidency of the #EU, which
began on Jan. 1, is shaped to deliver a sharper focus on the need to
deepen collaboration among member states in the key areas of defence
capabilities and joint military #procurements.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/global/europe/2023/01/06/sweden-vows-to-push-defense-collaboration-cyber-defense-at-eu-helm/
January 23
***
#Jordan inks deal for 12 Block
70 F-16s from Lockheed. Analyst expects Jordan could be pulled in
when a US-Iran conflict happens, and in that case Jordanian #F16s
would likely be part of a coalition targeting regional Iranian
militias in Syria & Iraq.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/01/jordan-inks-deal-for-12-block-70-f-16s-from-lockheed-martin/
***
"Er lijkt weinig besef dat
oorlogen uiteindelijk bijna altijd worden beëindigd door middel van
praten", zegt Henk Overbeek. Partijen stellen voor
onderhandelingen vaak extreme eisen. "Ik zeg ook zeker niet dat
#Oekraïne vooraf territorium moet inleveren."
https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/buitenland/artikel/5360338/oorlog-oekraine-rusland-vredesonderhandelingen-wapens-navo-pedro
***
#Airbus to spin out pioneering
solar-powered 'high-altitude station' #Zephyr. The civil military
(#C3I) craft has early customers, notably governments including the
UK’s MoD. The company currently has ten aircraft at its site in
Farnborough in the UK.
https://www.ft.com/content/83aa4770-cfbc-4b77-8543-b797de2479f7
***
Germany SIGNALS shift in
veto on Leopard tanks for Ukraine. (So far only a US source (Reuters)
reported the news, used in papers worldwide.) No German press
reports, yet. Is it just an action by Greens Minister Baerbock to
pressure Scholtz? It would be anyway a major escalation of the war.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-signals-shift-veto-leopard-tanks-ukraine-2023-01-23/
Pistorius told Germany's ARD public
television that Berlin would not make a hasty decision because there
were many factors to consider, including consequences at home for the
security of the German population.
https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-updates-germany-will-not-keep-poland-from-sending-tanks-to-ukraine/a-64480279
Why Scholz is hesitant about sending
battle tanks to Ukraine.
https://www.dw.com/en/why-german-chancellor-olaf-scholz-is-hesitant-about-delivering-battle-tanks-to-ukraine/a-64493249
When
it comes to Mauin Battle Tanks France and Germny [and also the US,
MB] are exercising restraint. @BirgitHolzer in the Kölnische
Rundschau, 24/01/23 (Pay Wall): 'Keine Leclerc-Panzer für die
Ukraine; Auch Frankreich hadert mit der Weitergabe seiner schweren
Waffensysteme.'
https://www.ostsee-zeitung.de/politik/kampfpanzer-leclerc-frankreichs-praesident-macron-zoegert-NHBQ36FDIBDVHHWGZ2IC73QSC4.html
January 22
***
Patriot raketsystemen die de
Verenigde Staten en Duitsland naar Oekraïne sturen, worden deels
gemaakt in Hoogeveen at #GKN #Fokker
https://dvhn.nl/drenthe/Hoogeveen-levert-lanceerbuizen-voor-de-Patriotraketten-die-naar-Oekra%C3%AFne-gaan-28176475.html
Translation of the text above: Patriot missile systems that the US and Germany send to Ukraine are partly made in Hoogeveen.
***
#Thales (incl. #Hengelo
originating technology) secures service contract for S1850M radar
from #OCCAR. The company will also host Customer Days annually that
will be marked by presence of representatives from the three navies
and OCCAR.
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/defence/press_release/thales-provides-maintenance-and-support-s1850m-radar-france-italy
***
'#Nokia, #Ericsson, #Thales
secured € 27 million from the European Defence Fund #EDF) to
develop, prototype and test the architecture of communication systems
for European defence forces based on #5G technology.
https://www.edrmagazine.eu/european-5g-leaders-join-forces-with-europes-defence-industry-in-5g-compad
***
A spokesperson from #Palestine
Action #Scotland said: "We've taken on #Thales, and now we've
taken on #Leonardo. Any company supplying Israel should be well aware
by now that Scotland is not a safe place for them to conduct their
deadly trade."
https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/three-arrested-after-palestine-action-scotland-target-edinburgh-factory-of-leonardo-uk-3992862
***
Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited
(TBAL) has delivered the first fuselage for six AH-64 Apache attack
helicopters ordered by the Indian Army from its state-of-the-art
facility in Hyderabad.
https://www.boeing.co.in/news-and-media-room/news-releases/2023/january/tata-boeing-aerospace-delivers-first-fuselage-for-indian-army-ah-64-apache.page
***
Why Scholz hesitates with the
#Leopard 2?
3 points play an important decisive role:
1. #Ukraine must be resolutely
supported
2. #Germany and NATO must not be drawn
into the war.
3. What are other countries doing? (The US logistics
argument not convincing.)
https://www.nwzonline.de/politik-meldungen/fragen-und-antworten-zaehlen-statt-liefern-noch-kein-marschbefehl-fuer-den-leopard_a_51,12,512703982.html
***
To improve security? Defence
industry chiefs in #Sweden, led by Saab’s CEO Johansson, are
lobbying for reform of the country’s #strict military materials
#export laws to help local companies reap maximum advantages from the
impending NATO membership.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/01/18/swedish-defense-industry-bosses-eye-nato-business-dividend/
***
@WilliamHartung reflects on the
significance of Dr. Martin Luther King's life and work. He
"understood that the roots of the warfare state run deep, driven
by the “giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and
militarism”." Cape Argus 19/01/23 (Pay Wall).
