Latest
on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
May 31
***
Violent
conflict in West Papua. 7 members of the Indonesian national army
(TNI) have been shot dead by an attack by West Papuans.
"The TNI/POLRI terrorists used
rockets/ballistics, the Nogolaid village was targeted, residents'
houses were also destroyed," was said by Papuan.
https://jubi.id/?s=OPM&post_type=post
***
#UAE,
#Japan, and the transfer of military technologies agreement. Their is
also a preliminary Emirati understanding with Japan to procure
military transport aircraft. So far for the restraint Japanese arms
export policy. https://www.tacticalreport.com/in-depth/61914
***
Tweet below makes
(also Dutch
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek/status/1661258088501108737/
https://twitter.com/martinbroek/status/1661260536468717568)
and Moroccan (
https://twitter.com/martinbroek/status/1662391024121946112)
)acquisition reported last week at Israeli Elbit less abstract.
Number of rockets and missiles can be fired with this weapon system.
Retweet
@nicholadrummond with comment: Euro-PULS
on German Army IVECO truck. It can carry 36 x Elbit Accular rockets
(35 km), or 12 x HIMARS M31 rockets (84km), or 8 x for Elbit Extra
(150 km) or 4 x MBDA Joint Fire Support Missile (499 km), or 4 x
Elbit Predator Hawk, or 4x Kongsberg NSM (185 km). A flexible and
interoperable system.
***
Een pleidooi
voor een moeilijke evenwichtsoefening, maar het is nodig dat de
weereld het diplomatieke koord blijft/gaat bewandelen. Haar toekomst
kan ervan afhangen. Steun Oekraïne maar gebruik dat niet als excuus
voor de escalatie van spanningen elders.
https://www.globalinfo.nl/achtergrond/stop-de-waanzin-van-de-wapenwedloop/
May 30
***
Arms
trafficking: tackling it would help reduce violence in Latin America
(Main source: 200,000 guns are purchased in the #US each year and
trafficked to #Mexico through "straw buyers"), by
@csolmirano
https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/behind-a-rise-in-latin-americas-violent-crime-a-deadly-flow-of-illegal-guns/
***
Lula's
government to stop selling #arms to Dina Boluarte's #Peru due to
political instability. #Brazil .
https://larepublica.pe/mundo/2023/05/28/gobierno-de-lula-decide-suspender-venta-de-armas-a-peru-dina-boluarte-debido-a-la-inestabilidad-politica-noticia-venta-de-armas-brasil-video-2145276
***
Second
Egyptian Navy MEKO A-200 EN frigate "AL-QAHHAR"
https://navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/05/tkms-delivers-second-meko-a-200-en-frigate-to-egypt/…
For the Dutch part in the deal see the Government letter on the
export of naval technology to Egypt, vallued €69.000.000.
https://tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/brieven_regering/detail?id=2023Z09169&did=2023D22014
May 29
***
#Russia could
fall from among the world’s top #arms_exporters, with its future
market confined to selling relatively low-tech weapons to
impoverished, sanctioned & pariah states via barter mechanisms
while losing its market share of high-end weapons.
https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/russia-struggling-to-keep-its-se-asia-arms-markets/
***
The #Romanian
parliament has given the approval for the purchase of two new
#submarines and two second-hand minehunters for the Romanian Navy as
well as modernization of the service's corvettes, local media
reported. #Naval_Group
https://www.romania-insider.com/romania-submarines-tanks-army-modernization-program
***
Ukraine has
asked Berlin to provide it with Taurus air-to-surface #missiles. The
missiles, produced by a Germany-Swedish joint venture
#Taurus_Systems, would allow #Ukraine to strike well inside #Russia
with their range of more than 500km.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/17592
***
#Elsight, an
#Israeli #drone connectivity solutions company, has won a tender to
supply the Israeli #police and other government departments with
solutions for Communication-on-the-Move to #border patrol, drone, K9
and SWAT units within the police force.
https://stockhead.com.au/tech/sending-in-the-drones-elsight-wins-major-tender-to-supply-its-halo-tech-to-israeli-police/
***
#Iraqi Prime
Minister Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani is said to believe the Rafale deal
with #France is close. He discussed the #Rafale file with the Chief
of Staff of the French Air&SpaceForce General Mille on the
sidelines of the military exercise “Ababil 1”.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/61909
***
#Armenian FM
spokeswoman, investigator of Azeri war crimes, journalists, academics
& a UN worker -all had their phones infected with #Israeli #NSO's
#Pegasus during fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh. #Azerbaijan used
Israeli spyware against its own citizens.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2023-05-29/ty-article/azerbaijan-suspected-in-hacking-of-armenian-officials-with-israeli-nso-spyware/00000188-4d93-df79-a19d-ff9f51c10000
***
Ukraine’s
Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov is convinced that Ukraine will get
back weapons from a number of companies that are being sued for not
fulfilling their contracts.
https://news.yahoo.com/ukrainian-defence-minister-comments-lawsuits-174800398.html
May 28
***
Israeli
President Herzog's visit to Azerbaijan comes amid Baku-Tehran
tensions. Jeruzalem & Baku have strong arms and defence
relations.
SIPRI found that 69% of #Azerbaijan’s
arms in 2016-20 came from Israel, 17% of #Israel’s arms exports in
that period. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-744415
In
Baku, Azerbaijan’s president thanks Herzog for Israeli arms supply.
Israel’s head of state received by honour guard before meeting with Ilham Aliyev, as ties grow between Jerusalem and Iran’s neighbour. https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-baku-azerbaijans-president-thanks-herzog-for-israeli-arms-supply/
***
#Chips,
subsidies, security, and great power competition.
Motives in the tech competition between the #US and #China pose increasingly difficult policy issues for other economies. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/publications/chips-subsidies-security-great-power-competition With some attention for #ASML
***
More
##corruption? Hensoldt is a star on the stock exchange & a beacon
of hope for Olaf Scholz's "turning point". Now internal
documents point to commissions 4 foreign transactions. Did the
company pay a bribe to a general's family in a deal in
#Qatar?https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/ein-deutscher-ruestungskonzern-und-seine-klebrigen-auslandsgeschaefte-a-3e74c70d-708c-4ae9-93e9-fbe81aae9bba
In
another project, the equipment of the air force (Milds Block 2
systems), #Hensoldt delivered to Uganda without a doubt with the
involvement of dubious intermediaries and despite an urgent warning
from the compliance department. Hensoldt was not the direct
contractual partner of the end customer, but in this case was
supposed to deliver to the Israeli armaments company Bird
Aerosystems. Bird worked locally with a dubious partner: Boaz
Badichi, one of Africa's best-connected arms dealers, according to
the Israeli press.
The murky business.
***
Why is this
repeated over and over again? "The armaments industry is a
special branch that is subject to significantly stricter rules and
controls than the rest of the economy." Control is for political
reasons not necessarily more strict as you can easily observe.
But
the article is on the hypocritical position of Rheinmetaal. The
company won an order back in 2011 to build a
training and education center in Mulino, a small town 350 kilometers
east of Moscow. Rheinmetall announced the "world's most modern
training base" in Mulino, where 30,000 soldiers would practice
urban warfare every year. Order volume: 100 million euros.
https://www.ksta.de/politik/nrw-politik/ruestungskonzern-scheinheilig-wie-sich-rheinmetall-derzeit-gibt-579816
***
Persbericht
FNV: Dinsdag en woensdag weer 48-uursstaking bij Fokker ELMO
Fokker Elmo werknemers blijven een
gelijkluidende regeling eisen.
https://www.fnv.nl/nieuwsbericht/sectornieuws/metaal/2023/05/dinsdag-en-woensdag-48-uursstaking-bij-fokker-elmo
Zie voor meer over ELMO @CTWnl:
https://stopwapenhandel.org/?s=ELMO
***
#Strike at
civil/military company #Fokker_Elmo.
