Latest
on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
October 31
***
Turkey would
like to use the TB3 on its amphibious assault ships instead of the
U.S.-made F-35 fighters it didn't get after acquiring Russia’s
S-400 air defense system.
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-going-cold-on-extra-e20b-ukraine-arms-fund/
***
In the battle
for reasonable control of guns, one fact is indisputable. More guns
in circulation means more gun violence and more guns in the hands of
people who shouldn't have them. US gun companies are fueling that
violence with arms sales. #Guatemala.
https://vtdigger.org/2023/10/30/norm-vandal-a-dark-and-dangerous-underbelly-of-the-gun-industry/
***
At the G20
summit, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak failed to raise Indian #arms sales
to the Burmese military, despite it being British policy to
discourage the flow of arms to the #Burmese military. #Myanmar
***
The #EU has
donated more than 100 armoured vehicles to #Ghana that were
originally seized from a ship off the coast of #Libya.
This military support to Ghana is part of the EU's efforts to bolster assistance to allied nations in West #Africa.
***
Regio
Drechtsteden-Gorinchem wil € 36,5m van 't Rijk voor het o.a.
bekostigen van een opleidingscentrum voor #GKN #Fokker in
Papendrecht.
https://www.ad.nl/dordrecht/lobby-om-tientallen-miljoenen-voor-deze-regio-die-gebukt-gaat-onder-vervuiling-en-laag-opleidingsniveau~a310af1a/
Hoewel de nadruk ligt op duurzaamheid is dit een
civiel/militair bedrijf waarin duurzame banken niet zullen beleggen.
***
Armed Forces
Day of Romania celebrated with attention for the (downplayed) arms
export activities of Damen to Pakistan from its Galati wharf.
https://pakobserver.net/armed-forces-day-of-romania-celebrated/
***
Israeli
#Elbit Systems to establish artillery #ammunition #factory for
unnamed customer. Demand for artillery shells and platforms has
increased through 2023 as the war in Ukraine proves the capability of
such systems in the modern battlespace.
https://www.army-technology.com/news/elbit-systems-to-establish-artillery-ammunition-factory-for-unnamed-customer/
***
Growth of
#Turkish military expenditures is expected to continue. Meanwhile
Ankara "faces important socio-#economic #challenges related to
education, healthcare, and #poverty, from which funds and resources
are diverted in favour of the defence industry."
https://prismeinitiative.org/blog/economic-perspective-turkey-arms-production-deena-saleh/
***
Chief of the
South African Navy has expressed gratitude that the Navy is receiving
new #Damen inshore patrol vessels, which are far more efficient to
operate than the 4 frigates, but has cautioned that three are not
enough to secure #South_Africa’s waters.
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/editors-pick/sa-navy-chief-grateful-for-efficient-new-inshore-patrol-vessels-but-says-more-are-needed/
***
The US will
no longer issue new export licenses, the next 90 days, for ammo &
firearms to non-governmental users globally, except for those in
certain locations (incl. Ukraine and Israel), the Commerce Department
said last Fryday.
https://justthenews.com/government/federal-agencies/us-halts-civilian-firearms-and-ammunition-exports-90-days
Just
a warning: The US has reportedly warned Tel Aviv that it would not
send American-made rifles after the Israeli national security
minister was seen handing out such guns to civilians amidst the war
with the Hamas terrorist group.
https://www.wionews.com/world/us-threatens-to-halt-rifle-exports-after-israeli-minister-found-handing-it-out-to-civilians-report-653157
"Stop
US Arms to Mexico Welcomes Suspension of Some US Gun Licenses,"
contact John Lindsay-Poland, Stop US Arms to
Mexico, October 30, 2023
https://stopusarmstomexico.org/us-gun-exports-limited-suspension/
***
Timely.
#Czech Republic orders new batch of air-to-air missiles from #Rafael.
Czech ministry of defense has confirmed that it will spend $120
million on the procurement of 48 long-range, air-to-air missiles.
Praque is applauded by Netanyahu.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/10/27/czech-republic-orders-new-batch-of-air-to-air-missiles-from-rafael/
***
‘War of
money’: A new low-cost engine for Chinese #drones has cut the price
to less than 20 per cent of the international figure.
The technology is set to start a drone arms race as the #US begins its own programme to ramp up #production.
***
Canada: War
profiteers targeted in solidarity with Palestine.
The Canadian state has been one of the
most steadfast supporters of the Israeli state’s occupation,
apartheid and genocide against the Palestinians.
https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/canada-war-profiteers-targeted-solidarity-palestine
***
#OCCAR
launches first phase of European Patrol #Corvette: total budget of
€87 million for the project’s first phase (split between €60 in
European Commission (EC) grants & €27 million from member
states Italy, France, Spain, Denmark, Greece and Norway).
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/shipbuilding-synergies-occar-launches-first-phase-of-european-patrol-corvette-project/
October 30
***
#Thales
announces the appointment of Fabien Bortoluzzi as Managing Director
of Thales operations in Western & Central Africa. In this role,
he will be responsible for driving the civil and military business of
Thales in the region.
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/countries-middle-east-and-africa/senegal/news/fabien-bortoluzzi-appointed-managing-director-thales
#Senegal
***
Diaster for
the buck.
Australian military wants shonky brakes fixed on Hawkei vehicles by mid-2025 and has not ruled out grounding the fleet again.
It has asked manufacturer Thales to deliver a permanent solution to the long-running saga.
October
29
***
Myanmar. Homes were
destroyed in an airstrike on a village in the self-administered
northern Shan State, on Oct. 29. “Military fighter jets dropped
bombs over two villages that morning. The airstrikes were non-stop,”
said a Lahsio resident.
https://english.dvb.no/resistance-forces-continue-offensive-in-shan-nug-deputy-minister-calls-for-more-international-support/
October 28
***
Anglo-French
military firms talk quantum, missiles & other ‘complex
weapons’. Technology areas designed include tactical & deep
strike, surface & force protection & air dominance.
Involved companies are e.g. MBDA, Leonardo, Thales, Roxel, Safran and CEA. https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/anglo-french-defense-firms-gather-to-talk-quantum-missiles-and-other-complex-weapons/
***
US
Semiconductor Industry Association #SIA studies the impact of US
export restrictions on advanced computing chips + its manufacturing
equipment. SIA warned that overly broad & unilateral controls can
harm the industry without boosting national security.
https://www.worldecr.com/news/semiconductor-lobby-warns-against-overly-broad-us-export-controls/
***
Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent the ratification protocols for
Sweden’s NATO accession to parliament this week, but it’s unclear
whether that’s enough to lock down the $20 billion sale for 40 new
F-16s that Ankara seeks.
“But there are other
issues that we evaluate on arms sales,” Cardin added. “The use of
the weapons systems, the human rights issues and concerns that we
have. So there are other issues that we’ll be looking at.”
