zaterdag 15 april 2023

My tweets for April 2023

Latest on top (updated regularly):
(
https://twitter.com/martinbroek)

April 15

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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Saturday that the United States should stop "encouraging war" in Ukraine "and start talking about peace". https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230415-us-should-stop-encouraging-war-in-ukraine-says-brazil-s-lula

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Five scenarios for the FY24 US military budget: defence hawk, bipartisan growth, fiscal future defence, rising constraints, 'deep cut'.

All involve growth compared to 2017. https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2023/04/13/five-scenarios-for-the-fy24-defense-budget/

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China won’t sell weapons to either side in the war in Ukraine, the country’s FA minister said, responding to concerns that Beijing could provide Russia military assistance. Qin Gang is the highest-level Chinese official to make such an explicit statement. https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2023/04/14/china-vows-not-to-sell-arms-to-any-party-in-ukraine-war/

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Arms industry diplomacy. Emirati defense conglomerate #EDGE Group to open first international office in #Brazil

The move, which came alongside defense deals with local firms, signals “confidence” in South American defense market, company says. https://breakingdefense.com/2023/04/emirati-defense-conglomerate-edge-group-to-open-first-international-office-in-brazil/ #UAE

April 14

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Retweet @westpapuamedia: Indonesia: Activists on Trial for Criminal Defamation. https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/04/14/indonesia-activists-trial-criminal-defamationThe 17-page report concludes that the Indonesian government conducted “illegal military operations” in Papua’s Central Highlands, and that the military sought to control huge gold deposits on the northern side of Mt. Grasberg, an area known as the “Wabu Block” in Intan Jaya regency. The report alleged that the military deployment was intended to reduce the Indigenous population in the area, thus making it easier to move forward with mining operations. A 1999 survey estimated that about 117 million tons of gold ore in the Wabu Block.

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Informatie MinDefensie over type goederen en middelen die aan Oekraïne zijn geleverd sinds 24/02/22 ter waarde van € 1,2 miljard.
https://defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/04/13/defensie-maakt-meer-informatie-over-leveringen-aan-oekraine-openbaar Brief aan Kamer, ‘Leveringen militaire goederen aan Oekraïne’ https://tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/brieven_regering/detail?id=2023Z06693&did=2023D15753 en ook https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/oostflank-navo-gebied/militaire-steun-aan-oekraine


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Latest leak suggests US spying on UN chief Guterres over Russia. US document says UN secretary general accommodated Russia during Black Sea grain deal negotiations.https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/13/pentagon-leak-suggests-us-felt-un-chief-soft-to-russia-report

April 13

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Harsh condemnation of US policies concerning Yemen in Pakistani paper Dawn. From the start "the US could have made it nigh impossible for the Saudis to pursue their sordid mission in Yemen by halting arms sales and cutting off technical & logistical aid."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1747195

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US Himar rocket launchers to Morocco https://www.dsca.mil/sites/default/files/mas/Press%20Release%20-%20Morocco%2021-27%20CN.pdf. Power politics lead to different outcomes here and there, depending on what suits the powers at the helm best. Rabat illegaly occupies Western Sahara. Not all land robbing is regarded the same.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-morocco-524m-sale-himar-rocket-launchers-approves


This article states that de the deliverances made in a situation of "dispute over Western Sahara, which Morocco claims to be its own territory and where Algeria backs the Tindouf-based Polisario Front rebel group." https://breakingdefense.com/2023/04/us-approves-potential-750m-sale-of-himars-jsow-other-arms-to-morocco/ If it is just a conflict between A & M

See here the lates UN report on Western Sahara (3 October 2022). https://minurso.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/sg_report_october_2022_0.pdf

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#Lockheed, #Raytheon and #General_Dynamics, three of the five largest US military contractors, supported war crimes by selling weapons to #Saudi's and #UAE-led coalition forces during the civil war in #Yemen, seven Yemeni civilians alleged in a #lawsuit.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2023/04/12/us-defense-companies-sued-by-yemenis-over-weapons-used-in-civil-war/

April 12

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#Danish #arms exports have entered a new era. The change began when the Danes voted yes to abolishing the reservation for military cooperation in the EU. Now it is part of EU military research. And the weapons are developed to be sold, also outside the EU.
https://arbejderen.dk/blog/dansk-vaabeneksport-er-traadt-ind-i-en-ny-epoke/

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#South_African Justice Minister accused the #UAE of "non-cooperation" because of a court ruling against extraditing tycoons Atul and Rajesh Gupta. Rajesh Gupta is separately embroiled in an arms scandal, in which he allegedly took #bribes from #Thales.
https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20230407-uae-rejects-extradition-of-s-africa-s-graft-accused-gupta-brothers

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#Senegal is confronted with one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts, that in the #Casamance. Recently Senegal has been expanding its armed forces, receiving patrol boats, trainer aircraft, armoured vehicles and more. See for types and companies. #France
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/senegal-reveals-new-military-hardware-during-independence-day-parade/

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An overview of arms export policies and visions by a wide range of member states of the UN during an open debate on the risks posed by the illicit and unregulated export of weapons and military equipment at the Security Council.
https://reliefweb.int/report/world/security-council-examines-risks-illicit-weapons-exports-hears-international-instruments-are-paramount-debate-arms-control

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Ukraine war: Leak shows Western special forces on the ground. UK has 50 #SOF in #Ukraine followed by Latvia 17, France 15, US 14 and the Netherlands 1.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65245065

#Nederlandse #commando vecht in #Oekraïne tegen Rusland, blijkt na lek. https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/buitenland/artikel/5377502/nederlandse-commando-vecht-oekraine-tegen-rusland

'NL militair in #Oekraïne is verkenner maar hij vecht niet'. Hij zou horen bij de speciale, pas opgerichte 102-compagnie van het Korps Commandotroepen en #elitemilitairen van het Korps Mariniers.

Meer: https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/183980127/bronnen-na-lek-geheime-documenten-nederlandse-elitemilitair-in-oekraine-is-lid-speciale-compagnie
Verkennen kan wel deel zijn van de oorlogsvoering.

April 11

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US sharing of intelligence with #India in border clash with #China seen as pivotal in partnership. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3216606/us-sharing-intelligence-india-border-clash-china-seen-pivotal-partnership

#French president’s call for Europe to avoid bloc politics over the island is part of his non-confrontational approach to Beijing. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3216590/will-macrons-take-taiwan-tilt-balance-chinas-favour

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Is this the policy the factions of the peace movement against aiming for stronger diplomacy efforts want?

Russia's war against Ukraine caused a serious increase in orders for various types of weapons, which reflects on Sweden’s military industry.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/3693181-sweden-ramping-up-arms-production-capacity-amid-russian-war-on-ukraine.html

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The as always interesting @ENAAT paper 'News from the Brussels' Bubble.'

About:
- EU funding for the arms industry
- EU military spending reaches 2% of the community budget and continues growing
- EU Peace Facility & related news
& more #EDF #EDIP #EDA
https://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ENAAT-NBB-2023-02_31.03.23.pdf

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S #Korea plans to extend $75.84 million in trade #financing to subcontractors in the military industry per year in the latest efforts to boost the country's global arms sales and prop up the domestic industry ecosystem, the industry ministry said Thursday.
https://m.koreaherald.com/amp/view.php?ud=20230406000509

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US MoD wants to take full advantage of the authorities Congress recently granted to #transfer #arms to Taiwan. First it needs the lawmakers who control the purse to follow through with hard cash. Congress greenlighted $3bn military aid to #Taiwan in 2023.
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2023/04/06/pentagon-to-use-new-taiwan-arms-transfer-authority-similar-to-ukraine/

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Tech failure no. XXX: The F-35 Joint Program Office has issued a directive recommending that all Pratt & Whitney F135s powering the fleet of #Lockheed #F35s be retrofitted within 90 days with a fix for a vibration problem that caused an #crash on Dec 15.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/f-35-engine-undergo-fleetwide-retrofit

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“Japan to Strengthen its Export Control Regulations to Control Various Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment”
https://sanctionsnews.bakermckenzie.com/japan-to-strengthen-its-export-control-regulations-to-control-various-semiconductor-manufacturing-equipment/

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Not all happy with the Japanese support for the military production bill. Expanded secrecy and a mechanism for pushing the export of military equipment are developments of concern.
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14881668

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Athens shops in the arms bazaar of Apartheid and signs $400m contract with #Israel for anti-tank missiles. But it isn't the only one. Spike missiles are used by several members of NATO and by EU countries
https://thecradle.co/article-view/23494/greece-signs-400m-contract-with-israel-for-anti-tank-missiles, the #Netherlands included. https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/materieel/bewapening/spike-lr-antitankraket

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Again
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/02/nsa-files-spying-allies-enemies-five-eyes-g8
& again https://www.politico.eu/article/spying-allies-normal-us-denmark/

US MoD speaks to S Korean MoD in wake of leak US was spying on Seoul’s internal talks on arms sales. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/11/pentagon-leaks-us-seeks-to-mend-ties-after-claims-washington-spied-on-key-allies There is little sentimentality about comradeship even among allies.