Het conflict tussen personeel van en de
directie van moederbedrijf #GKN_Aerospace over een 'meeverhuispremie'
duurt voort. Medewerkers leggen dinsdag de fabriek weer voor 48 uur
plat.
https://www.ad.nl/bergen-op-zoom/conflict-om-verhuisbonus-fokker-elmo-verhardt-we-gaan-weer-48-uur-staken-in-hoogerheide~a518a3e5/
Staken kan lonen! Medewerkers van #Fokker Elmo in Hoogerheide krijgen alsnog extra geld om met hun baan mee te verhuizen naar Papendrecht. Afgelopen maanden werd er een paar keer gestaakt, omdat het personeel zich oneerlijk behandeld voelde. https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/nieuws/4340056/stakingen-bij-fokker-elmo-voorbij-personeel-krijgt-zijn-zin-en-extra-geld
***
Lead
prosecutor Downer says #Zuma is ‘playing for time’. He &
#Thales are facing charges of #racketeering, #corruption, money
laundering and #fraud charges.
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/05/26/greece-sarisa-drone-laser-rocket/
The European military and security firm
will not be unhappy with these abhorrent tactics.
***
Thales
70-millimeter laser-guided rockets (#Belgium developed FZ275 LGRs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FZ275_LGR) have been deployed from a
#Greek SARISA #drone https://www.sas-tech.gr/sarisa/ during a
live-fire demonstration under the Hellenic Ministry of Defence.
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/05/26/greece-sarisa-drone-laser-rocket/
May 27
***
Supplying
arms to #Myanmar is in violation of #India’s international law
obligations.
https://theleaflet.in/supplying-arms-to-myanmar-is-in-violation-of-indias-international-law-obligations/
***
Website
FAR-MAroc has published images of #Elbit System’s #PULS artillery
rocket systems, purchased by #Morocco.
https://lecollimateur.ma/119789
Apparently, the Moroccan Army selected #Tatra Trucks, a #Czech vehicle manufacturer, to carry the rocket launchers – reach 300 km.
***
The Royal
#Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) is considering cooperating with Italy’s
#Fincantieri to build an advanced destroyer. Riyadh is said to have
received proposals from multiple Western companies.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/61904
***
#Denmark &
the #Netherlands will lead a group effort to train Ukrainian pilots
on Lockheed #F16s following a green light from the US. In addition to
leadership from the Dutch and the Danish, #Belgium, Norway, Portugal
and Poland have offered to contribute.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/denmark-netherlands-lead-ukraine-f-16-training
***
Critical
comments on book describing military relations between #Israel
&#India. "Israeli arms companies have complained about the
Indian requirement that arms deals take the form of technology
transfer, with production lines established in India. They bemoan
that Indian forces routinely reject training by Israeli “security
experts,” which is crucial to the business model of many of
Israel’s arms companies."
The writer "makes an offhand mention of corruption scandals tied to India’s arms deals with Israel, but does not cover the scandals themselves. We hear nothing about the type and extent of #bribes paid and how India once blacklisted the state-owned Israel Military Industries #IMI, which was later purchased by #Elbit Systems, for bribing an Indian business executive." https://electronicintifada.net/content/hostile-ideologies-hindutva-and-zionism-march-hand-hand/37851
***
Experts
waarschuwen voor de risico’s van wapenleveranties aan Oekraïne.
Die gaan na de oorlog geheid zwerven. Maar daarover gaat het in het
publieke debat zelden. „Wie kritiek heeft, wordt meteen in het
pro-Russische kamp geplaatst.”
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/05/26/als-de-oorlog-in-oekraine-voorbij-is-gaan-de-westerse-wapens-zwerven-a4165707
***
Staff at a
Scotish munitions depot are voting on strike action in a row over
bonuses. Workers at the Ministry of Defence’s 180-acre site in
Beith, North Ayrshire, which is managed by Defence Equipment and
Support (DE&S), accused management of disrespect.
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/05/26/als-de-oorlog-in-oekraine-voorbij-is-gaan-de-westerse-wapens-zwerven-a4165707
***
May
25, #Japan’s foreign ministry announced that the country has
entered into a deal with the #UAE regarding the transfer of military
equipment and technology. This agreement is expected to foster
cooperation in joint research, development, and production.
https://www.eastcoastdaily.in/2023/05/27/japan-signs-deal-with-the-united-arab-emirates-for-defence-equipment-and-technology-transfer.html
May 26
***
#Sanctions
enforcement around the world, the #Dutch perspective. "The lists
of items that are subject to product controls have also been
significantly expanded ... we therefore recommend that companies keep
track of current restrictions."
https://sanctionsnews.bakermckenzie.com/blog-series-sanctions-enforcement-around-the-world-the-dutch-perspective/
***
The #Munich
Public Prosecutor’s Office announced (220523) that it has charged
four ex-managing directors at Munich-based technology company
#FinFisher for allegedly selling restricted software to a #Turkish
government agency without an export #licence.
https://www.justiz.bayern.de/gerichte-und-behoerden/staatsanwaltschaft/muenchen-1/presse/2023/4.php
***
A brief
historical overview of the Rise of South #Korean arms exports and
defence industry expansion since the late sixties untill now.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/05/26/opinion/columns/rise-of-south-korean-arms-exports/1893111
***
Allegations
of flouting international #arms #control rules, let alone being party
to the #Russia-Ukraine conflict, place the #South_African defence
industry in a precarious position globally. It is vulnerable to the
loss of preferential trade relations.
https://theconversation.com/arms-to-russia-row-raises-doubt-about-south-africas-compliance-with-arms-control-it-could-face-tougher-scrutiny-in-future-206301
***
How Can
#Ukraine Use the #F16 ? Retired USAF Generals Explain. “It can ...
strike the adversary in depth, not merely where the land forces
engage along a front ... That’s why airpower was invented, to rise
above the trenches and slog of land warfare.”
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/ukraine-use-f-16-former-generals/
May 25
***
At the cost
of?
“Making these decisions can actually affect the #safety_of_people ... there may be occasions where we want to take greater #risk and therefore accelerate integration," said John Cunningham, Head of #WECA at the UK MoD." https://breakingdefense.com/2023/05/after-watching-ukraine-uk-looking-at-more-risk-taking-in-weapons-development-integration/
***
Wie
onderhoudt dat #Fokker vliegtuig eigenlijk? Aviation data also
establishes a #Myanmar Air Force Fokker-70 Aircraft landed on Coco
island on April 9. Local reports suggest it was carrying General Min
Aung Hlaing, the leader of the 2021 military #coup.
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-navy-drone-keeps-eye-on-china-linked-coco-islands-after-top-myanmar-military-officials-visit-2376840-2023-05-09
***
Sadder
maar blijkbaar na 17 jaar nog steeds niet wiser, burgemoeder opent zo
dadelijk attractie. Hier een link naar een artikel geschreven uit de
verbazing over de linkse afslag bij onze Oosterburen naar ... ja,
naar wat eigenlijk?
https://jacobin.com/2023/05/german-leftists-arms-supplies-ukraine-greens-military-support
***
#EDA Chief
Executive visits #Latvia to discuss EU initiatives in support to
#Ukraine, as well as planned measures to strengthen the European
defense industry and Latvia ’ s participation in European Defence
Agency ’ s activities and projects.
https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2023/05/22/eda-chief-executive-visits-latvia
***
Zieke geesten
voeren propagandaslag op Leidseplein in Amsterdam.
"Ja, de Russische invasie van Oekraïne is een illegale aanval op een soeverein land en moet in de krachtigste bewoordingen worden afgekeurd." Maar helpen we de Oekraïeners zo?
https://www.parool.nl/columns-opinie/amsterdammers-over-russische-tank-op-leidseplein-kan-alleen-bedacht-zijn-door-een-zieke-geest~b53691e4
***
Israeli
#Maris_Tech a provider of edge #AI accelerated video solutions for
edge platforms, today announced that it has entered into an
agreement with #IMCA_Elektronik in #Turkey, a major distributor of
products for defence and other applications in Turkey.
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/05/24/2675207/0/en/Maris-Tech-Enters-Into-an-Agreement-with-a-Major-Distributor-in-Turkey-Continuing-the-Company-s-Trend-of-Global-Expansion.html
***
The Swiss
government on Wednesday backed the decommissioning of 25 advanced
Leopard 2 battle tanks with a view to selling them back to Germany, a
step that could allow Western countries to send more military aid to
Ukraine.
