Latest
on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
March 30
Bespreking op broekstukken: Feminist Solutions for Ending War, deel 1 https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2024/03/feminist-solutions-for-ending-war-deel-1.html en
deel 2 https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2024/03/feminist-solutions-for-ending-war-deel-2_30.html
***
US Navy
begins #Tomahawk missile training for Japanese forces.
https://news.usni.org/2024/03/28/u-s-navy-begins-tomahawk-missile-training-for-japanese-forces
How many articles will appear in the coming month asking is "Is the Japanese Self Defence Force its pacifist policy?" A question asked for the sake of just asking.
Yes it did. #Japan
***
Open letters
written by staff and students have called on the University of
#Sydney to cut institutional ties with Israeli universities and
companies that directly arm #Israel or collaborate with its military.
https://honisoit.com/2024/03/multiple-open-letters-from-staff-and-students-call-on-the-university-of-sydney-to-cut-ties-with-isreal/
***
Fishing for
new personnel at Technological University of #Twente. Hans Scheur
from military industry #Thales Nederland will give an invited talk
within Master course "5G/6G Communication and Sensing Channels."
https://www.utwente.nl/en/news-events/all-events.shtml/2024/4/1431338/invited-talk-modern-radar-at-thales-nl-by-hans-scheur
***
For years
Paris and Jakarta have been negotiating the possible acquisition of 2
to 6 submarines, designed by Naval Group. In recent days, apparently,
this file has accelerated, a local correspondent thinks fits
conclusion would be very close.
https://meta-defense.fr/2024/03/29/scorpene-evolved-naval-group-indonesie/
***
South #Korea is
zooming ahead with the mass production of its KF-21 #fighter jet, and
#China won’t be happy. It is set to rival China’s FC-31, proving
a threat to Beijing’s #arms_export trade as well as its regional
air dominance, experts say.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3257066/south-korea-zooming-ahead-mass-production-its-kf-21-fighter-jet-and-china-wont-be-happy
March 29
***
#AI is bit by
bit entering the battlefield.
Israeli military is using artificial intelligence in its ground operations in #Gaza, the head of an Israeli AI firm said, to aid in situational awareness by sorting through the deluge of data. https://breakingdefense.com/2024/03/israels-axon-vision-ceo-talks-ai-in-ground-combat-in-gaza/
***
#CAAT
launches fresh legal action against government's renewed arm sales to
#Saudi Arabia
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/hlead-saudi-arms-sales-0
***
Banken en
pensioenfondsen die niet in dit soort #wapenbedrijven willen
investeren zijn geen "onderdeel van het probleem", maar
willen terecht niet geassocieerd worden met een bedrijfstak die
bijdraagt aan oorlog en mensenrechtenschendingen."
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2024/03/29/wapenhandel-crooks-op-de-klantenlijst-a4194564
#Thales
***
European Air Defense
Needs Drive Strong Demand for Thales Netherlands SMART-L Radar,
https://dsm.forecastinternational.com/2024/03/28/european-air-defense-needs-drive-strong-demand-for-smart-l-radar/
***
Who is
getting better because of Israels war in #Gaza?
A CEO of British Aerspace Systems #BAES has seen his share price sell-off boosted by almost £1 million following an increase in his company’s share value since the start of the Gaza-Israel war. https://aoav.org.uk/2024/bae-systems-ceo-made-almost-1m-extra-in-share-sale-after-hike-in-price-since-gaza-war/
***
Australia
challenged on ‘moral failure’ of weapons trade with Israel.
Regular protests have been taking place outside Australian firms making crucial components for the F-35 fighter jet.
***
Israeli arms
company Elbit 'forced to sell’ Tamworth factory in UK.
‘Victory is a direct result of sustained direct action which has sought ... to make it impossible for Elbit to afford to operate in Britain,' says Palestine Action group.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/israeli-arms-company-elbit-forced-to-sell-tamworth-factory-in-uk/3177877
https://socialistworker.co.uk/palestine-2023/israeli-arms-company-elbit-forced-to-shut-down-tamworth-site/
***
“Honoring
our alliances does not mean facilitating mass killing,”
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said, March 22. “We cannot
hide from our responsibility any longer.” “Facilitating mass
killing” & “responsibility” could include US legal
complicity.
https://www.counterpunch.org/2024/03/29/u-s-complicity-in-israels-plausible-genocide/
***
Pro-Palestine
protesters have occupied the entrance to a Government department in
Whitehall over its perceived links to the supply of arms to Israel.
London for a Free Palestine targeted
the Department for Business and Trade early on Thursday.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/pro-palestine-protesters-occupy-government-102828773.html
March 28
***
US Army artillery needs more
range, mobility and autonomy, study finds. US General James Rainey
said he’s “very interested in #autonomous and #robotic #cannon
solutions” for joint forcible entry formations like the 82nd and
101st airborne divisions.
https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/global-force-symposium/2024/03/27/army-artillery-needs-more-range-mobility-and-autonomy-study-finds/
***
Over 130 parliamentarians have endorsed
a letter addressed to Foreign Secretary David Cameron, calling for a
ban on arms exports to Israel.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240327-over-130-british-parliamentarians-urge-govt-to-cease-arms-sales-to-israel/
How
many from the 150 Dutch MPs did?
***
"#Europe is in
a prime position to become a military #superpower, buying the latest
and the best weaponry."
According to #VonDerLeyen EU countries did spend
2022 €240bn
2023 €280bn &
2024 €350 bn (expected).
Thus a steep increase.
https://www.thetrumpet.com/29250-europe-is-undertaking-a-massive-arming-spree
At the #cost of?
***
Brian Cox and
Annie Lennox among celebrities demanding UK government end arms
export to Israel.
https://www.newarab.com/news/celebrities-urge-uk-government-end-arms-export-israel
When will Deutche Prominenzen do the same? (https://twitter.com/martinbroek/status/1772218879621624271)
March 27
***
Volgens een
opiniepeiling van YouGov wil 3/4 van de Belgische bevolking dat er
een einde komt aan de wapenhandel tussen België en Israël. Toch
leggen de Belgische deelregeringen geen wapenembargo op tegen Israël.