***
Amnesty
International #AI demanded Spain last Friday to suspend “immediately”
the sale of small arms and riot control material to #Peru because it
could serve to suppress the protests that began on December 7 and
that have resulted in at least 41 deaths.
https://24newsrecorder.com/world/240414
***
Bulgaria's former government quietly
supplied Ukraine with weapons soon after Russia invaded last year,
according to an investigation by the German daily Die Welt.
https://www.dw.com/en/how-bulgaria-secretly-armed-ukraine-with-nato-weapons-deliveries/a-64478423
January 21
***
Podcast: The F-35 Under Pressure
Lockheed has covered most of its potential international market and only the US MoD can keep production as high as it is now by buying more F-35 fighters.
https://aviationweek.com/podcasts/check-6/podcast-f-35-under-pressure
Pressure is thus on the already militarised US budget.
***
The #Netherlands will supply
#Ukraine with parts of a #Patriot air defence system. It consits of 2
launchers, missiles and training of Ukrainian military.
The Hague also supplies 100
commercially purchased vehicles with anti-aircraft guns to the
#Czechia.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/01/20/nederlandse-levering-patriot-luchtverdediging-aan-oekraine
Patriot-lanceerinstallaties
en raketten naar Oekraïne. Zorgvuldige afweging tussen steun en
eigen veiligheid, schrijft kapitein Charlotte Snel in de
Defensiekrant.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2023/02/01_patriots_02
Patriot
raketsystemen die de Verenigde Staten en Duitsland naar Oekraïne
sturen, worden deels gemaakt in Hoogeveen at #GKN #Fokker
https://dvhn.nl/drenthe/Hoogeveen-levert-lanceerbuizen-voor-de-Patriotraketten-die-naar-Oekra%C3%AFne-gaan-28176475.html.Translation
of the text above: Patriot missile systems that the US and Germany
send to Ukraine are partly made in Hoogeveen.
#PATRIOT Air
and Missile Defense System for #Ukraine two page report Report to
Congress, Januari 18, 2023. Incluese overview of #costs of missiles
and systems (battery costs about $1.1bn: +/- $400m system and +/-
$690m missiles ($4m per missile)).
https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23580952/if12297.pdf
***
And the winner will be
Replacing the military equipment transferred to #Ukraine by the US’ NATO allies could lead to $21.7bn in sales for US military industry, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Military and Political Power. https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2023/01/20/stocking-ukraine-could-generate-foreign-military-sales-boom/
***
Budget rise (despite all social
economic worries in society) from more, to most, from most to
extreme: Macron wants €400 billion to ‘transform’ #France’s
to ‘transform’ France’s forces through 2030.
A 35% increase.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/01/20/macron-wants-400-billion-to-transform-frances-forces-through-2030/
***
Collusion and
revolving doors. The man who gave a record £1m donation to #Boris
Johnson is the largest single shareholder in a UK defence company
that secured an £80m government contract this week, #openDemocracy
can reveal.
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-money-investigations/boris-johnson-christopher-harborne-donation-mod-contract-80m/
***
A
month ago Morrocan footbal fans waved Palestinian flags in Qatar. But
in real live #Morocco’s army said recently had agreed with #Israel
to strengthen military cooperation, including in intelligence and
cybersecurity, following defense meetings in Rabat.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/morocco-says-it-will-boost-military-ties-with-israel/
***
Retweet @janbuelinckx: Professor
Internationale Politiek Tom Sauer: Waar is de nuchtere blik op de
oorlog gebleven? https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20230115_97739686
***
Retweet @NDuquet: Vlaamse
wapenexport in 2022 gestegen tot absolute recordhoogte - met duiding
van @Diederik_Cops bij de cijfers.
https://www.hln.be/binnenland/vlaamse-wapenexport-gestegen-tot-absolute-recordhoogte~aa440ef4/
***
Human rights and security
violations?
Order the UK for help!
Turkey exploring massive UK arms deal
involving planes, ships and tank engines. Multibillion-dollar deal
for Eurofighter jets, transport planes, frigates and tank engines is
being discussed.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-uk-massive-arms-deal-planes-ships-tank-engines
Turkish
FA Minister Çavuşoğlu met with his US counterpart Blinken in the
US to secure a $20bn arms sale that includes 40 Lockheed F-16
fighters and upgrades to Turkey’s current F-16 fleet. However a key
senator has vowed to block it from proceeding.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/2023/01/18/turkey-f-16-sale-in-limbo-amid-lockheed-backlog/
Ankara on Wednesday urged
the administration of President Joe Biden to be decisive in its bid
to sell F-16 warplanes to Turkey and convince the US Congress to drop
its opposition to the planned US$20 billion (S$26.5 billion) deal.
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/turkey-urges-biden-administration-to-be-decisive-over-f-16-deal-as-us-congress-objects
F-35s to Greece, no jets for
Turkey: Why the White House is half right on East Med arms sales.