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/switzerland-takes-step-towards-sale-25-leopard-2-tanks-back-germany-2023-05-24/
***
Senior
officials leading Europe’s rival 6th generation fighter jet
programs Tempest and FCAS have said that they are involved in tech
sharing and weapons collaborations with one another. "To reach
this #dream we need everything on the table from industry.”
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/05/short-of-dream-interoperability-rival-european-fighter-programs-share-some-tech/
***
As
spending rises and vetting decreases, the prospects for fraud, waste
and abuse will grow. And the arms industry and its allies in Congress
and the Pentagon are intent on making any changes made to deal with
the Ukraine emergency permanent, which could supersize the weapons
industry while reducing oversight and accountability — a recipe for
relentless, unnecessary price increases that could continue well
beyond the end of the Ukraine war..." by @WilliamHartung
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/05/23/arms-industrys-price-gauging-shows-how-greed-trumps-national-interest/
"...
for the past nine years, the government has started to change this
stance, allocating funding for military research, limiting export of
sensitive technologies and trying to amend the pacifist section of
Japan’s constitution."
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-01640-7
***
The
#Netherlands is working on a plan to start #training #Ukrainian
pilots for the #F16 as soon as possible. This is done together with a
number of partner countries. Minister Kajsa Ollongren reported this
to the House of Representatives yesterday.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/05/24/nederland-wil-snel-starten-met-opleiden-oekraiense-vliegers-voor-f-16
Ukrainian
pilots could begin training to fly US-made F-16 fighter jets “within
weeks or months,” Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ryder said, a
new step in heavely arming the country as it fights to retake
Russian-occupied territory in the east.
https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2023/05/23/ukraine-could-begin-training-on-f-16-jets-in-europe-this-summer/
***
#Japan army
to provide Ukraine with 100 transport vehicles.
The #LDP is striving to ease weapon
export rules, with #Ukraine in mind, but faces pushback from its
junior coalition partner.https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/japan-ground-self-defense-force-to-provide-ukraine-with-100-transport-vehicles/
Barriers to lethal arms trade by Tokyo
however erode.
***
German, even
radical, left-wingers who long distrusted state power are today
calling 4 more tanks & jets for #Ukraine. Lacking alternative
solutions to the conflict, parts of the Left increasingly fall in
behind the government’s call to rearm. @IngarSolty
https://jacobin.com/2023/05/german-leftists-arms-supplies-ukraine-greens-military-support
***
#China said
to be negotiating arms deals with #Saudi Arabia & #Egypt. They
seek to diversify weapons supply amid Ukraine war and tensions with
Washington. Riyadh eyes air defence systems and drones while Cairo
plans to buy J-10C fighter jets.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3221715/china-said-be-negotiating-arms-deals-saudi-arabia-and-egypt
***
#Navantia’s
fourth of five Avante 2200 corvettes will be delivered to the #Saudi
Royal Navy next week, as the Spanish shipbuilder expects to receive a
proposal from the Kingdom by 2024 to build five new multi-mission
combat ships.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/05/18/spains-navantia-expects-new-warship-sales-to-saudi-arabia/
May 24
***
Can come in
handy. A German database on arms exports. You can search on period,
category, company, and country. Here the search results for the
Netherlands 1990-2023.
http://ruestungsexport-info.de/no_cache/en/database-german-arms-trade.html?tx_ruestungsexport_ruestungsexporte%5Baction%5D=list&tx_ruestungsexport_ruestungsexporte%5Bcontroller%5D=Einzelgeschaeft&cHash=cf3774f2d48420c2b96713da97bcfdbd
***
New EU
defence designs aim to prep members for high-intensity conflict. The
European Union announced 11 new collaborative defense programs to add
to its roster of PESCO projects on Tuesday and said Denmark was
signing up as the program’s 26th member.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/05/23/new-eu-defense-designs-aim-to-prep-members-for-high-intensity-conflict/
***
On the #F16
green light. “However this war ends, and whenever it ends, #Ukraine
is going to have one of the largest militaries on the continent, and
they’re going to have a long border with Russia going forward,”
US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said.
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/22/biden-f-16s-ukraine-g7-00098243
***
#Elbit has
received a $305m deal to supply #PULS artillery rocket systems to the
Royal #Netherlands Army. The award is part of an agreement supporting
the ongoing military cooperation between the #Israeli and Dutch
defense ministries.
https://elbitsystems.com/pr-new/elbit-systems-awarded-305-million-contract-to-supply-puls-rocket-artillery-systems-to-the-royal-netherlands-army/
"In
een bijna onwaarschijnlijk hoog tempo" is de aanschaf van PULS
afgrond. De Tweede Kamer ging akkoord met de aanschaf en op 17 mei is
een overeenkomst met de #Israelische overheid getekend voor de
levering van dit PULS #MLRS systeem van #Elbit.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/materieelgezien/2023/04/snel-handelen-voor-puls-raketartillerie
***
CEO of Saudi
#SAMI W. Abukhaled met with the CEO of #Thales P. Caine last February
2023 to discuss reviving the joint venture #JV between the two
companies it concerns the transfer of techn and production agreements
for the Ground Master 60 radar system.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/61895-saudi-sami-thales-and-ground-master-60-radar-tot
***
Essential
military tech: #Qatar is in talks with the Scientific and
Technological research council of #Turkey (TUBITAK) to establish a
#military_grade #chip production facility in Gebze, Turkiye. Qatar’s
Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) is involved.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/61892-qatar-tubitak-to-establish-a-military-grade-chip-production-facility
***
#Egypt,
#China, on the J-10C #fighter. Egypt is in talks with China for the
acquisition of the Chengdu J-10C multirole fighter in favor of the
Egyptian Air Force (EAF). Talks are said to have started in late
2022.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/61893-egypt-china-on-the-j-10c-fighter
May 23
***
Retweet with
comment: Ko Colijn: De oorlog in en
tegen Oekraïne mag nu juist niet een soort alibi zijn voor
onbeperkte handelingsvrijheid en uitgavendrift. Het Russische leger
valt...door de mand...Waarom dan extra tanks voor Nederland? Even
goed nadenken, experts, druistige Kamerleden, WNL-experts.
@b_v_apeldoorn: Goed
stuk van Koen Colijn over dat er ook grenzen moeten zijn aan telkens
hogere defensie-uitgaven en over hoe kritiekloos veel Nederlandse
media meegaan in het frame van generaals en aanverwante deskundigen
dat steeds meer wapentuig nodig is
https://nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/05/21/laat-defensie-zijn-uitgavendrift-in-toom-houden-a4165167
***
South African
Biro patrol vessels 2 & 3 are under construction at Damen Cape
Town #DSCT, are 90% and 57% complete with a revised delivery date of
February 2026 – force majeure was named the obstructing factor.
Project Biro will cost R3.8bn (€183m).
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/civil-unrest-covid-19-and-natural-disaster-delay-delivery-of-new-navy-platforms/
***
#Nigeria
delisted from overview of countries prone to naval piracy. Article
applauds the development of Nigerian navy, included the acquisitions
of #Damen landing ship and #Chinese fast parol boats.
https://realnewsmagazine.net/nigeria-delisted-from-list-of-piracy-prone-countries-buhari/
***
#Militarisation
of #EU must be stopped in its tracks. In the light of the #Irish
constitutional principle of the pacific settlement of international
disputes by international arbitration, the Minister of FA should now
clearly and unequivocally call 4 this.
https://www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/letters-gaa-has-other-options-apart-from-penalties-when-it-comes-to-shootouts/a493367604.html
***
Un rapport
international démontre, chiffres à l’appui, que depuis le début
du conflit, les pays les plus riches n’ont cessé d’augmenter
leurs investissements militaires au détriment de leur implication
dans l’environnement. Rapport par @TNI @Grip @CTWnl
https://www.lesoir.be/514588/article/2023-05-21/quand-le-climat-est-une-victime-collaterale-de-la-guerre-en-ukraine
***
Comment
on: Wie zijn de bevrijders van Russisch
grensgebied? Bellingcat plaatst kanttekeningen….. vraagt
@harmbotje.