Tijd voor actie.
https://www.dewereldmorgen.be/artikel/2024/03/27/stop-de-wapenhandel-met-israel-militair-embargo-nu/
***
War economy;
a warning. Paris may #requisition staff, stock, plants or force arms
producers to prioritize military over civilian orders, #French MoD
Lecornu said. Requisitions are "the toughest tool in our legal
arsenal" he added, but not yet prioritised.
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2024/03/26/france-doesn-t-rule-out-requisitions-for-war-production_6655543_7.html
***
$13m Cash on
a private jet: how #Colombia paid for Israeli #spyware. Yair Kulas,
the head of the MoD's export assistance department, took part in
transactions that raised eyebrows. But Benjamin Netanyahu's new
government rescued him. #corruption
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-03-26/ty-article-magazine/.premium/13m-cash-on-a-private-jet-from-colombia-a-nonissue-for-israeli-head-of-defense-export/0000018e-7689-d706-a39f-f7f93fa10000
***
The
association representing #Canadian military firms says it is in the
dark about equipment exports to Israel after the Parliament voted to
end military sales to Jeruzalem. The wording is unclear (temporarily
& some existing equipment sales may proceed).
https://www.defensenews.com/global/the-americas/2024/03/26/canadas-ban-on-israeli-arms-sales-baffles-industry/
***
Dozens of
protesters blocked access to the Port of #Vancouver for hours
Thursday morning for several hours, calling for an arms embargo on
#Israel. Organizers of the protest said more than 100 people were
gathered. [with clip]
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/mobile/protesters-block-access-to-port-of-vancouver-calling-for-arms-embargo-on-israel-1.6751520
***
Sweden’s
#Saab to open new US-based #munitions factory. The site "will
support the engineering and production of missile weapon systems
for the U.S. military, such as components for the Ground-Launched
Small Diameter Bomb #GLSDB system," the company said.
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/03/swedens-saab-to-open-new-us-based-munitions-factory/
***
Turkey denies arms exports to Israel amid war on Gaza. https://www.newarab.com/news/turkey-denies-arms-exports-israel-amid-war-gaza
***
MPs and peers
sign letter urging UK government to ban arms sales to Israel.
Ministers under growing pressure to act amid signs Israel intends to ignore UN ceasefire resolution.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/27/mps-peers-sign-letter-urging-uk-government-ban-arms-sales-israel
***
#Draft-#dodging
is widespread in #Ukraine as Kyiv faces acute soldier shortage. For
the 28-year-old Artem, there’s little that could persuade him to
enlist. “My mother is a nurse and she sees the wounded and tells me
firmly to stay out of it,” he says.
https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-faces-an-acute-manpower-shortage-with-young-men-dodging-the-draft/
March 26
***
30 Civil
society organizations urge the @EIB to firmly reject increasing
support for the military-industrial complex #MIC.
Its public money must be used for its public objectives and addressing people's needs. We say #NoEIBMilitarisation
Full lettere here: https://bit.ly/3PB7bOO
***
US military magazine
Stars & Stripes announces peace demo: Advocating for a world free
of warfare, militarism & violence, organizers in a statement
called for immediate ceasefire & peace negotiations, particularly
in regions like Ukraine & the Middle East.
https://www.stripes.com/ktown/2024-03-25/easter-peace-protest-kaiserslautern-13423753.html
***
UN rights
expert report to call for #Israel #arms #embargo over ‘acts of
genocide’.
Special rapporteur will tell human rights council Israel’s actions ‘reveal an intent to #physically #destroy Palestinians as a group’.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/25/israel-gaza-un-rights-expert-arms-embargo-genocide
***
War who is it
good for?
In a war economy with a burgeoning demand for arms domestically, #Russian #arms exports have taken a massive hit. The vacuum left by Russia, however, has been filled by a country that was looking to expand arms sales: #France.
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/rafale-knocks-out-su-35-fighters-to-propel-france/
***
Why is #Japan
changing its ban on exporting lethal #weapons & why is it so
controversial?
Japan’s Cabinet OK’d a plan to sell modern #fighters abroad, its latest step away from the principles the country adopted at the end of World War II. https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15210079
March 25
***
#Germany may
be revealing itself to be a somewhat unreliable partner in the
respect to the countries it supplies with #arms, with its
unrestrained industries seemingly having no qualms in dealing with
#Gulf states with problematic human rights records.
https://www.eurasiareview.com/24032024-qatar-germany-and-the-ethical-dilemma-of-selling-armored-vehicles-to-certain-states-oped/
***
A suppressed
official report on alleged #corruption in a giant #UK-#Saudi #arms
contract has been discovered in a public archive, ending a
three-decade battle by campaigners for the controversial document to
be revealed.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/24/al-yamamah-arms-deal-report-discovery-anti-corruption-mod-nao-britain-saudi-arabia
***
Amid arms
embargo calls: 99% of Israeli weapon imports are from US &
Germany. SIPRI's finds US arms make up 69%. 30% Come from Berlin. All
IAF manned aircraft are US-made (except 1 French-built heli).
https://www.timesofisrael.com/amid-arms-embargo-calls-data-shows-99-of-israeli-weapon-imports-are-from-us-germany/
So German when do you take the necessary step?
***
Advanced
military technology for sale.