Turkish airstrikes have bombarded civilian infrastructure in Kurdish-held northeast Syria, cutting of water and electricity throughout much of the area. The Turkish strikes have killed at least 218 civilians, according to the Kurdish-led administration, which is backed by roughly 900 US troops in Syria. https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2023/10/27/turkey-f-16-sale-not-a-done-deal-even-with-swedens-nato-bid-on-track/
October 27
***
Kuwait
receives four Eurofighter Typhoons
The Eurofighter acquisition program is part of a collaboration between Kuwait and Italy, in which their air forces train together.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/10/27/kuwait-receives-four-eurofighter-typhoons/
***
Bahraini met
the #Pentagon & the US Dep of State to enhance military
cooperation. The Pentagon asked US military companies to discuss with
Manama the needed equipment against cruise missiles & combat
drones.
#Bahrain looks at a system made by #Lockheed. https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62282
October 27
***
***
De kosten van
twee nieuwe Nederlandse #fregatten zijn +/- €1,9 miljard.
https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/04/03/nieuwe-anti-submarine-warfare-fregatten-vanaf-2029-in-de-vaart
De casco’s worden in #Roemenië gebouwd, gaan dan naar Vlissingen om ze verder af te bouwen. De verwachting is dat #Damen het 1ste schip in 2028 zal opleveren. https://maritimetechnology.nl/nl/actueel/damen-naval-tekent-contract-met-alewijnse-voor-nieuwe-nederlandse-en-belgische-anti-submarine-warfare-fregatten
***
Stop
Nederlandse medeplichtigheid aan genocide. Demo zondag 29/10, 14u,
Malieveld. Oproep tot een beweging die zich hard maakt voor een breuk
van alle Nederlandse banden met Israël, om te beginnen de militaire
samenwerking & de wapenhandel met Israël.
https://bdsnederland.nl/kom-massaal-naar-de-nationale-demonstratie-zondag-29-oktober-om-2-uur-in-den-haag/
***
The business
of war: How arms industry profits from violent conflicts.
https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/people-profit/20231026-the-business-of-war-how-arms-industry-profits-from-violent-conflicts
***
The UK is a
significant supplier of weapons to Israel, though watchdogs say a
lack of transparency means it is difficult to determine what exactly
is being sent.
It did not stop Pro-Palestinian
protesters to blockade Israel-linked arms factory in UK.
https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/26/pro-palestinian-protesters-blockade-israel-linked-arms-factory-in-uk
Co-ordinated actions shut down three
Israel-supplying arms factories in a single day/
https://www.thecanary.co/uk/2023/10/27/trade-unionists-direct-actionists-arms-factories/
***
The
Italian navy could soon be protecting sub-sea, rare earth mining in
the Mediterranean, adding to its defense of internet cables on the
sea bed, an Italian minister has predicted.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/10/26/italian-navy-gears-up-for-mediterranean-rare-earth-mining-bonanza/
October 26
***
The #French
government is talking to #Saudi Arabia about selling the kingdom
#Rafale fighter jets, France’s defense minister said on Monday.
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231023-france-says-talking-to-saudi-about-rafale-fighter-sale
To advance human rights, peace, profits
or French interests?
***
#Airbus and #Northrop
Grumman shake on pact for UK’s lucrative (£500m/$610m) SKYNET
satellite program
Skynet 6a is a future #military
communications #satellite planned for launch in 2025.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/airbus-and-northrop-grumman-shake-on-pact-for-uks-lucrative-skynet-satellite-program/
***
The #dual_use
conundrum; Restrictions on technology with both a civilian and
military application are too often worthless without better
coordination. Short piece on the weakenesses and difficulties of dual
use export controls.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/dual-use-conundrum
October 25
***
Oil, money
and geopolitics - #Israel and #Azerbaijan form an unfortunate
alliance, to the ruin of the #Armenians. "The price is the
“#ethnic_cleansing” of this region, which has been inhabited by
Armenians for thousands of years."
***
#Australia
approved 322 military exports to #Israel in six years as Greens fear
equipment used in #Gaza assault. Greens call for greater
#transparency on ‘what those weapons are and how much they cost.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/24/australia-approved-322-defence-exports-to-israel-in-six-years-as-greens-fear-equipment-used-in-gaza-assault
***
#Thai
purchase of US $369m Yuan-class #submarine ran into trouble because
the #Chinese submarine developer was unable to buy a #German-built
diesel engine for the sub, due to a EU arms #embargo imposed on
Beijing. Now Bangkok wants a frigate instead.
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/thai/thailand-china-frigate-submarine-10232023121946.html
***
#France is
closely monitoring joint military drills involving troops from
#Turkey and #Azerbaijan close to the Armenian border - with a defence
ministry spokesman saying it was “extremely vigilant”.
Armenia signed a contract to purchase three Ground Master 200 radars from #Thales, identical to those delivered to Ukraine, plus another one with Safran for equipment including both binoculars and sensors.
#Armenia & France have also signed a letter of intent prior to the purchase of Mistral air defence systems of #MBDA. https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1827356/emmanuel-macron-france-turkey-azerbaijan-armenia
***
According to
the supplement of the Official Journal of the EU, the #Netherlands
awarded the contract to supply 14 tactical transport/logistics heli's
to #Airbus Helicopters. The #Caracal #H225M won against the UH-60M
Black Hawk from the US based Sikorsky.
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/les-pays-bas-preferent-le-caracal-d-airbus-helicopters-au-black-hawk-de-sikorsky-981185.html
***
Damen
Mangalia construction site, close to collapse. The state refuses to
get involved, although it is the majority shareholder. [in Romanian]
https://adevarul.ro/economie/santierul-damen-mangalia-aproape-de-colaps-2310443.html
October 24
***
Meer wapens
voor meer vrede?
De Vlaamse wapenexport floreert. Vorig
jaar is de uitvoer van defensiemateriaal uit Vlaanderen bijna
verdrievoudigd in waarde. Door de oorlog in Oekraïne mag de sector
ook voor de komende jaren uitgaan van groei.
https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20231023_97154894
Het
Vlaamse Vredesintituut vraagt de wijze waarop de vergunde
wapenuitvoer in Vlaanderen wordt gecontroleerd, te herbekijken.
“Belangrijke toetsstenen zoals mensenrechten, conflictpreventie en
vrede [dreigen nu] ondergesneeuwd te raken”
https://pnws.be/vredesinstituut-roept-vlaamse-regering-op-om-de-controle-van-wapenuitvoer-te-herbekijken/
***
Defence
relations between Qatar and the US are moving towards additional
agreements on advanced systems. Doha is said to be aiming to
establish an partnership with US military companies concerning laser
weapons systems especially for the Qatari Navy.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62270
***
What about
the current deployment of Israeli subs (#German origin) which can be
illegally nuclear armed? Isn't International Law #NPT that important
as selling destruction to Israel is?
Jerusalem uses many arms against innocent civilians.#Stoppt EU #Rüstungexporte nach #Israel.