Podcast in English.
https://www.ekathimerini.com/multimedia/podcasts/1202667/f-35s-to-greece-no-jets-for-turkey-why-the-white-house-is-half-right-on-east-med-arms-sales/
***
#Romanian Coast Guard welcomes
commissioning of two #Damen built patrol #vessels built on #EU funds
used - among other tasks - for controlling the borders on
#immigration.
https://www.actmedia.eu/daily/romanian-coast-guard-welcomes-commissioning-of-two-patrol-vessels-built-on-european-funds/101423
***
Dutch
Ministry of Defence #MoD advised #ASML not to export advanced chip
machines (#EUV, 'extreme ultraviolet') to #China.
https://fd.nl/politiek/1465402/defensie-adviseerde-geen-geavanceerde-asml-chipmachines-naar-china-te-sturen…
The Hague is aware the Netherlands is also depended on China for raw
materials e.g. for producing windmills and solar energy.
https://fd.nl/politiek/1465402/defensie-adviseerde-geen-geavanceerde-asml-chipmachines-naar-china-te-sturen
***
Retweet @marineschepen:
Thales Hengelo verdrievoudigt productie. Veel
systemen in aanbouw voor marines van Duitsland, UK, België en
Nederland. Niet alleen radars, maar ook Tacticos combat management
software. Wachten is nog wel op nieuw SMART-L MM/N contract. Meer:
https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Thales-Hengelo-verdrievoudigt-productie-200123.html
***
Retweet
@FrankSlijper: Turkish company
Baykar wins $370 million drone contract from Kuwait.
https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2023/01/20/turkish-company-baykar-wins-370-million-drone-contract-from-kuwait/
***
January 19
***
Goed
stuk in NRC-Handelsblad voor #diplomatieke inzet oorlog van Rusland
in #Oekraïne.
Jammer dat de grootste 'vredesorganisatie' van
Nederland #Pax zich uitspreekt tegen een diplomatieke oplossing, maar
dat is geen nieuws voor wie de NGO volgt.
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/01/18/pleit-je-voor-overleg-dan-dan-ben-je-al-snel-dienstbaar-aan-poetin-a4154647
January 18
***
the estimated costs of Russia’s
war against Ukraine during 2022–23 grew from ₽5 trillion (almost
$74bn) to ₽8.3tn ($122.4bn) as of November 2022 (see EDM, November
17, 2022), now it definitely exceeds ₽10tn ($147.5bn) and promises
to further increase.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/long-russia-afford-continue-war-210000877.html
***
#Spain wants to deliver military
material (two 35-millimeter anti-aircraft guns) to #Ukraine, but
#Switzerland forbids this for reasons of neutrality. Nevertheless,
Spain has now submitted a transfer request.
https://switzerlandtimes.ch/politics/spain-wants-to-deliver-swiss-arms-to-kyiv/
***
US military is supplying
#Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds pulled from
stockpiles based in #Israel, according to the NYT. The Pentagon is
reportedly “scrambling” to find munitions as Ukrainian forces
continue to exhaust their arsenal.
https://www.globalvillagespace.com/us-quietly-shipping-arms-from-israel-to-ukraine-nyt/
***
Observers of #Russia’s defence
sector note that US-led sanctions have a disproportionate effect on
aerospace production, more than to any other sector. Less tech
complicated platforms can turn to importing household tech for the
#microchips inside.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/01/putins-comments-underline-growing-russian-concern-over-jet-tank-production/
***
Azerbaijani
president in Switzerland for World Economic Forum, meets Damen
Shipyards Group chief Arnout Damen.
https://www.azernews.az/nation/205170.html
See also an old blog text by me:
Shipyard Damen wants to build for Azerbaijan
https://stopwapenhandel.org/shipyard-damen-wants-to-build-for-azerbaijan/
(Nederlandstalig:
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2015/01/damen-wil-schepen-leveren-aan.html).
***
DR
Congo Receives Turkish Military Weapons, Equipment.
https://www.azernews.az/nation/205170.html
Companies from at least 13 countries have helped Myanmar’s military to produce a vast range of weapons that are being used against its own people, former top UN officials say. https://graphicnews.com/en/pages/43814/military-global-firms-helping-myanmar-arms-production
https://www.graphicnews.com/media/GN/43814/W/jpg/EN
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said
#Singapore does not allow weaponry or 'items with possible military
use' to #Myanmar.The Ministry of FA denies that Singapore is a
'strategic transit site' for commodities that 'fuel' the junta's
armament development.
https://thefederal.com/from-the-wires/singapore-doesnt-authorise-transfer-of-arms-to-myanmar-says-ministry-of-foreign-affairs/
(Three
months old story): Aviation fuel supplied to junta-ruled Myanmar for
civilian planes is being diverted to the military, whose air force
has been linked to war crimes, Amnesty International said on Thursday
(Nov 3).
https://www.todayonline.com/world/myanmar-junta-diverting-civilian-jet-fuel-military-amnesty-2036221
January 17
***
Thales in the US
New Sonar For Navy Frigates Could Turn Any Ship into Submarine Hunter, Maker Says
Thales says its Advanced Acoustic Concepts towed sensors can be installed in just two days.
***
Retweet @KelGallagh: UK
arms exports in 2021 via @CAATuk
https://caat.org.uk/app/uploads/2023/01/CAAT-Exports2021-v4.pdf
***
In
2022, #Turkish arms exports exceeded $4 billion, which is about 36
percent more than a year ago. Moreover, 98% of the exports were the
sale of #Bayraktar drones. Tested first in 2020 in the #Karabach war.
https://news.am/eng/news/739870.html
***
Vorige week meldde @Gleemput dat
alles er op gericht leek een nieuw Oekraïens offensief door het
Westen te laten bewapenen. Hoeveel tanks zijn daarvoor nodig, is zijn
retorische vraag deze week. https://stopdeoorlogamsterdam.nl/hoeveel-tanks-heeft-oekraiumlne-nodig.html
***
The #transparency on #Dutch
military export licenses has #collapsed since July 2022.
Dual Use
individual licenses however were provided until November 2022.
For
this tweet I selected
a) the exports of #image_intensifiers, and
b) shipments to #Ukraine.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-dual-use-vergunningen
Ammunition through the harbour of Rotterdam, September 2022 (only transit > 1,000 pieces). https://rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-doorvoer-militaire-goederen
***
European Defence Agency #EDA
launched a project on 13 January to improve the tech behind
#automatic targeting, as well as in threat recognition and
identification, as European militaries seek to make soldiers and
weapons systems more effective in battle.
https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2023/01/13/eda-project-to-enhance-automatic-targeting-technology
***
Ongoing Israeli spy saga
#Greek authorities fine spyware firm #Intellexa owned by former #Israeli #intel officer.