An insight on the talks between the
#UAE and #MBDA Deutschland GmbH for cooperation on military laser
technology, and the Emirati entities involved. [Paywall]
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62625
***
#Rheinmetall
has signed a $3bn deal to supply the #German armed forces with up to
123 8×8 carriers. They will be based on Rheinmetall’s #Boxer
Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle and will be equipped with an MK30-2 ABM
automatic cannon as its main weapon.
https://www.rheinmetall.com/en/media/news-watch/news/2024/03/2024-03-21-rheinmetall-contract-heavy-weapon-carrier
March
23
***
#Elbit is facing a
second wave of action over its genocidal Bristol activities
Shut it down!
https://www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2024/03/22/elbit-bristol/
March 22
***
Italy’s
Arms Export Boom: No Emergency, Ma’am
Italian exports have soared: +86% in 5 years. “Purely profit-driven,” says Francesco Vignarca coordinator of the Italian branch of Control Arms
https://www.atlasofwars.com/italys-arms-export-boom-no-emergency-maam/
***
Mapisa-Nqakula,
who was South African MoD from 2012 to 2021, and is accused of
receiving millions of rand in cash as #bribes from a unnamed
#military #contractor when she was defence minister. She has
vehemently denied denied wrongdoing.
https://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/speaker-nosiviwe-mapisa-nqakula-reportedly-arrested-on-corruption-charges-set-to-appear-in-pretoria-court-decc2174-30a0-47b7-b4c6-45b697401e32
***
#ENAAT
arms export browser updated with information with the most recent
data for 2021 and 2022.
https://enaat.org/eu-export-browser/overview?destination=israel
March 21
***
With the
destruction of the final remaining stockpiles of declared chemical
weapons in 2023, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical
Weapons (OPCW) must adjust to a new role, a new report by Dr Ian
Anthony for SIPRI explains.
https://www.sipri.org/publications/2024/policy-reports/centre-chemistry-and-technology-and-future-opcw
***
Nederland
schaft voor ruim € 150m munitie aan voor F-16’s Oekraïne.
Nederland doneert ook ruim € 200m op 't gebied van drones.
Netherlands acquiring ammunition for Ukrainian F-16's valued at + € 150m and donates € 200m for Ukrainian drones. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2024/03/20/nederland-schaft-voor-ruim-%E2%82%AC-150-miljoen-munitie-aan-voor-f-16s-oekraine
***
Military
imports from Canada represent just 0.05% of Israel's total defense
imports but there are hopes that other countries might follow suit.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-concerns-in-israel-that-canadian-arms-embargo-will-snowball-1001474366
***
Retweet
@Counter_Balance: We stand against mounting pressure on the @EIB
to increase support for the military-industrial complex. Public money
should be tackling the cost of living crisis & climate emergency,
not fuel the arms race & corporate profits. #EUCO
#NoEIBMilitarisation
https://twitter.com/Counter_Balance/status/1770748577926570458
***
Policeman of
the world warns the rest.
US Departments of Commerce Treasury &
Justice issued a Note emphasizing non-US persons’ obligations to
comply with US sanctions & export control laws & the
potential enforcement actions that may result from failing to do so.
https://www.arnoldporter.com/en/perspectives/advisories/2024/03/compliance-with-us-sanctions-and-export-control-laws
US
Deps jointly issued a Tri-Seal Compliance Note putting non-US
companies on notice that US sanctions and export controls may apply
to them and that they must comply with applicable US sanctions and
export controls or face severe penalties.
https://www.dlapiper.com/en-us/insights/publications/2024/03/us-government-reminds-non-us-companies-to-comply-with-sanctions-and-export-controls
***
Sanders says
US must follow suit after Canada halts arms exports to Israel.
"The U.S. should not provide
another nickel for Netanyahu's war machine," said Sen. Bernie
Sanders.
https://www.commondreams.org/news/sanders-arms-exports-israel
March 20
***
When the
military budgets reach the sky so are the programs paid with them.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is working with Northrop Grumman to flesh out a concept for a moon-based railroad network.
***
Who are
Israel's biggest arms suppliers and who has halted exports? Aid &
sales to the country have been under intense scrutiny as int.
organisations accuse it of war crimes.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/palestine-israel/2024/03/20/who-are-israels-biggest-arms-suppliers-and-who-has-halted-exports/
Support from US, Germany, UK, Italy.
'Bans' in Canada, Japan, NL, and Spain.
***
A loud voice
to create a climate against activism is the government’s
independent adviser on political violence & disruption, John
Woodcock. This former Labour MP turned arms-trade lobbyist, using his
position to call for a harsher crackdown on protesters.
https://novaramedia.com/2024/03/20/meet-the-unelected-lord-shutting-down-peace-protests-to-save-democracy/
***
Hundreds of
trade unionists and workers have shut down arms factories in England
and Scotland accused of supplying the Israeli military with essential
components or weapons.
https://www.newarab.com/news/uk-workers-block-factories-accused-sending-arms-israel
***
Corruption in
miltiary business is more the rule than the exception. #Lithuania’s
Special Investigation Service #STT says it has summoned the country’s
outgoing MoD Anušauskas for questioning, following his allegations
of corruption in defence procurement.
https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2229494/lithuanian-minister-questioned-amid-allegations-of-corruption-in-defence-procurements
***
#Belgium
approved additional military aid of $448 million for #Ukraine,
including artillery rounds (value € 373.1). A total of € 412m in
#ammunition will be sourced from Belgian military stocks and
international group purchase from various companies.
https://www.belganewsagency.eu/belgium-approves-additional-military-aid-for-ukraine
***
NAVO-lidstaten
beheersen driekwart van de internationale wapenhandel.
https://vrede.be/nl/nieuws/navo-lidstaten-beheersen-driekwart-van-de-internationale-wapenhandel
***
Due to
conflict with Houtis in Red Sea and Ukrainian deliverances #MBDA
under pressure to rebuild Aster missile production capacity.
https://sldinfo.com/2024/03/mbda-and-the-arsenal-of-democracy-a-march-2024-update/
***
Why not?