@AricToler:
The bearded guy is Alexey Levkin. We
(@bellingcat) have written lot about him -- he's a neo-Nazi who left
Russia years ago. His organization, Wotanjugend, once called Timothy
McVeigh and Brevik "heroes".
https://bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2019/09/04/the-hardcore-russian-neo-nazi-group-that-calls-ukraine-home
https://bellingcat.com/news/2020/01/02/dispatches-from-asgardsrei-ukraines-annual-neo-nazi-music-festival/
En dan krijgen ze
wapens uit het Westen zodat ze hun racistische politiek kunnen
versterken. Lees en huiver over woorden & daden van de hier
beschreven Sergei Korotkikh, Oekraïns officier. Ik sluit me aan bij
de woorden van Linda Åkerström in het artikel.
https://declassifieduk.org/revealed-russian-neo-nazi-leader-obtained-uk-missiles-in-ukraine/
***
MADE
IN ITALY TO SUPPRESS IN #EGYPT: The Role of Italian Small Arms and
Light Weapons in Fueling Human Rights Violations. [In English,
Italian and Arabic version asap.]
https://www.egyptwide.org/publication/made-in-italy-to-suppress-in-egypt
May 22
***
#Israeli
#Shladot's “David” armored vehicle used by the Greek police along
the Evros River. https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/58180
We have to guess what kind of operations they were used for. https://citiesofrefuge.eu/news/what-really-happening-land-border-between-greece-and-turkey
***
Officials
from the Saudi Arabian Military Industries #SAMI are said to be in
talks with #China’s #Norinco for a package deal. The deal includes
the procurement of reconnaissance #drones, air defence systems, and
#killer_drones.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/61881-saudi-sami-norinco-and-arms-package
***
Indian
authorities have arrested Vivek Raghuvanshi, a defense journalist and
longtime correspondent for Defense News, and accused him of
espionage, according to reports in the Indian press.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/2023/05/17/reports-defense-news-correspondent-arrested-in-india/
***
#Rheinmetall
signs deal with Ukroboronprom to build tanks in #Ukraine.
"Rheinmetall has created a joint venture with Ukrainian state
company #Ukroboronprom. Tank cooperation is just the first step,"
according to the German journal Handelsblatt on Friday.
http://www.ukrainianjournal.com/index.php?w=article&id=36698
***
#China calls
on #Netherlands to ‘adhere to strategic autonomy’, as #US
restrictions weigh on trade. #ASML
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3220875/china-calls-netherlands-adhere-strategic-autonomy-us-restrictions-weigh-trade
The
Netherlands has restricted exports to China of its advanced chip
equipment and that is unlikely to change soon, observers say. Beijing
is trying to win over European partners as US policy becomes more
hostile: analyst.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3221322/dutch-foreign-minister-heads-china-little-prospect-chip-ban-breakthrough
Tech
firm #KMWE Eindhoven, supplier of Philips, #ASML and others recently
opened a local fscility in #China. Herewith KMWE can continue to
supply Chines semiconductor producers without being harmed by #US
#sanction policy.
https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1476604/eindhovense-leverancier-van-philips-en-asml-opent-vestiging-in-china
Foreign
Minister Qin Gang urged his visiting Dutch counterpart to ensure
‘fairer’ access to semiconductor technology.
Beijing is concerned about looming Dutch export controls that would throttle supplies of advanced chip-making equipment. #ASML #China
***
Cambodian
Prime Minister Hun Sen last Thursday called on superpowers to #reduce
their massive military #budgets and channel the money saved into
life-saving projects such as the production of more medicines and
medical equipment.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/1292967/save-not-destroy-superpowers-urged-to-spend-less-on-arms/
***
The owner of
Aratos Group (a #Dutch/#Greek military technology company) was
arrested in Paris on suspicion of #spying for the Russians, the US
DoJ announced (https://www.justice.gov/file/1583801/download). The
man allegedly passed on sensitive US technology to #Russia.
https://nltimes.nl/2023/05/18/owner-noord-brabant-defense-business-arrested-paris-us-request
***
Buying from
Apartheid's workshop. #Israeli #Elbit is ramping up its production of
rocket and drone launchers in Europe, as the #Netherlands is buying
the company’s PULS system which #Spain also appears to be favoring
for its new rocket artillery program.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/05/18/israels-elbit-looks-to-cash-in-on-european-artillery-appetites/
German
#Rheinmetall and Israeli #Elbit Systems have successfully conducted a
live fire demonstration of an automated 155mm L52 howitzer. The
demonstration of the new system took place in early March 2023 at
the Shivta firing range in southern #Israel.
https://www.rheinmetall.com/en/media/news-watch/news/2023/mai/2023-05-16-rheinmetall-and-elbit-systems-carry-out-live-fire-demonstration-of-wheeled-self-propelled-howitzer
***
#China’s
Big Tech bosses are displaying conflicting views towards artificial
intelligence #AI, as some eagerly embrace the advancing technology
while others warn against hasty adoption amid the frenzy around
#ChatGPT.
https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3221167/chinas-big-tech-bosses-take-different-business-approaches-towards-generative-ai-chatgpt
***
Just €3bn.
#Pentagon said an accounting #error led it to overestimate the value of arms shipments sent to Ukraine as part of a $44bn military aid package approved blast year. By correcting the error, it could send another $3bn worth of arms to #Ukraine. https://www.democracynow.org/2023/5/19/headlines/pentagon_says_accounting_error_will_allow_us_to_send_3_billion_in_additional_arms_to_ukraine
***
A plea for control
on weapons shipped to Ukraine. "Measures to address the risk of
diversion to unauthorized end users and for unauthorized uses are
essential to prevent further instability and insecurity in Ukraine,
the region and beyond."
https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/statement-security-council-threats-international-peace-and-security-statement-mr-adedeji-ebo-director-and-deputy-high-representative-disarmament-affairsofficer-charge-18-may-2023
There are however numerous difficulties with this type of
control (during war) see e.g. UNIDIR report.
https://unidir.org/sites/default/files/publication/pdfs//the-international-tracing-instrument-examining-options-to-support-operationalization-en-712.pdf'
How serious is the control in Ky'iv? How tight are conditionalities to keep track of the colossal weapon deliveries (in €, $ and £).
***
A plea for
control on weapons shipped to Ukraine. "Measures to address the
risk of diversion to unauthorized end users and for unauthorized uses
are essential to prevent further instability and insecurity in
Ukraine, the region and beyond."
https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/statement-security-council-threats-international-peace-and-security-statement-mr-adedeji-ebo-director-and-deputy-high-representative-disarmament-affairsofficer-charge-18-may-2023
***
Report
https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/countries/myanmar/crp-sr-myanmar-2023-05-17.pdf
Report
identifies Singapore as a key conduit for the transit of spare parts,
raw materials, and manufacturing equipment. In addition to Singapore,
Russia and China emerged as the chief suppliers of advanced weapon
systems to Myanmar’s military.
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2023/05/19/singapore-denies-involvement-in-arms-trade-to-myanmar/
***
US president
Biden and the Pope are divided on 3 of the most pressing geopolitical
and diplomatic issues of the day.
a) China policy (brinkmanship and human
rights),
b) negotiated settlement for Ukraine,
and
c) cooperation with Syria.
https://cruxnow.com/news-analysis/2023/05/potus-and-pope-are-at-odds-but-its-not-the-fight-conservatives-wanted
***
#UK arms
sales doubled last yea. #Saudi Arabia, traditionally the UK’s most
significant customer, bought £1.1bn of UK arms, including £964m of
missiles and related components, arms of the type used previously to
conduct bombing missions in #Yemen.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/21/uk-arms-sales-reach-record-85bn-as-global-tensions-escalate
***
Shell
companies are used to evade the boykot against the #Myanmar regime.
Continued profits from international business ties and circumvention
of existing sanctions by the junta and its cronies have prompted
doubts if foreign actions are sufficent so far.