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Cold War 2.0 sable rattling: French President Emmanuel Macron begins a state visit to the Netherlands on Tuesday featuring a speech on Europe that will be keenly watched after his controversial remarks on its ties with the US and China.
https://www.spacewar.com/reports/Macron_to_visit_Netherlands_amid_row_over_China_comments_999.html

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#Turkey’s Erdogan runs an election campaign based on fighter jets, drones, war ships and tanks.
But “For many [youngsters], the situation is we have great weapons but I have no prospects of getting a Schengen visa to travel in Europe."
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/04/turkeys-erdogan-runs-an-election-campaign-based-on-fighter-jets-drones-war-ships-and-tanks/

April 6

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Slovakia is implementing new measures which will expand artillery ammunition production 'fivefold' to aid Ukraine, announced Acting Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/slovakia-to-increase-ammo-production-fivefold-says-defence-minister/

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A notable interception came in October 2022 when at least 28 BATT UMG vehicles from the UAE. The Armoured Group were intercepted en route to #Libya aboard Dutch merchant vessel #Meerdijk. https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/eu-med-naval-force-notches-up-9-000-ship-checks/

Ship is still often in the Med and without #AIS turned on for days.

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Spain arrests two for smuggling military kit to Russia. Investigators were tipped off in June 2021 about a married couple, both Ukrainians, who were running a Spanish company "evading existing export controls, thereby committing a smuggling offence". https://apnews.com/article/spain-russia-smuggling-defense-aeronautics-police-8ef20ee671e20ee5edc3613ffce1fac7

An alleged Russian spy due to be extradited from #Italy on charges of #smuggling #military #technology to Moscow fled the country in a Fiat Punto, it has emerged. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/04/05/russia-ukraine-war-spy-escapes-italy-fiat-punto/

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#Indian Bharat Electronics #BEL in March has won export orders worth about $52m & large volume government contracts. BEL said customers are located in France, Israel, the US & others. #Offset deals for C295 transport and Rafale aircraft play a major role. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/bel-gets-defence-export-orders-worth-52-million/article66684085.ece

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International debate over controlling #AI & #autonomous weapons systems, often called “killer robots”, is heating up, with the contending approaches generally falling into 2 camps: voluntary (US & many of its allies) or binding (Austria, Latin, NAM) rules. https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2023-04/news/dueling-views-ai-autonomous-weapons

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‘The #UK arms export regime is defined by a chronic lack of #transparency’, Katie Fallon of #CAAT, said.

‘That the public might never know how a large part of the weaponry budgeted for #Ukraine is being spent, not only raises the risk of #corruption ..."
https://www.newagebd.net/article/198677/uk-lethal-aid-for-ukraine-stays-secret

Ukraine was the second-largest recipient of German arms exports, receiving (EURO)500 million worth of deliveries in the first quarter of 2023 amid promises of further support from Berlin. https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/ukraine-second-largest-destination-for-german-arms-deliveries/

Dutch transparency on licenses for military products to Ukraine in 2022 (December not included) https://rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-uitvoer-militaire-goederen

Addition April 14: Policy changed Dutch MoD published info on shipments since 24/02/23 vallued 24/02/22 € 1.2 billion. https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/04/13/defensie-maakt-meer-informatie-over-leveringen-aan-oekraine-openbaar.
Letter to Parliament, ‘Leveringen militaire goederen aan Oekraïne’ https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/brieven_regering/detail?id=2023Z06693&did=2023D15753
and MoD https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/oostflank-navo-gebied/militaire-steun-aan-oekraine

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Units of Moroccan naval SOF received French assault riffles, the Verney-Carron VCD-15. The naval special forces can operate at sea, on land and have arial capacity. Two of its four bases are in the illegally occupied Western Sahara (Dakhla and Laâyoune). https://nieuws.marokko.nl/82050/marokkaanse-marine-krijgt-nieuwe-franse-aanvalsgeweren/

April 4

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The new face of war.
Watch Australian soldiers control combat drone with their minds

Pushing battle tech forward into the realm of sci-fi, Australian troops tested out a method of controlling a combat drone with simple instructions just by think.
https://www.militarytimes.com/video/2023/04/03/watch-australian-soldiers-control-combat-drone-with-their-minds/

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US DoD sued to find out what #sickened troops at #Uzbek air base. Pentagon did environmental tests to look for toxins like jet fuel, asbestos, uranium, and residue from chemical weapons. But those reports have not been publicly released. https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2023/04/03/advocates-sue-dod-to-find-out-what-sickened-troops-at-uzbek-air-base/

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#Drones for supply to hotspots. Army Special Forces #SOF soldiers have tested a brand new unmanned aerial delivery system to enable the quick resupply of friendly forces in the most contested environments (#Taiwan?), the service announced on Thursday.
https://taskandpurpose.com/tech-tactics/army-green-berets-test-silent-arrow-gd-2000-cargo-delivery-drone/

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Militair zaken doen met #Apartheidsregime? De landmacht koopt het #Israëlische Puls-systeem. Dat kan op grotere afstand doelen raken dan de #PzH2000 (weet je wel die van #Chora) die nu gebruikt worden en die de 50 kilometer halen.
https://nos.nl/artikel/2470027-defensie-koopt-voor-miljarden-aan-nieuwe-schepen-en-raketsystemen

Ministerie Defensie kiest ervoor om #fregatten & #onderzeeboten te bewapenen met Amerikaanse #Tomahawk-#kruisvluchtwapens (die wapens waar de VS hun interventies in de Golf mee startten of afvuren als strafmaatregel) met een bereik van duizend kilometer.
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/04/03/defensie-bestelt-voor-miljarden-euros-aan-nieuwe-wapens-en-materieel-a4161160

The #Netherlands & #Belgium have announced the acquisition of 2 ASW Frigates each, at a joint estimated cost of nearly €4 billion. Separately, the Dutch MoD expects to conduct testing of #Tomahawk cruise missiles from an LCF-frigate in 2024 or early 2025. https://breakingdefense.com/2023/04/netherlands-and-belgium-agree-4-4-billion-deal-for-4-asw-frigates/

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France races for small suicide drones after seeing effectiveness in Ukraine

The French military recently narrowed a field of 19 competitors to two (MBDA/Novadem’s and Nexter) in a race for hundreds of small, deadly UAVs.

https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/france-races-for-small-suicide-drones-after-seeing-effectiveness-in-ukraine/

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And the winner is? #Germany’s military procurement arm has signed an estimated €184 million framework agreement for the acquisition of 10 Krauss-Maffei Wegmann #KMW Panzerhaubitzen 2000 #PzH2000 self-propelled howitzers to replace those gifted to Ukraine. https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/germany-signs-201m-contract-for-10-pzh2000-howitzers-to-replenish-stocks-sent-to-ukraine


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Retweet @lodevanoost: 56% van alle Belgen wil onderhandelde vrede. Dit resultaat is zéér merkwaardig, vooral als je weet dat de bevolking in de grote media alleen de andere boodschap te horen krijgt. Hoe groot zouden de percentages voor vrede zijn als de media aan alle stemmen een forum zouden bieden?

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Doubling of the French military budget in a decade, but there is no money for health care or pensions

Retweet
@letysedou: Doublement du budget militaire en un décennie, mais il n'y a pas d'argent pour la santé ou les retraites https://rfi.my/9KOU

April 3

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Human rights loving (-; #Bahrain has been approved by the State Department for a possible #FMS of equipment and services to refurbish 24 AH-1W multi-role #helicopters. The estimated total cost is $350 million.
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/bahrain-ah-1w-helicopter-refurbishment

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As Egypt and Turkey mend ties, could defense deals follow?

After an upgrade in diplomatic relations, some experts told Breaking Defense that defense cooperation may be in the interest of both countries, but there’s a long way to go. https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/as-egypt-and-turkey-mend-ties-could-defense-deals-follow/

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Eindfase #F16 ingegaan
https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2023/12/01_afscheid_f-16_12 Nu is het de vraag naar wie de F-16's zullen worden geëxporteerd als ze worden afgetoten.