UK MUST BAN ISRAELI MILITARY FLIGHTS FROM UK AIRSPACE
The UK must ban Israeli military
flights and commercial flights transporting supplies.
https://greens.scot/news/uk-must-ban-israeli-military-flights-from-uk-airspace
***
Boycotters
right:
It came as a shock that the US army is a major sponsor of what is a prestigious, international alternative music jamboree, the #SXSW festival. But the event is also supported by companies that are in the business of #arms production. https://www.hotpress.com/opinion/irish-artists-taking-a-stand-for-gaza-we-need-to-keep-the-pressure-on-23014447
***
Vakbond,
wapenindustrie, SPD: één front?
Voorm. SPD politica Fahimi, nu voorzitter vakbondskoepel DGB, stelt dat het niet de tijd is voor fundamentele debatten en kritiek op het kapitalisme; het is nu de tijd voor effectief optreden in de reële wereld.” https://www.globalinfo.nl/achtergrond/vakbond-wapenindustrie-socialistische-partij-een-front/
***
Canada to
halt arms sales to Israel.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/canada-halt-arms-sales-israel
Many other countries to go!
***
Min.
Oleksandr Kamyshin: "(...) this war requires a consumption of
ammo that no country in the free world can provide on its own."
(It is the question if the unfree are).
Here lies a danger: "Weapons
production should not stop even after the war is
over."https://english.nv.ua/nation/kyiv-and-its-partners-have-increased-ammunition-production-but-still-not-enough-50367610.html
***
Wow a
view from Washington. "#Ukraine manufactured practically no
weapons before Russia invaded in Feb. 22, but the local arms
#industry is now booming."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/03/20/ukraine-weapons-industry-domestic-production/
Compared to the US all others are minor arms producers.
Overview in Dutch:
https://stopwapenhandel.org/app/uploads/2016/03/oekraine.pdf
Arms
production in Ukraine tripled in 2023. The state began the production
of missiles with a range of more than 643.7 km, as well as analogues
of HIMARS systems.
https://ukranews.com/en/news/993309-ukraine-begins-producing-missiles-with-range-of-more-than-640-km-the-washington-post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/03/20/ukraine-weapons-industry-domestic-production/
March 19
***
The slippery
slope of arms export regulation change in an industrial giant:
#Japan set to lift export restrictions
on F-X fighter jet.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2024/03/18/japan-set-to-lift-export-restrictions-on-f-x-fighter-jet/
Improving
peace and security?
Japan has abandoned decades of pacifism in response to Ukraine invasion and increased Chinese pressure on Taiwan. https://theconversation.com/japan-has-abandoned-decades-of-pacifism-in-response-to-ukraine-invasion-and-increased-chinese-pressure-on-taiwan-225098
***
Bernie
Sanders in Foreign Affairs:
A Revolution in American Foreign Policy
Replacing Greed, Militarism, and
Hypocrisy With Solidarity, Diplomacy, and Human Rights
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/revolution-american-foreign-policy-bernie-sanders
“The
biggest challenges of our times, from climate change to
global pandemics, will require cooperation, solidarity, and
collective action, not militarism”.
***
Het
ministerie van BuZa in Den Haag is besmeurd met rode verf. Voor de
besmeurde ramen en deur is een lint gespannen. Een actiegroep
verklaart dat het is gedaan omdat de Nederlandse overheid
medeplichtig is 'aan de genocide in Palestina'.
https://www.omroepwest.nl/nieuws/4817333/ministerie-besmeurd-met-rode-verf
***
EU Regulation
in Support of Ammunition Production #ASAP to reinforce & ramp up
ammo production has named partners based in Belgium, Czechia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Norway,
Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden
https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/document/download/b694b109-fa2c-493e-bf1e-87768ae6469e_en?filename=ASAP%20factsheet.pdf
EU
sprinkles $560 million over defense firms to grow ammunition output.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/03/15/eu-sprinkles-560-million-over-defense-firms-to-grow-ammunition-output/
***
What else is
possible?
After the outbreak of war in 2022, the faction of Swedish Left Party against sending anti-tank missiles to Ukraine had the upper hand. Now the party changed its stance. Nooshi Dadgostars view won to deliver Ukraine more arms.
***
Is Macron
pushing the EU to rethink NATO leadership in Ukraine? A dragged-out
war, a boon for the US, will leave Europe drained and weaker as a
geopolitical player. By suggesting Western troops in Ukraine, he
pointed on the unviability of NATO’s strategy.
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/world/article/3255593/macron-pushing-eu-rethink-nato-leadership-ukraine-war
***
The heroes of
ethnic cleansing.
Partner of NATO (https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_223720.htm) president Ilham Aliyev is of the opinion that the anti-terror operation against Armenians was a triumph of indomitable spirit of Azerbaijani people. https://www.news.az/news/president-ilham-aliyev-anti-terror-operation-was-triumph-of-indomitable-spirit-of-azerbaijani-people
March 18
***
Berlin the
next Paris for Dehli?
Germany’s interest in the
Indo-Pacific and the growing Indian market for defense products,
particularly its desire to diversify from Russia, are now important
elements of its interest.
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/germany-the-next-france-for-india-ambassador/
***
War what is
it good for?
#Thales, #Dassault Aviation and #MBDA all conducted their annual investor events over the last two weeks, with the three firms collectively announcing revenues of €27.7bn in 2023, a massive haul for #France’s defense sector.
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/03/dassault-thales-mbda-bank-extraordinary-2023-sales-with-more-projected/
***
Economising on
human security, while the military expenditures go through the roof:
NATO lauds ‘unprecedented’ jump in
defense spending, new members and public popularity.
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/03/nato-lauds-unprecedented-jump-in-defense-spending-new-members-and-public-popularity
“defence spending rising by an
unprecedented 11%
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_223302.htm
March 17
***
Remarkably the failure of much of its weaponry and pressure to replace arms imports from Russia by acquisitions in the West lags in this short overview.