***
Talks may be
ngoing between #SAMI & #China for the acquisition of the HSU-001
medium-sized underwater #drones #UUV. Report [paywall] on the number
of UUVs Riyadh is eyeing and more.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62269
There have been talks on Aerial and
naval drones.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62161-saudi-arabia-homegrown-technology-3-projects-for-aerial-and-naval-unmanned-systems-with-china
***
#Airbus
sluit contracten ter waarde van 1,27 miljard dollar voor upgrade en
service van #Franse #MRTT A330 #tankvliegtuigen.
https://nl.marketscreener.com/koers/aandeel/AIRBUS-SE-4637/nieuws/Airbus-sluit-contracten-ter-waarde-van-1-27-miljard-dollar-voor-upgrade-en-service-van-Franse-tankvl-45122994/
@Lockheed
drops US Air Force tanker bid; partner #Airbus to go it alone.
Lockheed has ended its effort to compete for an Air Force contract to
build the service’s next 75 refueling tankers. Airbus: “The A330
US-#MRTT is a reliable choice for the #USAF.”
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/10/23/lockheed-drops-us-air-force-tanker-bid-partner-airbus-to-go-it-alone/
October
23
Retweet Geluidsmeetnet rondom Vliegbasis Leeuwarden: Wyns zojuist op bijna 5 km van de vliegbasis. Het meetpunt relatief ver weg van het vliegpad. En toch: 100dba gemeten. Wat nu @Kon_Luchtmacht @Defensie en het COVM? Niets geen isolatie. In Noorwegen zou ook Wyns plat gaan. De herrie van de F35 is binnen én buiten onmenselijk.
***
European Defence Agency #EDA & the US Department of Defense are deepening transatlantic cooperation through broad cooperation. Issues: Supply chains •Standardisation •Military mobility •Chemical regulations, REACH • impact of #climatechange on defence https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2023/10/20/eda-and-u.s.-dod-deepen-transatlantic-defence-cooperation-ahead-of-summit
***
Arms what are they good for? More war: The surge in weapons purchases has caused growing concern about the potential for conflicts to become more likely, and more deadly, beyond the wars that already are underway in Europe and the Middle East. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/17/us/politics/israel-gaza-global-arms-sales.html
***
And now? In 2014 and 2018, respectively, Spain and the United Kingdom decided to freeze arms exports to Israel over the regime’s brutal actions in Gaza. https://thediplomat.com/2023/10/the-growing-significance-of-malaysia-and-indonesias-non-recognition-of-israel/
***
Thousands march in support of #Palestinians. People had "signs which stated Stop the genocide in Gaza and #Arms_Embargo in #Israel now." Similar events took place across the world, like in London, where about 100,000 people are reported to have attended. https://headtopics.com/ie/thousands-march-through-dublin-in-support-of-palestine-amid-47343073
October 22
***
Pittige toespraak.
#Nederland wordt wakker! Benjamin Baars onderzoeker #wapenhandel
benadrukte tijdens de pro-#Palestijnse demonstratie in Utrecht de
noodzaak de Nederlandse betrokkenheid in de wapenhandel niet te
negeren. Kom in verzet! Zo roept hij op.
***
War what is
it good for?
De Amerikaanse wapenindustrie floreert bij de oorlog in Israël; Defensie-industrie. Wrang effect oorlogsgeweld: koersen van wapenmakers gaan de lucht in. https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/10/20/de-amerikaanse-wapenindustrie-floreert-bij-de-oorlog-in-israel-a4178072
***
#Thales, the
French military, avionics & cyber security software group, is
bullish on #India, both as a market due to increasing orders from its
defence sector and airline operators, and as an R&D hub with its
massive engineering talent.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-a-significant-hub-where-we-design-products-for-global-markets-will-doubly-by-2027-thales-ceo/articleshow/104553922.cms
***
Thales
announced that it has been awarded a contract by Koreas Aerospace
Industries (KAI) to equip FA-50 fighters for Poland with its highly
successful Scorpion Helmet Mounted Display (HMD).
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/defence/press_release/korea-aerospace-industries-selects-thales-scorpionr-helmet-mounted
***
The #German
state prosecutor's office in Ravensburg has launched a criminal
investigation into ND SatCom GmbH (https://www.ndsatcom.com/en/) for
supplying communications equipment to the #Myanmar military,
including since the February 2021 coup.
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/german-firm-faces-legal-probe-over-myanmar-junta-supplies.html
***
Amnesty
International said in a press release that it "documented
unlawful Israeli attacks, including indiscriminate attacks, which
caused mass civilian casualties and must be investigated as war
crimes."
https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1354129/amnesty-international-says-israeli-attacks-must-be-investigated-as-war-crimes.html
***
Hoe de
stijgende militaire uitgaven van de NAVO bijdragen aan de afbraak van
het klimaat.
https://vrede.be/nl/nieuws/hoe-de-stijgende-militaire-uitgaven-van-de-navo-bijdragen-aan-de-afbraak-van-het-klimaat
***
A former
investigator for the US Bureau of Alcohol,Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives #ATF is accused of #smuggling guns into #Mexico while
employed by the agency in 2017, according to a letter sent to ATF's
head this week by US Senator Charles Grassley.
https://news.yahoo.com/exclusive-former-us-firearms-investigator-170009694.html
***
De macht zit
aan de overkant.
‘Wat je hiermee laat zien is dat buitenlandse klanten niet 100% op Nederlandse techbedrijven kunnen vertrouwen. ... Het signaal dat je dan afgeeft is: “Je kunt op ons niet bouwen.” Zo zijn het Amerikaanse maatregelen tegen de Chinese economie én de Nederlandse.
De EU introduceerde al eens wetgeving die het bedrijven verbood wetgeving van buitenlandse mogendheden te volgen, zoals de extraterritoriale sancties van de VS, lees ik in: Backfire; How sanctions Reshape the World Against U.S. Interests door Agathe Demarais.
Backgrounder: China Semiconductor Export Regulations, Episode III – What a Difference a Year Makes. https://www.globaltradelawblog.com/2023/10/20/china-semiconductor-export-regulations-episode-iii-what-a-difference-a-year-makes/
October 20
***
#UK and
#Saudi Arabia are working on expanding defense cooperation in the
naval sector, notably involving USVs and UAVs launched from warships.
#drones
This matter was discussed during the
meeting on 2/10/2023
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62263
***
US president
Biden asked Congress tens of billions of dollars for weapon shipments
to Ukraine & Israel, to "sharpen Israel’s qualitative
military edge".
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2023/10/20/biden-asks-congress-for-israel-ukraine-aid-in-giant-defense-package/
What about colonist violence, destructions of livelihood & Israeli settlements on Palestine territory?