May 17
***
And the
winner is:
The Australian government has announced a $160 million contract for military manufacturer #Thales #Australia to build another order of Bushmaster vehicles for the Australian Army after donating 90 to Ukraine in war against Russia. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-17/bushmaster-defence-thales-australian-army-bendigo-hawkei-ukraine/102355532
***
A plea for
the #remilitarisation of Europe under #German leadership. "For
starters, Germany and Europe must establish an EU-level military
research and development agency modeled on the US Defence Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
https://menafn.com/1106248804/Germanys-Emerging-War-Economy
***
South Korean
President Yoon Suk-yeol vowed to expand the country’s non-lethal
aid to Kyiv when he met with Ukraine’s first lady Tuesday in Seoul.
https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/south-koreas-president-vows-to-expand-non-lethal-aid-to-ukraine/
***
Senator
Warren (D-Mass) warns against Pentagon-defense industry revolving
door.
The next Joint Chiefs chair can set an example by promising not to jump to a lucrative job working on behalf of a defense contractor or foreign adversary, she said.
May 16
***
The feminist
policy of German FA Minister Baerbock: value-based foreign policy
meets reality even in Saudi Arabia. Arms exports were also part of
the policy of the current traffic light Government.
https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/asien/saudi-arabien-baerbock-100.html
***
#UAE has
terminated a nearly €800m contract to procure 12 H225 Caracal
multirole #helicopters from French #Airbus, a government official
exclusively told. Reasons: high lifecycle cost, limited modular
designs & the complex technical proposal.
Who's next.
***
On the
'stringent' South African arms export policy.
To evade German arms embargoes RDM’s German parent company, Rheinmetall, deliberately locates much of its production in countries where the rule of law is weak, such as SA. https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/letters/2023-05-15-letter-time-to-challenge-dircos-claim-on-arms-sales/
#Russia’s top army general and his
#South_African counterpart discussed “military cooperation” while
meeting Monday in Moscow, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Lt.
General Mbatha will visit Russian arms production sites during his
trip.
https://apnews.com/article/russia-south-africa-military-army-ukraine-8e94c3f541072f8ee742e6ef1909180a
Crossing
the border in flirtation with Putin; According to the U.S., South
Africa supplies weapons to Russia. If that is true, Pretoria is in
line with countries like Iran and Belarus. Africans have much to
lose, Die Welt.
https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article245313764/Waffen-an-Russland-Suedafrikas-Schritt-zu-weit-beim-Flirt-mit-Putin.html
***
#Damen
Services has opened a service hub in #Vietnam at Damen Song Cam
shipyard. It will assist with optimising onboard systems on all
vessels delivered by Damen Song Cam Shipyard.
https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/shipyards/damen-opens-new-service-hub-vietnam
A number of #naval vessels for int. customers has
been built at Song Cam.
May 15
***
China to send
Russia hand Li Hui to Kyiv and Moscow on peace mission
Li will also visit Poland, France and
Germany in the search for a political solution to the conflict He
will be the highest-ranking Chinese official to go to #Ukraine since
the invasion
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3220341/china-send-senior-envoy-ukraine-and-russia-quest-peace-talks
De
Chinese #diplomaat, Li Hui, de speciale gezant voor Euraziatische
aangelegenheden, is op pad gestuurd om te praten over een ‘politieke
oplossing’ voor de oorlog in #Oekraïne. Hij gaat ook langs in
Rusland en daarna in Polen, Frankrijk en Duitsland.
https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/live-wetswijziging-rusland-maakt-gedwongen-verplaatsing-en-verkiezingen-in-bezette-gebieden-mogelijk~ba2e91a1/
***
Continued
concern about human rights in India in latest official US report
https://state.gov/senior-state-department-official-on-the-2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/…
See our resource page for more on US-India arms sales (#India again
world's largest arms importer according to @SIPRIorg)
https://forumarmstrade.org/usindia.html
***
***
Dutch dual
use exports Dec 2022 - Feb 2023 > 1 billion:
22/02/23 Lithography machines, Taiwan €
8 bn
22/02/23 Lithography machines, diverse
countries € 8 bn
16/12/22 Uraniumhexafluoride #UF6 (U235
< 5,0%) Diverse countries € 1.1 billion.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-dual-use-vergunningen
***
The European
Defence Agency (the bridge beween military and civil policies), has
published its Annual Report for 2022. It includes, amongst more, its
activities in military research. #EDA managed 97 projects and
programmes valued € 672 million.
https://eda.europa.eu/publications-and-data/all-publications/annual-report-2022
***
EP Q&A:
Member States’ non-compliance with the EU arms embargo against
#China. Question by @hildevautmans
(https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2023-001066_EN.html),
based on article in Belgian Standard:
https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20230316_98260382
Answer by @JosepBorrellF (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2023-001066-ASW_EN.html).
***
Made possible
by Dutch arms export control. Aviation records show that a #Fokker-70
from the #Myanmar Air Force landed on the Coco island, April 9. It
was reportedly carrying General Min Aung Hlaing, the man in charge of
the #military_takeover in 2021,
https://www.firstpost.com/world/indian-navy-drone-spies-on-myanmar-military-activites-on-coco-island-12572582.html
***
De rol van
het Vliegbasis #Woensdrecht binnen het internationale F-35 programma
wordt steeds groter. Nederland en de Verenigde Staten sloten gisteren
een zogeheten Status of Forces Agreement #SOFA af.
https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/05/12/prominentere-rol-voor-woensdrecht-rond-logistiek-f-35-programma
***
India's arms
exports in 2014 were Rs 900 crore (€100m) , now they are over Rs
16,000 (€1.78bn) crore: Indian Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh
said.
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/Newsalert/2451472-indias-arms-exports-in-2014-were-rs-900-crore-now-they-are-over-rs-16000-crore-rajnath-singh
***
US
Congress members are aiming to ease the export of sensitive US
defence technologies to #Australia and the UK, speeding the flow of
information on weapons ranging from nuclear powered submarines to
hypersonic weapons, quantum computing & AI. #AUKUS
https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/us-congress-move-to-ease-export-of-technology-to-australia
Texas
Republican Texas McCaul is drafting a bipartisan bill that would ramp
up tech transfers to allies. He recently met officials from Australia
& the UK, and talked with Anduril Industries
(https://www.anduril.com/),
Hadrian (https://www.hadrian.co/)
& BAE Sys at a roundtable.
Anduril has Australian Defence
contracts to rapidly develop an Extra Large Autonomous Undersea
Vehicle ((XL-AUV, pictured), while BAE Systems constructs the UK’s
nuclear submarine fleet, and constructs and maintains naval vessels
in Australia.
https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/excellence-in-maritime-manufacturing-andurils-extra-large-autonomous-undersea-vehicles
May 13
***
Also a way to
describe the negative impacts of #US military support and and arms
sales to #Saudi's during war with #Yemen. It has placed a significant
financial burden on the Saudi treasury and hindered development and
investment projects in the country.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/61866-saudi-arabia-to-redirect-yemen-war-funds-to-other-defense-sectors
***
Journaliste
@stepvaessen wierp de vraag op of Europese media niet zelf hun
#persvrijheid hadden ondermijnd door mee te gaan in het westerse
narratief. Ze hekelde de kritiek op journalisten wanneer ze vragen
stellen waar het ‘nu niet het moment voor is’.
https://www.nvj.nl/nieuws/persvrijheid-tijden-oorlog-en-conflict
***
In de reeks ‘Werk
in Uitvoering’ publiceert SOC21 het boek 'De gelaagde oorlog in
Oekraine en de botsing van grootmachten' van Guido van Leemput.
https://soc21.nl/alle-publicaties/de-gelaagde-oorlog-in-oekraine-en-de-botsing-van-grootmachten-guido-van-leemput/
Downloaden kan hier:
https://soc21.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/De-gelaagde-oorlog-web.pdf
Bestellen kan ook zie op bovenstaande
site voor details.