The Israeli owned spyware company has been ordered to pay 50,000 euros for failing to cooperate as part of an ongoing spyware investigation.
***
The arms market in the EU is
very concentrated: the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Spain and
the Netherlands supply 94 per cent of EU arms exports.
https://www.socialeurope.eu/arms-exports-and-human-rights
January 16
***
Military
technology and weapons shouldn't be traded commercially. Making
profits from war and human suffering is not only morally wrong, but
also boost often ill advised economic and political attitudes on
questions of war and peace.
Retweet
with comment @WorldPeaceFdtn: RTell us what you think
about the global arms trade. Respond with #takeonthearmstrade for a
chance to be featured on our blog, Reinventing Peace.
https://tinyurl.com/z5uu39uf
***
Firms in Europe, US helping
Myanmar manufacture arms, report says Prominent human rights experts
urge countries to take action against companies helping Myanmar’s
military produce weapons used in abuses.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/16/firms-in-europe-us-helping-myanmar-manufacture-arms-report
***
Last Saterday of a range of
organisations #protested at #Thales in #Brest against arms sales to
#Turkey.
(@L_insoumission, du collectif des Iraniens et Iraniennes de la pointe bretonne, Collectif brestois pour le droit des femmes, @AmKurBret etc.)
***
Operation #IRINI investigated
348 merchant vessels via radio calls and carried out 12 boardings. It
also monitored 21 suspect flights & continued to monitor 25
airports (+landing strips) & 16 ports (+oil terminals).
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/operation-eunavfor-med-irini-results-report-december-2022_en
Only #Turkey mentioned, not possitively.
***
The #Biden administration has
told Congress it is preparing the potential $20 billion sale of F-16
#fighter jets to #Turkey, sparking an immediate objection from
Senator Bob #Menendez, Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee. https://www.chinadailyhk.com/article/310244
***
UK updates Armenia, Azerbaijan
arms embargo guidance. https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1101590.html
At the same time it strengthens its cooperation with one of the major suppliers to Baku, the Turkish military industry. https://twitter.com/martinbroek/status/1614910292722319365
***
Targeting #Myanmar's Factories
Of Death
The West, in lieu of arming the resistance, could increase pressure on its allies in #Taiwan, #Ukraine, #Israel and #Singapore to end all support, either through state-controlled or private company engagement.
https://menafn.com/1105431607/Targeting-Myanmars-Factories-Of-Death
***
#Thales has signed a contract
with #NukkAI to develop an #AI solution for the fusion of data used
by military analysts. The automated & real-time processing of
this data will enable them to be faster in the development of
military strategies. #Biases?
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/group/press_release/thales-and-nukkai-develop-ai-based-data-fusion-solution-military
***
Dutch Damen plays a tough battle
in Romania and it has Florin Spătaru, the Minister of Economics (a
former Damen employee) as ally. The workers of the Mangalia Yard are
the victims.
https://www.national.ro/social/olandezii-pact-cu-ministerul-economiei-pentru-falimentarea-santierului-naval-mangalia-785480.html
But seems to have lost for now, Spătaru: 'We will not accept a
workforce restructuring at the Damen Mangalia Shipyard'
http://pescurt.ro/stiri-economie/florin-spataru-nu-vom-accepta-o-restructurare-a-fortei-de-munca-la-santierul-naval-damen-mangalia_13-01-2023_18276574
and the chairman of the board Dan Constantin Dobrea resigned
https://www.mediafax.ro/social/presedintele-consiliului-de-administratie-al-santierului-naval-2-mai-mangalia-a-demisionat-21498775
***
Airbus en Dassault zijn beide
door het Franse ministerie van Defensie benaderd voor het ontwerp van
een nieuw verkenningsvliegtuig.
Het vliegtuig in kwestie moet een concurrent worden van de Boeing P-8 Poseidon die op de 737-800 is gebaseerd.
https://www.upinthesky.nl/2023/01/15/airbus-en-dassault-strijden-voor-deal/
France's
DGA announced today that it had awarded Airbus and Dassault 18-month
contracts to study maritime patrol variants of their A320neo and
Falcon 10X aircraft to replace the French Navy's Atlantique ATL2s.
https://defense-aerospace.com/airbus-dassault-awarded-study-contracts-for-future-maritime-patrol-aircraft/
Europe?
At last ! After Germany's stab at France on the Franco-German
program MAWS (Maritime Airborne Warfare System), Paris decided to
launch its own program.
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/le-nouveau-projet-francais-d-avion-de-patrouille-maritime-avis-de-deces-du-projet-franco-allemand-maws-947773.html
***
***
#Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol
arrived in Abu Dhabi Saturday. "The #UAE is the optimum partner
for our economy-centric diplomacy in the fields of #nuclear reactors,
#defence [included arms sales] and infrastructure."
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/01/356_343593.html
***
Defence Minister Akar - of
human rights champion #Turkey - arrived in London on Sunday at the
official invitation of British Defence Secretary Wallace. The #UK has
expressed interest in buying Turkish-made armed #drones, called a
"game-changer" by Walace.
https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/defense-minister-akar-in-uk-to-discuss-bilateral-security-issues
January 15
***
The question why the F-35 is
conquering NATO+ (besides France, Sweden & economic/military less
advanced members) is only hardly answered. The answer can be
summarised by: Canada doesn't want to be an outlier (winner takes
all).
