Latest
on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
April 30
***
RTX’s
Raytheon selected Spanish engineering and technology group Sener to
make the electro-mechanical control sectiona of the Patriot
air-defense system’s interceptor missile at its Madrid site.
***
#Uganda has
partnered with #China’s #Norinco to embark on a JV to revolutionize
the country’s military capabilities. This collaboration is set to
establish a comprehensive #drone workshop in Nakasongola as part of
Uganda’s miliary modernisation.
https://www.military.africa/2024/04/uganda-and-chinas-norinco-partner-on-drone-production
***
Why the
Military Can’t Trust #AI
Large Language Models Can Make Bad
Decisions—and Could Trigger #Nuclear War
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/why-military-cant-trust-ai
***
In a move to
strengthen defence ties between India and the Netherlands, Dutch
naval vessel Tromp engaged in a exercised with the Indian frigate INS
Trishul, Indian MoD officially stated on Monday.
https://www.indianarrative.com/india-news/royal-netherlands-navys-hnlms-tromp-engages-in-maritime-partnership-exercise-with-indian-navy-156518.html
***
#VS doen er
alles aan om China op achterstand te houden in de ontwikkeling van de
meest geavanceerde computerchips. Belangrijke leveranciers van
apparatuur om die chips te maken, zoals #ASML, mogen niet meer aan
#China leveren, op straffe van sancties.
https://fd.nl/financiele-markten/1514993/half-chinees-asml
***
#Thales said
orders jumped 46% to 5.037 bn euros, buoyed by a third tranche of
Rafale fighters for #Indonesia, for which it makes the radar, and an
air surveillance system for an unnamed #MiddleEast nation. Revenues
rose by an underlying 7.9%
https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/THALES-4715/news/Defence-demand-pushes-Thales-orders-and-sales-higher-in-Q1-46572888/
***
UK’s MoD
has stated that Italy has sent Storm Shadow missiles (a French, Matra
and UK, BAES produced weapon
https://www.mbda-systems.com/product/storm-shadow-scalp/) to Ukraine,
lifting the lid on months of secrecy surrounding Italy’s supply of
weaponry to Kyiv.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/04/29/italy-has-given-ukraine-long-range-missiles-says-uk-defense-minister/
https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/04/28/italy-supplies-ukraine-with-storm-shadow-missiles-uk-defense-secretary-discloses/
***
The #Saudi
Ministry of Investment #MISA stands as a cornerstone in advancing the
Kingdom's military sector:
- encouraging foreign military
contracts
- incentives provided
- companies that MISA prioritizes
cooperation with
- avenues for engagement.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62700
Paywall
April 29
***
#Saab has
delivered the fourth #GlobalEye AEW&C (airborne early warning and
control) aircraft to the #UAE, the company has announced. The
delivery took place on April 18, a little over a year since the
aircraft made its first flight.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/multi-mission-aircraft/saab-delivers-fourth-globaleye-uae
***
The #OIC and
Arab League's "Gaza Contact Group," urged the international
community to apply meaningful sanctions on #Israel, including halting
#arms exports. #Saudi Arabia threatening to impose sanctions on
Israeli government for the first time.
https://www.albawaba.com/business/saudi-arabia-imposes-sanctions-israeli-government-first-time-1563483
***
The
Indonesian Air Force #IdAF has announced its plans to use #drones to
conduct beyond-visual-range aerial combat. The IdAF announced the
move on April 22 and mentioned plans to acquire Chinese-made CH-4 and
Turkish-origin ANKA and #Bayraktar drones.
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/indonesia-to-develop-ucav-for-anti-air-beyond/
April 28
***
#Rabat
helping Israel.
Despite the #Israel-#Gaza war, #Morocco continues using Israeli tech to expand domestic arms production capacity and weapons arsenal, to catch up to #Algeria's military power and eventually positioning itself as a weapons exporter. https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/despite-gaza-war-morocco-israel-defense-ties-look-set-deepen
***
"I can
say that not a single unit of #weaponry (we're talking about #illegal
ones) has crossed the border between #Ukraine and the #EU in the two
years of full-scale war. This is a colossal effort by our security
forces," MoIA of Ukraine Klymenko said.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/minister-of-internal-affairs-of-ukraine-no-illegal-arms-exports-in-two-years/ar-BB1iR1TK
***
Do Columbia's
pro-Palestinian protests resemble the ones against the Vietnam war,
US National Public Radio asks. To be followed by was it worth the
efforts than and now? https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1247405879
And guess what ...
April
27
***
Ukrainian
forces are withdrawing US-provided Abrams tanks from the front lines
after at least 5 have been destroyed by cheap Russian drones.
https://www.intellinews.com/cheap-russian-drones-overwhelm-us-made-abrams-tanks-taken-out-of-action-322988/
https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-abrams-tanks-19d71475d427875653a2130063a8fb7a
The cost of a Abrams M1A1 is US$ 10m. The cost of a Russian drone +/- ₽3m (around $35,000)
***
#Berlin
police on Friday began clearing a pro-Palestinian camp set up in
front of the German parliament by activists demanding the government
stop #arms exports to #Israel and end what they say is the
criminalization of the Palestinian solidarity movement.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/berlin-police-clear-pro-palestinian-camp-parliament-lawn-2024-04-26/
***
Commerce/BIS
restricts export of all firearms to non-Government entities in
high-risk countries.
https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2024/04/department-commerce-restricts-export-all-firearms-non-government
Commerce expects the restrictions tied
to 36 countries to result in a +/- 7% reduction, or $40m, in average
annual US firearm exports.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-announce-new-restrictions-firearm-exports-official-says-2024-04-26/
***
#Indian
Defence Ministry’s #Goa Shipyard Limited signs MoU with
Netherlands’ based #Damen Shipyards. So far only on tugs.
https://thenewsmill.com/2024/04/indian-defence-ministrys-goa-shipyard-limited-signs-mou-with-netherlands-based-damen-shipyards/
Surface naval ships are produced by
Damen for neighbour #Pakistan.
***
Swedish defense
committee calls for near $4.8 billion defense spending jump.
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/04/swedish-defense-committee-calls-for-near-4-8-billion-defense-spending-jump/
No other #needs in #Sweden for such an
enormous amount of money?
***
The
Scottish pension funds investing in arms firms. Article mentions
funds and companies they invested in like Lockheed, Britis Aerospace
Systems and General Dynamics.
https://www.thenational.scot/news/24282092.scottish-pension-funds-investing-arms-firms/
***
It
becomes undianable and shocking: Although humanitarian protections
for civilians are enshrined in the Geneva Conventions, critics argue
that Washington has been selective in its enforcement of
international law, @ForeignAffairs #Israel #Protest
https://link.foreignaffairs.com/view/591ef1863f92a4689d33bda8ky0kz.134g/eba1c941
April 26
***
Japanese firm
says its part found on North Korean missile is fake: report
It came after a British arms watchdog
found Japanese parts used in a missile launched by Russia against
Ukraine. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/japan-nkmissile-russia-04252024231958.html
How about the
parts in a in the North Korean missile used by Russia against Ukraine
from companies based in the United States, China, Germany, Japan, the
Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland and Taiwan?
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/japan-nkmissile-russia-04252024231958.html
***
#F35
onderdelen voor #Israël. 't Lijkt erop dat er 'n omweg is gevonden,
stelt #Vredespolitiek, in de vorm van 'n ander onderdelendepot. Dan
krijgt Israël onderdelen via dat land. #Woensdrecht moet dan aan de
opdracht van dat andere land voldoen. Zoiets?
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/brieven_regering/detail?id=2024Z07337&did=2024D16833
***
Impact of
conflict-related carbon emissions should be accounted for and more
data from #military operations is needed, according to NGOs and
lawmakers.
Rising militarisation and spending on defence is detracting from efforts to counter #climate change...
https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/04/25/rapid-militarisation-jeopardising-climate-claim-ngos
***
The world
spent $2,443,000,000,000 on armaments last year. As demand increases,
so do the sales of defence companies that manufacture all kinds of
military equipment.