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Pilar II of the #Aukus pact is about: #AI-enabled & autonomous capabilities (in particular, #robotic and uuv's), quantum computing projects on precision, navigation, and timing, cyber, #hypersonic and counter-hypersonic technology, ET warfare etc.
https://www.cfr.org/blog/aukus-alliance-has-lot-more-offer-submarines

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European Defence Fund: €1.2 billion to boost EU defence capabilities and innovation. #EDF https://ec.e
http://uropa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_23_2021

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European Commission = investigating the takeover of #Estonia’s #Milrem, a company deeply rooted in the #EU’s military #robotics efforts by a #UAE state-owned conglomerate because of concerns that security interests could be tapped by actors outside the EU.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/03/31/eu-scrutinizes-emirati-takeover-of-estonian-robotics-firm/

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On the different perspectives for #German #Leopard and South #Korean #K2 tanks entering European inventories. In 2023 Oslo decided to order 54 Leopard 2 A7Vs for $1.9bn. Germany still has the upper hand, according to the writer.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/can-germanys-big-cats-resist-south-koreas-black-panther-invasion/

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Which are the wrong choices. Independent sources – in Poland and South Africa – have confirmed that export permits for artillery ammunition sales to Poland have not been granted while applications to supply munitions to Turkey and the UAE have been accepted.
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-04-02-in-apparent-effort-not-to-upset-putins-russia-anc-government-bans-arms-sales-to-poland/

maandag 3 april 2023

My tweets for march 2023

Latest on top (updated regularly):
(
https://twitter.com/martinbroek)

April 3

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Human rights loving (-; #Bahrain has been approved by the State Department for a possible #FMS of equipment and services to refurbish 24 AH-1W multi-role #helicopters. The estimated total cost is $350 million. https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/bahrain-ah-1w-helicopter-refurbishment

***
As Egypt and Turkey mend ties, could defense deals follow?

After an upgrade in diplomatic relations, some experts told Breaking Defense that defense cooperation may be in the interest of both countries, but there’s a long way to go. https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/as-egypt-and-turkey-mend-ties-could-defense-deals-follow/

***
Eindfase #F16 ingegaan https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2023/12/01_afscheid_f-16_12
Nu is het de vraag naar wie de F-16's zullen worden geëxporteerd als ze worden afgetoten.

***
Pilar II of the #Aukus pact is about: #AI-enabled & autonomous capabilities (in particular, #robotic and uuv's), quantum computing projects on precision, navigation, and timing, cyber, #hypersonic and counter-hypersonic technology, ET warfare etc. https://www.cfr.org/blog/aukus-alliance-has-lot-more-offer-submarines

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European Defence Fund: €1.2 billion to boost EU defence capabilities and innovation. #EDF https://ec.e http://uropa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_23_2021

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European Commission = investigating the takeover of #Estonia’s #Milrem, a company deeply rooted in the #EU’s military #robotics efforts by a #UAE state-owned conglomerate because of concerns that security interests could be tapped by actors outside the EU. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/03/31/eu-scrutinizes-emirati-takeover-of-estonian-robotics-firm/

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On the different perspectives for #German #Leopard and South #Korean #K2 tanks entering European inventories. In 2023 Oslo decided to order 54 Leopard 2 A7Vs for $1.9bn. Germany still has the upper hand, according to the writer. https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/can-germanys-big-cats-resist-south-koreas-black-panther-invasion/

***
Which are the wrong choices. Independent sources – in Poland and South Africa – have confirmed that export permits for artillery ammunition sales to Poland have not been granted while applications to supply munitions to Turkey and the UAE have been accepted. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-04-02-in-apparent-effort-not-to-upset-putins-russia-anc-government-bans-arms-sales-to-poland/

March 30

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Dutch #investors invest less ? in #arms and #weapons ? despite high returns in 2022. Read more in Dutch by Dutch National Bank.
https://esb.nu/nederlandse-beleggers-desinvesteren-uit-wapens-ondanks-hoge-rendementen/

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Dutch government published ops of RNLAF F-16's as part of Operation Inherent Resolve date/time, coordinates, weather, terrain, mission type Close Air Support or Air Interdiction in Iraq and Syria (2014-16, 2018).
http://defensie.nl/downloads/applicaties/2023/03/28/database-nederlandse-luchtaanvallen-tijdens-operation-inherent-resolve Almost no comments. Just military facts.

Precies: Waarom zet het ministerie anderen aan het werk, vraagt militair historicus Klep zich af, en openbaart het niet zelf alle beschikbare informatie over aanvallen waar iets misging? https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/03/31/hoe-transparant-is-de-maximale-transparantie-bij-defensie-a4161038

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Transit reported by Dutch Ministry of FA, for Oct-Dec 2022 period. No remarkable transit. Although Brazil and Czech republic are major providers of small arms ammunition in this period for European destinations.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-doorvoer-militaire-goederen

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After a long time of silence the Dutch Ministry of FA re-started reporting military licenses by providing August-November 2022 period.
https://rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-uitvoer-militaire-goederen

Most remarkable export licenses:
- AI technology, value € 650,000 to EU/NATO, 24/10/22
- Submarine tech to India, value € 150,000, 02/10/22
- Unmanned surface vessels to India, value €7,784,565, 25/08/22
- Naval vessels Pakistan, value € 110,740,000 (largest license outside NATO), 26/08/22
- 57 unspecified licenses for Ukraine.
- Aircraft parts to Turkey, value € 0 (internal company shipment, e.g. Fokker Elmo?) 21/11/22

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#Pentagon ends off budget #wishlist. Those lists 've been used by hawks in Congress as a major tool for adding tens of bn's of $$ to the military budget.

However decreasing the power of the arms industry will be an ongoing challenge @WilliamHartung wrote: https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhartung/2023/03/29/an-end-to-pentagon-wish-lists/

Hartung again: The ultimate driver of the US$ 950bn spending spree is a seldom-commented-upon strategy of global military #overreach, including 750 US military bases, 170,000 troops stationed overseas, and counterterror operations in at least 85 countries. https://tomdispatch.com/congress-has-been-captured-by-the-arms-industry/

March 30

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Governments least trusted (ranking 8th) and Defence forces (under control of government, MoD) ranking 3rd. Peculiar outcome. The distrust isn't. Can Tech Companies Be Trusted With AI Governance? https://www.statista.com/chart/29602/trust-in-ai-systems-around-the-world/

March 29

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Amnesty International, 28 maart 2023, ‘De grootschalige invasie van Oekraïne door Rusland op 24 februari 2022, leidde tot oorlogsmisdrijven en zorgde voor een wereldwijde energie- en voedselcrisis en verzwakte het internationale systeem nog verder. Het legde ook de hypocrisie bloot van westerse staten die krachtig reageerden op de agressie van het Kremlin, maar die ernstige schendingen die elders werden gepleegd vergoelijkten of er zelfs medeplichtig aan waren, zegt Amnesty International bij de publicatie van haar jaarlijkse beoordeling van de mensenrechtensituatie wereldwijd.’ Zie verder of
https://www.amnesty.nl/actueel/jaarboek-2023

***
Trillion dollar arms project fails again. An #F35 engine failed during a pre-delivery test due to a vibration problem in March 2020, nearly three years before a similar issue caused an alarming fighter mishap in Fort Worth, Texas, Defense News has learned.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/03/28/vibrations-caused-another-f-35-engine-to-fail-before-texas-mishap/

***
Trillion dollar arms project fails again. An #F35 engine failed during a pre-delivery test due to a vibration problem in March 2020, nearly three years before a similar issue caused an alarming fighter mishap in Fort Worth, Texas, Defense News has learned. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/03/28/vibrations-caused-another-f-35-engine-to-fail-before-texas-mishap/

***
#Turkish firm #Robit_Technology unveiled the Azab #kamikaze_drone, a long-range loitering munition. “We have done all the flight tests. We move on to ammunition tests. We will carry out ammunition tests in the coming months,” director Selcuk Firat said.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/turkiye-develops-new-azab-kamikaze-drone/2851311

Killer drones and multi-billion dollar deals: Turkey’s rapidly-growing defense industry is boosting its global clout.
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/28/killer-drones-turkeys-growing-defense-industry-is-boosting-its-global-clout.html

***
NewSpace is changing the nature of the #Space industry, exacerbating missile proliferation risks and posing challenges for the effective implementation of export controls. One of the measures states can take is to step up targeted outreach to NewSpace ...
https://www.sipri.org/publications/2023/sipri-insights-peace-and-security/developing-good-practices-export-control-outreach-newspace-industry

March 28

***

Antwoorden van de minister voor Buitenlandse Handel en OS, mede namens de staatssecretaris van Defensie, op vragen van het lid Van Dijk #SP over wapens uit #Estland die via een Nederlands bedrijf aan #Oekraïne zijn geleverd. #ARLE Niks aan het handje volgens Min. Schreinemacher

***
Macron asks arms producers to "be even more aggressive in winning new" foreign customers, within the EU but also outside

Retweet
@_ENAAT: Macron demande aux producteurs d'armes d"être'"encore plus agressifs sur la conquête de nouveaux clients" étrangers, au sein de l'EU mais aussi en dehors" https://bfmtv.com/economie/entreprises/defense/economie-de-guerre-macron-va-demander-aux-industriels-une-prise-de-risque-accrue_AD-202303270706.html via @bfmbusiness

