Latest
on top (updated regularly):
August 31
***
#NATO member
intervention of neigbours air space.
The Iraqi military said it downed a #Turkish #drone over the northern city of Kirkuk on Thursday as Ankara kept up its operations against #Kurdish militants inside #Iraq.
The drone was downed.
***
The #Damen
build and delivered #warship for the China allied #Pakistani Navy,
PNS Hunain, visited Oman as part of its regional maritime security
patrol. During its maiden visit, the ship engaged in a naval exercise
with a vessel from the Navy of #Oman.
***
The Defense
News opinion piece of 10 Aug. by John Nagl and Daniel Rice ignores
the historical experience of cluster munition use while calling on
the 23 NATO states currently party to the Convention on Cluster
Munitions (CCM) to withdraw and resume production of these horrific
weapons.
To do so would irreparably damage the credibility of these countries, set back decades of progress towards better legal protection of civilians in armed conflict and betray the commitment to a rules-based international order which NATO countries and many others seek to defend, including in the current Russia-Ukraine conflict.
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2024/08/30/no-nato-doesnt-need-to-return-to-failed-cluster-munitions/
***
Laten we
eerlijk zijn: het maken van #wapens ís nu eenmaal cru. Het zijn geen
sierobjecten.
Misschien moet het allemaal eens wat minder schimmig. Maar eerlijkheid is moeilijk als je diep van binnen weet dat je in een #business werkt die naar lijken stinkt.
August 30
***
Is China the
arsenal of the world, or Wagner? No. The #US has delivered major
#arms to at least 107 countries since 2019 and accounts for 42% of
global arms transfers, according to the Stockholm International Peace
Research Institute (SIPRI).
https://new.finalcall.com/2024/08/29/u-s-among-nations-brazenly-flouting-arms-trade-treaty-10-years-on-amnesty/
***
It seems that
#China’s Ministry of Commerce had adjusted its #export control
measures on unmanned aerial vehicles (#UAVs or #drones). New policy
includes tightening some restrictions & relaxing others.
The amendments come into force on 1st September 2024.
https://globalsanctions.co.uk/2024/08/china-adjusts-export-controls-on-unmanned-aerial-vehicles/
***
Rabbi Avidan
Freedman, living in the settlement of Efrat, rejects what he sees as
Israel's sanctification of force, supports a hostage deal &
sanctions against violent settlers. He is battling against the
country's sale of arms to repressive regimes.
https://www.haaretz.com/magazine/2024-08-29/ty-article-magazine/.premium/i-believe-that-the-zionist-dream-is-not-viable-as-long-as-it-is-based-on-wrongs/00000191-9e51-d0ae-af93-fedd1adf0000
***
US arming of
Israel, Ukraine & stockpiling large quantities of weapons for a
potential war with China puts strains on US’s weapons manufacturing
base, leading to policy advice that would super-size its already
enormous Military Industrial Complex #MIC.
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/military-industrial-complex-2669002574/
***
Martin bans
#Israel from bidding on State defence contracts and issues support
for EU sanctions.
https://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-support-eu-sanctions-on-israel-6474190-Aug2024/
Micheál Martin is serving as #Irish Tánaiste (vice PM), Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defence since December 2022.
***
#Banana
Republic scenes in Washington
Army blasts Trump trip to #Arlington #cemetery for violating decorum https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2024/08/29/army-blasts-trump-trip-to-arlington-cemetery-for-violating-decorum/
#Trump campaign denies fighting with
Arlington National Cemetery staff
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2024/08/28/trump-campaign-denies-fighting-with-arlington-national-cemetery-staff/
***
Threatened by
Uncle Sam
#UK risks rift with US if arms sales to #Israel are stopped, Trump advisor says. #US #F35 #components
https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/uk-risks-rift-us-if-arms-sales-israel-are-stopped-trump-advisor-says
Also in the Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/aug/29/special-relationship-at-risk-if-uk-bans-arms-sales-to-israel-says-trump-adviser
***
Volgens
Bloomberg zou #Nederland akkoord zijn met beperking van de
onderhoudsdiensten die #ASML in #China mag leveren.
ASML en BuZA geven echter ‘geen commentaar’.
Vaststaat dat de #VS al maanden druk
uitoefenen op Nederland om de regels aan te scherpen.
https://fd.nl/tech-en-innovatie/1529347/toch-beperkingen-op-onderhoudsdiensten-asml-in-china
ASML’s #China Chip Business Faces New Curbs From
#Netherlands.
Huawei, SMIC rely on #ASML machines for
advanced chipmaking.
China cannot replicate ASML’s
advanced lithography systems yet. #US
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-29/the-netherlands-to-put-more-curbs-on-asml-s-china-chip-business
***
Amnesty
International yesterday called on the European Union to respect the
International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s advisory opinion on Israel’s
occupation of Palestinian land and stop ‘business as usual’ with
Israel.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240829-amnesty-calls-on-eu-to-respect-icj-and-stop-trade-with-israel/
***
#Serbia,
#France ink deal for 12 #Rafale #fighters.