In #Switzerland, however, sales are falling. Why?
***
To remember
when you start the next search:
#Google fires 20 more employees for protesting contract with Israeli government. The group organizing the protest, accused Google of 'valuing its profit and its $1.2bn contract with #Israel more than people'. https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2024-04-25/ty-article/google-fires-20-more-employees-for-protesting-contract-with-israeli-government/0000018f-14c5-d2e1-a7df-15e7acc30000
***
The new face
of war
DARPA, the US military’s research
department, announced that it has tested fully unmanned robotic
fighting vehicles.
https://defence-blog.com/darpa-tests-fully-unmanned-robotic-fighting-vehicles/
***
Cash cow
investments continue.
Hartung shows the new militairy tech performs badly. "But don’t expect the embarrassing news from Ukraine to stem the flow of funds into AI-driven systems, [drones] and robotic warfare, absent major pushback from the public." https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhartung/2024/04/19/getting-past-the-hype-on-emerging-military-technologies-is-a-life-and-death-issue
April 25
***
#Azerbaijan
asked to halt arms supply to #Armenia - it long time enemy - citing
national security concerns. Aliyev said, “We cannot sit and wait,
seeing how France, India and Greece are #weaponising Armenia against
us and doing it openly, demonstratively.”
https://www.news18.com/world/azerbaijan-asks-india-to-halt-arms-supply-to-armenia-citing-national-security-concerns-8865422.html
***
#Ukraine's
ambassador slams Canada for #Airbus sanctions waiver on critical
#Russian mineral #titanium.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/russia-ukraine-canada-sanctions-airbus-titanium-1.7184373
***
Turkish
president called for complete lift of restrictions on arms exports to
Turkey & more cooperation on arms.
https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/tuerkei-reise-steinmeier-und-erdogan-bleiben-in-nahost-frage-uneins-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-240424-99-791124
There's a number of reasons to say NO.
Moscow gets Western hightech via Ankara, in neighbouring states,
fierce repression, war in Kurdistan etc
***
Call
for an end to #taxpayer funding of arms companies
Last month #CAAT encouraged supporters to demand the end funding arms companies with taxpayers money. How about governments of EU member states; can they be asked also end the funding schemes?
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24273964.2m-scots-public-grants-given-arms-firms-supplying-israel/
***
1/2
An arms fair may contain all the trappings of war, but it is nothing
like a battlefield. It is "an oversized playground for adults
with wine, finger foods and shiny weapons," said photographer
Nikita Teryoshin in a press release about his new book, "Nothing
Personal: The Back Office of War." The photographs reveal -
sometimes with humor - the business of destruction or the ability to
hit back.
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/24/style/nikita-teryoshin-global-arms-fairs-photo-book/index.html
***
#Somerset
Council will pursue legal action to #remove #Elbit from an office
block it owns near Bristol following a wave of protests.
The council has a portfolio of
corporate property, including offices at Aztec West, occupied by
Elbit Systems.https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/somerset-council-pursue-legal-action-9243914
***
War what is
it good for?
Surely not for the hungry.
See this quick overview.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV4EntU8vus&ab_channel=AlJazeeraEnglish
***
A set of
uprades to the #F35 (TR-3) is already a year overdue. It isn't likely
to be ready until late '24. Lockheed is still building F-35s intended
to have TR-3, but since last summer the government has refused to
accept delivery of those jets without it.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2024/04/23/first-upgraded-f-35s-wont-be-ready-for-combat-until-next-year/
***
A view on
the economic appropach by South #Korea selling arms to the world. The
country entered the top-10 of #arms sellers. But to continue this
position Seoul needs to focus on #geopolitics and building military
to military besides on finance and tech.
https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/south-koreas-cheap-weapons-still-wont-sell-themselves-2993765
April 24
***
Some like
@tomvdkendelaere fear not enough is done to invest in the arms
industry (see
https://www.europaindustryrl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2024-000450_EN.html).
@ThierryBreton tries to reasure much is done.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2024-000441-ASW_EN.pdf.
Euroactiv notes creating an EU military industry goes not fast enough. https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/alice-negotiations-for-eu-defence-industry-programme-likely-to-face-delay/
***
Sudan
conflict: Amnesty International calls for broader arms embargo.
https://sudantribune.com/article284770/
See for military sales 1998-2022 enaat EU arms browser:
- https://enaat.org/eu-export-browser/overview?destination=south-sudan
- https://enaat.org/eu-export-browser/overview?destination=sudan
***
Kom VANDAAG woensdag
24 april naar het Spui: Fotograaf en voormalig wethouder Dolph
Kessler spreekt over de noodzaak van de-escalatie. UvA studenten
komen vertellen waarom ze de speech verstoorden van de hoogste
NAVO-militair, Rob Bauer. Met sprekers, dichters en muziek
protesteren de activisten maandelijks tegen 't voortduren van de
bloedige oorlog in Oekraïne - en Gaza - en pleiten voor 'n
wapenstilstand, diplomatie en onderhandelingen. Met 2 minuten stilte
herdenken ze de slachtoffers aan beide kanten. Doe mee.
https://www.stopdeoorlogamsterdam.nl/
***
In Hengelo
(just over the border with Germany and location of main brance of
#Thales NL) the German Navy, the #BAAINBw, #Thales and others, such
as prime contractor for the F126 frigat such as #Damen Naval,
inaugurated the “extended Thales Testing Centre”.
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/defence-and-security/press_release/thales-opens-new-system-testing-centre-german-f126
***
Chinese
universities and research institutes recently obtained
high-end Nvidia AI chips, despite the US widening a ban in 2023
on the sale of such tech to China.
https://www.fastcompany.com/91111245/banned-nvidia-ai-chips-end-up-china-embedded-dell-servers
More focus on common arms control may work better. Back to the table.
***
MANY jobs
in Scotland are directly tied with arms production, but trade
unionists have nevertheless been proudly at the forefront of
campaigns to oppose weapons sales to murderous regimes and to promote
diversification to civilian production when possible.
https://www.thenational.scot/politics/24274227.trade-unions-key-role-blocking-arms-sales-kill-workers/
April 23
***
"Our
leaders seem determined to give war a chance. Their thirst for
conflict endangers us all (...) we need politicians with the ability
and willingness to actively facilitate de-escalation and diplomacy. "
Jeremy Corbyn noticed.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/apr/23/leaders-war-gaza-jeremy-corbyn
***
#Japan has
tapped #Estonian and EU supported #Milrem Robotics to supply 3 THeMIS
unmanned ground vehicles #UGVs for supply transportation and
intelligence missions. The UGVs will be equipped with the Estonian
company’s Intelligent Functions Kit #MIFIK.
https://milremrobotics.com/milrem-robotics-awarded-contract-to-deliver-themis-ugvs-to-japan/
***
Scotish
fighter jet lover calls net zero emmission obtuse. With this ignorant
remark he tries to support the UK MoD. The Royal Air Force objects to
a wind farm plan amid fears jets will crash into turbines.