***
#Germany wants #EU nations to introduce end-user controls on #technological and electronic goods that #Russia could be using for military purposes in Ukraine, the country’s economy minister said. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-25/germany-wants-eu-to-place-end-user-controls-on-sanctioned-tech

***
A former member of the #US military pleaded guilty today to conspiring to #unlawfully export to #Russia military articles – including thermal imaging #riflescopes and night vision #goggles – without a license in violation of the Arms Export Control Act. https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/former-us-serviceman-pleads-guilty-exporting-defense-items-such-night-vision-goggles

March 27

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Petro dirhams to grease military production? #Milrem Robotics, EU’s poster child for military robot development, tests the bloc’s rules for keeping defense-tech coop strictly a European affair. UAE’s state-owned #EDGE Group acquired a majority stake in it.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/03/25/estonian-firms-takeover-by-emirati-group-tests-joint-eu-defense-rules/

***
According to a video published by #Egyptian MoD on March 18, 2023, #MBDA delivered MMP anti-tank guided missiles, which are now being used by the Navy Special Forces #SOF. The MMP, now named Akeron MP, is a French-made anti-tank guided missile.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_march_2023_global_security_army_industry/france_has_supplied_mbda_akeron_mp_anti-tank_missiles_to_egyptian_special_forces.html

The Egyptian Navy (Special Forces Brigade) is the first confirmed foreign customer of the French-made Akeron MP anti-tank guided missiles, according to a report by Janes. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/land-forces/latest/egyptian-naval-special-forces-show-akeron-mp-missile

***
US #nukes for the UK. #Lockheed Martin Space won a $474.2 million modification for #Trident II #D5 missile production and deployed systems support. This contract award also benefits a foreign military sale to the #UK.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3340868/

***
Het opschroeven van de Europese militaire productie tot oorlogsniveau kent een groot gevaar: als de oorlog voorbij is en de vraag inzakt, zullen investeerders toch hun geld willen terugverdienen.

“Ernstig bijverschijnsel van de oorlog in Oekraïne is de militarisering van onze eigen samenleving. Alles wordt bekeken met een militaire blik, en niet verrassend komen daar militaire oplossingen uit voort.”
https://nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/03/27/munitieproductie-alles-met-militaire-blik-a4160498

***
In January 23 #Swiftships received notification for an additional seven 28m Coastal Patrol Craft for the #Egyptian Navy (award to the existing 6 #FMS contract that was awarded in 22. The order is 23 boats, including those currently under construction.
https://swiftships.com/news/7-more-cpcs-added-to-co-production-contract-with-egyptian-navy/

***
War for profits

European private equity funds scout for defence deals.

Buyout groups and venture funds seek to capitalise on rise in military spending following Ukraine invasion. https://www.ft.com/content/d70982dc-ffec-4055-847b-49ab0b2dd843

***
De commando die door het Openbaar Ministerie wordt gelinkt aan het netwerk van Ridouan Taghi en terechtstaat voor wapen- en drugshandel, vervulde jarenlang een voortrekkersrol bij de oprichting van de nieuwe verkenningseenheid 102 compagnie. #KCT
https://www.parool.nl/nederland/aan-taghi-gelinkte-commando-was-nauw-betrokken-bij-oprichting-nieuwe-legereenheid~b965b0445/

De Commando werd in 2019 juist zelf benaderd door collega's van het Special Operations Command over een plan hoe Ridouan T. in het geheim vanuit Dubai naar Nederland te halen of ter plekke te laten 'neutraliseren.' Dat stelt zijn advocaat Ruperti. https://panorama.nl/artikel/494053/verdachte-supercommando-vertelt-over-plan-om-ridouan-t-uit-te-schakelen

March 25

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The chip war. Economic historian Chris Miller, in his book Chip War predicts that, due to US export controls, it has become difficult for #China to catch up in 5-10 years. US action is causing great damage to Beijing’s dream of becoming a superpower. #ASML
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2023/03/23/commentary/world-commentary/china-chip-industry/

***
Almost 500 Russians have been charged under wartime censorship laws.

12 portrets by Al Jazeera of thos repressed by the Russian state for questioning the war. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/24/activists-everyday-russians-and-a-soldier-punished-for-war-talk

***
Fighters: in current numbers they "will likely neither make a decisive battlefield impact nor fundamentally alter the strategic calculus or the imbalance between the sizes of the Russian and Ukrainian air forces..the biggest immediate impact..is political."
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2023/03/23/what-difference-will-polish-slovakian-fighter-jets-make-to-ukraine/

***
Again & again articles tumble down which take note that a peace economy isn't a war economy (implictly assuming we need the 2nd for a temprorarily war without pointing at the dangers).

From rockets to ball bearings, Pentagon struggles to Ffeed war machine. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/24/us/politics/military-weapons-ukraine-war.html

***
1/2 Congress on Wednesday took the 1st step in what is expected to be a lengthy effort to overhaul US export control laws in order to expedite tech cooperation needed to implement a central pillar of the AUKUS trilateral agreement with Australia and the UK https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2023/03/22/congress-lays-groundwork-for-aukus-export-control-reform/

2/2 The House passed a bill 393-4 directing the State Department and Pentagon to submit information on defense export licenses necessary to collaborate with the U.S. allies on hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.

***
The US your partner for a secure world?

An appeal filed by #Mexico’s Foreign Ministry (SRE) challenging the dismissal of its #lawsuit against US #gun manufacturers has received numerous declarations of support. https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/mexico-support-lawsuit-against-us-gun-manufacturers/

***
Russia can’t meet India arms deliveries due to Ukraine war, Indian Air Force says.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/24/india/india-russia-arms-delivery-ukraine-war-intl-hnk/index.html

***
Bij Stop Wapenhandel
@CTWnl, een groep activistische onderzoekers die kritisch kijkt naar het militair-industriële complex, zien ze dit als bewijs dat er veel gelegenheidsargumenten worden gebruikt om de defensiebegroting op te krikken. https://www.volkskrant.nl/kijkverder/v/2023/nederlandse-wapens-zijn-slim-licht-en-lastig-te-verkopen-in-eigen-land~v675628/


March 23

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@Ctwnl is one of the many groups which undersigned the @ECCHRBerlin call to end arms sales to Saudi's & UAE, investigate the role of EU firms/govs & let arms licenses of the past not be used to defend sales in the present to fuel the conflict in #Yemen.
https://www.ecchr.eu/en/press-release/europas-beteiligung-an-kriegsverbrechen-im-jemen/

***
The transparency register of Baden-Württemberg reports on amounts spend on #lobby work. #Airbus Defense and Space GmbH spend € 235,000 to influence the state parliament, its committees, parliamentary groups, or members of the state government.
https://www.schwarzwaelder-bote.de/inhalt.585-000-euro-betreibt-bad-wildbad-lobbyarbeit-im-landtag.66094af8-6250-48ca-bf3e-fbfce0e4dc30.html

***
The #Damen patrol ships were sold to #Trininad and Tobago. Now Four of the six lay iddle because of lack of maintenance in the island state with a GDP of €22.5 bn.
https://newsday.co.tt/2023/03/21/joint-patrols-with-ttps-biggest-challenge-for-ttdf/

So far for your € 210 m expensive ships irregulary sold. https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2019/11/07/de-warme-caribische-connecties-van-damen-zijn-ineens-verdacht-a3979585

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Netherlands Maritime Technology #NMT-voorman De Graaf: 'Elke band met China is een potentieel lek van kennis' https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2023/03/20/nmt-voorman-de-graaf-kansen-nederlandse-scheepsbouw-in-slag-met-china/

Hieronder de vestigingen van Damen wereldwijd. Of zie hier: https://www.damen.com/companies


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Ammo plant in the #Slovak city of Dubnica nad Váhom is 'very impressive' & has 'ironclad' plan to increase ammunition production 2 or 3x, EC Commissioner @ThierryBreton said as part of his 11-EU country Militarisation Tour to boost #ammunition production. https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/breton-very-impressed-after-visiting-an-ammunition-plant-in-slovakia/

***
“The epochal shift and the war in Europe has also ushered in a new era for Rheinmetall,” Chief Executive Armin Papperger said Thursday as the company reported upbeat annual earnings. https://www.wsj.com/articles/war-in-ukraine-has-supercharged-this-german-weapons-maker-d703ce48

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Not often a major arms sale doesn't go directly to a State. Here it is the Taipei Economic and Cultural
Representative Office in the United States #TECRO (in fact #Taiwan without naming it) is the destination of #howitzers and ammunition valued $750m. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-03-22/html/2023-05825.htm

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With its huge #ammo factories & endless rose fields central #Bulgaria has been really living up to its "Guns & Roses" nickname since Moscow invaded Ukraine. Bulgaria's arms industry booms, with #exports at +/- €4bn last year -- 3x its previous record. https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2533755/guns-and-roses-bulgaria-arms-trade-booms-on-ukraine-war

***
Dit schip is wordt uitgerust met een zwaar 127mm kanon, torpedo's en raketten. Het zit bovendien vol met Nederlandse Thales wapentechnologie.