***
In 2022, the
global volume of conventional arms exports (according to the
classification of the UN Register) for the first time in recent
history exceeded $ 100 billion and amounted to $103.460 billion.
https://vpk.name/en/785805_in-2022-the-global-volume-of-conventional-arms-exports-exceeded-100-billion-for-the-first-time.html
***
@Kazakhstan
has stopped exporting 106 types of goods with potential military
applications to @Russia. These products include "drones,
internal components, specialised electronics, chips," &
similar goods like equipment that could be used for militarily.
https://kyivindependent.com/kazakhstan-bans-export-of-106-products-with-military-use-to-russia/
***
A
former State Dept. official explains why he resigned over U.S. arms
sent to Israel. “We never seem to ask, well, what about the
Palestinian right? Not to face incursions in their villages, not to
be bombed from the air...we have to talk about both
sides.”https://wamu.org/story/23/10/19/a-state-department-official-has-resigned-over-u-s-israel-arms-transfers/
HuffPost
notes more internal discomfort. Exclusive: ‘Mutiny Brewing’
Inside State Department over Israel-Palestine Policy
Morale is low, and some staffers are
preparing to formally express their opposition to President Joe
Biden's approach, officials told.
https://wamu.org/story/23/10/19/a-state-department-official-has-resigned-over-u-s-israel-arms-transfers/
October
19
***
S. #Korea has
opened one of Asia's largest arms fairs to showcase its military
industry's rags-to-riches story. Analysts say the Israel-Gaza
conflict and Russia-Ukraine war could be a boon for Seoul's goal to
become the world's 4th-biggest arms exporter.
***
Japan seems
to aim to allow the transfer of Tempest fighters (developed with UK &
Italy) to other nations through a revision of its rules on exports of
military equipment. The Tempest seems to hit the Japanese partial ban
on arms exports as first target.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/10/18/japan/next-geneation-fighter-exports/
***
In de jongste
nieuwsbrief brengt de Belgische consumenten organisatie #Testaankoop
wapenfabrikanten #Thales, #BAE Systems en het Amerikaanse #Lockheed
Martin onder de aandacht, als bedrijven die garen spinnen bij de
huidige veiligheidssituatie. TJA
https://www.msn.com/nl-be/nieuws/other/advies-testaankoop-investeer-in-wapenfabrikanten/
***
#Airbus and
Turkish Aerospace Industries #TAI formalized their cooperation by
signing a memorandum of understanding to open "Airbus - TAI
Aviation Vocational School" in Kahramanmaraş. [in Turkish]
https://www.defenceturkey.com/en/content/airbus-ve-tusas-kahramanmaras-ta-havacilik-meslek-yuksekokulu-acmak-icin-anlasma-imzaladi-5767
***
South African
Navy to commission second #MMIPV multi-mission inshore patrol vessel
SAS King Shaka Zulu build by #Damen Shipyards Cape Town.
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/editors-pick/second-sa-navy-inshore-patrol-vessel-on-track-for-month-end-handover/
***
The Israeli
government has suspended all sales and supplies of military/security
hardware and related services to Colombia.
The move followed a heated exchange on
X between the Colombian President & Israeli Ambassador in Bogota
about the conflict in Gaza.https://www.defensenews.com/global/2023/10/18/israel-suspends-defense-sales-to-colombia
***
Between
2020 and 2022, Israel imported €140 million in weaponry from
Spain. According to the @CentreDelas arms exports to Israel
violate EU arms export criteria.
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/10/19/qlmt-o19.html
October 18
***
Eerste Kamer
moet stekker uit militaire samenwerking met Israël trekken
Nu Israël duizenden burgers doodt en een vluchtelingencrisis veroorzaakt moet Nederland zijn voorgenomen samenwerking met het Israëlische leger staken.
https://rightsforum.org/eerste-kamer-moet-stekker-uit-militaire-samenwerking-met-israel-trekken/
***
Ukraine is
now using long-range US Lockheed Martin missiles, known as ATACMS, on
the battlefield.
https://defensenews.com/pentagon/2023/10/17/ukraine-announces-its-received-and-fired-us-long-range-missiles/…
Those delivered to Ukraine have have a range of just over 100 miles.
other versions have a maximum firing range190 mi
(300 km).
Inside Biden’s Reversal on Sending
Long-Range Missiles to Ukraine.
The story is more complex than a caricature in Washington that President Biden is cautious to a fault, and says no until the pressure is insurmountable.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/17/us/politics/biden-ukraine-atacms-weapons.html
***
Il est urgent
d’arrêter les transferts d’armes vers Israël.
https://aser-asso.org/il-est-urgent-darreter-les-transferts-darmes-vers-israel/
***
Though US
security assistance to Israel takes many forms, the largest portion
comes through Foreign Military Financing #FMF, which are
grants to support the purchase of US military articles &
services. The current MoU is $3.3bn in annual FMF to Israel
https://www.stimson.org/2023/in-shadow-of-war-a-snapshot-of-u-s-military-assistance-to-israel/
***
Government
has ‘no plans’ to stop arms sales to Israel despite civilian
deaths Human rights groups say UK is ignoring its own rules on arms
exports after hundreds of Palestinians killed.
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/israel-palestine-hamas-war-arms-exports-uk-government/
***
South #Korean
president Yoon said at arms fair #ADEX: "The keys to victory in
the future battlefield are aerospace and #AI," and stressed that
the government will provide full support in speeding up the
implementation of AI technologies in the military.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2023-10-17/national/defense/Aerospace-and-AI-are-future-of-defense-industry-says-Yoon/1892137
***
Which
Canadian Weapons Fuel Israel’s ‘Textbook Genocide’ Of
Palestinians? The Feds Don’t Disclose.
“The speed at which Israel is killing civilians is just absolutely shocking and alarming.”
***
Verbreek
banden met Israëlische wapenindustrie,
stelt Stop Wapenhandel op webpagina met
lijstje publicaties over Nederlandse wapenlevanties aan en militaire
samenwerking met Israël.
https://stopwapenhandel.org/verbreek-banden-met-israelische-wapenindustrie/
Palestinian
trade unions have released an urgent call for unions internationally
to take action to stop arming Israel. Workers across the world must
take up the struggle for Palestinian liberation.
https://www.leftvoice.org/an-urgent-call-from-palestinian-trade-unions-end-all-complicity-stop-arming-israel/
***
“Commerce
Strengthens Restrictions on Advanced Computing Semiconductors,
Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment, and Supercomputing Items” to
arms embargoed countries, including China.
https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/documents/about-bis/newsroom/press-releases/3355-2023-10-17-bis-press-release-acs-and-sme-rules-final-js/file
The
Biden administration is tightening restrictions on China’s ability
to buy advanced semiconductors, Widening Rift With Nvidia and Intel
that sell to the vast Chinese market.
https://www.wsj.com/tech/u-s-tightens-curbs-on-ai-chip-exports-to-china-widening-rift-with-u-s-businesses-3b9983df
***
The war
economy starts to deliver its gloomy products. French defense firms
have boosted production of self-propelled guns, artillery shells,
fighter jets and anti-air missiles, the country’s armed forces
minister said Monday.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2023/10/16/french-firms-to-triple-155mm-ammo-production-boost-weapons-output/
***
NAVO-doelstelling
om alle leden minimaal 2% van hun BBP aan defensie te laten besteden,
zet 't halen van de klimaatdoelen verder onder druk & sluist
miljarden naar de wapenindustrie, geld dat ook aan 't bestrijden van
klimaatverandering kan worden besteed.
https://www.duurzaamnieuws.nl/navo-doelstelling-van-2-bbp-leidt-tot-sterke-stijging-fossiele-uitstoot/
***
Wendela de
Vries, onderzoeker bij Stop Wapenhandel: “Hoge militaire uitgaven
leiden tot meer fossiele uitstoot, wat de wereld niet veiliger maakt.