#ClimateCrisis #military https://www.thenational.scot/news/24269394.mod-objects-scottish-wind-farm-amid-fears-jets-will-crash/
***
Taking action
arms industry
By arming Israel, Scotland has to answer for what is done If our politicians fail to act, then shutting #Thales, #Elbit, #Leonardo etc down is the correct course of action. It took only a few of us to show that this can be done. https://www.thenational.scot/politics/24268294.detained-protesting-arms-sales--/
***
Peace and
#Palestine solidarity activists from across #Wales formed a #picket
at the #QinetiQ-run MoD #Aberporth base last week. The pointed at
several key problems, like while the UN calls for a halt to arms
exports to #Israel they continue.
https://www.tivysideadvertiser.co.uk/news/24270619.pro-palestine-protesters-form-picket-line-mod-aberporth/
***
Why European
defence stocks have surged ahead of US rivals, Daniel Grote asks in
Citywire.uk. Relatively European military budgets have more space to
take and arms exports increase. To name a few of the arguments given.
https://citywire.com/ch/news/why-european-defence-stocks-have-surged-ahead-of-us-rivals/a2440920
***
Urgent need
to investigate role of #technology, social media companies in killing
#Gazan civilians. “These companies need to be held accountable if
found to be complicit ... and exploitation of, users’ information,”
Euro-Med wrote. #Google #Meta #Israel
https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/urgent-need-investigate-role-technology-social-media-companies-killing-gazan-civilians-enar
***
#Nigeria will
take delivery of the first 6 of 24 #Leonardo M-346 aircraft it has
ordered, the Nigerian Air Force stated.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/04/19/nigeria-expects-first-batch-of-leonardo-m-346-fighter-jets-this-year/
Human rights? Nigerian air strikes resulted in the death of hundreds of people over almost a decade. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/01/nigeria-victims-of-reckless-air-strike-still-awaiting-justice-a-year-on
***
Everywhere
people want to get rid of #nuclear weapons. In Poland they start
talks how to get them.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/04/22/polish-president-wants-nato-nukes-for-deterring-russia/
***
Restructuring
military and dual use exports to smoothen AUKUS relations in in areas
like (counter) hypersonic, electronic warfare, quantum tech, AI and
automation, cyber, and additional undersea capabilities:
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/update-on-aukus-export-reform-progress
- https://www.australianmanufacturing.com.au/aukus-partners-break-new-ground-in-defence-trade-relations/
- https://www.naval-technology.com/news/us-prepares-to-scrap-itar-for-aukus-nations/
When will AUKUS allies receive US export control exemptions? https://www.defensenews.com/newsletters/daily-news-roundup/2024/04/23/when-will-aukus-allies-receive-us-export-control-exemptions/
***
Ten charged
and one arrested by US in connection with sanctions evasion scheme to
deliver aircraft parts to Petróleos de #Venezuela #PDVSA. They, if
convicted, face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ten-charged-and-one-arrested-connection-sanctions-evasion-scheme
***
Indian
Tribune reports on #China’s military #tech under lens after poor
show in conflicts; exports dip. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar,
Algeria, Kenya and Nigeria faced issues with Chinese weapons.
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/chinas-military-tech-under-lens-after-poor-show-in-conflicts-exports-dip-613540
April 22
***
Thales wil
zijn eigen slimme wapensystemen de baas blijven. Van de € 4 mrd die
#Thales jaarlijks investeert in R&D, gaat een groot deel naar de
ontwikkeling van #AI.
https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1513915/thales-wil-zijn-eigen-slimme-wapensystemen-de-baas-blijven
Het bedrijf wordt in het FD veel lof toegezwaaid voor zijn ethische kompas op dit gebied.
***
Military
sector one of the most corrupt in the world!
---
Peter Hain calls for inquiry into MoD’s alleged role in Saudi bribes scandal.
Government auditors must look into claims of complicity in corruption on arms deals with UK, says Labour peer.
***
Alys Samson
Estapé, of the Enough Complicity with Israel Coalition criticized
the Catalan, Spanish, and EU institutions for not acting to stop the
deteroriating situation in Palestine. Alys demanded that the Madrid
ends arms trade with Israel, both ways.
https://www.catalannews.com/society-science/item/thousands-turn-out-in-barcelona-protest-against-genocide-in-palestine
***
Forget about
the climate crisis, hunger, war and all other major demanding issues.
Higher military expenditures is what is aimed for.
Global military budget jumps to record
of $2440bn.
1st time military spending increased in
all parts of the world. #SIPRI
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/22/global-defence-budget-jumps-to-record-high-of-2440bn
‘The
unprecedented rise in military spending is a direct response to the
global deterioration in peace and security.’ But States ‘risk an
action–reaction spiral in the increasingly volatile geopolitical
and security landscape,’ said Nan Tian of SIPRI.
https://www.sipri.org/publications/2024/sipri-fact-sheets/trends-world-military-expenditure-2023
Decision
makers and media outlets around the world view the annual report by
SIPRI as a comprehensive, reliable source of information on global
arms trade. The data it presents, however, has far
too many holes, Haaretz reports based on Israeli info.
https://www.msn.com/he-il/news/other/the-data-hidden-from-the-world-about-the-global-arms-trade/ar-AA1noTER
April 21
***
Canadian NDP
calls on Liberals to impose a two-way arms embargo on Netanyahu’s
Israel.
https://www.ndp.ca/news/ndp-calls-liberals-impose-two-way-arms-embargo-netanyahus-israel
Indeed not only arms sales to Israel are supporting the Israels military forces, acquisitions are beefing up Israeli Apartheid military industrial base.
***
Het is
duidelijk waar Washington staat.
Het Huis van Afgevaardigden in de VS heeft zaterdag nieuwe militaire hulp ter waarde van $ 26 miljard goedgekeurd voor Israël, ondanks het lot van burgers in Gaza.
***
#Palestine
Action and Youth Demand painted Ministry of Defence. They demanded an
end to the MoD’s contracts with #Elbit Systems and an end to all
future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and
production of #fossil_fuels in the UK.
https://freedomnews.org.uk/2024/04/19/palestine-action-and-youth-demand-paint-ministry-of-defence/
April 20
***
#Kongsberg to
propel next-gen #frigates in #Dutch-#Belgian defence deal.
The Norwegian firm has clinched a
contract with #Damen Naval for propeller systems, which will improve
the frigates' ASW capabilities.
https://www.naval-technology.com/news/kongsberg-to-propel-next-gen-frigates-in-dutch-belgian-defence-deal/
***
A Human
Rights Watch #HRW report, last August, on the mass killing
of hundreds, even thousands, of unarmed migrants and asylum seekers
by #Saudi Arabia at the #Yemen-Saudi border raises questions about
the potential use of #Australian-supplied weaponry.
https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/were-australian-weapons-used-saudi-atrocities-yemen-border
***
It can help
to point at abuses!
The #UN special rapporteur on Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, has credited #Singapore's government for reducing #weapons transfers to the #Myanmar military government by up to 83% in the past year. https://mothership.sg/2024/04/un-spore-reduce-weapons-myanmar/
***
Will growing
public opinion force #Germany to suspend arms sales to #Israel?
Berlin has been Israel's 2nd-biggest
weapons supplier for the last 20 years. Its weapons supplies account
for 47% of all Israeli #arms imports, closely behind the 53% from the
US.
https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/will-growing-public-opinion-force-germany-to-suspend-arms-sales-to-israel-17837516
.png)
***
Defense giant #BAE Systems linked to arms deals in countries accused of #human rights abuses, UK based Action on Armed Violence @AOAV finds. https://nbcnewyork.com/news/business/money-report/defense-giant-bae-systems-linked-to-arms-deals-in-countries-accused-of-human-rights-abuses-report-finds/5336061/
***
Play with
fire:
“One miscalculation ... one mistake, could”
Iran’s brought down 3 small drones
over the central city of #Isfahan, state media reported, hours after
US broadcasters, quoting senior US officials, said Israeli missiles
had hit an Iranian site.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/19/israeli-missiles-hit-site-in-iran-explosions-heard-in-isfahan-report
What
is the importance of Isfahan? A look at erstwhile Safavid capital
amid alleged Israeli attackIsfahan hosts an Iranian military airbase,
located near a nuclear enrichment site.
https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2024/04/19/what-is-the-importance-of-isfahan-inside-erstwhile-safavid-capital-amid-alleged-israeli-attack.html
Published
yesterday (190424)
It will take the strength and determination of the entire international community to find a way to end this conflict. It is abundantly clear that polarisation will not bring the peace we desire. https://leftfootforward.org/2024/04/wera-hobhouse-mp-polarisation-will-not-bring-peace/
***
#Germany
taken to #court over arms deliveries to #Israel. A positive verdict
could mean that the 3,000 anti-tank #weapons can no longer be
delivered to Israel. It's also possible the court will declare that
it has no jurisdiction and dismiss the complaint.