There are more arguments why this is an
unwise buy.
Retweet StevenStaples with comment: My
latest for @ccpa Thanks to @514jon | Why the feds flip-flopped and
bought the F-35 | The Monitor
https://monitormag.ca/articles/why-the-liberals-flip-flopped-and-bought-the-f-35/
***
US navy admiral wants more bangs
for the buck (a staggering $800bn annualy). He warned industry to
deliver more ordnance, fewer excuses.
“Of course we’re going to help [Ukraine] so they can win that conflict against Russia.”
***
Canadian company #Rotex may have
uncovered a complex clandestine supply chain that allowed one of its
motors to somehow end up as part of an #Iranian #drone used by
#Russian forces in #Ukraine, Canada's National Post reported.
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-728461
***
Ontwapening was gisteren
De huidige situatie wordt gebruikt om de militaire uitgaven nog verder op te drijven, ten koste van de samenleving. https://vrede.be/nl/nieuws/ontwapening-was-gisteren
***
#Japan, #US to promote
cooperation on #dual_use technologies”. Cooperation is envisioned
in such areas as drones, artificial intelligence, robotics, and
quantum technology, several sources of both governments said.
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20230111-83142/
***
Biden administration to ask
Congress to approve F-16 sale to Turkey:
Sale is contingent on Turkey's approval of Finland and Sweden's Nato membership and comes alongside F-35 sale to Greece.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/biden-administration-ask-congress-approve-f-16-sale-turkey-report
***
Israel's Cognyte won tender
to sell spyware to Myanmar before coup - documents
The deal was made even though Israel has claimed it stopped defense technology transfers to Myanmar following a 2017 ruling by Israel's Supreme Court.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-728554
Norway’s
sovereign wealth fund last month dropped Cognyte from its portfolio,
saying states said to be customers of its surveillance products and
services “have been accused of extremely serious human rights
violations”. The fund did not name any states.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/15/israels-cognyte-won-myanmar-spyware-tender-before-coup
January 14
***
Retweet @PAXvoorvrede: Investeren in wapenfabrikanten nu Oekraïne zich moet verdedigen, logisch? Nee, zegt PAX-expert Cor Oudes in @detelegraaf: "...diezelfde wapenindustrie levert wapensystemen aan dictators en is betrokken bij de productie van massavernietigingswapens, zoals kernwapens.”
***
Retweet @b_v_apeldoorn: 3/3 Dat laat onverlet dat de beste manier om de oorlog te beëindigen de terugtrekking van alle Russische troepen is en een einde aan alle Russische agressie. Maar het antwoord op het uitblijven daarvan kan niet alleen maar zijn doorgaan met de oorlog zonder bereidheid tot praten. https://twitter.com/b_v_apeldoorn/status/1613525425895899137
January 12
***
Ukraine gets main battle tanks: Poland sending Leopard 2 , and other nations may follow. Details of timing or quantities were not immediately available. It will be probably 12. https://breakingdefense.com/2023/01/ukraine-gets-its-tanks-poland-sending-leopard-2-and-other-nations-may-follow/
Most probably 2A4 type. They've cost $
20,00 per unit.
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product1645.html
#German
Defence Minister told reporters on Jan. 12 that no country with
#Leopard 2s had requested an export license for #Ukraine.
The UK government is to provide Challenger 2 #MBTs to Ukraine, according to officials in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office.
***
'No weapons, but technology,' a
well known defence against protests.
Midland drone engine factory (part of Israeli Elbit) boss says 'we don't make bombs', as he defends firm's right to trade. However its produce is considered military in export controls. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/inside-midlands-factory-scared-workers-25795269
***
#German MoD updated the list of
weapons for the #Ukraine including 20 70mm rocket launchers mounted
on pick-up trucks. It ordered 2.75-inch high-explosive rockets from
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition (#RWM) for an amount €19.92m.
https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/krieg-in-der-ukraine/lieferungen-ukraine-2054514
***
Airbus & VDL Group partner
to develop/produce a laser communication terminal for aircraft:
#UltraAir. It will allow #military aircraft and #drones to connect
within a multi-domain combat cloud. UltraAir is based on the
development by #Airbus & Dutch #TNO.
https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-01-airbus-and-vdl-group-join-forces-to-produce-an-airborne-laser
***
According to Defense News on
January 5, 2023, #Israel Aerospace Industries #IAI has offered the
naval variant of the Barak MX to #Colombia to equip the future five
frigates of the PES program (developed with #Dutch #Damen based on
Sigma 10514).
https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2023/january/12686-iai-offers-naval-variant-of-barak-mx-for-future-frigates-of-colombia.html
***
#Damen’s partner in #Colombia,
LINEAL Engineering, has opened a new office on Colombia’s Caribbean
coast. Since the company was founded five years ago it has been based
in Bogotá, an ideal location for supporting its governmental and
#naval customers.
https://www.damen.com/insights-center/news/damen-partner-lineal-engineering-opens-new-office-on-caribbean-coast
***
Ukraine aid is more than most
states get in a year. Americans should, at the very least, discuss
just how big of a check we’re willing to write, particularly with
American households reeling from soaring inflation and a stagnating
economy.
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2022/12/23/new-ukraine-aid-is-a-go-and-its-more-than-most-states-get-in-a-year/
***
OPINION
Call for Restraints in US Arms Transfers to Ukraine
By Natalie Goldring
http://www.ipsnews.net/2023/01/call-restraints-us-arms-transfers-ukraine/
January 11
***
broekstukken: Up in arms;
disarmament was yesterday?