De grote winnaar is de wapenindustrie, waarvan de winsten omhoog
schieten. Nu de planeet midden in een extreme klimaatcrisis zit is
het krankzinnig om te investeren in het nog rijker maken van de
aandeelhouders van de wapenindustrie, in plaats van degenen te
beschermen wier levens worden bedreigt door de ineenstorting van het
klimaat.”
https://sargasso.nl/wvdd/hoe-de-navo-de-klimaatcrisis-verergert/
October 17
***
The #UAE aims
to manufacture Advance Unmanned Cargo Vehicles #UCAVs equipped with
#AI tech under the supervision of EDGE Group.
The UAE Ministry of Industry # Advanced
Technology is expected to contact several foreign defense companies
for cooperation.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/61743-uae-edge-group-and-the-jeniah-ucav-development
***
Propaganda
for more military AI investments sold as analyses. "The faster
we move to primarily autonomous force, the better for our global
military standing." https://www.foxnews.com/video/6331395125112
***
Het rapport Climate
crossfire door Stop Wapenhandel, Transnational Institute, en Tipping
Point North South, wordt de klimaat-impact onderzocht van de
#NAVO-norm dat landen 2% van hun BBP aan militaire uitgaven moeten
doen, waarvan minimaal 20% aan nieuwe wapens. Deze norm is in korte
tijd algemeen geaccepteerd maar heeft geen enkele wetenschappelijke
basis. Ze leidt volgens het rapport wel tot sterke stijging fossiele
uitstoot. #klimaatcrisis
Persbericht:
https://stopwapenhandel.org/klimaat-kruisvuur/
Full report – English:
https://stopwapenhandel.org/klimaat-kruisvuur/
https://twitter.com/CTWnl/status/1714207570640904251
***
Dringende
oproep van Palestijnse vakbonden: stop alle medeplichtigheid en
bewapening Israël
***
The clear
viewpoint of Guillaume Faury, the #Airbus CEO, on arms exports to the
autocratic violent regeime of #Saudi Arabia: "We need to be able
to export to ensure innovation and production." Business first.
https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/industrie/guillaume-faury-airbus-chef-die-deutsche-haltung-bei-ruestungsexporten-ist-ein-echtes-problem/29448920.html
***
The mouth is
where...
#France and the #Gulf region: A new
vision
According to specialized international
reports, the Middle East and North Africa region is the most
attractive market for French arms exports, which have increased
considerably in recent years.
https://www.eureporter.co/world/france-world/2023/10/16/france-and-the-gulf-region-a-new-vision/
***
To enhance
Ukraines military capabilities, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and the
Netherlands have united in an agreement on the supply of weaponry,
ensuring Ukraines security and promoting economic growth and job
opportunities for the Czechia.
https://www.army-technology.com/news/signal-czech-republic-denmark-and-netherlands-forge-pact-to-bolster-ukraines-defence/
***
***
#Germany
wants to make sure that #Israel gets all the weapons it needs for
self-defense and has decided to fast-track its #arms export
authorization procedure and give these exports priority a
person with knowledge of the decision told POLITICO.
https://www.politico.eu/article/breton-wants-more-time-to-plan-eu-defense-investment-plan/
***
Polish
warplane appetite prompts jockeying by US, European vendors. Defence
Minister Mariusz Błaszczak: “... we need at least two more
squadrons of … multi-role aircraft. What kind of aircraft will they
be? We are working on this.”
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/10/16/polish-warplane-appetite-prompts-jockeying-by-us-european-vendors/
***
Nadat
Israël de oorlog aan Hamas verklaarde, sloegen beleggers toe. Zij
hopen te profiteren van een toegenomen vraag naar wapens. De
#beurskoersen van grote #wapenfabrikanten schieten omhoog. Het effect
is wel tijdelijk.
https://www.trouw.nl/duurzaamheid-economie/beleggers-zien-brood-in-de-oorlog-tussen-israel-en-hamas~ba85d55b/
MORE than £8bn has been added to the value of five of Europe's biggest defence firms since the Hamas attack on October 7. Shares in UK BAE Systems rose 10% last week, and there were similar gains at Saab SW, Rheinmetall GE, Thales FR and Leonardo in IT. https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-12633171/Europes-biggest-defence-firms-soar-wars-rage.html
October 16
***
A
drone hit (25/9/23) a Saudi location near the Yemen border. 4
Bahraini soldiers were killed, several others wounded.
The Saudi MoD condemned the attack but said it will not answer militarily. Meetings took place involving Saudi, Bahraini & US officers. https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62251
October 15
***
The Seoul
International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, known as Seoul #ADEX,
kruns from 17-22 October. S. #orea looks to score record-breaking
exports for the defense industry this year and the Seoul defence
exhibition aims to boost arms exports.
https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20231015000133
***
Palestine
Action, a group targeting UK-based industries providing arms to
Israel, made a list of companies in the UK it says are "complicit
in Elbit's murderous arms trade". #Elbit is an Israeli military
company that operates in the UK and the Netherlands.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/plot-attack-50-uk-buildings-31192373
October 14
***
The new face of war; not
hardware but information is key.
US military leaders and tacticians are taking the lesson from Ukraine’s fight against Russian invaders that information operations are critical.
***
In India they
have other sorrows. Are the weapons still comming.
Military supplies from Israel unlikely
to be affected. The ongoing Israel-Hamas war is unlikely to have an
immediate impact on Indian military hardware and spares supplies.
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/military-supplies-from-israel-unlikely-to-be-affected-govt-8982029/
***
President
Volodymyr Zelensky and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte met in Odesa
and discussed the delivery of Dutch Patriot missiles to Ukraine, the
president's office reported on Oct. 13.
https://news.yahoo.com/zelensky-meets-dutch-pm-odesa-172013911.html
Here
same news in Dutch, by the Dutch Minister of Defence,
https://twitter.com/DefensieMin/status/1712858640300790243
October 13
***
Bedrijven die
minder-dodelijke wapens verkopen aan landen die ze misbruiken om
protesten te onderdrukken en staten die deze export toestaan, dragen
bij aan een wereldwijde mensenrechtencrisis en moeten deze handel
stoppen.