***
Time for
confrontation or time to talk?
#US missile deployment could push #China to further militarise South China Sea #SCS.
***
Militaire
ambities werpen schaduw over klimaatbeleid
#Milieuorganisaties vrezen dat de aandacht voor de #klimaatcrisis in Europa weg is. 'n Europese Raad nota beschrijft vooral militaire ambities.
‘een bosbrand of overstroming [kun je] niet neerschieten’
https://www.mo.be/nieuws/europa-toont-militaire-ambitie-milieuorganisaties-vrezen-klimaatbloedbad
***
On 18 April,
3 unknown drones were reported to attack the #Kamensk factory in
Rostov Oblast, which produced fuel for ballistic missiles.
Ukraine is developing long-range drones for strikes amid a call by Western allies not to use weapons on Russian soil. https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/04/19/drones-attack-russian-factory-that-produced-missile-fuel/
***
Eisenhower
was right, every missile fired is a theft from those in need.
With so many nations struggling to provide electricity and clean water, healthcare and education, it’s a travesty that billions are being diverted to arms production and defence.
***
‘Sjacheraar’
Mark Rutte loopt zich volop warm als chef van de Navo, kopt het FD om
te vervolgen: "De last man standing op het Binnenhof
regeert zonder problemen over zijn politiek graf heen en versterkt
zijn geloofsbrief voor zijn nieuwe functie."
https://fd.nl/politiek/1513957/sjacheraar-mark-rutte-loopt-zich-volop-warm-als-chef-van-de-navo
***
Automated
war?
The US Air Force, #DARPA and industry
had an #AI-controlled F-16 and a human-controlled one maneuver
against each other in #dogfights — a feat the team is claiming to
be a “world
first.”https://breakingdefense.com/2024/04/in-a-world-first-darpa-project-demonstrates-ai-dogfighting-in-real-jet/
***
The surge
in global arms exports will have far-reaching implications, reshaping
geopolitical dynamics & fostering a climate of heightened tension
& competition. The article describes several key implications.
#France
https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2024/04/20/elevation-of-france-as-major-arms-exporter-in-the-world-causes-and-implications/
***
Russia’s
arms industry still importing vital foreign CNC machines despite
sanctions.
Turkey, UAE & China are acting as key conduits for Western technology feeding Russia’s arms production, an investigation has found.
April 18
***
KIVI helpt
het MIC
Alle jonge opgeleide professionals die
in de defensiesector actief willen zijn hebben moeten zich
zelfstandig inwerken. Denk daarbij aan bijzondere technologie,
politieke controle, geheimhouding en ethische dilemma’s. Een
moeizame en vaak langdurige klus.
Retweet
with comment @KIVIDV: Masterclass 2023
visiting DEFIS in the Breydel building of the European
Commission. Highly interesting presentations on major European
cooperation programmes like EDF, EDIRPA, EDIS, EDIP etc. Meer info en
deelname aan de Masterclass 24/25:
https://eurodefense.nl/masterclass
***
#Manchester
students occupy university building in solidarity with #Palestine.
They demand that the university end its partnership with #arms
companies and adopts a policy ensuring all research is conducted
ethically & doesn't contribute to the arms trade.
https://thetab.com/uk/manchester/2024/04/17/manchester-students-resume-occupation-of-university-building-in-solidarity-with-palestine-58965
***
Info on
#Ukraine engagement with Sudanese army luitenant general Lt. Gen. A
Fattah al-Burhan who is the de facto ruler of #Sudan:
- https://www.wsj.com/world/ukraine-is-now-fighting-russia-in-sudan-87caf1d8
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/06/ukrainian-special-forces-sudan-russian-mercenaries-wagner
- https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/02/15/evidence-mounts-that-ukrainian-forces-are-in-sudan
- https://english.aawsat.com/features/4901321-ukraine-fights-russia-sudan
- https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/19/africa/ukraine-military-sudan-wagner-cmd-intl/index.html
Thnx http://aser-asso.org
***
Retweet @trouw:
De Fransen zijn de tweede exporteur van
defensiematerieel ter wereld. Daarmee stoten ze de Russen van de
tweede plek. ‘Er is in Frankrijk brede steun voor de
wapenindustrie’, zegt een deskundige.
https://www.trouw.nl/buitenland/frankrijk-verdringt-rusland-als-tweede-wapenexporteur-ter-wereld~b422baa6/
***
Retweet
@melissakchan: "The Olympics
have a long track record of supporting the
augmentation of host cities’ and countries’ state power through
the passage of special laws and the procurement of sophisticated
equipment," writes @JulesBoykoff 100 days before the Paris
Olympics:
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/17/opinions/paris-olympics-surveillance-security-boykoff/index.html
***
#Argentina
signs $300M contract for 24 #Danish #F16 fighter jets. The Danish MoD
did not disclose when deliveries will take place but the jets are set
to rebuild Argentina’s strike capabilities, almost a decade after
retiring Dassault Mirage III fighters.
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/04/argentina-signs-300m-contract-for-24-danish-f-16-fighter-jets/
***
#Turkish
networks overtake #Europe in Malaysia's defence sector
#Malaysia has chosen Turkey to equip its future frigates, with European defence contractors increasingly losing out to Ankara's networks in Kuala Lumpur. [Pay wall]
April 17
***
Beautifully made
program about the reaction on drawing stick figure cartoons in India.
It's worth 50 minutes of your time to lwatch this informative video.
Look e.g. at the marching orange coloured puppets. https://www.arte.tv/en/videos/113646-001-A/draw-for-change/
***
Expanding
military capabilities the answer to war? Cease fires, diplomacy and
arms control are far cheaper and bring more peaceful results. Easy?
No. But the way to go.
#Lithuania and #Rheinmetall agreed to build a factory to produce 155mm artillery ammo. https://mil.in.ua/en/news/rheinmetall-to-build-ammunition-plant-in-lithuania/
***
Cynical
Qaddafi mansion sale profits must go to US arms firm, judge rules.
#General_Dynamics wants London property to be sold to recoup part of £16 million it is owed for deal to supply regime of Muammar Qaddafi. #Libya
https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2024/04/17/qaddafi-mansion-profits-must-go-to-us-arms-firm-judge-rules/
***
Rail
Lines in Toronto Shut Down by Hundreds Calling for Arms Embargo on
Israel, End to Genocide in Palestine.
https://worldbeyondwar.org/breaking-rail-lines-in-toronto-shut-down-by-hundreds-calling-for-arms-embargo-on-israel-end-to-genocide-in-palestine/
April 16
***
Nederlandse
startup #REEQ overgenomen door Rheinmetall Defence Nederland. REEQ
draait om bemande en onbemande quads.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/materieelgezien/2024/03/reeq-overgenomen-door-rheinmetall-defence-nederland
Het project is er gekomen met hulp en steun van het MoD afdeling #MIND (Military Innovation by Doing) https://www.defensie.nl/organisatie/commit/organisatiestructuur
***
The
Netherlands will provide Ukraine with €4 bn in military aid in the
2024-26 period, the Dutch government said in a budget update on April
15.
The country already lifted its 2024
military budget to
€21.4 bn from
€15.4 bn in 2023 &
€12.9 bn in 2022.
***
#Airbus has
rolled out the 1st of 2 A400M airlifters with the colors of the
Kazakh Air Defense Forces.
#Kazakhstan, which placed its order in Sept. '21, & becomes the 2nd export customer of the plane, after Malaysia. https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/multi-mission-aircraft/first-kazakh-a400m-rolled-out
#HumanRights: https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/europe-and-central-asia/eastern-europe-and-central-asia/kazakhstan/
***
Arms industry
can count on European Commission at Defence & Security Summit.