@CTWnl, @PILPNJCM en @pax spanden een verloren rechtszaak aan tegen de levering (https://uitspraken.rechtspraak.nl/#!/details?id=ECLI:NL:GHDHA:2022:834). https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2023/march/12943-new-photos-of-fourth-egypt-navy-s-meko-a200-en-frigate-have-been-published.html

***
#India to Manufacture #carbine for Its Forces. The main companies in contention will be SSS Defence, PLR of the Adani Group, the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Kalyani Group - which has a tie-up with French firm Thales but is also in talks with the Defen... https://imrmedia.in/india-to-manufacture-carbine-for-its-forces/

***
#DSEI #Japan 2023, the only large-scale, fully integrated arms fair in Japan, from March 14-17 brought together 292 companies from 24 countries, like BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Thales and Rolls Royce. https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietnam-joins-in-defence-exhibition-in-japan/

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The US has offered #Slovakia 12 new military #helicopters as compensation for the #MiG-29 fighter jets the European country is giving to #Ukraine, Slovakia’s defense minister said Wednesday. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/03/22/us-offers-helicopters-to-slovakia-for-giving-jets-to-ukraine/

***
German arms maker Rheinmetall wants to build a factory in Ukraine that could produce up to 400 Panther KF51 main battle tanks annually. Some experts argue those plans are iffy, at best, pointing to pitfalls ranging from site security to supply-chain risks. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/03/21/how-realistic-is-it-for-rheinmetall-to-build-a-tank-plant-in-ukraine/

March 21

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9 Chinese Caihong 4 #CH4 attack drones to help Kinshasa fight Rwanda-backed rebels on the territory of DRCongo.

Experts have concerns about the arms transaction with the DRC, fearing that weapons could end up in the wrong hands & exacerbate the conflict. https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/china-sends-military-drones-to-drc-amid-fears-of-regional-war/

Addition: The #DRC could buy military equipment, but had to strictly report these purchases to the UN. A significant part of Congolese public opinion interpreted this measure very differently. They saw the #embargo as an obstacle to providing weapons to their army. https://www.mo.be/en/analysis/fake-news-throws-heavy-smokescreens-over-eastern-congo

***
Malian Air Force commissions Turkish #Bayraktar TB2 UAVs and other aircraft. The latest aircraft handovers come months after Mali commissioned aircraft acquired from #Russia (Su-25, 4 L-39's, Mi-24P, Mi-8) & a #Airbus #C295 tactical transport aircraft. https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/malian-air-force-commissions-bayraktar-tb2-uavs-and-other-aircraft/

***
Het hoofdkantoor van het NATO Innovation Fund #NIF wordt gevestigd in Nederland. Het NIF is een initiatief van de NAVO om innovaties binnen het bondgenootschap aan te jagen. Nederland heeft zich binnen de NAVO hardgemaakt voor vestiging in Nederland. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/03/20/hoofdkantoor-navo-innovatiefonds-komt-in-nederland

The headquarters of the NATO Innovation Fund #NIF will be located in the Netherlands. The NIF is a NATO initiative to drive innovation within the alliance. The Netherlands has campaigned within NATO for settlement in the Netherlands. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/03/20/hoofdkantoor-navo-innovatiefonds-komen-in-nederland

***
Munitie-inkoop EU voor Oekraïne rond: ook Nederland akkoord. EU-landen leveren Oekraïne dit jaar een miljoen granaten.https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/1664683355/munitie-inkoop-eu-voor-oekraine-rond-ook-nederland-akkoord

EDA brings together 18 countries for Common Procurement of Ammunition. The ‘Collaborative Procurement of Ammunition’ project provides a seven-year framework to commonly procure ammunition (5.56 mm to 155 mm) to replenish national stocks.

https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2023/03/20/eda-brings-together-18-countries-for-common-procurement-of-ammunition

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Pakistan has been supplying weapons, ammunition and artillery shells to Ukraine since the early days of the invasion by Russia. However, this will be the first time tanks will be supplied to Ukraine by a country other than its western allies. https://www.firstpost.com/world/desperate-for-western-aid-crisis-hit-pakistan-to-supply-tanks-to-ukraine-12323092.html

March 20

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The difference with the past. Now European buy arms openly in an #Apartheid state.
#Elbit Systems has signed four contracts with the #Romanian military.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2023/03/17/israels-elbit-inks-four-aircraft-technology-contracts-with-romania/

***
20 jaar gelden startte de #Irak oorlog i.v.m. de toen al opgeruimde en opgebruikte wapens voor massavernietiging #WMD. Wie leverden ze eigenlijk? Welke rol speelde Nederlandse ondernemers?

Zie hierover @CTWnl publicatie. https://stopwapenhandel.org/iraksamenvatting-html/

***
Die Bundesregierung hat im vergangenen Jahr trotz weitgehender Exportbeschränkungen die Lieferung von Rüstungsgütern für 44,2 Millionen Euro nach Saudi-Arabien genehmigt - so viel wie seit 2018 nicht mehr.
https://www.rnd.de/politik/saudi-arabien-ruestungsexporte-aus-deutschland-2022-gesteigert-IZIPECU74WM3UOWI67AMZYLZSY.html

The #German government approved the delivery of armaments to #Saudi Arabia vallued €44.2m last year – more than at any time since 2018. This emerges from questions by Die Linke MP Sevim Dagdelen. All are for #joint projects with other EU/NATO countries.
https://then24.com/2023/03/19/arms-exports-to-saudi-arabia-increased-significantly-in-2022/

***
Newsweek: "The White House has expressed opposition to any effort by Beijing to broker a ceasefire in the conflict."
https://www.newsweek.com/xi-heads-china-us-no-china-led-ceasefire-ukraine-1788565
It is in the interest of the populaton of the Ukraine and Russian minorities to let the fighting continue?

Will Xi-Putin summit deliver a breakthrough on Ukraine war?

Xi’s trip to Russia comes after China called for a truce, dialogue in Ukraine and brokered a rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/20/will-xi-putin-summit-deliver-a-breakthrough-on-ukraine-war

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FA minister #Baerbock has called for a renewed rules for #arms exports within the EU framework. "We are now working out a strategy with our partners on how we can cooperate more closely in terms of industrial policy in the arms sector as well," she said.
https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/plus244372617/Annalena-Baerbock-Haben-uns-nicht-genug-damit-auseinandergesetzt-was-Wehrhaftigkeit-bedeutet.html

***
Germany's Defence Ministry wants to buy 82 Airbus H-145M civilian helicopters and convert some of them into combat helicopters and arm 24 of them with anti-tank missiles, Business Insider reported, citing military internal documents.
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/germany-to-buy-airbus-civil-helicopter-and-convert-for-combat---business-insider/48371796

***
Norway said it was buying 6 US-made Seahawk helicopters for over $1bn to replace the European #NH90s it gave up on after a series of delays and setbacks. Fed up by delivery delays & performance issues, the Norwegian government decided to cancel a contract.
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/03/14/norway-us-military-helicopters/

More news on #NH90 (a #Fokker #Airbus_Heli's & #Leonardo product). An #Ausstralian Defence Force helicopter crew has narrowly avoided disaster after ditching into water on the south coast, raising more questions about the Army's multi-role #Taipan craft. https://au.news.yahoo.com/army-helicopter-crashes-water-off-193415346.html

***
“The US and its allies … are faced with a choice,” wrote Lt Col Brent Stricker in a bleak assessment of the changing nuclear world order. They could either “restart arms limitation discussions to include both Russia and China, or restart the arms race”.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/mar/19/nuclear-nightmare-reckless-leaders-push-the-world-back-to-the-brink-putin-israel-north-korea

***
Nieuwe exportbeperking van chipmachines naar China schaadt betrekkingen met Peking, stelt Chinese ambassadeur.
Ook zet Nederland zijn eigen technologische voorsprong op het spel, aldus de diplomaat. #ASML
https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1470827/china-waarschuwt-nederlands-kabinet-na-asml-boycot

Dutch part of new Cold War.
Beijing envoy warns Dutch of retaliation for chip curbs: ‘China won’t just swallow this’
Tan Jian, Chinese ambassador to the Netherlands, says export restrictions on chip technology ‘will not be without consequences’ https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3214361/china-wont-just-swallow-beijing-envoy-warns-dutch-retaliation-chip-curb

***
#SIPRI director Military Expenditure & Arms Prod. Programme: "European armed forces should not hold onto their arsenals for future potential conflicts. Rather, they should deliver systems at scale to help Ukraine fight the war now" (incl fighter aircraft).
https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-war-russia-europe-defense-industry-future/

March 18

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De EU-landen willen Oekraïne zo snel mogelijk meer munitie sturen.
Ze halen daarvoor - met geld uit een EU-fonds - hun eigen wapenvoorraden leeg.
Daarom gaan ze gezamenlijk mega-orders bij de defensie-industrie plaatsen.
https://fd.nl/politiek/1470727/eu-landen-werken-aan-gezamenlijke-mega-inkoop-van-munitie-voor-oekraine

***
De Navo-lidstaten investeren €1 mrd in Europese techbedrijven via een eigen investeringsfonds.

Amsterdam is kandidaat als locatie voor dit Nato Investment Fund. https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1470678/nederland-aast-op-miljardenfonds-van-navo-voor-jonge-techbedrijven

March 16

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Statista on #tank deliverances to #Ukraine. https://www.statista.com/chart/29205/ukraine-tank-deliveries/

***
Better have a gross human rights violator, which illegally invaded a neighbouring state, and fights a internal war as ally than stay with a Scandinavian neighbour.