***
Daar is
#Nevesbu weer eens; 't bedrijf met de opmerkelijke achtergrond (in
1931 begonnen als bovenbuur van het Duitse uitgeweken U-boot
ontwerpburo IvS).
Directie Materiële Instandhouding en
Nevesbu tekenen contract voor vlootbrede engineeringsupport.
https://maritimetechnology.nl/nl/actueel/directie-materiele-instandhouding-en-nevesbu-tekenen-contract-voor-vlootbrede-engineeringsupport/
Zie
ook Ein Wolf im Schafspelz
Verdeckte deutsch-niederländische Rüstungsproduktion und die Firma IvS 1922-1945
Series: Schriften zur Marinegeschichte, Volume: 2, Author: Sebastian J. de Groot; Copyright Year:
2021; ISBN: 978-3-657-70444-3. 1922 wurde das Ingenieurbüro für Schiffbau (IvS/ Inkavos A.G.) unter der Leitung von Dr. Hans Techel in Den Haag gegründet.
***
Onveiligheid
groeit. 't Antwoord groei wapenbeurs: DSEI in 't VK. Nederland
leverde er trots een bijdrage aan en hemelt achteraf de
wapenindustrie van Z-Korea & Israël op in marine tijdschrift
Alle Hens.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/allehens/2023/08/08_defensiebeurs-dsei-groeit-door-onveiligheid
Zou er echt niet wat strukturelers te bedenken zijn?
***
Current
study: War and climate: How tanks and the like contribute to global
warming keep reading ==>
https://www.indonewyork.com/breaking/current-study-war-and-climate-how-tanks-and-the-like-contribute-to-global-h97506.html
INDONEWYORK
***
#UAE President Sheikh
Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) consistently underscores the
importance of the UAE-AFAD’s acquiring the #F35 fighter in his
talks with US officials.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62246-uae-us-defense-relations-f-35-deal-update
***
„Dat
de radicalen nu de overhand hebben, is in grote mate het resultaat
van Israëls repressie en het uitblijven van een politieke
oplossing,” zegt Jeroen Gunning, hoogleraar Midden-Oosten Politiek
en Conflictstudies aan het King’s College
Londen.
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/10/12/voor-hamas-was-het-nu-of-nooit-a4177039
October
12
***
#Airbus and
the Singaporese Air Force #RSAF worked together to successfully
complete the automatic air-to-air refuelling flight test with the
Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport #MRTT & #F15 fighter,
ahead of its certification in the first half of '24.
https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-10-successful-a330-mrtt-flight-test-campaign-for-f-15-fighters
***
The
Netherlands ships drones, mine clearance equipment and ammo to
Ukraine. [Info in Dutch, by MoD]
https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/10/11/nederland-levert-drones-ontmijningsuitrusting-en-munitie-aan-oekraine
***
The Netherlands operates the F-35A variant.
***
What the #US
Should Do to Keep Its Lead in the Chip War?
#China next-generation lithography tool—which uses a form of lithography one generation shy of Dutch industry leader #ASML’s most advanced technology—is set to be launched this year." https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/china-goes-offensive-chip-war
***
Turn it up
side down. #France confirmed future military sales to #Armenia . If
there is a new conflict, the #Azerbaijani President says, France will
be responsible. https://www.azernews.az/analysis/215923.html
Weren't it #Israel & #Turkey his sources for arms than, responsible for ethnic cleansing?
***
Stop the fools.
Under Giorgia Meloni's government's new proposal, #Italy
would be able to export arms to countries at #war as well as to those
with a poor track record of #human_rights violations, #evading_bans
that currently stop it from doing so.
https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/11/italys-government-is-trying-to-make-exporting-arms-easier-but-activists-say-itd-be-a-disas
***
Next. The Belgian
government said it will provide an undisclosed number of F-16
fighters to Ukraine from 2025, a decision some are calling a
compromise between the political factions that make up the country’s
ruling coalition.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/10/11/belgium-agrees-to-send-f-16s-to-ukraine-but-not-before-2025/
October 11
***
Norwegian
#Kongsberg is sending its integrated #counter-#drone system to
#Ukraine to help guard against incoming Iranian-made kamikaze drones,
and hopes to convince the US Army and Marine Corps to consider the
system for future vehicle programs.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2023/10/10/kongsberg-sending-counter-drone-network-to-ukraine-pitching-it-to-us/
***
#Qatari Emir
Tamim is following up with #Hamas’ Political Bureau Chief Ismail
Haniyeh on the ongoing military conflict with Israel.
Emir Tamim is said to have received from Haniyeh a proposal for a #ceasefire agreement. https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62239
***
#France's
Direction Générale de l'Armement #DGA has proposed offers to #SAMI
to enhance #Saudi space capabilities in various fields. France is
competing with China to supply Saudi Arabia with #satellites.
Satellites are imporant for miltary activities. https://www.tacticalreport.com/
***
At least 2
Western companies have supplied critical components for the Turkish
#Bayraktar drones. Used in conflicts in Africa, Asia and Europe.
#Hensoldt told Reuters it has been equipping the #Bayraktar TB2 with
its ARGOS II optical sensor since 2020. L3Harris Wescam, a Canadian
subsidiary of US defence contractor #L3 #Harris Technologies, has
also supplied drone technology to #Turkey in the past.
https://www.todayonline.com/world/western-firms-have-supplied-critical-components-turkish-drones-2278081
***
European
Network Against Arms Trade #ENAAT News from the Brussels' Bubble
- EU funding for the arms industry
- Other aspects of EU militarisation
The news letter is full of information on recent developments and links to documents, reports and article.
https://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ENAAT-NBB-2023-07_09.10.2023.pdf
***
Wie vrede
wil, moet een vredesbeleid voeren. Dus niet meer wapens en hogere
militaire uitgaven, maar de-escalatie, diplomatie, afschaffing van
kernwapens en een streng wapenexportbeleid.
De verkiezingsflyer van @CTWnl en
@KerkenVrede
hier ->
https://stopwapenhandel.org/kies-voor-vredesbeleid/
***
#Turkey’s
Baykar to spend $100 million on #Ukraine #drone production.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/10/10/turkeys-baykar-to-spend-100-million-on-ukraine-production-plant/
***
Nederland
sluit niet uit dat 8 aan Oekraïne geleverde Pzh2000 houwitsers
worden gebruikt om onder voorwaarden #clustermunitie af te vuren.
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=2023D41566
Dit terwijl de Convention on Cluster
Munitions #CCM het gebruik ten alle tijden verbiedt.
https://disarmament.unoda.org/convention-on-cluster-munitions/
October 10
***
#Pentagon has
started delivering #military #equipment to #Israel by air, as the DoD
is searching its stocks for possible additional equipment &
urging the US industry to accelerate deliveries of materiel that is
in production, officials announced Oct. 9.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/dod-providing-military-aid-israel-surging-forces-region
***
US Defense
Production Act of 1950: History, Authorities & Considerations for
Congres.