President Vučić of Serbia was quoted by press saying that his country will received 9 single-seat Rafales and three two-seaters, delivered by 2029, with a price tag of €2.7 billion ($2.99 billion).
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/08/serbia-france-ink-deal-for-12-rafale-fighters/
***
Bern cozy with
EU, NATO
Putin, cash and guns prompt ‘explosive’ rethink of #Swiss #neutrality.
After 500 years of non-alliance, a
bombshell report recommends closer cooperation with the #EU and
#NATO.
https://www.politico.eu/article/switzerland-military-neutrality-defense-arms-sales-war-in-ukraine-vladimir-putin/
***
Rethinking Bangladesh’s reliance on Chinese arms.
#Bangladesh is the second-largest destination for #Chinese weapons
worldwide, accounting for two-thirds of Dhaka’s armaments.
https://asiatimes.com/2024/08/rethinking-bangladeshs-reliance-on-chinese-arms/
August
29
***
Forum on the Arms
Trade⬇️
Understanding Defense Offsets: Diving
in on Recent Reports.
DATE: Thursday, September 5,
2024 TIME: 10:30-11:45 AM EDT LOCATION: Virtual
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/forum-on-the-arms-trade_offsets-experts-forumevent-activity-7233886157212655616-h8x9
Blissfully Blind: https://ti-defence.org/publications/blissfully-blind-us-defence-contract-offsets-partner-countries/
Sovereign wealth funds: https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2024/06/sovereign-wealth-funds-corruption-illicit-finance-governance-risks
August
28
***
The #US Justice Dep.
charged the #Hungarian Bence Horvath with violations of US export
controls to #Russia, by -among more- conspiring with others to
illegally export US-origin #radio communications tech to Russian
government end users without a license.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/hungarian-national-arrested-charges-conspiring-export-us-military-grade-radios-russian
August 27
***
The
proliferation of cheap drones in conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle
East has sparked a scramble to perfect uncrewed vehicles that can
plan and work together on the battlefield. However military drone
swarms will raise ethical concerns in future wars.
https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2024/0826/pentagon-drone-swarms-ai-ethics-china-russia
***
Indian PM
Modi under fire from allies and opposition to stop arms supply to
Israel.
Political leaders push government to reconsider India’s arms trade with Israel, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2491506/modi-under-fire-from-allies-and-opposition-to-stop-arms-supply-to-israel
***
A blog I
wrote in 2012 started with Hamid #Karzai, the man who led the #Afghan
government at the time: "Men are fundamental and women are
secondary."
Womens rights are violated severely by the #Taliban, but weren't helped neither by #NATO's man at the top. https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2012/03/vrouwenrechten-in-afghanisgtan.html
***
Is China the
arsenal of the world, or Wagner? No. The #US has delivered major
#arms to at least 107 countries since 2019 and accounts for 42% of
global arms transfers, according to the Stockholm International Peace
Research Institute (SIPRI).
https://new.finalcall.com/2024/08/29/u-s-among-nations-brazenly-flouting-arms-trade-treaty-10-years-on-amnesty/
***
Rights groups
urge EU to end cooperation with Israel as it is ‘massacring
journalists’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240827-rights-groups-urge-eu-to-end-cooperation-with-israel-as-it-is-massacring-journalists/
Europese Journalistenfederatie: ‘Stop Europese associatieverdrag met Israël vanwege schenden van mensenrechten’
***
China to hold
3-day live-fire military drills near Myanmar #border.
Southern Theatre Command says troops are going to Ruili and Zhenkang in Yunnan province to ‘maintain safety and stability’.
Is Myanmar Junta Turning to Russia’s Wagner as Relations With #China Sour? While "the Chinese want to remain the sole foreign actor in #Myanmar’s civil wars"
***
Horrible war
is also advertisement for state-of-the-art weaponry:
Like others, the UAE’s military and intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the performance of advanced weapons and warfare systems used in the Ukraine War. https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62949
***
A strange
clip with a top-20 of arms exporting nations. It starts in 1960 and
ends in 2024. See countries: moving over time (e.g. Israel, S.
Korea), claiming the no. 1 position (USA), change name (USSR->
Russia), or even disappear from the list (India).
***
Opinion: #AI
must be prioritised across #US military programs & platforms, or
else America risks losing the AI race to #China.
Shouldn't the policy be how to rein in
AI for military use, how to come to a sound & wide enough global
scope #arms #control.
***
De dag na
Sinterklaas: Lezing @Ludodb over de internationale wapenhandel in
Oostende, 6 december, 14 - 16 uur.
https://www.mo.be/agenda/lezing-ludo-de-brabander-over-de-internationale-wapenhandel
August 26
***
Want to
become more popular? Stop arming ethnic cleansing!
'No regrets': Former US #official Josh
Paul discusses his resignation over #arms sales to #Israel
Since his resignation, Paul says he has
had a warmer reception that he expected.
https://www.thejournal.ie/josh-paul-interview-us-state-department-arms-sales-israel-6468071-Aug2024/
***
Former US
GOP @RepGallagher, a power political hawk who led the House
select committee on #China, has joined #Palantir Technologies as the
new head of its military division, the company announced today.