Yes friendly #Finland gears up for #Turkey’s #NATO blessing, as #Sweden gets left behind. https://www.politico.eu/article/finland-turkey-nato-blessing-sweden-sauli-niinisto-recep-erdogan/

***
A bipartisan pair of US senators tabled a resolution on Wednesday that would require Pres. #Biden's administration to report on #Saudi Arabia's human rights record & possibly cut off all US security assistance to the KSA. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-saudi-arms-sales-senators-propose-resolution-derail-exports

***
Hundreds of Japanese gathered outside a military fair near Tokyo on Wednesday to protest the government's move to increase arms trade.

They shouted "No war," "No war preparation" & "Say no to traders of death!" outside the 3-day #DSEI #Japan 2023 event. https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/03/16/news/world/hundreds-protest-japans-expanding-arms-trade-outside-fair/1883003

March 15

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Among the casualties of Russia’s war in Ukraine: its own lucrative #arms_export industry.

Russia has long been the world’s 2nd-largest arms exporter, after the US, but its sales have declined ever since Moscow-backed forces seized parts of Ukraine in 2014.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/russias-war-in-ukraine-hurts-its-arms-industry-creates-openings-for-rivals-c25321c6

***
Two Dutch mine hunters #MCM Alkmaar-class for Ukraine.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/03/14/ollongren-zegt-oekraine-mijnenjagers-toe-bij-bezoek-aan-gebombardeerde-havensteden

March 14

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Het wekelijkse Van Leemput praatje begint met een (herhaalde) oproep tot #onderhandelen. Hij constateert dat "dat het inzicht groeit dat deze oorlog niet eindeloos kan doorgaan en dat de kans vermindert dat hij met militaire middelen gewonnen kan worden."
https://stopdeoorlogamsterdam.nl/oproep-tot-onderhandelen-herhaling.html

***
#Qatar The #UK Royal Air Force (RAF) and Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF)have signed an agreement to extend their bilateral #Typhoon cooperation for two more years. https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/uk-and-qatar-agree-to-extend-joint-typhoon-operations/

The nice, safe for all, rights respecting friends of the West. https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/middle-east-and-north-africa/qatar/

***
Arming repressive autocracy. #Lockheed Martin announced Friday that it has completed developing the first export version of its F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft for the Royal #Bahraini Air Force.
https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2023-03-10-Lockheed-Martin-and-Royal-Bahraini-Air-Force-Celebrate-Bahrains-First-F-16-Block-70-Aircraft-in-Greenville,-South-Carolina

Bahrain’s Abuses https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/03/06/use-global-meeting-highlight-bahrains-abuses

***
The 2024 budget called on Congress to provide US$842 billion in defence spending, marking a 13.4% increase over 2022. The announcement came a week after China presented a military budget of $230 billion, a 7.6% jump from last year.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3213416/us-bid-outcompete-china-yields-pentagons-largest-ever-defence-budget

***
Chinese arms sales fell by nearly a quarter in 2018-2022, according to new report
Geopolitical tensions, Covid-19 disruptions were main factors in the decline, analysts say.

The decline in arms exports from China could be a sign that Beijing was focusing more on domestic needs as geopolitical tensions rose, said Ni Lexiong, a professor at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law.

Meanwhile, China’s military imports increased by 4.1% in the 2018 to 2022 period compared with the previous five years.

China bought nearly half of Ukraine’s military exports – 48 per cent – from 2018 to 2022, despite a 70 per cent decrease in Ukraine’s arms exports compared with the previous period. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3213383/fall-chinas-military-exports-sign-stockpiling-home

***
UK based #Van_Halteren Metaal BV has secured contract from MoD for AS90 Turret Trainer (AS90TT) Provision of Contractor Logistic Support (CLS) and Post Design Services (PDS). The value of the contract is worth £ 5415317.25.
https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2023/W06/792461472

***
Potential Chinese agression answered by: #Nuclear reactors powering the next-generation Australian #submarines being built under the #Aukus defence pact will be made by #Rolls-Royce to a British design, officials have said. #Arms_control? https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/03/13/rolls-royce-make-nuclear-reactors-aukus-attack-submarines/

***
There's growing interest in High Altitude Platform Systems which can take the form of very high-flying aircraft or balloons & airships. #Thales_Alenia Space has won a contract from the #European Commission to develop the #EuroHAPS project valued at €43m.
https://advanced-television.com/2023/03/14/thales-wins-haps-contract-from-ec/

***
On the complicated relations between the Korean military and Lockheed Martin (issues SM-2, F-35, payment for military satellites).
https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/politics-all/2023031409561245703

***
Damen frigate parthers in Colombia:
Industrias Montes
Fama
Formas Modulares
Mecanicad
Pintunal
Venti
Solocauchos
Tecnología y reconversión
Ingeniería Geproy
Automatizar
Dinox
Indupro
Puerto Madero
Inalpa
Levam
Jm Redes
Creativa Ingeniería
La Enrolladora
Fymaq
Teccoi
https://www.lapatria.com/economia/cluster-metalmecanico-de-caldas-sera-proveedor-de-fragatas-con-holanda

***
The cost of neutrality: #Swiss defense industry ‘just losing our market’ amid Ukraine conflict

Under pressure from local industry and international allies, the Swiss government is considering measures to #relax its rules on the re-export of arms.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/the-cost-of-neutrality-swiss-defense-industry-just-losing-our-market-amid-ukraine-conflict

March 13

***
Fuelled by Ukraine, European arms imports doubled in 2022 Unlike Europe, all other continents have seen a decline in imports over the last 5 years. Africa (-40%) North and South America (-20%), Asia (-7%) and even the Middle East (-9%).
https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20230312-fuelled-by-ukraine-european-arms-imports-double-in-2022

US arms exports skyrocket, while China's nosedive.
https://www.dw.com/en/sipri-us-arms-exports-skyrocket-while-chinas-nosedive/a-64948062

While the rest of the world is slowly disarming, Europe is quickly doing the opposite.
Surge in arms imports to Europe, while US dominance of the global arms trade increases.

Press release: https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2023/surge-arms-imports-europe-while-us-dominance-global-arms-trade-increases (also in Catalan, French, Spanish, and Swedish).
Report: https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2023-03/2303_at_fact_sheet_2022_v2.pdf

***
France challenging Russia as second biggest arms exporter behind US
Study shows French suppliers have more major export orders than Russia, while UK’s share has dwindled.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/13/france-challenging-russia-as-second-biggest-arms-exporter-behind-us

March 10

***
A strategy driven view on the problems a high end costly military will cause: If the US hopes to persevere against Russia in the short term and China in the long term, it must consider the economic impact of tech even as it pursues a tech advantage.
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/does-technology-win-wars

March 9

***
#ASML Ondanks het int. karakter van de kwestie, is dit exportverbod 'n nationale maatregel. Voor een int. verbod binnen het zogeheten #Wassenaar Arrangement is ook instemming van Rusland nodig. Die komt er vrijwel zeker niet. https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1469861/asml-mag-ook-nieuwste-duv-machines-niet-meer-verkopen-aan-china

En #EU #dual_use items lijst?