Tomorrow (April 17), the European Defence & Security Summit
happens in Brussels, bringing together industrial, military &
political leaders, including EC President Von der Leyen.
https://stopwapenhandel.org/arms-industry-can-count-on-european-commission-support-at-defence-security-summit/
***
SM-3
ballistic missile interceptor used for 1st time in combat.
https://news.usni.org/2024/04/15/sm-3-ballistic-missile-interceptor-used-for-first-time-in-combat-officials-confirm
For the SM-3 to be developped it was necessarily Bush ended the anti-ballistic missile #ABM treaty, because its capabilities were bigger as what this arms control treaty allowed.
***
Protests
conitue. Pro-Palestinian protesters paralyse roads in US cities over
war on Gaza Demonstrators block highways and shut down travel in
Illinois, California, New York and the Pacific Northwest.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/16/pro-palestinian-protesters-paralyse-roads-in-us-cities-over-israel-attacks
***
Protesters
hold up a sign that reads "#Canada stop arming genocide" as
part of the "People's Picket for #Palestine" protest at the
#Deltaport on April 15, 2024.
https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2024/04/15/deltaport-palestinian-rally/
***
#US #Marine
Corps has selected three companies (#AeroVironment, #Anduril
Industries and #Teledyne FLIR) to compete for its light loitering
munitions program, which seeks to equip small units with an armed
#kamikazedrone for over-the-horizon fire missions.
https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2024/04/15/marines-pick-three-companies-for-loitering-munitions-program/
***
The
#Netherlands will purchase RQ-35 Heidrun reconnaissance drones made
by Danish company #SkyWatch for #Ukraine, cost €200 million.
The drones will be procured in cooperation with Denmark and Germany as part of the Drone Coalition.
***
Even in
#Singapore:
A group of Singaporeans #protested peacefully in the city-state yesterday to call on the government to stop the #arms trade with #Israel, as part of a global day of action.
In 2018-22 Singapore imported arms from Israel worth US$73m.
https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2024/04/16/singaporeans-stage-protest-to-demand-end-to-arms-trade-with-israel
Three
activists in Singapore have been said to be under police
investigation after protesting the nation’s arms trade with Israel
by unfurling a banner at Gardens by the Bay on Monday.
https://gutzy.asia/2024/04/16/three-activists-are-under-police-investigation-over-protest-against-arms-trade-with-israel-at-gardens-by-the-bay/
In
a rare act of defiance of strict laws governing demonstrations,
supporters of the pro-Palestinian cause unfurled a banner.
Political observers have noted Singapore’s political elite expressing greater empathy for the plight of Palestinians.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3259226/israel-gaza-war-singapore-investigates-latest-anti-israel-protest-there-paradigm-shift-domestic
***
Stilletjes
glijdt #GroenLinks-#PvdA de #oorlogsstand in, alsof het
vanzelfsprekend is. Maar dat is het niet.
***
F-35 program’s lifetime price
tag tops $2 trillion, Pentagon wants jets to fly longer. That is US$
2,000,000,000,000; an amount enough to provide essential security to
many, in the form of education, health, food, drinking water, climate
policy, etc.
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/04/f-35-programs-lifetime-price-tag-tops-2-trillion-pentagon-wants-jets-to-fly-longer/
April 15
***
#Thales to
supply seven additional Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact
radars for the #Dutch MoD.
https://www.edrmagazine.eu/thales-to-supply-seven-additional-ground-master-200-multi-mission-compact-radars-for-the-dutch-ministry-of-defence
The unit price for the GM200 MM/C variant is +/- € 14.5 million.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_Master_200_Multi_Mission
***
Debate: How
much has Europe spent on the military in 2023? How is EU
militarisation exacerbating military spending? Why is militarization
not compatible with the fight against climate change? And more:
Tuesday 23 April, from 16:00 to 17:15 CEST
https://centredelas.org/agenda/european-military-spending-the-climate-emergency-squaring-the-circle/
***
The Dutch MoD
has confirmed that Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems #TKMS is starting an
objection procedure over the provisional contract award for 4 new
#submarines to French #Naval_Group.
https://swzmaritime.nl/news/2024/04/15/tkms-to-court-over-dutch-submarines-saab-damen-leaves-it-to-parliament/
***
Veiligheid of
kloteherrie?
‘De ongezond harde geluidspieken
rondom vliegbasis #Leeuwarden, veroorzaakt door oefenvluchten van de
#F35 straaljager, nemen toe. Defensie wil na publicatie van de
cijfers praten met de omwonenden van de vliegbasis.’
https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/politiek/artikel/5445061/ongezond-hard-geluid-rondom-vliegbasis-leeuwarden-neemt-toe
Moreover.
Even the commander of the Dutch commander of #Volkel and #Leeuwarden
stated the noise levels have to go down.
https://www.gelderlander.nl/maashorst/geen-f-35-meer-tijdens-speelkwartier-overlast-vliegbasis-volkel-gaat-komende-jaren-minder-worden-zo-belooft-de-commandant~a6b42d84/
***
Anas Sarwar,
who heads up the Scottish Labour group, has said he believes
Israel has clearly breached international law and that weapons
exports should cease. Herewith he has gone further than the UK
leadership of the party.
https://www.thenational.scot/news/24252079.scottish-labour-mp-refuses-back-anas-sarwar-israel-arms-exports/
***
Turkey has
set significant steps over the past two decades in developing its
military industry (with the help of NATO). Several Turkish companies
are now expanding their footprint across the world, thus further
expanding the sector’s cloud. #ASELSAN #TAI
https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/from-chile-to-indonesia-turkish-defense-industry-expands-global-footprint
***
How
#Damen is arming the #Pakistani navy. https://quwa.org/?s=Damen
April 14
***
Russian
forces used a freshly produced subsonic air-to-surface Kh-69 cruise
missile to destroy a power station near Kyiv. The Kh-69 extends the
range of Russian attacks from 306 to 402 km & is fired by
fighters rather than more cumbersome Russian bombers.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/04/13/pictured-russias-new-ultra-low-flying-missile-that-destroye/
***
#Western
governments gave military support to #Israel while fending off
accusations that their weapons were being used to commit war crimes
in Gaza. But as a global outcry over the death toll mounts,
maintaining that #position is becoming more difficult.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/13/world/europe/israel-weapons-sales-genocide.html
***
David Boyd, the UN
special rapporteur for human rights and the environment, said: “Armed
conflict pushes humanity even closer to the precipice of climate
catastrophe, and is an idiotic way to spend our shrinking carbon
budget.”
David Boyd, the UN special rapporteur for human
rights and the environment, said: “Armed conflict pushes humanity
even closer to the precipice of climate catastrophe, and is an
idiotic way to spend our shrinking carbon budget.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/09/emissions-gaza-israel-hamas-war-climate-change?mc_cid=751d5966dd
***
#China
limited the supply of #components to #Russia, which Moscow uses for
the production of weapons and their use in the war against Ukraine.
What is known about China's introduction of #restrictions on Russia in the field of arms production.
***
The war in
Ukraine "has acted as an excellent advertisement for artillery
systems, air defence systems, drones, armoured vehicles, helicopters,
and other equipment or otherwise for those that have not performed as
well as expected.," wrote Vadym Ivchenko, a Ukrainian lawmaker
from the Batkivshchyna party, is a member of the Verkhovna Rada’s
Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence.
https://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/30907
***
Carabineros
de #Chile (military police) acquired the #Airbus H125 heli's.
https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/carabineros-de-chile-induct-h125
"Chile has tried, with little success, to reform its national police, the Carabineros, since 2019, when police used excessive force against protesters (..)" https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/chile
April 13
***
V:
Nederland is veel meer geld aan de krijgsmacht gaan uitgeven. Waar
gaat dit geld naartoe?
A: Veel naar wapens. ‘Fijn voor de wapenindustrie. De regering heeft meteen gezegd: we gaan nog zes extra F-35’s kopen. Dat is zonder enige discussie gebeurd.’
https://www.sp.nl/achtergrond/wendela-vries-doel-is-altijd-versterken-van-wapenindustrieApril 12
***
EU must
address Egypt’s ‘abysmal’ human rights record, Amnesty asked.