March 16
***
Retweet
@RetePaceDisarmo: There is little
clarity surrounding arms sales: "With the (proposed) changes,
decisions (on exports) will be more political and transparency will
be reduced" We think that all outstanding arms contracts to
#Israel needed to be suspended
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-arms-exports-israel-continued-despite-block-minister-says-2024-03-14/
***
Nieuwe
onderzeeërs op land
Een vd grootste vernieuwingen vindt CDR
Kwak de wapensystemen. “We kunnen straks naast torpedo’s ook
kruisvluchtwapens inzetten.” Deze #Tomahawk-raketten, die Defensie
nog niet heeft, kunnen doelen op 1.500 km afstand aanvallen.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/allehens/2024/02/02_nieuwe-onderzeeboten
De
miljarden rollen van de helling:
Defensie werkt aan nog meer marine schepen: de vervanging van de Luchtverdedigings- en Commandofregatten en, parallel lopend, de vervanging van de amfibische LPD's en de OceanGoing Patrol Vessels (OPV's). https://magazines.defensie.nl/allehens/2024/02/07_nieuw-lcf-lpd-opv
***
‘Russian
arms exports are not going to recover to levels that we saw before’
— SIPRI’s @Pwezeman was interviewed on global arms
transfers in this external article by @Newsweek
https://www.newsweek.com/russia-drops-third-arms-trade-exports-sipri-weapons-1876981
***
Zomaar effies
zomaar een vraag voor een zaterdagochtend:
Tuimelen we Wereldoorlog III in?
https://vrede.be/nl/nieuws/tuimelen-we-wereldoorlog-iii
Het artikel sluit af met: Serieuze
diplomatieke onderhandelingen zijn nu essentieel om tot de kern te
komen van wat er nodig is om vrede te brengen in Oekraïne.
***
The
military isn’t properly tracking what happens to the billions’
worth of weapons being sent to Ukraine, even though the country has a
history of illicit arms diversions.
https://www.levernews.com/the-great-unknown-about-the-u-s-weapons-deluge-in-ukraine/
***
#Rabat is
helping Iraeli war industry.
***
The EU’s
foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell on Tuesday condemned the lack of
aid entering Gaza as “man-made” disaster in which starvation is
being used as a weapon of war.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2475886/amp
According to many that is what is
needed to defend civilisation. How civil it is.
***
Killer drones from
Israel IAI: buy them all. Advertisement ➔
***
***
25 Groups
demand #Biden 'Urgently comply with US law' and end #Israel #arms
sales.
- Airwars
- American Friends Service Committee
- Amnesty International USA
- Anera
- Arms Control Association
- Center for Civilians in Conflict
- Center for International Policy
Etc.
https://www.commondreams.org/news/u-s-arms-sales-to-israel-2667506147
***
Wonder why
#France is second largest global arms exporter? Arabian autocrats
love to buy in Paris and the French MIC is willing to provide.
Safran has secured a contract to provide support for #Qatar’s #Rafale #fighter jet engines. https://www.safran-group.com/pressroom/safran-aircraft-engines-and-qatar-armed-forces-sign-support-agreement-m88-engines-2024-03-04
***
#India
inaugurated the flight to exports to #Armenia strategic air cargo.
#HALCON, formed by #HAL & Container Corp India #CONCOR, is doing
so.
The flight marks a game-changing moment in India’s logistics infrastructure& strategic export capabilities. https://greekcitytimes.com/2024/03/14/armenia-atags-artillery-system/
***
Security?
Bombed by what you've paid your taxes
for.
UK & US organisations say Israeli officials have offered 6 different explanations as to why #Gaza compound in safe zone was hit. But the bombing on British #doctors was likely with #UK and #US arms.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/british-doctors-may-have-been-bombed-gaza-us-or-uk-arms-say-charitiesMINISTERS have refused to rule out the possibility that UK had supplied military equipment involved in the bombing of doctors volunteering in Gaza.
“stop putting the profits of arms
dealers before Palestinian lives...& halt all arms exports to
Israel.”
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/ministers-refuse-rule-out-role-bombing-british-doctors-gaza
***
"The
bottom line is that the US is spending far too much on the #Pentagon,
much of it...likely to cause far more harm than good. It’s time to
reverse course, but neither the White House nor a majority in
Congress are likely to do so of their own accord"
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/pentagon-budget-2667494544/
***
Already seen?
Pieter D. Wezeman, Katarina Djokic, Mathew George, Zain
Hussain and Siemon T. Wezeman, "Trends in
International Arms Transfers, 2023," SIPRI, March
2024. https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2024/european-arms-imports-nearly-double-us-and-french-exports-rise-and-russian-exports-fall-sharply
Report in English: https://doi.org/10.55163/PBRP4239
***
Belgische leger in opspraak: peloton opgeheven na seksuele vernederingen en geweld tegen rekruten. De soldaten werden onder druk gezet om te zwijgen over hun lotgevallen. https://www.volkskrant.nl/buitenland/belgische-leger-in-opspraak-peloton-opgeheven-na-seksuele-vernederingen-en-geweld-tegen-rekruten~b57d13ec/
***
The UK
Telegraph identified 5 ships likely for arms traffic laundering: the
Daisy, Kashan, Shiba, Arezoo & Azargoun. They carried goods to
Syria from Iran, with several being recorded as docked at the ports
(in Belgium, Spain & Italy) named in the report.
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-792080
***
Free
@TNInstitute Associate Boris Kagarlitsky and all other Russian
anti-war political prisoners! - Sign the Petition!
https://chng.it/jF6tsyMH via
@Change.
https://www.change.org/p/free-boris-kagarlitsky-and-all-other-russian-anti-war-political-prisoners-fc3b6b8e-2cb7-4bee-b40d-415211c9167d
March
14
‘Ja, Poetin is een schoft',
maar is dat reden om weer een munitiefabriek te starten in Brabant?
"laten we alsjeblieft niet zelf aan een oorlogseconomie
beginnen."
https://www.bd.nl/den-bosch/ja-poetin-is-een-schoft-maar-is-dat-reden-om-weer-een-munitiefabriek-te-starten-in-brabant~aaacb901/
March 13
***
The
spread of military industrial production capacity is one of the
business models of a sector claiming to protect us.