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2023/01/up-in-arms-disarmament-was-yesterday.html
***
Retweet @EmmaMAshford:
Interesting piece, with this particularly salient
point from Matt Duss. Progressives really need to think about how
they will balance pragmatic support for Ukraine against Washington's
inclination to turn everything into an endless war.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/01/09/congress-progressive-foreign-policy-biden/
***
Monthly allowances given to MEPs
to pay for office supplies were used to purchase shares in the arms,
tobacco, mining and fossil-fuels industries to finance a
heavily-indebted European Parliament pension scheme.
https://euobserver.com/rule-of-law/156578
***
#Pakistani shipping and
brokerage firm Project Shipping plans to deliver 159 containers of
#ammunition for #Ukraine in the second half of January. In exchange,
Pakistan may receive Ukrainian assistance in the modernization of its
Mi-17 helicopters. Details
https://news.yahoo.com/pakistan-plans-transfer-ammunition-ukraine-225000883.html
***
UK arms sales fuelling
recent attacks on civilians in #Yemen, says report.
Oxfam figures show that hundreds of #Saudi-led attacks on civilians were carried out over recent period using weapons supplied by the #US and #UK
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemen-uk-arms-sales-fuelling-attacks-civilians
January 10
***
€35m from arms sales cleared
in Paris: 3 men indicted. One of them, "a Franco-Israeli
40-something is described by the intelligence services as 'an arms
trafficker' and intermediary between producers & clients, such as
Cameroon, Chad, Burundi, Mali, Iraq.
https://www.ouest-france.fr/faits-divers/trafic/blanchiment-d-argent-lie-a-des-ventes-illicites-d-armes-trois-hommes-mis-en-examen-1aaf8f8e-8c56-11ed-9fb2-0b86ee40425f
***
#US #donates #weapons to boost
#Somalia's war on al-Shabab. The donation comes at a time when the
Somali government is pushing for the lifting of an arms #embargo the
UN imposed on the country in 1992 after a 1991 coup plunged the
nation into a civil war.
Somali nat. TV, 8/1/23
***
Retweet @Defensie: Sinds
gisteren wordt Amerikaans materieel, zoals tanks en
infanteriegevechtsvoertuigen, over weg en water door Nederland
vervoerd. Het wordt hierbij ondersteund door Nederlandse militairen.
Het materieel is onderweg naar Polen en Litouwen.
https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/01/09/amerikaanse-landmachteenheid-met-zwaar-materieel-door-nederland
***
Industrieweg in Papendrecht gaat
Anthony Fokkerweg heten naar de man die Duitsland vliegtuigen leverde
waarmee "een tooneel ‘van schrik en bloed’ werd aangericht."
https://militairespectator.nl/artikelen/grootbedrijf-van-menschenslachting.
Aan die weg zit #GKN. Nu maakt 't onderdelen voor drones &
F-35's.
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2018/11/dodelijke-reaper-drones-en-fokker.html
***
Retweet @visegrad24:
Finland’s new Defense Minister, Mikko Savola has
stated that Finland is considering sending tanks to Ukraine. Savola
was appointed on January 5th. The tanks in question would be Leopard
2s. It’s time to free the Leopards!
https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1611974049751617536
***
#Airbus Defence and Space has
signed a contract with #Poland to provide a geospatial #intelligence
system including the development, manufacture, launch and delivery in
orbit of two high-performance optical Earth observation #satellites.
https://apscc.or.kr/airbus-to-provide-poland-with-a-very-high-resolution-optical-satellite-system/
***
Canada finalizes agreement to
acquire 88 Lockheed Martin F-35's. The estimated investment for the
acquisition and support is $19 billion.
https://theaviationist.com/2023/01/09/canada-finalizes-acquisition-of-88-f-35s/
***
A large number of #Romanian
papers report on the workers protests at the Dutch #Damen #Mangalia
shipyard against layoffs (postponed now,
https://www.capital.ro/restructurarea-angajatilor-de-la-santierul-damen-mangalia-a-fost-amanata.html)
and for higher payment (with clip):
https://adevarul.ro/stiri-locale/constanta/proteste-la-santierul-naval-damen-din-mangalia-2233288.html
***
#Saudi Arabia had planned to
REDUCE military budgets by 10% BUT now expects to have spent 43% MORE
than was planned for 2022. The rise means military spending will be
the fastest growing major element within the Saudi state budget for
both 2022 and 2023.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/saudi-arabian-defense-spending-43-2022
***
Israeli Spy Tech Sold to
Bangladesh.
Advanced cyber tools to intercept mobile and internet traffic were sold to the Interior Ministry, internal security agency and armed forces, via Cyprus. Israel and Bangladesh do not have diplomatic relations.
January 9
***
#EDA officials are awaiting word
from Italy on a proposal for a program for seabed infrastructure
protection. If approved, it could join the growing list of #PESCO
projects whose work serves as a blueprint for solving specific
military capability problems.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/01/09/europeans-wade-into-fighting-seabed-threats-with-drones-and-sensors/
***
Cambio climático y armamentismo
(Climate change and arms) on the report by @TNI, @CTWnl & @TPNS:
“CLIMATE COLLATERAL
https://listindiario.com/ventana/2023/01/08/756945/cambio-climatico-y-armamentismo
***
At last. #Swedish Prime Minister
Ulf Kristersson said Sunday that the #Turkish government is imposing
a series of demands on his country to join #NATO that Sweden is
unable and unwilling to meet. And #Finland will stay with Stockholm:
"isn't in a hurry".