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/01/eu-egypt-eu-must-address-egypts-abysmal-human-rights-record/
However the Egyptian Ministry of military production #MoMP is said to deal with #Thales for transfer of technology #TOT and license production agreements. https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62661 #Egypt
***
#Klimaatcrisis
is nu!
Meer dan 24 miljoen mensen in zuidelijk Afrika kampen met de dubbele crisis van honger en overstromingen. De snelle opeenvolging van klimaatextremen geeft de bevolking geen tijd om te recupereren. https://www.mo.be/nieuws/al-meer-dan-24-miljoen-mensen-zuidelijk-afrika-getroffen-door-droogte-overstromingen-en
***
A 39-jet
fleet of #Israeli Air Force #F35 I Adirs have surged to more than 5
times normal operations since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas & have
sustained that level with the help of international support, a US
Joint Program Office #JPO official said Apr. 10.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/us-f-35-sustainment-lead-details-israel-fleet-ops-october
***
India expands
strategic presence, and will post defence attaches in several African
countries, including Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, and
Djibouti.
New Delhi plans to strengthen its strategic relation with these countries and boost arms exports.https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-post-new-defence-attaches-in-african-nations-for-first-time-armenia-poland-philippines-global-south-2525834-2024-04-11
***
The word
'sustainable' can also has a worrying meaning.
"We must be quick, go hard, mass produce," he said, adding the effort must also be "sustainable" said French PM Macron when visiting a gun powder factory in Bergerac. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240411-france-s-macron-calls-for-sustainable-defence-industry-effort
***
From #AUKUS
to JAUKUS? The US is inviting #Japan to be a potential partner on
part of the trilateral AUKUS pact that aims to deepen top-secret
technology sharing and joint development on advanced defence
capabilities.
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2024/04/11/aukus-allies-float-path-for-japan-to-join-tech-sharing-pact/
***
#Serbia
closer to deal over #Rafale jets with #France, President Vucic says.
https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2024/04/11/serbia-closer-to-deal-over-rafale-jets-with-france-president-vucic-says.html
The
declaration of a French fighter purchase underlines Serbia’s
intention to diversify its sources of military importation, while
underlining the fallout for Russian defense exports in the wake of
its invasion of Ukraine.
https://dsm.forecastinternational.com/2024/04/10/serbias-potential-rafale-acquisition-signifies-more-than-just-a-fighter-decision/
April 11
***
Future
automated wars? Time to talk?
Chinese military researchers on an #AI-driven navy, space combat to ‘win future wars’.
Study Times, a key Communist Party paper, publishes series by PLA experts on emerging weapons tech to take strategic high ground.
***
The US is
providing 1000s of Iranian machine guns, sniper rifles, rocket
launchers and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammo to Ukraine.
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/09/politics/us-iran-arms-ukraine/index.html
Not the first time Iranian small arms related items went to Ukraine. https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/3547919/
***
The extra's
coming with adds.
The digital surveillance corporation #Intellexa, which is owned by a former #Israeli #intelligence commander, showcased a sensitive spying product that makes it possible to #infect #GSMs through online advertisements alone. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2024-04-11/ty-article/.premium/israel-tried-to-keep-sensitive-spy-tech-under-wraps-it-leaked-abroad/0000018e-c948-d480-a99e-cf5f24900000
***
Changing
world views.
ICJ court case highlights "Berlin’s
complicity in war crimes. It may not stop Germany’s military and
political support for Israel, but will certainly help expose the
so-called morality of Western nations."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1826801/complicit-in-genocide
***
The German
government has approved €4.89 billion worth of arms exports from
January 1 to March 27, 2024, with Ukraine receiving the lion’s
share—approximately 72% of the total. The current statistics at
this stage are almost double that of last year.
https://report.az/en/other-countries/value-of-germany-approved-arms-exports-reaches-almost-5b-in-q12024/
***
On
Wednesday, Balkan Insight reported
https://balkaninsight.com/2024/04/10/serbia-sells-more-arms-worth-14-million-euros-to-israel/
that #Serbia’s main state-owned arms trader, Yugoimport-SDPR,
exported weapons worth 14 million euros ($15.2m) to #Israel last
month, citing customs data.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/10/as-gaza-is-pummelled-is-serbia-secretly-sending-weapons-to-israel
This
vaque source used the information as if its own and added some views
on the historic Yyogo/Serb-Israeli relations (included the positions
on Kosovo):
https://www.inventiva.co.in/trends/keeping-a-secret-is-serbia-discreetly-sending-weapons-to-israel-as-gaza-falls-spains-sanchez-states-disproportionate-israeli-gaza-attacks-a-world-threat/
April 10
***
Welke bedrijven in
Nederland maken raketten, bommen e.d. In Trouw wordt beweerd dat die
productie niet bestaat.
https://www.trouw.nl/duurzaamheid-economie/jawel-nederland-heeft-een-defensie-industrie-maar-voor-bommen-en-raketten-moet-je-toch-echt-de-grens-over~b2afc65b/
Maar Nederland is leverancier van onderdelen. Ook voor deze
wapentypen? Heldere bron: Catalogue of Netherlands Defence Related
Industries van 't Commissariaat Militaire Productie #CMP (vroeger een
jaarlijkse papieren gids). Met 'n mogelijkheid tot zoeken op
verschillende wapentypen waaronder munitie en raketten &
torpedo's.
Onlangs verdwenen.
Weer 'n voorbeeld van afgenomen
transparantie op wapengebied.
Deel van het
#militarisme is #geheimzinnigheid; niet de toegenomen openheid.
Nu lost zelfs zo'n al decennia
bestaande gids op in de #oorlogskoorts. En kunnen we moeilijker
controleren of wat geschreven wordt over wapenproductie juist is.
https://web.archive.org/web/20210620153921/https://cmp.minez.nl/Compensatie/En/Default.asp
***
More talks
needed. #US’s deployment of launchers for its medium-range
#missiles in the Asia-Pacific region for the 1st time in nearly 4
decades is a #warning to #China against military action across the
Taiwan Strait, analysts said. #SM6 #Tomahawk
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3258327/us-viewed-warning-china-against-military-advancement-its-plan-medium-range-missile-launchers-asia
***
The US Space
Force #USSF will officially begin the major competition for the
next-generation #nuclear #command-and-control constellation this
month, a program expected to cost up to $8 #billion.
https://aviationweek.com/shows-events/space-symposium/ussf-begin-major-nuclear-command-control-competition
***
Despite the
sanctions, #Russia steadily increases the production of missiles &
cruise missiles, some of which require 40 to 50 Western #components,
which the Russia receives thanks to "gray" imports.
https://rubryka.com/en/2024/04/09/zbroyi/
(Based on Die Welt article
https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/plus250918582/Ukraine-Krieg-So-steht-es-wirklich-um-die-russische-Ruestungsindustrie.html)
***
What’s the
contractual state of munitions orders concerning Ukraine? Defense
News April 2024, p. 58. ->
***
Billions
spend, trillions planned, but: "Delivery disruptions for the
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter are creating a headache for European
buyers, as some countries face a potential capacity gap and delays in
training pilots and maintenance engineers." #F35 #JSF
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/03/21/f-35-delivery-delays-frustrate-european-air-force-upgrade-plans/
***
A lawyer
for #Germany told the #ICJ that since Oct 7, 98% of arms exports to
Israel were general #equipment like vests, helmets & binoculars.
Of 4 cases where #weapon exports were approved 3 concerned arms unsuitable for use in combat & meant for training. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/9/germany-rejects-allegation-of-aiding-genocide-in-gaza-at-icj
April 9
***
Shipbuilder
#Damen Naval has commissioned gearbox manufacturer #Renk to supply 8
gearboxes for the 4 #ASW #frigates ordered by #Belgium and the
#Netherlands, the companies announced on 4 April 2024.