DPA authorities incl:
Priorities & Allocations
Expansion of Productive Capacity &
Supply
General Provisions eg establishing
voluntary agreements with private industry
***
Selection of Dutch
military licenses Dec 2022:
- 22 not specified licenses for militairy products, #Ukraine;
- #submarine parts, #Taiwan, € 788,487;
- 33 small arms (+ ammo) export licenses, #Turkey; &
- 12 licenses in December were larger than € 1 million.
***
Selection of
Dutch licenses dual use licenses Jun-Aug 2023:
- 4 for Image intensifiers (military purp), #Brazil, total €153,945;
- thermal camera's, #India, €75,126; &
- several licenses (Montenegro, Spain and #Tanzania) via Israel for image intensifiers.
***
In February
2023 nearly 1.2 million bullets were shipped fropm the US to Ukraine
passing the harbout of #Rotterdam by ship.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-doorvoer-militaire-goederen
The caliber isn't provided anymore for all transits by car, ship and plane since October 31, 22. See also: https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2023/10/who-stops-decline-of-arms-export.html
***
In the first
nine months of 2023, the #German government approved #arms_exports
vallued +/- € 100 million from Rheinland-Pfalz. This is according
to federal government information as answer to a question by Die
Linke Bundestag member Dagdelen.
https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/ruestungsindustrie-berlin-ruestungsexporte-fuer-100-millionen-euro-genehmigt-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-231008-99-482819
***
Remember
Eisenhower's remarkts on the MIC:
Support for Ukraine preparing US for future wars
The Pentagon plans to reach the target of 1 million rounds per year by autumn 2025.
This increased capacity is there to
stay even when the war in Ukraine ends.
https://asiatimes.com/2023/10/support-for-ukraine-preparing-us-for-future-wars/
***
The
#Naval_Group has just launched the Kimon, the first defence and
intervention #FDI frigate. Norway & #Saudi Arabia are potential
customers for the new French frigate.
The Lorient site is ready: it has reorganized itself to deliver two FDIs per year. https://www.challenges.fr/entreprise/defense/fregates-de-naval-group-apres-la-grece-la-norvege-et-larabie-saoudite-pourraient-se-laisser-seduire_869873
***
The Pentagon
is expected to share information with the Saudi MoD about the
performance of U.S.-made weapons in Ukraine.
Note that the U.S. Biden administration
previously withheld such information from non-NATO countries. https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62233
***
Analysts
tell Breaking Defense that there has been a shift in how #Ukraine
uses its Turkish TB2 #drones, as the direct result of Russia's change
in air defense tactics over the course of the war.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/with-turkish-drones-in-the-headlines-what-happened-to-ukraines-bayraktar-tb2s/
October 7
***
Israeli
artillery seen with Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan against the
Sudanese army. The possession of advanced weaponry heightens concerns
about its potential for future acts of violence.
https://www.military.africa/2023/10/israeli-artillery-seen-with-rsf-forces/
***
David
Arakhamia, the leader of #Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's
party, criticised #Swiss #neutrality policy. This policy has effects
on the arms exports position of Bern which are not in the interest of
Kyiv.
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/ukraine-official-criticises-switzerland-over-arms-exports/48869366
***
Report on
United Nations First Committe (on disarmament and international
security) Meeting. "Regulating the flow of conventional arms
should not restrict States’ right to acquire such weapons for
self-defence," the representative of Saudi Arabia states.
https://press.un.org/en/2023/gadis3713.doc.htm
October 6
***
Damen is
behaving pitiful these days:
Damen asks for compensation from Romania for termination of agreement over shipyard. https://www.romania-insider.com/damen-compensation-romania-shipyards-2023
But still is selling large naval
vessels:
https://www.marinelink.com/news/know-ship-hours-board-damen-delivers-508548
***
Dutch
military arms reports on individual licenses are provided only up to
December 22. In September 23 some new information on transit consents
has been provided. Reporting on dual use slowly continues. But
instead of catching up the backlog is growing.
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2023/10/who-stops-decline-of-arms-export.html
***
Kuwaiti-French
relations have dramatically deteriorated due to the controversial
sales of Airbus Caracal H225M heli's. The deal, include allegations
of corruption & bribery, and Kuwait suspended the acceptance of
the heli's by the Kuwaiti military in 2022.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/in-depth/62230
***
The Italian
Navy has received its final #NH90 military helicopter from Leonardo.
The first delivery was made in 2011.
https://www.leonardo.com/en/press-release-detail/-/detail/02-10-2023-italian-navy-s-nh90-helicopter-deliveries-complete-as-state-of-the-art-mission-simulation-centre-is-established-at-maristaeli-luni-base
(The European heli of #Fokker #GKN, #Leonardo & #Airbus
http://www.nhindustries.com/website/en/ref/The-Company_150.html
is even more notorious for its faillures as the US F-35.)
***
#Japanese
self defence force Minister Minoru Kihara seeks deal to speed up
#Tomahawk buy from US. The Tomahawk is the subsonic cruise missile
used to open US interventions since the 1990's or to punish an enemy
after it crossed a red line.
Self defence?
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/japanese-defmin-seeks-deal-to-speed-up-tomahawk-buy-from-us
***
#Thales will
equip the #Polish Navy MIECZNIK frigates with the #TACTICOS combat
management system, sonars, infrared sensor and radars providing the
warships with multiple functions for detection, identification,
command and control and decision making.
https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/THALES-4715/news/Thales-to-deliver-the-Combat-Management-System-and-sensor-suite-to-Polish-MIECZNIK-Frigates-44987839/
***
A global
investigation into the Israeli Predator spyware firm has revealed
documents showing the former prime minister was invited to pitch a
deal to a German spy agency. Olmert admits working with #Intellexa,
recently sanctioned by the US, until recently.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2023-10-05/ty-article/.premium/ex-israeli-pm-olmert-worked-for-u-s-blacklisted-spyware-maker-intellexa/0000018a-fe96-d95d-a3be-ff9774710000
***
UK arms
exports almost double to £8.5bn, with most sales to repressive
regimes, campaigners reveal.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/arms-exports-almost-double-to-8bn-with-most-sales-to-repressive-regimes-campaigners-reveal
With
#UK arms supplies to Ukraine soaring, the CAAT raised concerns about
waste, corruption and where weapons end up after the conflict.
UK arms exports nearly doubled in 2022
to €9.8bn, according to a new report by the Campaign Against Arms
Trade #CAAT.
https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/06/amid-surging-global-bloodshed-uk-arms-exports-double-report
***
The
Dysfunctional Superpower shoots down a drone of an autocratic member
of NATO after it came too close to troops.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2023/10/05/us-shoots-down-turkish-drone-after-it-came-too-close-to-us-troops/
***
How
Israel helped Azerbaijan retake Nagorno-Karabakh and why (the 'why'
is not translated into English and still in Albanian, automatic
translation helps).
https://www.voxnews.al/english/kosovabota/si-izraeli-ndihmoi-azerbajxhanin-per-te-rimarre-nagorno-karabakun-dhe-i49715
October
5
***
New blog: Who
stops the decline of arms export transparency?