https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/sweden-claims-that-turkey-is-imposing-demands-on-it-to-join-nato-that-the-country-cannot-meet/
***
#Asia-Pacific's #submarine
aspirations make regional waters more congested - and riskier. It's
precisely in such times that such "common-sense guardrails"
become all the more crucial, instead of waiting for a major submarine
#incident to happen.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/submarine-invincible-singapore-navy-asian-china-defence-3186236
***
The war in Ukraine continues and
is on its way to its one-year anniversary (February 24). In this
context, the arms industry not only continued to do business in 2022,
but was a profitable sector for investors on the stock exchanges.
https://www.jornada.com.mx/2023/01/06/economia/018n1eco
***
Turkish Presidency of Defence
Industries head Ismail Demir invited Azerbaijan to participate in the
production of a Turkish combat aircraft, Azernews reports, citing the
Turkish media. https://www.azernews.az/nation/204777.html
***
As reported by AP, #Australia
announced on 5 January that it will spend more than 1 billion
Australian dollars (US$700 million) on Lockheed Martin M142 #HIMARS
(launchers, missiles and training rockets), possibly 20 units. Would
be inducted by 2026.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2023_global_security_army_industry/australian_army_to_get_m142_himars_missile_launchers.html
***
Visits
of French and US delegations brought into focus their parallel
efforts to secure the contract for equipping #India's indigenous
aircraft #carrier with a fighter wing. The #Rafale and the
#SuperHornet, did demonstration ski-jumps in Goa in 2022.
https://www.indiandefensenews.in/2023/01/the-race-for-indian-naval-fighter.html
January 8
***
Did
France surprise Germany by pledging tanks for Ukraine?
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/did-france-surprise-germany-pledging-141753642.html
January 7
***
Colombia picks Israels Elbit
Atmos howitzer over French Nexter Caesar version.
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/01/06/colombia-picks-elbits-atmos-howitzer-over-nexters-caesar/
***
German defence supplier
#Hensoldt has applied to the government for clearance for a number of
politically sensitive projects with #Gulf states, the Spiegel news
magazine reported on Friday.
https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/Germany-s-Hensoldt-plans-defence-deals-with-Gulf-states-Spiegel--42674888/
***
One of the main policy goals
of Germany's current coalition government had been imposing stricter
controls on arms imports. But now it's becoming apparent that the
status quo will likely remain in place – at least for now.
https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-weapons-dilemma-germany-takes-a-critical-look-at-arms-exports-a-1ba58fae-ba40-4b86-8f5d-47eff4fb0516
Question:
Is
it known or discussed elsewhere what the proposed "tightening"
implied and entailed, or was it just an abstract policy goal?
Reply
@martin broek: Maybe this is of some help to
you:
https://blog.prif.org/2022/12/14/why-the-future-german-arms-export-control-act-goes-in-the-right-direction-but-not-far-enough/
https://bmwk.de/Redaktion/DE/Downloads/P-R/eckpunkte-ruestungsexportkontrollgesetz-entwurf.pdf
January 6
***
Sinds het begin van de oorlog
tegen Oekraïne probeert de anarchistische beweging BOAK de
oorlogsmachine van president Vladimir Poetin van binnenuit te
saboteren.
https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/1595872684/russische-groep-saboteert-poetin-en-zijn-oorlogsmachine-rusland-is-niet-van-hem-maar-van-ons
***
Should the new era (Zeitenwende)
consist only of a return to old-fashioned patterns of the
military-supported use of force? Arms control is not taking place at
the moment. The United Nations and other arms control forums have
been pushed to the side.
https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/foreign-and-security-policy/a-security-order-that-looks-beyond-europe-6420/
***
Parts made by more than a dozen
US and Western companies were found inside a single Iranian drone
downed in Ukraine last fall, according to a Ukrainian intelligence
assessment obtained exclusively by CNN.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/04/politics/iranian-drone-parts-13-us-companies-ukraine-russia/index.html
***
Hoewel de Wagner-aanpak in
Mali veel burgerslachtoffers maakte, slaagden de Russische huurlingen
er niet in om de jihadisten terug te dringen. Maar worden wel betaald
met goudmijnopbrengsten.
https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20230105_98619606
***
Oproep
tot onderhandelen. Hoe eerder de wapens zwijgen, hoe beter dat voor
alle betrokkenen is – voor de Oekraïners, de Russen en de rest van
de wereld. Met een hele trits ondertekenaars.
https://golfgroep.blogspot.com/2022/12
January 5
***
During a flight a pilot handed
control of a special, highly-modified F-16 over to an #AI system that
autonomously piloted the fighter. Less than two hours later, that
same F-16 took to the skies again for a second flight test of a
completely different AI.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/01/inside-the-special-f-16-the-air-force-is-using-to-test-out-ai/
***
Germany’s Puma infantry
fighting vehicles feature superior capabilities but are too prone to
failure for actual operations, according to an initial assessment
from defense officials over recent breakdowns in the fleet.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/01/04/germany-sees-puma-combat-vehicles-as-great-but-too-iffy-for-war/
***
New #F35 engine deliveries
suspended amid ongoing investigation. Pratt & Whitney did not
respond Wednesday to multiple requests for comment. Last week, the
company said it could not comment on the mishap because it involves
an ongoing investigation.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/01/04/new-f-35-engine-deliveries-suspended-amid-ongoing-investigation/
Jamuary 4
***
Vredesonderhandelingen zijn
verre van vanzelfsprekend. Geef ze 'n kans.
Het alternatief is in het beste geval
een jarenlange stellingenoorlog met meer doden en gewonden, meer
vernieling voor Oekraïne en meer ellende voor de wereld en in het
slechtste geval 'n nucleair armageddon.