Emirati defense giant EDGE Group teams with Spain’s Indra to dive into advanced radar market
The agreement speaks "volumes
about EDGE’s resolve to develop sound domestic
production capabilities of next-gen radar systems in the short term
and to position itself as a competitive radar production hub
regionally in the long run," one analyst told Breaking Defense.
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/03/emirati-defense-giant-edge-group-teams-with-spains-indra-to-dive-into-advanced-radar-market/
***
Just before
the UK government’s Security & Policing fair was set to begin,
activists from Palestine Action staged a protest at the London
offices of the #ADS Group, highlighting its involvement in the arms
trade and its connections to the conflict in Gaza.
https://bnnbreaking.com/breaking-news/protests/palestine-action-protests-against-ads-group-ahead-of-security-policing-arms-fair
***
Government
budgetting is the order of the day, except for...
Dutch government plans order the French Naval Group to build 4 new subs equiped with the latest spy equipment & weaponry. An amount of € 4-6 bn is at stake, sources close to the government told. https://nltimes.nl/2024/03/12/dutch-government-ordered-four-submarines-french-state-company-naval-eu6-bil-deal
***
Oxfam
Denmark, Amnesty International Denmark, Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke
(Action Aid Denmark) and the Palestinian human rights organization
Al-Haq are suing the Danish National Police and the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs to stop Danish arms exports to Israel.
https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/oxfam-sues-danish-state-stop-arms-exports-israel
***
“With NATO
Membership Official, Significant Business Opportunities Are Now
Available to Swedish Companies”
https://www.globaltradeandsanctionslaw.com/sweden-nato-membership-business-opportunities-companies/
***
Kritiek
op oorlogstrom groeit.
Wat veel politici missen in hun omgang met de oorlog in Oekraïne is realiteitszin. Het is een misvatting om enkel de militaire kaart te spelen. Uiteindelijk gaat het erom het voortbestaan van Oekraïne veilig te stellen. https://archive.ph/Dxz1M#selection-1205.0-1205.219
March 12
***
#EDA stated
the #Netherlands & #Austria will build a satellite for both Low &
Very Low Orbit. The #LEO2VLEO: Military Crisis-Response #Satellite
Constellation project, value € 10m, is planned to launch/operate up
to 4 satellites to support #military ops.
https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2024/03/06/european-satellite-constellation-for-very-low-earth-orbit-to-launch-in-two-years
***
The #US
is constantly assessing the need to expand export controls to stop
#China from acquiring advanced computer #chips and manufacturing
equipment that could be used to boost its military, US Commerce
Secretary Gina Raimondo said Monday.
https://www.newslooks.com/us-is-constantly-assessing-expansion-of-chip-export-controls-that-can-boost-chinas-military/
March 11
***
Anti-corruption
campaigners are demanding an inquiry into claims that the government
authorised bribes to a Saudi Arabian prince and other officials after
two defence executives were cleared of wrongdoing.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/calls-for-inquiry-into-claims-government-backed-bribes-to-saudis-xt9dvv77t
***
On 5th and
6th March 2024, campaigners #blockaded access to the Bristol arms
fair. The Future Indirect Fires and Joint Military Training &
Simulation Stream conferences were taking place in Bristol. Companies
present included Elbit Systems and BAE Systems.
https://freedomnews.org.uk/2024/03/07/two-day-blockade-of-bristol-arms-fair-over-genocide-links/
***
"Erik
Prince, the founder of Blackwater, has appeared in yet another UN
report on sanctions violations, this time in the Democratic Republic
of the Congo (DRC)."
https://inkstickmedia.com/an-american-mercenary-resurfaces-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo/
***
Report: US
secretly sent #Israel 100+ #arms shipments in last 150 days. They
include precision-guided munitions, small bombs, bunker busters,
small arms, etc. the Washington Post reported.
https://truthout.org/articles/report-us-has-secretly-sent-israel-over-100-weapons-shipments-in-last-150-days/
Does this have implications for EU arms export controls to the US?
***
2 Men
arrested for conspiring to #illegally export millions of dollars’
worth of fully automatic rifles, grenade launchers, Stinger missile
systems, hand grenades, sniper rifles, ammunition, and other
export-controlled items from the US to South #Sudan.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-defendants-arrested-conspiring-illegally-export-weapons-south-sudan
***
A subsidiary
of @ElbitSystemsLtd US will supply the US Army shot-spotting #sensors
to be mounted to watch towers, surveillance aerostats, drones etc.
The contract with Logos Technologies also accounts for maintenance &
operation at @USAfricaCommand.
https://www.defensenews.com/intel-geoint/isr/2024/03/05/elbit-systems-subsidiary-to-supply-shot-spotting-sensors-in-africa/
***
Algerije
zoekt nieuwe wapenleveranciers in crisis met Marokko nu Rusland als
leverancier steeds meer wegvalt.
https://www.bladna.nl/algerije-nieuwe-wapenleveranciers-crisis-marokko,54061.html
***
Accused of
facilitating #bribes for a #Saudi prince & his associates to
secure a significant military contract for GPT, a UK firm, 2 accused
were acquitted by a jury, because the payments were known and
sanctioned by branches of the UK & Saudi governments.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/mar/06/two-men-acquitted-of-bribing-saudis-in-huge-british-defence-deal
***
Nederland
heeft zelf de keuze gemaakt de handelsoorlog van de VS tegen China
volgen ten koste van een van z'n belangrijkste technologie bedrijven.
Washington boven Veldhoven.
ASML zou overwegen om uit te breiden
over de grens, bijvoorbeeld in Frankrijk.
https://www.gelderlander.nl/politiek/kabinet-vreest-dat-asml-uitbreidt-over-de-grens-operatie-beethoven-moet-techbedrijf-hier-houden~a2e01a79/
***
Arms control
or arms export?