***
European #MBDA won a $19.6m modification for the production of the Common Anti-Air Module Missile #CAMM for the Multi-Mission Surface Combatants #MMSC ships for #Saudi's. The MMSC is a derivative of the US Navy’s Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship. https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3390075/
***
UAE's EDGE
Group is looking for cooperation with Shield AI and Dedrone to
acquire drone and anti-drone technologies. This comes after EDGE
officially approached the two companies for their services in the
second half of 2022.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/61848-uae-uas-and-c-uas-tender-update
***
Who cares?
BIDEN IS SELLING WEAPONS TO THE MAJORITY OF THE WORLD’S AUTOCRACIES
Despite the White House’s rhetoric about supporting global democracy, the U.S. sold weapons in 2022 to 57 percent of the world’s authoritarian regimes.
https://theintercept.com/2023/05/11/united-states-foreign-weapons-sales/
***
#EU has not
recorded any significant arms #smuggling into Europe from Ukraine,
according to Ylva Johanssonová (EC top representative for EU
Internal Affairs). She said that only a few individual cases of
#small_arms exports from #Ukraine had been recorded.
https://www.aktuality.sk/clanok/0DxcHBX/vojna-na-ukrajine-europska-unia-nezaznamenala-vysoku-mieru-pasovania-zbrani-z-ukrajiny/
***
The
Commission of the Council of Cantons of the upper house of the #Swiss
Parliament, has recommended easing export controls on Swiss military
equipment, which could potentially benefit #Ukraine in the future.
https://news.yahoo.com/swiss-parliament-passes-decision-export-050752690.html
***
Products
amounting to more than $1 billion sent from the EU to Armenia,
Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan in 2022 have gone “missing” in transit
through the Russian territory, The Financial Times
(https://www.ft.com/content/76fc91b2-3494-4022-83d0-9d6647b38e3d)
reports, citing open sources.
https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2023/05/11/ft-eu-origin-dual-use-items-worth-1-billion-vanish-in-transit-through-russia-en-news
***
US form
#AeroVironment has been producing loitering munitions and other
drones for the US military for more than a decade, but the war in
Ukraine has become an “inflection point”. War in Ukraine
increased popularitity of #killer_drones in perception.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/05/after-inflection-point-of-ukraine-switchblade-maker-aerovironment-unveils-upgrades-and-goes-global
***
#SOCOM
acquisition chief Jim Smith: #AI will be ‘key to every single
thing’. But his enthusiasm for AI was slightly tempered later, when
he said he was "absolutely" concerned about AI-generated
#mistakes, though he said there are ways to manage that.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/05/socom-acquisition-chief-ai-will-be-key-to-every-single-thing/
***
#Greek state
company Hellenic Defense Systems is gearing up for the local
production of long-range loitering munitions (or #kamikaze_drone)
with South Africa’s #Paramount Group to strengthen the country’s
indigenous manufacturing capabilities.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/05/12/greece-lines-up-kamikaze-drone-production-with-paramount/
***
Experts
doubt whether S-Africa would supply to Russia as S-Africa
"manufactures NATO calibre ammunition and does not supply
Russia". Defence Minister "Modise in December said the
vessel unloaded ammunition for the SA Special Forces".
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/russian-cargo-vessels-simons-town-berthing-escalated-to-enquiry/
En
in het Nederlands: Zuid-Afrika ontkent wapenleveranties aan Poetin.
https://fd.nl/politiek/1476040/zuid-afrika-ontkent-wapenleveranties-aan-poetin
May 11
***
Mijn
laatste blog voor @CTWnl : Europe strengthens Israeli military
industries
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2023/05/europe-strengthens-israeli-military.html
Met een
Nederlandstalige bijlage: Israëlische wapenexport, import en
militaire samenwerking met Nederland 2020-2022
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2023/05/israelische-wapenexport-import-en.html
***
NATO
eyes new defence industry investment pledge to boost arms
production – @EURACTIV
https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/nato-eyes-new-defence-industry-investment-pledge-to-boost-arms-production/
May 10
***
A dirty
balance.
The Biden Admin’s approach to #Egypt
has been to balance longstanding US-Egyptian defence ties and #US
appreciation for Egypt’s continued cooperative relationship with
Israel against the Sisi government’s problematic #HumanRights
record. https://sgp.fas.org/crs/mideast/RL33003.pdf
***
When the
(non-elected) EU leadership gives the wrong example, citizens
themselves have to demand for a policy following ethical guidelines,
for military exports as well as for imports. This should also be
applied to #Israel. Supporting #Apartheid is wrong.
https://stopwapenhandel.org/europe-strengthens-israeli-military-industries/
***
#Elbit sees
‘accelerated’ interest in ground based weapons as result of
Ukraine war
"I can say without any doubt that
artillery, specifically rockets, has gained its status as the queen
of combat " Yehuda Vered, CEO of Elbit's land division told.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/05/elbit-sees-accelerated-interest-in-ground-based-weapons-as-result-of-ukraine-war/
Tech-focused
defence companies gain attention due to Ukraine conflict
#Milrem_Robotics, a start-up that makes autonomous vehicles for battlefield use, has gained prominence in the arms trade following the conflict in Ukraine. https://www.bollyinside.com/news/technology/tech-focused-defence-companies-gain-attention-due-to-ukraine-conflict/
***
#Egypt is in
talks with #Naval_Group regarding a Barracuda-class attack #submarine
deal. Further direct talks are expected between #French President
Emmanuel Macron and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Paris has concerns regarding the deal.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/61856-egypt-naval-group-and-barracuda-submarine-deal-update
***
Officials
from the #Saudi Power for Defense Technologies Company #PDTC are
currently in talks with representatives from #Rolls_Royce to explore
potential cooperation in the development of next-generation aerial
propulsion systems. [BEHIND PAY WALL]
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/61858-saudi-pdtc-rolls-royce-and-talks-over-aerial-propulsion-systems
***
The purchase
of four Mi-24 Helicopter Gunships by Uganda would provide effective
aerial firepower against the rebels. However, the procurement created
opportunities for military corruption and led to a huge political
scandal throughout Uganda. https://corruption-tracker.org/case/ugandan-junk-helicopters
***
Time to rein
in the #revolving_door, which is a primary expression of the
potentially corrupting influence of the military-industrial complex.
It could make it easier to craft policies based on what’s best 4
the country, not what’s best 4 arms mega-firms.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhartung/2023/05/03/new-revelations-underscore-need-to-curb-defense-revolving-door/
***
What is good
for #Finland is good for #Lockheed.
#US-Finnish defense pact could bolster Nordic F-35 footprint. #F35 https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/05/08/us-finnish-defense-pact-could-bolster-nordic-f-35-footprint/
***
The practical
application and future of #AUKUS by the combined governments of
#Australia, the US and the UK highlights the issues the Australian
Defence industry may face with US export controls, such as #ITAR, as
AUKUS continues. Insight here:
https://piperalderman.com.au/insight/aukus-itar-export-control-reform-and-the-australian-defence-industry/
***
Since the
Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. government has
made it increasingly clear that enforcement of export control and
economic sanctions laws is a top priority. From
launching task forces to target illicit actors, to
engaging in closer cooperation with authorities in Canada, the United
Kingdom, and the European Union on global investigations and
enforcement efforts, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry
and Security (BIS), the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign
Assets Control (OFAC), and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are
aggressively enforcing these laws and regulations.
https://www.wiley.law/alert-A-New-Era-of-Export-Control-and-Sanctions-Enforcement
***
"If
the threat is not addressed proactively and imaginatively, when the
current war ends, Ukraine’s battlefields could and will become the
new arsenal of anarchy, arming everyone from insurgents in Africa to
gangsters in the streets of Europe."
https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/editorial/2023/05/10/arms-control-weapons-war/
May 8
***
Summary of
the main provisions of the #EC proposal to ramp-up #ammunition
production to one million rounds per year.
https://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ASAP_MainProvisionsSummary_08.05.23.pdf
***
@_ENAAT :
News from the Brussels' Bubble
* EU funding for the arms industry
* Other aspects of EU militarisation
* EU Peace Facility & related news
* interesting links
You will find it here:
https://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ENAAT-NBB-2023-03_05.05.23.pdf
***
Over POMS
(Prepositioned Organizational Materiel Storage), de oorlog in
Oekraïne, twee soorten imperialisme en het kankerverwekkende
chroom-6. Wat gebeurt er in Vriezenveen?
https://solidariteit.nl/commentaren/com-485_7-5-2023.html
***
Targetted
killings?