Retweet met comment @Ludodb: Goed
stuk van ex-Vrt-journalist Johan Depoortere die de situatie en inzet
bondig en overzichtelijk op een rijtje zet: Vredesonderhandelingen
over Oekraïne zijn verre van vanzelfsprekend. Geef ze toch een kans
https://demorgen.be/ts-b322df60
via @demorgen
***
@_ENAAT bracht een info-fiche
uit over ‘hoe de EU wapenhandelaren en corrupte bedrijven
financiert’. De beknopte en informatieve brochure bestaat ook in
het Nederlands; vredesorganisatie @CTWnl leverde een groot deel van
het onderzoek voor deze publicatie.
https://www.andereuropa.org/eu-wapenhandel-en-corruptie/
***
US military companies are
finding it tough to quickly replenish weaponry such as missiles etc.
artillery shells for Ukraine. Has industry consolidation has gone too
far?
https://wsj.com/articles/lagging-arms-production-makes-pentagon-wary-of-further-industry-consolidation-11672754128
But is that what they produce? No its stealth aircraft, high end
ships, space craft.
January 3
***
President Zelensky on Dec. 29
signed into law a #controversial bill on the media. In July the
@EFJEUROPE urged the Ukrainian authorities to withdraw the draft
media law. It said that the law contained "many provisions that
are contrary to European values."
https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/zelensky-signs-media-law-criticized-by-journalist-groups-as-authoritarian
***
Since the beginning of the war,
almost 12,000 Ukrainians are said to have tried to evade military
service and flee abroad. Some of them are said to have died while
crossing the border.
https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article242944847/Ukraine-Live-Ukrainische-Grenztruppen-fassen-Tausende-Kriegsdienstverweigerer.html
***
India's External Affairs
Minister Jaishankar on Monday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi
has been in contact with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, pressing
them to return to dialogue and diplomacy as a prolonged conflict will
not serve the interests of any party.
Dr S Jaishankar said,
there is a growing concern for the Global South about the knock-on
effects of the conflict in terms of accessibility and affordability
of fuel, food, and fertilizers.
https://asianews.network/india-deeply-concerned-over-ukraine-conflict-jaishankar/
***
Some
in the West will resist the idea of such reassurance that it's safe
to end the war by leaving Ukraine. But if Russia's elites conclude
that it is as dangerous 4 Russia to leave Ukraine as to stay, they
have no incentive to press for an end to the war.
https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/in-ukraine-putin-has-no-red-lines
January 2
***
@WendelaVries: Solidariteit met
Oekraïne betekent niet het sturen van steeds meer wapens, maar
betekent zoeken naar manieren om het geweld te stoppen.
https://www.bnnvara.nl/joop/artikelen/onderhandelen-moet-de-oorlog-beeindigen
***
How much money has the West
spent on the Ukraine war?
If the recent Biden 45bn proposal is passed, it would be the fourth US aid package for Ukraine and the total money allocated for Ukraine since February would be nearly $100bn. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2022/12/27/how-much-money-has-the-west-spent-on-the-ukraine-war
***
#Diarmament was yesterday.
Since the Ukraine war, SPD parliamentary group leader Mützenich has suffered defeat after defeat. Like on arms exports to #Saudi Arabia. In September, the government approved the export of fighter jet equipment and ammo to Ryad. https://www.nzz.ch/international/zeitenwende-der-abruestungspolitiker-muetzenich-muss-aufruesten-ld.1716659
***
Our friend in Ryadh: In the time
that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman al Saud has ruled Saudi Arabia,
Riyadh has killed over 377,000 Yemenis and executed over 523 Saudis.
Who is selling him the weapons?
https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/3789858-it-is-time-for-congress-to-hold-saudi-arabia-responsible-for-its-victims/
***
It is not clear if the #drones
are very successful at finalizing victors in war. Using drones to
harass an adversary and embarrass them doesn't win a war. Drone
strikes used against civilians also don't win wars.
An condensed overview of its use worldwide:https://www.jpost.com/international/article-726025
***
'China and Russia's abstentions
[on UNCS resolution n Myanmar, adopted 21/12/22] signal that even the
junta's few friends have lost interest in sticking out their necks to
defend its atrocities,' said Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human
Rights Watch.
https://www.mizzima.com/article/human-rights-watch-approves-un-myanmar-resolution
***
Retweet @Mschroeder77: Ukrainian
border guards foil attempt to smuggle helicopter across the border to
Hungary.
https://dpsu.gov.ua/en/news/a-helicopter-was-found-at-the-border-with-hungary-which-was-illegally-exported-from-ukraine/
***
On December 28, 2022, Italian
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto announced that the Italian Government
is busy thinking about the possibility to deliver air defense systems
coming from the military inventory of the Italian army.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_december_2022_global_security_army_industry/italy_to_provide_ukraine_%E2%82%AC10_million_of_aid_including_air_defense_missile_systems.html
***
Airbus Helicopters: "Ageing
Russian heli's have performed badly in Ukraine & are now unable
to be serviced properly owing to sanctions." The're 8,000 around
worldwide. 260+ by countries like Bosnia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia,
N-Macedonia, Serbia & Slovakia.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/12/31/nato-forces-risk-ageing-fleet-russian-helicopters/
***
Two European defence giants,
Thales and Airbus, hunt for the same prey: Atos, a firm offering
cyber security services.
https://www.lesechos.fr/tech-medias/hightech/atos-les-intentions-dairbus-se-precisent-face-a-thales-1893093
Janyuary 1
***
Het
nieuwe jaar ingeluid met een sexy foto van je oliebol of appelflap?
Nu blijft dat nog tussen jou en je partner(s), maar @Europol ziet dat
graag anders. Wij willen dat tegenhouden. Begin het nieuwe jaar goed
met een donatie aan Bits of Freedom.
https://bitsoffreedom.nl/hapklarevoornemens