As expected the The Haque has fallen in line with the US by adding deep ultra violet lithography equipment to export controls in a move designed to hobble China’s ability to make advanced integrated circuits. China calls it abuse of export control measures https://www.eenewseurope.com/en/netherlands-adds-duv-lithography-equipment-to-export-controls/

***
Michael Klare: Pentagon Seeks to Facilitate Autonomous Weapons Deployment.

New DoD policy has it both ways, includes more ethics and is "a road map for succeeding at this process and thus facilitates autonomous weapons systems development." https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2023-03/news/pentagon-seeks-facilitate-autonomous-weapons-deployment

***
Summary: US military will be stretched between the need to create new tech that help it stay ahead of a rising China, maintain existing platforms, cope with the demand for equipping Ukrainian forces and backfill equipment already sent to the front lines. https://app.go.informamail03.com/e/es.aspx?s=966913078&e=955106&elqTrackId=b1e437f091a74043918f49eddb3c4f10&elq=b4e4b49df1914a1099c1f75c076819ab&elqaid=37136&elqat=1

***
The U.S. Army is already executing on a plan to send M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, the Army’s acquisition chief said Wednesday. Sending tanks to Ukraine is not a simple process, US Army’s acquisition chief Doug Bush said. https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/03/08/us-army-is-moving-to-get-tanks-to-ukraine-as-quickly-as-possible/

source
***
War what is it good for. Thales 2022 results. All up ↑▲ 

March 8

***
China is the latest country in the region to announce a boost in its defence budget, with analysts expecting the trend to gather pace

Growing humanitarian crises adding to demand for military capacity in unstable security environment, observers say.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3212624/chinas-two-sessions-2023-asia-pacific-uncertainties-drive-arms-build

***
Clara #Zetkin was known as a founder of international women's day. She also militantly opposed militarism, imperialism and the first World War. Now I see arms industries, @EDA (the military industrial org of the EU), MoD's like #Ollongren making it a day for the powers that be.

Feminism is Revolutionary! See here for books on a wide range of feminist issues. https://www.plutobooks.com/feminism-is-revolutionary/

Voor wie liever iets korters, voor niets en in het Nederlands leest: Waar is het vrouwengezicht van de oorlog? Dit van @WendelaVries bijvoorbeeld. https://www.bnnvara.nl/joop/artikelen/waar-is-het-vrouwengezicht-van-de-oorlog

***
Swiss arms industry benefited from the #soccer World Cup. A third of the Swiss arms exports went to countries with «authoritarian» or «hybrid» regimes mainly to two major customers: Qatar was the front-runner among buyers with a volume of 213 million Swiss francs. It was mostly about anti-aircraft systems from the Swiss subsidiary of the German #Rheinmetall Group to protect the #football stadiums during the 2022 World Cup. The other was Saudi Arabia (it involves spare parts and ammo for anti-aircraft systems). https://www.nzz.ch/wirtschaft/schweizer-ruestungsindustrie-profitiert-von-der-fussball-wm-in-katar-ld.1729096

***
#Spanish government uses copy & paste methods answering questions on arms sales and transit to #Saudi Arabia for 20 sets of questions: a) there is no arms embargo; b) no reported misuse of Spanish arms by the Saudi's. (automatically translated from Spanish
https://theglobalfrontier.com/the-copy-and-paste-of-the-government-in-congress-to-justify-the-sale-of-arms-to-saudi-arabia/

***
"Undoubtedly the greatest security threat Australia faces is climate change - war with China would devastate work on climate. What we need is more diplomacy, instead of more weapons spending and illusory submarines," said Margaret Beavis, vice pres. #MAPW
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/diplomacy-not-weapons-the-answer-to-china-war-threat-20230307-p5cq00.html

***
#Rheinmetall's transformation; Group CEO Papperger sees historic growth opportunity from Ukraine war, by @GeHegmann
https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/plus244130211/Rheinmetall-Der-wundersame-Aufstieg-zum-Star-an-der-Boerse.html

***
Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of gave full support to the military modernization efforts, particularly in the upgrading & acquisition of assets of the #Philippine Air Force #PAF. He blessed a C-295 aircraft procured from Spain at the Clark Air Base. #Airbus
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/03/08/news/national/afp-acquires-new-aircraft/1881724

***
Dutch #Damen signs MoD with #Manizales (inland #Colombian city) Chamber of Commerce to cooperate and strengthen the local shipbuilding and naval industry.
https://www.lapatria.com/economia/camara-de-comercio-firma-acuerdo-con-empresario-holandes-para-fortalecer-linea-astillera

***
Outshelling Russia:

#Russia, too, is facing #ammunition shortages, and its munitions factories are working at speed. But it has also reduced the number of shells it is firing.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/08/world/europe/ukraine-eu-shells-ammunition.html

***
On March 5, the Japanse army #JGSDF moved +/-150 vehicles, incl. missiles luanchers, to a base on Ishigaki Island (#Okinawa). This was met with protests by local citizens opposing the base. Riot police were deployed to guard the area. #Japan
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20230305-95283/

***
Should Biden’s new arms transfer policy apply to Israel?

The US heavily subsidizes the Israeli weapons industry, which in turn sells to governments using them to commit human rights abuses.

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/03/08/should-bidens-new-arms-transfer-policy-apply-to-israel/

***
China’s defence industry will shift gear from big hardware projects to developing core technology, driven in part by lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, according to analysts.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3212562/chinas-military-refocus-rd-after-decade-long-hardware-drive-analysts

More extensive information on the same issue.
Gaining Victory in Systems Warfare
China's Perspective on the U.S.-China Military Balance. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1535-1.html

***
A very strong warning in Aviation Week & Space Technology: We Are Tempting Armageddon In Ukraine.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/opinion-we-are-tempting-armageddon-ukraine

"(...) even a very limited nuclear exchange “would be a disaster beyond history.”

***

An article on the European defence industry in Foreign Affairs. Although based on the realities of the Ukraine war it is full of the facts pumped around by military industry lobby organisations for decades.

"Every [US] weapons sale to Europe weakens the European defense industrial base by depriving a European company of its core market."

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter bought by many European states, at the cost of European fighter production, isn't even mentioned in the article. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/why-european-defense-still-depends-america

***
Tastes differ, but to call the noise of military planes to an extreme nationalist lead country whereof the military leadership appeases the military regime in Rangoon is at least excentric.


Retweet @AirbusDefence: Like music in our ears - the sound of the very first engine run of an Indian #C295 . It is one out of 56 aircraft that will be delivered to @IAF_MCC. Stay tuned for the next milestone: the first test flight! About the C295 programme in #India: https://airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-09-india-formalises-acquisition-of-56-airbus-c295-aircraft

***
UK will miss out on EU’s ‘massive’ increase in arms spending for Ukraine

Only EU and Norwegian firms will be able to take advantage of joint procurement agreement, says leaked paper.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/07/uk-will-miss-out-on-eu-massive-increase-in-arms-spending-for-ukraine

***
EU defense ministers discuss 'WAR ECONOMY,' #ammo for #Ukraine.

And when will this be turned back to normal? Or is this for the coming decades, are we aware what we are creating?

https://www.dw.com/en/eu-defense-ministers-discuss-war-economy-ammo-for-ukraine/a-64916145

***
Hungary is also training Ukrainian soldiers, said Slovak Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad’ on Monday, debunking the neutral approach to Russia’s war Viktor Orban’s government has asserted so far.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/slovak-minister-says-neutral-hungary-also-trains-ukrainian-soldiers/

***
#Switzerland remains opposed to exporting arms to war-torn Ukraine, the famously neutral country's President Alain Berset said Tuesday on the sidelines of meetings at the United Nations.
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/swiss-president-opposes-arms-exports-032032376.html

March 7

***
#Israel company #Elbit Systems announced it was awarded two contracts with an aggregate value of $252 million to supply artillery rocket systems to a European NATO member country. https://elbitsystems.com/pr-new/elbit-systems-awarded-two-contracts-in-an-aggregate-amount-of-252-million-to-supply-atmos-and-puls-artillery-systems-to-a-nato-member-country/ Which #European NATO member buys rockets in a Apartheid State?