#Carl_Gustaf Weapon System to be ‘Made in India’ for India & the World
Registered as an Indian company, it plans to make components for the world & after fulfilling the Indian requirement & to export the Carl-Gustaf globally.
***
#Brighton and
Hove City Council has stalled plans to let an #F35 parts manufacturer
set up shop. It’s thanks to politicians and activists. #Israel
#Gaza
https://www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2024/03/05/f-35-factory-brighton/
***
#Dutch #Damen
invests €23 mln in its Romanian shipyard at #Galati.
https://www.romania-insider.com/damen-investment-galari-shipyard-march-2024
***
#Belgian
#arms exports to #Israel: The discrepancy between words and deeds in
export control policy. @Vredesactie and @IPISResearch take a critical
look at Belgium’s policy on the export and transit of
defense-related goods and dual-use goods to Israel.
https://ipisresearch.be/publication/belgian-arms-exports-to-israel-the-discrepancy-between-words-and-deeds-in-export-control-policy/
***
#Arms exports
from #Switzerland fell by more than a quarter last year. Critics
blame the country’s neutral stance, which has blocked re-exports of
Swiss weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, according to Reuters.
https://vnexplorer.net/switzerland-loses-quarter-of-its-arms-exports-due-to-refusal-to-supply-ukraine-s1746854.html
***
The EU’s
executive branch has proposed a €1.5 billion plan to boost defense
production by promoting joint military purchases among the member
states. Ukraine would be able to participate in common procurement
efforts.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/03/05/eu-proposes-16-billion-plan-to-prop-up-defense-industry/
At
what cost?
EU Ramps Up Arms Production in Historic
Shift to War Economy Against Rising Threats.
https://www.btimesonline.com/articles/164564/20240306/eu-ramps-up-arms-production-in-historic-shift-to-war-economy-against-rising-threats.htm
News
release:
https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/first-ever-defence-industrial-strategy-and-new-defence-industry-programme-enhance-europes-readiness-2024-03-05_en
European Defence Industrial Strategy: https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry/edis-our-common-defence-strategy_en
European Defence Industry Programme: https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry/edip-future-defence_en
***
#Boeing gets
$439 million contract for US #military communications #satellite.
https://spacenews.com/boeing-gets-439-million-contract-for-u-s-military-communications-satellite/
***
War is also
business.
#Hamas snipers are using telescopic
sights produced by a #US company which openly sells to #Iran, Haaretz
found. #Element_Optics sights were affixed to AM-50 Sayyad sniper
rifles. The AM-50 is a heavy rifle made in Iran.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2024-03-04/ty-article/.premium/hamas-snipers-using-u-s-made-sights-sold-openly-to-iran/0000018e-05e6-d3bd-afce-b5e7279a0000
***
If you are counting
on Pyongyang for weaponry. #Russia
Ukraine military official: half of all North #Korean #shells are #duds.
North Korean artillery shells cannot be
accurately aimed, South Korean military expert says.
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/shells-03042024144934.html
***
#Sweden’s
arms exports rose 18% in 2023 to reach 1.6 billion euros as the
#Russia-#Ukraine war drove a search for #weaponry, a government
agency said last week. https://www.brecorder.com/news/40291929
***
All in the
interest of peace and security?
The US and EU are supplying the most weapons to the Middle East, including to Israel, as the Gaza war threatens to ignite a regional conflict.
https://euobserver.com/world/158201
***
#China cuts
arms imports to rely more on its own weapons tech but #Russia still
biggest overseas supplier.
#Ukraine remains a big source of gas turbines and engines for Chinese destroyers and aircraft.
Article based on #SIPRI
***
#European
arms imports nearly double, US and French exports rise, and #Russian
exports fall sharply.
https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2024/european-arms-imports-nearly-double-us-and-french-exports-rise-and-russian-exports-fall-sharply
***
No unforeseen
news, but nethertheless ...
EXCLUSIVE: #F35A officially certified to carry #nuclear bomb
The designation marks the first time
that a stealth fighter can carry a nuclear weapon, in this case the
B61-12 #thermonuclear gravity bomb.
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/03/exclusive-f-35a-officially-certified-to-carry-nuclear-bomb/
***
FD Podcast:
Gaat de Nederlandse economie in de oorlogsstand? En wat is dat
eigenlijk precies, een #oorlogseconomie? Je hoort het van algemeen
verslaggever Jean Dohmen.
https://fd.nl/economie/1510477/dagkoers-europa-bereidt-zich-voor-op-een-oorlogseconomie
***
Analysis of
crypto records by the Guardian and investigative journalists #ICIJ
highlights a connection between one of the most prominent
cryptocurrency companies and Jonatan #Zimenkov, an Israeli-born
Russian national and #arms dealer. #Copper_Technologies
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/mar/11/crypto-firm-assets-alleged-russian-arms-dealer
Crypto
firm moved $4.2m of assets to digital wallet linked to alleged
Russian arms dealer.
A new analysis of transactions shows a link between Copper Technologies and Jonatan Zimenkov, who was later hit with U.S. sanctions over Russia’s Ukraine invasion. https://www.icij.org/inside-icij/2024/03/crypto-firm-moved-4-2m-of-assets-to-digital-wallet-linked-to-alleged-russian-arms-dealer/
***
The #Saudi
Ministry of Defense (MoD) is said to be embarking on a new era of
space defense initiatives, with a specific focus on integrating
artificial intelligence (#AI).
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62595
Those willing to help behind Paywall.
***
Russian cargo
ship returns to North Korean port in sign of arms trade restart.
Shipping operation alleged to provide
DPRK weapons for use against Ukraine had appeared to be on pause for
a month.
https://www.nknews.org/pro/russian-cargo-ship-returns-to-north-korean-port-in-sign-of-arms-trade-restart/
***
#Kuwait
is poised to take delivery of the remaining 13 Eurofighter #EFA
#Typhoon fighter jets within the next 18 months, further solidifying
its air warfare capabilities.
https://www.ajudaily.com/view/20240308151809599
March 4
***
Glad IDF
cares about lives of people and animals. Unfortunately not for all
humans.