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2023/10/who-stops-decline-of-arms-export.html
***
Surprising?
Top lobbyists for European (military) air industry:
#ASD Pres, Guillaume Faury
V-chair of the board, Micael Johansson
&
Sec Gen, Jan Pie
demand more investments, more production & a buy Europe policy. How wonderful: flying will be sustainable.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/opinion/europes-time-to-act/
***
#AI Goes to
War
Will the #Pentagon's Techno-Fantasies
Pave the Way for War with #China?
https://tomdispatch.com/ai-goes-to-war/
***
The #US is
unable to rely exclusively on existing human-operated weapons systems
to prevail in a future war with #China and will need to field vast
numbers of autonomous weapons systems controlled by #AI, stated
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.
https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2023-10/news/pentagon-plans-mass-autonomous-weapons-deployment
***
Biden
Administration to tighten chip export rules amid escalating Us-China
tensions.
https://www.cryptopolitan.com/biden-administration-to-tighten-chip-export/
***
#Israeli-#Azerbaijani
arms trade comes under scrutiny
There's widespread speculation [bit
more than just that, MB] Azerbaijan relied heavily on Israeli
weaponry to stage its offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh. Hadas Gold
reports.
https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/10/04/exp-gold-live-hit-azerbaijan-israel-fst-10049aseg1-cnni-world.cnn
Like
this artcle published yesterday (Oct. 4):
#IAI #Israel Aerospace Industries sells
#spy #satellites to #Azerbaijan.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/space/2023/10/04/israel-aerospace-industries-sells-spy-satellites-to-azerbaijan/
***
Poland to
Borrow Billions for Defence, Beyond the Budget
https://defence24.com/defence-policy/poland-to-borrow-billions-for-defence-beyond-the-budget
***
PLN 47.0 billion - at the end of 2023;
PLN 86.6 billion - at the end of 2024;
PLN 156.8 billion - at the end of 2025;
PLN 239.5 billion - at the end of 2026;
PLN 314.6 billion (approx. USD 71 billion) - at the end of 2027;
Poland to Borrow Billions for Defence, Beyond the Budget https://defence24.com/defence-policy/poland-to-borrow-billions-for-defence-beyond-the-budget
October 4
***
Refugees
International calls for Investigation into #UAE #arms Shipments to
#Darfur. https://sudantribune.com/article277923/
***
French
Foreign Minister Colonna said on a visit to Armenia that Paris agreed
to deliver military equipment to Armenia. France's top diplomat
declined to provide any details.
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20231003-french-fm-catherine-colonna-visits-armenia-to-underline-continued-support
And 'our' allies Israel and Turkey provide arms to the other side.
October 3
***
Nyan Lwin
Aung, a 36 year old #Myanmar #crony close to the ministries of
defence and home affairs who bought weapons for the military regime
was #shot dead in Yangon on Monday night, claims Urban Owls, a Yangon
resistance group.
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/junta-crony/myanmar-crony-arms-dealer-gunned-down-in-yangon-guerrilla-group.html
***
Saudi Arabia
is making a push for nuclear power as part of any US-brokered pact
with Israel - and Riyadh won't be shy about seeking what it wants.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/in-nuclear-push-saudi-arabia-could-play-us-china-off-each-other/
***
Tactical
Report previously covered the talks between #Egypt and #Naval_Group
regarding a Barracuda-class attack #submarine deal. #French concerns
regarding the deal and Egyptian demands.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62220
***
#Damen the
supplier of almost all Dutch royal navy ships sues its major
customer over Russia sanction losses.
Damen says it ‘suffers damages’ as a result of sanctions. Dutch company seeking compensation in case against government.
The Dutch citizen has to pay?
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-03/largest-dutch-shipbuilder-sues-state-over-russia-sanction-losses
***
1/2 Singapore and
Indonesia in Spotlight Over Illegal Arms Exports to Myanmar. Three
state-owned Indonesian arms manufacturers – PT Pindad, PT PAL, and
PT Dirgantara Indonesia – have sold supplies to Myanmar’s
military, in violation of Indonesian and international law. .../2
2/2 A
localSingaporese dealer managed to get around official restrictions
on arms sales by issuing false end-user certificates. The equipment
was bought from Kongsberg Maritime, a Norwegian firm
https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/guest-column/singapore-and-indonesia-in-spotlight-over-illegal-arms-exports-to-myanmar.html
State-owned defense holding company
Defend ID denied allegations that its 3 firms exported military
products to Myanmar since the coup.
Former Indonesian attorney general
Darusman reported the companies to KomnasHAM for allegedly exporting
arms to Myanmar.
https://en.tempo.co/read/1779813/indonesian-weapon-producers-defend-id-deny-selling-arms-to-myanmar-junta
***
The
resistance of tiny Grossenhain to a new arms plant shows how the
government's plan for a more assertive foreign policy is struggling.
16 Of 22 members of the City Council signed a letter to Chancellor
Olaf Scholz urging him to block the project.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/03/world/europe/germany-defense-ukraine-war-weapons.html
***
The arrest of Ariane Lavrilleux worries journalists. Her
work revealed France's involvement in state crimes in Egypt, as well
as arms sales abroad. During the 2 days behind bars the DGSI
questioned her about her sources and those of Disclose. (L'Humanité
Cactus ; Vol. 4; N°1718)
October 2
***
#UAE defense
giant buys into #Brazilian smart weapons specialist in latest Latin
American move
Abu Dhabi-based #EDGE Group has made several high-profile plays to establish itself in the Brazilian market.
***
#Czech
government has claimed acquiring & operating #Lockheed’s F-35
will be cheaper than operating #Saab’s #Gripen E, as it provides
more details on the selection process around the #F35 decision.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/f-35-cheaper-gripen-czech-republic-says
I am curious for the opuinion of SAAB
on this!
***
Spike in
number of #clients for #Israeli #arms. When they were cross-checked,
it showed that 59 of the countries were likely "authoritarian
regimes", 36 classed as "hybrid regimes" and only 24
countries in the list were deemed as being "full democracies".
https://www.newarab.com/news/ukraine-and-gulf-spike-countries-buying-arms-israel
October 1
***
Forget about
arms export control to defend peace, security & human rights.
It's all about grandeur & power politics.
President Erdogan of NATO-member Turkey
announced that Ankara aims to reach the value of its arms exports to
six billion dollars annually.
https://7enews.net/en/news-en/world-news-en/erdogan-announces-a-plan-to-increase-turkish-arms-exports-to-6-billion-annually/
***
EU High
Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell
said that more than 27,000 Ukrainian servicemen have already received
training in the EU.
https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/938208.html
More than the number of active military in Belgium & comparable with those of Portugal.