The US Defense News publication suggests it is #Denmark. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2023/03/06/elbit-announces-howitzer-artillery-system-deals-in-europe/

***
Bulgarian arms worth billions of dollars entered Ukraine through other countries in the past two years without #Ukraine and Bulgaria even having to agree to a single direct deal, even before the war, EURACTIV #Bulgaria has found.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/investigation-bulgaria-indirectly-sent-weapons-to-ukraine/

***
Confusion surrounds intend by #UK & #KSA to cooperate on future air capabilities. #MbS said it was on FCAS (a multinational air capabilities program). The UK MoD made it vaguer. But the joint declaration seems to leave the door open for a future agreement.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/saudi-arabia-to-join-uk-led-fcas-program-after-signing-new-military-agreement/

March 6

***
The Space Development Agency has added another batch of missile-tracking #satellites to its expansive constellation, awarding #Raytheon a $250 million contract March 2 to build seven spacecraft.
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/03/03/us-raytheon-missile-satellites/

***
#India’s ongoing export of weapons parts to Myanmar, as detailed by activist organisation Justice for Myanmar (https://www.justiceformyanmar.org/stories/india-supporting-myanmar-junta-atrocities-through-supply-of-gun-barrels) in a new story published on Wednesday, may provide ways for the #Myanmar military to circumvent international sanctions.

https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/india-supplies-weapons-parts-to-myanmar-junta-undermines-sanctions

***
S. #Korea must not provide deadly weapons to #Ukraine. Even if it sells shells to the US, conditions must be attached so that they do not get exported to Ukraine. There is no justification or practical gain for Korea by offering arms assistance to Ukraine.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/02/28/opinion/columns/weapon-supplies-Ukraine-NATO/20230228203119364.html

***
#Italian PM Meloni and FA Minister Tajani traveled to UAE to consolidate bilateral relations. The trip followed a visit by MoD Crosetto on 7 February to relaunch ties on #arms exports to Saudi Arabia and #UAE introduced by the government of Giuseppe Conte.
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/politics/2023/03/01/meloni-to-relaunch-uae-ties-in-abu-dhabi-visit_dd853e39-65be-4975-9b63-de02c9e0087a.html

***
#Germany is a major #arms seller (
https://enaat.org/eu-export-browser/overview?destination=egypt&year_from=2017) to Cairo, but Luise Amtsberg, the government human rights policy & humanitarian aid commissioner cancelled a planned trip to #Egypt after she was told she wouldn't be welcome, her office confirmed. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-german-human-rights-official-not-welcome

***
"The EU is "an economic superpower. What we have to do now is create the ability to translate our economic capacity into geopolitical leverage," Dutch Minister Hoekstra said, "tighter sanctions policy [with an instrument at EU level] is the way to do it."
https://www.worldecr.com/news/hoekstra-lets-build-a-sanctions-hq-in-brussels/

***
The U.S. Commerce Department and other government agencies approved about 69.9% of export license applications to Chinese entities in the 2022 budget year, according to written testimony made public ahead of a U.S. House hearing Tuesday.
https://www.reuters.com/markets/us-approved-70-export-license-applications-china-2022-2023-02-27/

***
The US what is it good for?

Scientific article examines why US weapons consistently appear in conflicts around the world, despite the United States having what is commonly lauded as the ‘gold standard’ of national arms export control systems. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1758-5899.13181

***
Language on new US arms export policy may impact non-traditional defence equipment, "like surveillance, artificial intelligence, and other technologies that can be manipulated for domestic repression."
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/what-bidens-new-arms-transfer-policy-means-and-what-it-missed-on/

***
#Thales strategy is fully aligned with Vision2030 in #Saudi Arabia & Vision2040 in #UAE. Thales has already been operating in line with it for many years and is a trusted technological partner to the countries [repressive warring autocracies] in the region.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/interview-thales-ceo-talks-air-supremacy-combat-cloud-and-middle-east-investments/

***
The US what is it good for? 33 nations called for a global treaty restricting “lethal autonomous weapons.” But US officials warn that such a ban would be both premature & overly narrow, preferring broader but non-binding “best practices” 4 the military.#AI
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/not-the-right-time-us-to-push-guidelines-not-bans-at-un-meeting-on-autonomous-weapons/

***
#Indonesian Deputy Defence Minister M. Herindra visited the #UK and #France this week to follow up on Indonesia’s military procurement plans from French arms producers #Thales and #Nexter, insisting it should include transfer of technology.
https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2023/03/04/indonesia-seeks-transfer-of-technology-from-french-arms-purchase.html

***
Yemenis have filed a #lawsuit in the US against military contractors Raytheon, Lockheed and General Dynamics, accusing them of “aiding and abetting war crimes and extrajudicial killings” by supplying arms to the Saudi-led coalition’s war in #Yemen.
https://independent.ng/yemenis-sue-top-us-defence-contractors-for-aiding-war-crimes/

***
The rudders and steering gears for two new 110-metre long amphibious transport vessels being built for the #Chilean Navy are the result of cooperation between #Wärtsilä and #Damen Marine Components.
https://www.wartsila.com/media/news/01-03-2023-extensive-range-of-wartsila-solutions-chosen-for-two-chilean-navy-vessels-3233248

***
Pressure on #Swiss arms export policy to #Ukraine under pressure from all sides. #Dutch Ambassador Hedda Samson e.g. said that she understands the debate over neutrality BUT that Swiss authorities should explore all possibilities to support Ukraine.
https://menafn.com/1105707673/Swiss-Arms-Re-Export-Ban-Puts-Europe-At-Risk-Says-French-Ambassador

***
They’re Exporting Billions in Arms. Just Not to Ukraine. Not much new, but article is clear overview of South Korean arms exports and the global and regional policies connected to them.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/05/world/asia/ukraine-south-korea-arms.html

***
War what is it good for? Haaretz reveals the past seven years, 92 cargo flights flown by #Azerbaijani Silk Way Airlines have landed at the Ovda airbase, the only airfield in #Israel through which explosives may be flown into and out of the country.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2023-03-06/ty-article-magazine/92-flights-from-israeli-base-reveal-arms-exports-to-azerbaijan/00000185-fd3d-d96e-adef-ff3dc38e0000

March 4

Retweet @keesamok: Toespraak van Dirk (Laka) Kernenergie valt ook niet onder het nieuwste EU-sanctiepakket. Zelfs geen sancties tegen Rosatom, het Russische staatsbedrijf Dirk (Laka) hield deze toespraak op 27 februari 2023 tijdens de vredesactie op het Museumplein. https://stopdeoorlogamsterdam.nl/onze-kernenergie-blijft-afhankelijk-van-rusland.html

March 5

***
German Federal prosecutor is examining whether Rheinmetall provided illegal aid to the naval blockade of Yemen. In four missions in 2017, Rheinmetall employees retrofitted MLG-27 naval guns of the UAE Navy in the Red Sea @welt

Retweet @hmtillack: Exklusiv: Bundesanwaltschaft prüft, ob Rheinmetall eine verbotene Beihilfe zur Seeblockade des Jemen geleistet hat. Bei vier Einsätzen 2017 hatten Rheinmetall-Mitarbeiter MLG-27-Marinegeschütze der emiratischen Marine im Roten Meer nachgerüstet @welt https://welt.de/politik/deutschland/plus244081127/Waffenhilfe-von-Rheinmetall-wird-Fall-fuer-den-Generalbundesanwalt.html

March 2

***
Ukraine doesn't appear to be diverting arms by allowing low-level officials to steal and resell weapons, Pentagon says - However it is harder to conduct end-use monitoring in Ukraine than in Afghanistan, where there were far more US officials
https://defenseone.com/policy/2023/02/dod-inspector-sees-no-signs-ukraine-diverting-weapons-promises-more-scrutiny/383449/ @DefenseOne

March 1

***
When do we stop to use the worn out prefix 'self defense' to the Japanese armed forces?

The Japanese government has revealed plans to purchase 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said. https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUA2745K0X20C23A2000000/

***
#BAE Systems #Australia used the first day of the biggest Avalon Air Show (= a display of militarism
https://twitter.com/AustraliaPM/status/1630456517257207808

') in history to unveil its new Strix long-range strike and ISR #drone armed to the teeth. https://breakingdefense.com/2023/02/bae-unwraps-strix-vtol-strike-drone-with-800km-range-at-avalon/

***
There is a complicated interdependence between the Thai state, the Tatmadaw and ethnic minority armed groups. This spider web of political and economic ties, is a key factor that has shaped Thailand's highly unusual responses to the breach of its airspace.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20578911221140798

***
Three questions on the non-sale of F-16's to Turkey, answered from a Turkish perspective, although the influence to temper tensions between Athens and Ankara - diminishing by not delivering the fighters to Ankara while Greece got a modernised version - is described here as a US interest.
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/three-questions-turkiyes-f-16-request-to-us-3661264

***
Founded by the Spanish State in 1972, before the end of the Franco dictatorship (1936-1975), to promote the exports of the national military industry, Defex was liquidated in 2017 due to paying commissions to #Cameroonian officials and civil servants to land contracts.

#Defex is also accused of having paid kickbacks to obtain contracts in #Angola and #Saudi Arabia. https://www.africaradio.com/espagne-une-entreprise-de-vente-d-armes-acquittee-du-delit-de-corruption-au-cameroun

https://www.barrons.com/news/spain-court-absolves-arms-firm-of-graft-over-cameroon-contracts-f5889d80

Old on same company in English https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2018/10/24/inenglish/1540364892_173612.html

***
On February 16, 2023, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and Commerce Department announced the creation of the Disruptive Technology Strike Force with a mission to prevent nation-state “adversaries” from acquiring “disruptive” technologies.
https://www.lexblog.com/2023/02/27/justice-and-commerce-departments-announce-creation-of-disruptive-technology-strike-force/