Renk originated in #Germany, key dates in WOI and WOII. https://www.renk.com/en/newsroom/news/press-releases/renk-awarded-contract-for-anti-submarine-warfare-frigates
***
South #Korea
has successfully launched its 2nd military spy #satellite into orbit,
days after North Korea reaffirmed its plan to launch multiple
reconnaissance satellites this year. The Koreas each launched their
first spy satellites last year.
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/south-korea-military-spy-satellite-launched-9257370/
***
De Haan vindt
het onbegrijpelijk dat bijna niemand vraagtekens zet bij de westerse
steun aan de oorlog in #Oekraïne: “Elke dode die nu valt, had je
kunnen voorkomen,” “Er is alle reden om onmiddellijk te
de-escaleren. Maar nee, wij gaan juist escaleren.”
https://archive.ph/CYRri#selection-769.0-883.288
***
Protesters
demanding arms embargo on Israel spray Labour HQ with red paint.
Demonstrators from the Youth Demand
group insisted both the Government and Opposition should commit to
preventing supply of weapons to the country. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/labour-government-israel-protesters-labour-party-b2525234.html
***
Turkish
#Atesci https://www.atesci.com/ starts arms production in Congo,
Nigeria & Kenya. In 2019 Turkish President Erdogan started an
aggressive campaign to strengthen Turkey’s role on the world stage
& facilitated companies’ access to the African market.
https://www.military.africa/2024/04/turkish-atesci-to-produce-munitions-in-three-african-countries/
April
8
***
Netherlands only country disappearing from list wih 10 biggest global arms exporters and South-Korea only nation entering the league with major arms exporters when SIPRI rankings for 2014-18 and 2019-23 are compared.
Retweet with comment @SIPRIorg: Russian arms exports fell by 53% between 2014–18 and 2019–23. For the first time, Russia was the third biggest arms exporter, just behind France. Get the full analysis https://www.sipri.org/publications/2024/sipri-fact-sheets/trends-international-arms-transfers-2023
April 7
***
#Spain
rejects ban on arms exports to #Morocco. «Spain's defense exports
comply with national, EU, and international regulations, all of which
prioritize international humanitarian law and peace and security»,
wrote the MFA Albares.
https://en.yabiladi.com/articles/details/148435/spain-rejects-arms-exports-morocco.htmlIllegal #occupation?
***
Representative
Nancy #Pelosi, former House speaker and a key ally of Biden, has
signed a letter from dozens of congressional #Democrats to the
president and Secretary of State Blinken, urging a halt to #weapons
#transfers to Israel.
https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1308762/Pelosi-joins-call-to-halt-arms-exports
https://twitter.com/RepMarkPocan/status/1776366820502421643/photo/3
April 6
***
War sells.
At Singapore Airshow, the Israeli-Gaza war was a selling point for Israeli arms makers. Israeli firms unveiled the next generation of kamikaze drones. A visit to the biggest arms trade show in Asia. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-04-05/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/at-singapore-airshow-the-gaza-war-was-a-selling-point-for-israeli-weapon-manufacturers/0000018e-aa7f-dc75-afde-faff383b0000
***
De meest
bekende communicatie truc. Nederlands hoogste militair kent hem: Op
de foto met kinderen, dat vertedert.https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2024/12/index
Maar wie geeft eigenlijk toestemming voor militaire propaganda naar elf en twaalf jarigen?
***
Van
opgedrongen #oorlogslogica tot opgelegde #militarisering?
https://stopwapenhandel.org/van-opgedrongen-oorlogslogica-tot-opgelegde-militarisering/
Hoe 't tij te keren?
Waar is 't woord 'wapenbeheersing' eigenlijk weggestopt? Afstoffen en toepassen op AI, cyber, hyper, nucleaire, nano & biowapens. Niet alsmaar meer, maar werken aan minder.
***
Israel admits
‘grave mistake’ after Gaza bombing kills seven aid workers– but
charity demands full inquiry.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/israel-admits-grave-mistake-sacks-103948914.html
It raises the question: what about the other 30,000 killed Gazans? Mistake or part of ethnic cleansing?
***
Toys for the
boys? Longing for past heavy armour? Wise financially? Sound policy,
military strategically? Or just uniformed nostalgia?
Air defence, #tanks top Dutch military's wish list.https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/04/05/air-defense-tanks-top-dutch-militarys-wish-list
***
As if the
history of Ukrainian arms exports is not bad already:
Ukraine needs to liberalize arms exports abroad. If the domestic arms industry can produce, it would be logical and necessary to sell, Vladyslav Belbas, Gen. Dir of Ukrainian Armor LLC said. https://censor.net/en/n3482832
***
The
opposition towards arming Israel gathers strength day by day.
UK civil servants in the Department of Business and Trade involved with arms exports have raised concern over their degree of liability in arms sales.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/government-gaza-israel-joe-biden-benjamin-netanyahu-b2523585.html
***
The
expensive and blunt answer to a world in disorder. #Norway to double
military spending under ‘historic’ long-term military plan
"involving a significant strengthening of all branches of the
Armed Forces," said Prime Minister Gahr Støre. #Petrokrone.
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/04/norway-to-double-military-spending-under-historic-long-term-defense-plan/
***
Human
rights lawyers said on Friday they had filed an urgent appeal against
Germany's government to stop exports of war weapons to Israel, citing
reasons to believe they were being used in ways violating
international humanitarian law in Gaza.
https://www.aol.com/news/rights-lawyers-court-stop-german-135731376.html
Legal
push to stop Germany's arms exports to Israel
https://euobserver.com/rule-of-law/158312
April 5
***
Preliminary
investigation of misfired frigate.
Dutch #Thales disclaims responsibility for misfired missile launches on frigate (according to #Danish broadcaster DR https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/foreloebig-undersoegelse-af-fejlramt-fregat-frikender-del-af-luftforsvar): “[It] does not indicate a problem related to the #APAR radar.”
***
België:
Activisten blokkeren toegang tot Buitenlandse Zaken om militair embargo te eisen.
***
UK under
growing pressure to halt arms exports to #Israel.
Ex-Supreme Court judges among those warning government of risk of international law breach after aid worker deaths.
Britain also supplies around 15% of the #F35 built in the US by #Lockheed Martin.
https://www-ft-com.ezproxy.depaul.edu/content/69855ef9-da6c-41ed-bf53-a3a1542888a4
***
‘VS willen
niet dat #ASML machines in China blijft onderhouden’.
Next week officials of the Biden administration will demand ASML to stop litho machine cooperation with China.
#Veldhoven is the a village in the 51st state?
https://fd.nl/economie/1512749/verenigde-staten-willen-niet-dat-asml-machines-in-china-blijft-onderhouden
***
A minor shift
coming?
“What we want to see are some real changes on the #Israeli side,” #US #NSC spokesman John Kirby said. “And, you know, if we don’t see changes from their side, they’ll have to be changes from our side.” https://breakingdefense.com/2024/04/white-house-indicates-arms-sale-changes-on-table-for-israel/
April 4
***
“Waar vind je
informatie over Nederlandse wapenhandel met #Israël? Wat zijn de
militaire relaties tussen Nederland en Israël? Stop #Wapenhandel
heeft jarenlang ervaring met onderzoek naar dit soort informatie.”