#Israeli forces reportedly deployed explosive-laden #drones during a #counter_terrorism operation on the West Bank on Thursday. Team of Israeli military, police & the Shin Bet sent a combat drone inside a house. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-742041
***
UN
investigators of the Panel of Experts on #Somalia have concluded that
#Turkey violated international sanctions on Somalia by supplying
#Bayraktar armed drones without notification to and approval of the
UN.
UN document:
https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N22/638/44/PDF/N2263844.pdf?OpenElement
Reads
almost a advertorial: Türkiye’s engagement in Somalia demonstrates
its aspiration to establish a prominent role in regional and global
politics...Türkiye’s comprehensive policy in Somalia showcases its
commitment to fostering long-term relationships. Cape Argus May 8,
2023.
#Turkey's is present role in #Africa includes
diplomacy, military training and exercises, & peacekeeping
operations. Many African states are eager to benefit from Turkey's
experience in counter-insurgency (fighting Kurds & in Syria) and
military industry. Daily News (SAf) 8/5/23
***
Thales SA
faces a bribery probe by French prosecutors into a $2.5 billion
contract it won to modernize the Indian Air Force’s fleet of
Dassault Mirage 2000 planes. A preliminary investigation has been
opened into allegations by Sanjay Bhandari, who said in a court case
that he served as a middleman to help Thales win the contract,
according to a person familiar with the probe. The case focuses on
whether payments to Bhandari were hidden bribes, the person said, who
asked not to be identified discussing confidential matters.
- Thales shares fell 3.5% to €132.00 at 3:11 p.m. in Paris. Dassault Aviation SA, which makes the Mirage planes and owns 25% of Thales, dropped 2.6% to €168.10. https://idrw.org/thales-faces-french-corruption-probe-over-india-mirage-contract/
Voor
Nederlandstalig (Thales is met Damen de grootste militaire
onderneming van in Nederland) bericht zie:
'Frans defensiebedrijf Thales
onderzocht voor steekpenningen'
07 Mei 2023 https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/2000595/1475268/frans-defensiebedrijf-thales-onderzocht-voor-steekpenningen
May
7
***
Neutrality?
Oerlikon's anti-aircraft guns may already be active against Russian planes and drones.
Air defence systems made in Italy, but produced by a Swiss-based company, are active in Ukraine, according to the SonntagsZeitung newspaper. https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/italy-produced--swiss--weapons--active-in-ukraine-/48493326
May 6
***
The German
Min of Economics ends in 2024 its presence at the largest arms fair
in the USA, the “Shot Show”. However, the step does not change
the fact that European gun manufacturers – including German–
benefit from widespread gun ownership in the US.
https://interaktiv.tagesspiegel.de/waffen/europaeische-waffen-amerikanische-opfer/
***
Retweet
@MSchroeder77One of the more insidious side
effects of war is the infusion of weapons of war into local
criminality, which lasts for years or decades after the fighting
stops. In Ukraine, criminal use of grenades has been a constant
problem since 2014 and is not likely to stop anytime soon.
Here's
a recent example. A 54-year-old man used an RGD-5 grenade to rob a
pharmacy in Mykolaiv. Its not the first such case and it wont be the
last.
https://mk.npu.gov.ua/news/pohrozhuiuchy-hranatoiu-vidibrav-koshty-iz-kasy-apteky-u-mykolaievi-politseiski-zatrymaly-cholovika-za-pidozroiu-u-vchynenni-rozboiu
***
Israel
Aerospace Industries has developed a new unmanned submarine, the
BlueWhale, designed for covert intelligence-gathering operations, the
company said May 4. can operate for two to four weeks, depending on
the mission.
https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2023/05/05/israeli-firm-reveals-unmanned-submarine-bluewhale/
Het artikel eindigt met de vraag: Waarom wil de Israëlische overheid niet met ons over China praten om het eerlijke beeld over het wapenprogramma van Iran te schetsen?”
In the Weapon Wizards meer over
(222-31, 236-7) de Chinees-Israëlische 
industriële relaties.
***
On taking
office, German PM Scholz promised an overhaul of German arms export
policies, but so far the only visible sign is a slowing of sales to
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
https://www.defense-aerospace.com/germany-remains-reluctant-to-sell-weapons-to-gulf-states-authoritarian-regimes/
***
Worrying?
The military-industrial complex #MIC that President Eisenhower warned Americans about 60+ years ago is still alive and well. In fact, it’s consuming many more tax dollars and feeding far larger weapons producers than when Ike raised the alarm. https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/05/06/this-is-not-your-grandfathers-military-industrial-complex/
***
War what is it good for?
May 5
***
#Rheinmetall
pitches unmanned mothership full of tiny attack #drones.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/2023/05/04/rheinmetall-pitches-unmanned-mothership-full-of-tiny-attack-drones/
***
Eind vorig
jaar dreigde #Turks president #Erdogan met een nieuw #grondoffensief
in Noord-Syrië. De bewoners van de ook al door de aarbeving
geteisterde regio bereiden zich voor op het ergste. ‘Het is
niet de vraag of het offensief er komt, maar wanneer.’
https://www.mo.be/reportage/alsof-we-niet-genoeg-geleden-hebben-onder-de-aardbevingen
***
The defense
industry and lobby groups in #Germany have been working to lift the
ban on exporting offensive weapons to #Saudi Arabia.
#MBDA Deutschland is said to be part of these efforts.
The results of these efforts are
answered in a 339-word report.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/61845-saudi-arabia-mbda-deutschland-and-efforts-to-lift-german-offensive-weapons-ban
May 4
***
Security?
#UK arms exports to South #Sudan
(2012-2022).
https://aoav.org.uk/2023/uk-arms-exports-to-south-sudan-2012-2022/
UK
arms exports to Somalia (2012-2022)
https://aoav.org.uk/2023/uk-arms-exports-to-somalia-2012-2022/
***
“All the
instruments of European defence policy are open, be it participation
in crisis management operations, in developing defence capabilities
through the #EDF – all of it is open to third countries... So these
policies are open as well to the #UK.” #EU
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/04/new-eu-envoy-recognises-willingness-to-rebuild-relationship-between-uk-and-eu
***
RFE/RL:
#China’s peace-broker role for #Ukraine can’t be discounted. Xi
has been engaging with world leaders on this issue for months, and
China has diplomatic capital to spend on the issue that could
translate into momentum in the future.
https://www.rferl.org/a/china-in-eurasia-briefing-standish-ukraine-china-russia-war-peace/32391309.html
***
Airbus,
Eutelsat, Hispasat, SES & Thales Alenia Space will jointly bid
for the EC Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, &
Security by Satellite #IRISS or #IRIS2, intended to provide more
secure space-based communication to the EU by 2027.
https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/airbus-reports-first-quarter-2023-results-i44r01b4
***
Revenues at
Airbus Defence and Space decreased 6 percent, mainly driven by lower
volume in Military Air Systems and in Space Systems. One A400M
transport aircraft was delivered in Q1 2023.
https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/airbus-reports-first-quarter-2023-results-i44r01b4
***
#Turkey’s
weapons exports to #Africa, although still relatively small, were
increasing rapidly – from $83m in 2020 to $460m in 2021. A study by
a German institute #SWP described its rapid growth as ‘impressive’.
https://www.timesaerospace.aero/features/defence/why-african-militaries-now-want-to-talk-turkey
***
#Egypt is
said to have made progress to procure the Lockheed Martin #THAAD
system.
How advanced are the talks?
Will the US #DDTC approve the deal?
What about the talks with Lockheed?