"In an effort to avoid harming
soldiers and dogs, the IDF has been experimenting with the use of
robots and remote-controlled dogs in the Gaza War."
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-03-03/ty-article-magazine/.premium/gaza-becomes-israels-testing-ground-for-remote-control-military-robots/0000018e-03ed-def2-a98e-cfff1e640000
***
De
#Franse #wapenindustrie, na de VS de grootste ter wereld, zou kunnen
profiteren van leveringen aan #Oekraïne. Maar dan moet de Franse
regering wel toezeggingen nakomen, m.n. vorig jaar door Macron
aangekondigde investeringen ter waarde van +€400 mrd.
https://fd.nl/politiek/1509227/franse-defensie-industrie-smacht-naar-orders-voor-oekraine
March 3
Nederlandse wapenexporten volgens EU External Action (de diplomatieke dienst van de Unie) tussen 2013 en 20222: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/eeasqap/sense/app/75fd8e6e-68ac-42dd-a078-f616633118bb/sheet/8dc0236a-e9a3-41b5-b4a1-3e2d096a0274/state/analysis
***
Stop
wapenleveranties!
Zou er geen Nederlandse Parlementariër onder de lijst met honderden volksvertegenwoordigers uit België, Duitsland, Frankrijk, Ierland, Portugal, Spanje en VK e.a. willen?
Collega's uit de alle buurlanden staan er wel tussen. @TweedeKamerTwit #IsraelGazaWar
Replying to @nikiashton @jeremycorbyn and @ProgIntl
Just two U.S.
lawmakers—Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Cori Bush
(D-Mo.)—backed the statement.
https://www.commondreams.org/news/lawmakers-arms-embargo-israel
***
The Database
on German Arms Trade wants to improve transparency. In the database
there is information on the industries and export data, and more
source on individual deliverances.
All in all Quite useful.
http://ruestungsexport-info.de/no_cache/en/database-german-arms-trade.html
Finnish MoD Antti Häkkänen called on Western countries to increase support for Ukraine. Earlier, the Czech Republic reported the discovery of 800,000 artillery shells outside the EU. Prague asked other EU & NATO members to finance the purchase. https://menafn.com/1107926955/Minister-Of-Defense-Of-Finland-Funds-To-Support-Military-Equipment-In-Ukraine-Must-Be-Found-Immediately
March 2
***#Nigeria is bolstering its military transport capabilities by acquiring four CN235-220 (originating in #Spain, CASA/Airbus) multipurpose aircraft from #Indonesia. https://politicsnigeria.com/breaking-indonesian-aerospace-firm-to-supply-four-transport-aircraft-to-nigerian-military/
See this piece on the start of the CN-235 in Indonesia https://stopwapenhandel.org/app/uploads/2010/10/Indonesia_0.pdf pp 68-71.
***
Despite
Turkish military role in the region the US Senate on Thursday
overwhelmingly voted 13-79 against a resolution that would have
blocked a $23 billion F-16 sale to Turkey that the Biden
administration approved last month.
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2024/02/29/turkey-f-16-sale-to-proceed-after-senate-vote/
***
The question
on so many lips is why the UK continues to sell arms and fraternise
with Qatar in spite of corruption and myriad misdoings, but the
answer cannot simply be economic self-interest. Why?
https://bmmagazine.co.uk/business/the-uk-continues-to-sell-arms-to-qatar-despite-corruption-and-misuse-why/
***
SNP MPs
have joined with hundreds of parliamentarians from 13 countries which
export arms or weapons parts to Israel calling for an immediate end
to the practice.
https://www.thenational.scot/news/24156485.hundreds-mps-across-world-call-end-israeli-arms-exports/
***
#Netherlands
supplies #Ukraine with fast #vessels, like inflatables, patrol
vessels & combat boats. The Hague is also contributing €250m to
the #Czech initiative to order large numbers of artillery shells for
Ukraine, according to a governmental letter.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2024/03/01/nederland-doneert-vaartuigen-aan-oekraine
|
***
*** Trade war on China policy pays off (if you neglect middle and long term effects)? https://www.statista.com/chart/31834/new-projects-in-semiconductor-manufacturing-in-the-united-states/ *** |  |
March 1
***
#Italy:
Amending current law to facilitate arms exports
The Italian Senate approved a controversial bill giving the government the power to decide whether to export arms. It #removes a series of #controls and #parliamentary debates. https://www.atlasofwars.com/italy-amending-current-law-to-facilitate-arms-exports/
Thnx to @kkvignarca
***
#Climate
change could unearth, disturb Cold War-era #nuclear waste buried by
the US, officials say.
Long-term environmental changes were not taken into account during disposal. (with video)
***
Who will follow
Colombia’s President Petro on Thursday announced to suspended arms imports from Israel and called on a global boycott of Israel. Hereby he responded to a massacre of more than a hundred Palestinians in Gaza.
https://colombiareports.com/colombia-suspends-arms-imports-from-israel/
***
't Kabinet
gaat Nederlandse bedrijven opdracht geven voor de bouw van 4
fregatten. Dat meldde RTL Nieuws 29/2 op basis van Haagse bronnen. 't
Besluit over de investering – waarmee tot €8 mrd gemoeid zou zijn
– ligt volgens RTL vrijdag bij de ministerraad.
https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1508926/nederland-laat-voor-miljarden-nieuwe-fregatten-bouwen
The
Netherlands plans to order four new air-defense frigates for more
than €3.5 billion (U.S. $3.8 billion) to replace its current fleet,
Dutch State Secretary of Defense Christophe van der Maat said in a
letter to parliament Friday.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/03/01/netherlands-plans-four-new-air-defense-frigates/