“We steunen de oproep tot een militair embargo en vinden het belangrijk dat acties en campagnes worden gevoerd op grond van kennis en feiten stelt @CTWnl en “Omdat we graag onze kennis delen organiseren we #workshops over dit onderwerp.” https://stopwapenhandel.org/app/uploads/2024/04/workshop-wapenhandel-online-DEF.pdf
***
#Indonesia
has ordered 2 Scorpene-class #submarines from #France’s
#Naval_Group as part of a defence cooperation agreement signed in
2021, the company said Tuesday. The submarines will be built at the
Indonesian #PT_Pal shipyard.
https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2024/04/03/indonesia-buys-two-submarines-from-france.html
***
Offaly-based
Irish Training Solutions has recruited former Army Rangers to train
Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar's troops in an apparent breach of a UN
arms embargo.
https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2024/04/03/irishmen-training-army-of-libyan-strongman-khalifa-haftar-in-apparent-breach-of-un-embargo/
Oud-militairen
van het Ierse leger hebben de troepen van de Libische warlord Khalifa
Haftar getraind, zo blijkt uit onderzoek van The Irish Times. De
oud-leden van de Defence Forces werken vanaf 2023 voor Irish Training
Solutions, een commercieel huurlingenbedrijf.
https://www.bnr.nl/nieuws/internationaal/10544241/iers-huurlingenbedrijf-traint-libische-opstandelingen-schendt-vn-embargo
***
Healthcare
workers blockaded #NHS #England’s headquarters today, demanding
that it sever ties with #Palantir — a US #spy-tech firm which
supplies tech to #Israel’s military and which was first funded by
the #CIA. It was awarded a £330m contract by the NHS.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/not-only-is-our-government-complicit-in-genocide-it-knows-it
***
In the years
2014-23 84 incidents of explosive weapons used by #Nigeria were
recorded with 797 civilian casualties (444 #killed) & 3238 armed
actor #casualties (2971 killed). #Air-launched weapons account for
all civilian casualties.
https://aoav.org.uk/category/explosive-violence-research/state-actors/nigerian-armed-forces/
***
"Israël
bombardeert, #Thales profiteert", galmde het gisteren door de
straten van #Huizen. Zo'n 40 actievoerders van Extinction Rebellion
hebben Thales bezet. "Hier blijven we zitten tot Thales stopt
met het leveren van wapens aan #Israël", zeggen ze.
https://www.nhnieuws.nl/nieuws/334227/pro-palestina-demonstratie-gaande-tegen-wapenhandel-van-huizer-bedrijf
De Huizer vestiging
is niet de enige vestiging die vandaag wordt bezet. Ook #Hengelo,
#Delft en #Breda zijn aan de beurt. De actie is onderdeel van een
serie internationale acties tegen wapenreus #Thales, waaronder in de
#VS, 't #VK (incl, Noord-#Ierland & #Schotland) en #België.
‘Stop met het bewapenen van Israel’, zo luidt het. De
demonstranten hebben zich vastgeketend.
“Thales Groep produceert wapens, drones en militaire technologie in samenwerking met de Israëlische militaire industrie. Dat moet stoppen!”, stelt de organisatie.
https://www.huizernieuws.nl/politiek/politiek/335362/extinction-rebellion-demonstreert-tegen-wapenhandel-voor-inga
Tientallen
demonstranten hebben zich vanmorgen verzameld bij de hoofdingang van
Thales in #Hengelo. Zij demonstreren tegen wapenhandel en laten
Palestijnse vlaggen zien.
https://www.rtvoost.nl/nieuws/2329272/tientallen-pro-palestina-demonstranten-protesteren-tegen-wapenhandel-voor-ingang-thales
Activisten beschuldigen Thales van leveren militaire onderdelen aan Israël. ‘Bloederige business’. https://www.trouw.nl/binnenland/activisten-beschuldigen-thales-van-leveren-militaire-onderdelen-aan-israel-bloederige-business~be3f8522/
***
Israeli
#Hermes 450 #drone/Zik drone used in Gaza aid strike could be powered
by #British-made engine, #CAAT stated.
Pressure mounts to halt arms sales as senior Tory calls airstrike a ‘turning point in #Israel’s collapsing #reputation’.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/gaza-aid-workers-israel-british-drone-b2522977.html
The
Hermes 450 is powered by a UK-made R902(W) Wankel engine, which is
produced by Elbit subsidiary UAV Engines Limited in the UK, according
to the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT).
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/not-only-is-our-government-complicit-in-genocide-it-knows-it
***
The Palestine
solidarity movement in Canada has forced the government into a more
critical stance on Israel, but the arms embargo suffers from serious
loopholes, argues John Clarke.
https://www.counterfire.org/article/canadas-dubious-arms-embargo-on-israel/
***
#UK PM
Sunak pressured by lawmakers to suspend arms sales to #Israel. MP's
from multiple parties claimed that the UK should end #arms supply to
Israel based on their perception that Israel was not following
humanitarian law, as the JP worded their concern.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-795271
April 3
***
Family pay
tribute to ‘genuine gentleman’ killed by Israeli missile.
IDF chief sorry for ‘mistake’ after strike kills British aid workers. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/03/israel-hamas-war-latest-british-aid-workers-gaza-air-strike/#1712134974673
Sorry isn't the hardest word, 'ceasefire' is, it seems.
***
PM of Israel
Netanyahu has called on the country’s military industry to boost
local production of weapons amid #growing international calls to stop
arming Jerusalem. He said those firms must adapt to the increasing
needs of the war against Hamas militants.
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2024/04/03/israel-local-production-weapons/
***
"Investeren
in #wapens mag niet normaal worden"
Waarom de financiële sector niet in wapens moet investeren. #Triodos
https://dekleurvangeld.nl/artikelen/2024/opinie-wapens
***
Helpful,
isn't it.
The administration of US President Joe Biden is close to approving the supply of up to 50 American-made F-15 fighter jets and ammunition to Israel, in a deal expected to be worth more than $18 billion.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240402-us-close-to-approving-18bn-aircraft-ammunition-sale-to-israel/
***
US
sanctions targeting #Myanmar’s #arms acquisitions have been imposed
regularly since the coup, with specific sanctions on jet #fuel
supplies in March & August 2023. These measures should be
#coordinated and expanded in light of the surge in air strikes.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/how-myanmar-regime-surviving
April 2
***
Italian
shipbuilder #Fincantieri signed a contract to provide the #Indonesian
Navy with two 4900-ton PPA ships, although the government has not yet
funded the purchase.
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2024/03/29/fincantieri-inks-13b-deal-with-indonesia-for-two-patrol-ships/
Indonesia is headed by the notorious #Prabowo. Some crimes seem to be easily forgotten.
***
Who pays for
the US-China Tech Trade War?
#China progresses on new techniques to cut reliance on advanced ASML lithography machines.
By applying SAQP to DUV machines, China could make 5-nanometre grade #chips without EUV tools sold only by #ASML.
***
"While Russia
has increased production of key munitions most heavily used in
Ukraine, such as artillery shells, the impact of the sanctions is
highly likely greatest on Russia’s most advanced and complex weapon
systems. These systems in production and development almost certainly
have an increased reliance on foreign components and technology,"
https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1774738757586997696
***
Bij zo’n
200.000 jongeren die in 2024 17 zijn of worden valt deze dagen weer
de Dienstplichtbrief op de mat. Ook mensen jonger dan 35 jaar die
(op)nieuw zijn ingeschreven als Nederlander, krijgen de brief.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2024/04/02/dienstplichtbrief-valt-weer-op-de-mat-voor-17-jarigen
Kan je ook weigeren? https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0002386/2020-01-01
April 1
***
US lawmakers
accused the Biden administration of hypocrisy on Friday after it
voiced concerns over civilian deaths in Gaza, while approving
the transfer of billions of dollars' worth of bombs and fighter jets
to Israel.
https://www.newarab.com/news/us-accused-hypocrisy-over-obscene-israel-arms-transfer
***
A man from
Oakland is heading to the slammer. Fares Abdo Al Eyani, 41, has been
sentenced to one year and a day in prison for his audacious plot to
smuggle firearms and night-vision rifle scopes to #Oman. #Optech #US
***
Corbyn “And
our governments still can’t bring themselves to utter the words
permanent ceasefire, still can’t bring themselves to stop the
grisly, ghastly arms trade with Israel and the supply of weapons,"
from France, Germany, the UK and the US.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/mar/31/four-arrested-as-200000-attend-pro-palestine-march-in-london
***
Tailwind for
the German arms industry?
There is much demand for tanks, missiles, and ammunition, and Chancellor Scholz is not the only one who wants to see more of them produced in Germany. But it's not as easy as it sounds.
https://www.dw.com/en/rearmament-tailwind-for-the-german-arms-industry/a-68704891