A 231-word report to answer these
questions and more BEHIND PAYWALL.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/61841-egypt-lockheed-martin-and-talks-over-thaad-update
***
Whether they
emanate from the right or the left, proponents of bringing Pentagon
spending back down to earth will face bipartisan opposition by
members who support high spending based on the desire to pour
Pentagon funding into their states/districts.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhartung/2023/04/26/will-the-pentagon-win-the-debt-ceiling-fight/
***
Full
guns blazing, but US #microchip export controls imposed last year to
freeze China’s development of supercomputers used to develop
nuclear weapons and AI are having only minimal effects on China’s
tech sector.
https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2023/05/03/chinas-ai-industry-barely-hampered-by-us-chip-export-rules/
***
Extra
information:
EU member states reach deal on joint
ammunition procurement for Ukraine
https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/eu-member-states-reach-deal-on-joint-ammunition-procurement-for-ukraine/
Defence: €500 million and new measures to urgently boost EU defence industry capacities in ammunition production https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/nl/ip_23_2569
Thanks to @_ENAAT
Brussels
backs use of EU budget to fund arms
factories
https://www.ft.com/content/56adcea4-2538-4ef3-9fde-f80edf6ca4a0
***
No
large-scale cases of illegal circulation of firearms in connection
with the year-long Russian war against Ukraine have been recorded.
This was stated by the EU delegation to international organizations in Vienna.
***
Hearing
tomorow on:
Modernizing US Arms Exports and a
Stronger #AUKUS.
https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/hearing/modernizing-u-s-arms-exports-and-a-stronger-aukus/
***
Onrust heerst
bij het korps commandotroepen vanwege een vermeend onveilige
werksfeer. De landmacht onderzoekt de situatie en de commandant van
de elite-eenheid zit thuis hangende het onderzoek. Hierover bericht
het AD woensdag als eerste. #KCT #SOF
https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/crisis-bij-commandos-over-onveilige-werksfeer-commandant-zit-thuis~a0266f65/
***
Helping at
the cost of EU members. EU central budget resources usually set aside
for infrastructure projects in poorer countries will now boost
European arms production.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/05/03/eu-brussels-ukraine-weapons-arms-building-roads/
***
Armed
police have used ‘intimidation and blanket detention’ to break up
a peaceful protest at the Leicester factory of Israeli weapons
manufacturer Elbit Systems.
https://skwawkbox.org/2023/05/03/armed-police-arrest-33-for-peaceful-protest-vs-israeli-arms-maker-including-palestine-action-founders/
***
Starting
with sexual harashment in the Japanese military in one jump the
article goes to: "experts say that there need to be far broader
changes in Japan" like "the expansion of its arms exports
industry" to strengthen the impact of the record spending.
https://www.ft.com/content/2e8dd852-47d3-4276-aabb-21bccb31dff0
On
the other side of the Pacific. Sexual assault reporting by US
military increased around 1 percent in 2022 compared to the previous
year. In FY 2022, there were 8,942 reports. (Annual Sexual Assault
Prevention and Response Report.)
https://news.usni.org/2023/04/27/annual-pentagon-sexual-assault-study-shows-increase-in-navy-reports-overall-trends-unclear
May 3
***
While some
ask if president Erdogan will be finally thrown out of Turkish
politics,
https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/2023-04-27/ty-article/.premium/is-turkey-finally-ready-to-throw-out-erdogan/00000187-c19e-d0b0-a5b7-d59e48be0000
others highlight his presence at the next weapon system Turkey
produces. He formally named the country’s new TF-X indigenous
fighter on May 1.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/turkish-fighter-christened-kaan-formal-rollout
***
By the end of
2023 an unusual deal for the #F35 fighter′s spare parts could be in
place that would upend the current ineffective & cosly supply
model. But can it handle wartime demands, also for global partner
countries? A detailed look into this question.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/05/02/lockheed-eyes-new-f-35-parts-deal-but-can-it-handle-wartime-demands/
***
#Czech arms
manufacturers have seen their reputations transformed, from being a
burden on the country’s international image to the government's
main conduit of support for #Ukraine.
Profitable exports to authoritarian regimes and conflict zones however also revealed they do not much care about human rights and ethical standards when making those deals.
They have already started campaigning
for the lifting of existing restrictions on commercial banks lending
to the arms sector.
https://balkaninsight.com/2023/05/03/weapon-supplies-to-ukraine-help-repair-tarnished-image-of-czech-arms-makers/
May 2
***
The Korea
JoongAng Daily publishes showroom with the weapons Seoul has on offer
for export.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/05/02/national/defense/Korea-weapons/20230502174605764.html
***
According to
Defense News, the #US House committee dedicated to countering #China
is preparing bipartisan proposals for the fiscal 2024 defense
authorization bill that would accelerate US munitions production and
arms transfers to #Taiwan.
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/budget/2023/04/27/china-focused-panel-preps-proposals-to-rapidly-arm-taiwan/
***
AUKUS
initially drew sharp responses from several Southeast Asian states.
Malaysia and Indonesia were the most vocal critics, expressing fears
that AUKUS could lead to a regional arms race and further
instability. Nowadays responses are more muted.
https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/australia-aukus-and-southeast-asia/
***
#India
thinking big about military #exports to Africa, Tejas jets on radar.
Nigeria will be the first country to receive an unspecified number of
domestically built light attack helicopters from state-owned
Hindustan Aeronautics buys via soft credit.
https://newsbeezer.com/zimbabwe/india-thinking-big-about-military-exports-to-africa-tejas-jets-on-radar/
May 1
***
Next #F35
order. Again billions into #Lockheed's pockets.
The Pentagon approved the start of production for Lot 17 of the #JSF aircraft, which will include 126 aircraft for the USAF, USMC, USN & foreign forces, valued $7.8 Billion (= annual ME of Norway). https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/pentagon-awards-78-bln-f-35-contract-lockheed-martin-2023-04-28/
***
Myanmar
National Unity Government is bereft of any meaningful external
support while the junta is assisted by its fellow authoritarians
since the 2021 coup.
https://thediplomat.com/2023/04/myanmars-military-junta-and-the-neo-authoritarian-bloc/
Totally despicable, but one may ask is the Cold War 2.0 is in the interest of Myanmar people's.
***
While Europe
buys US fighters Germany, Spain and France have formally agreed on
the next stage in the development of the European fighter aircraft
known as #FCAS (Future Combat Air System). For France and #export
only?
https://defence-industry.eu/germany-france-and-spain-confirm-next-stage-in-development-of-fcas/
***
De Guardiao
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guardiao_(P511)) is een schip gebouwd
door #Damen Shipyards en deels gefinancierd door #Nederland. Maar dit
patrouille vaartuig ligt al twee jaar werkeloos en stuk in dok. Een
obetaalbare miljoenenstrop voor het straatarme #Kaapverdië.
https://www.volkskrant.nl/kijkverder/v/2023/het-straatarme-kaapverdie-knokt-tegen-de-dreiging-van-een-narcostaat~v664672/
***
#Germany is
planning to produce 250,000 155mm artillery #shells for #Ukraine,
which is a quarter of the total amount of ammunition the European
Union intends to provide to Ukraine.
That’s according to the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3702317-germany-planning-to-produce-250000-artillery-shells-for-ukraine-media.html
***
BOOKS
Why Active Non-Alignment Should Be the Basis of Latin America’s Modern Foreign Policy.
https://thewire.in/books/active-non-alignment-latin-america-book-review
***
Debate on #Japanese arms export
policy continues. EDITORIAL in the Asahi Shimbun: Restrictions on
defense exports should remain for deadly arms. The ruling LDP however
envisioned the lifting of the ban on transfers of lethal weapons
countries in conflict.
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14898215
The
Yomiuri Shimbun takes a more agressive stance. It is important to
promote exports of defense equipment in order to rebuild the defense
industry that supports Japan's security policy.
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20230430-106703/
On Japanese arms export rules: do not "undermine our principles as a peaceful nation, and discussions are essential to forestall these moves from contributing to conflicts." "Arms transfers (... touch) on the very heart of what kind of nation Japan is." https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230506/p2a/00m/0op/020000c
***
The
Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) called for an end to what it
called "the pipeline of public funding to arms companies".
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/23489891.profitable-scots-arms-firms-benefit-8m-public-grants/