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/08/palantir-taps-former-gop-rep-mike-gallagher-as-new-defense-business-head/
@WilliamHartung, "The last thing we need is a @Palantir inspired foreign policy," Responsible Statecraft, August 28, 2024. https://responsiblestatecraft.org/palantir-gallagher/
August 24
***
Houthi
weapons dealers in Yemen are openly using X and other social media to
sell machine guns, pistols and grenade launchers. Since the
investigation’s release, X has suspended the accounts of some of
the most prominent dealers, but several remain active.
https://www.army-technology.com/features/free-speech-or-free-arms-trading-social-media-fuels-weapons-sales/
@elonmusk
#braggs X has the non-reported news. Yes like where to buy your
automatic riffle. Who wants to miss that.
The failure to identify the Houthi-linked #arms trade could mean Musk’s company has broken US law, reported the Jeruzalem Post. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-816040
***
Recently
relations between #Azerbaijan & #Turkey have been abnormal cool.
To observers who have seen the close connection between both this may
come as a surprise. @bahruz_samad explains why the Gaza-Israeli war
plays a role aswell as the views of Erdogan.
https://oc-media.org/opinions/opinion-azerbaijans-cooling-relations-with-turkey/
***
The #US is
seeking an arms #embargo on both sides of #Sudan’s conflict and is
open to working with any committed party, including Russia and China,
to expand humanitarian aid and stop the war, the U.S. envoy to Sudan
said on Friday. https://sudantribune.com/article289910/
***
#US export
restrictions were imposed over the past 2 years to curtail #Chinese
access to high-end #AI #chips. However, these entities have found a
loophole by using cloud services, which are not considered a
violation of US regulations.
https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40523419/chinese-firms-are-reportedly-accessing-high-end-nvidia-ai-chips-using-aws-and-microsoft-cloud-servic
***
Commerce
Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security #BIS is taking
aggressive action to further constrain #Russia’s ability to arm its
military by targeting illicit procurement networks designed to
#circumvent global #export #controls.
https://www.bis.gov/press-release/commerce-tightens-export-controls-targets-illicit-procurement-networks-supplying
***
Centraal in de #AI tech ontwikkelingen.
#Nvidia werd dinsdag het waardevolste bedrijf ter wereld, met 'n beurswaarde van $3335mrd. Een plotselinge nieuwkomer werd lijstaanvoerder waar eerder Microsoft en Apple elkaar als gebruikelijk in de top afwisselden. https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1520651/hoe-nvidia-het-waardevolste-bedrijf-ter-wereld-werd
Nvidia's Valuation Is Still Mostly About the Future https://www.statista.com/chart/32475/nvidia-compared-to-apple-and-microsoft/
August
23
***
Veiligheidsdiensten in
#Suriname getraind in vernietigen van #wapens (deel “Caribbean
Firearms Roadmap” programma) van de Mines Advisory Group ism
Caricom Impacs en gefinancierd door de VS. Doel: voorkomen dat wapens
in het criminele circuit terechtkomen.
https://www.waterkant.net/suriname/2024/08/22/veiligheidsfunctionarissen-in-suriname-getraind-in-vernietigen-wapens/
August 22
***
#Qatar &
#Sweden are said to airm for strengthened military ties following a
series of high-level #meetings between the CoS of the Qatari Armed
Forces and top Swedish #military officials. the CoS had a meeting
with the CEO #Saab to discuss 'defence'.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62940
***
The impact of
UK sanctions on global arms companies: an analysis of sanctioned
corporations.
https://aoav.org.uk/2024/the-impact-of-uk-sanctions-on-global-arms-companies-an-analysis-of-sanctioned-corporations/
***
Twee
militairen trokken vorige week op een kazerne in Schaarsbergen hun
privé airsoftwapen en vuurden daarmee op een burgermedewerker van
Defensie. Waarom de militairen (21 & 25 jaar) dat deden, wordt op
uitgezocht.
https://www.pzc.nl/binnenland/militairen-schieten-met-airsoftwapens-op-medewerker-kazerne~a7d9b075/
***
This week the
US State Department gave a green light for a FMS to the #Netherlands
of CH-47 and AH-64 #Helicopter Training and related equipment for an
estimated cost of $305 million. #DSCA notified Congress of this
possible sale this week.
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/netherlands-ch-47-and-ah-64-helicopter-training
***
The State
Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign
Military Sale to the Government of Tunisia of 65’ SAFE Archangel
Boats and related elements of logistics and program support for an
estimated cost of $110 million.
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/tunisia-65-safe-archangel-boats
The Tunisian navy also received four Multi Service Offshore
Patrol Vessels (MOPVs) ordered from Damen in 2016, with deliveries of
the Syphax, Jugurtha, Hannon and Sophonisbe from 2018.
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/tunisia-looks-to-buy-more-archangel-boats-from-the-us/
August 21
***
Westerse
vrienden in Jeruzalem:
't Israëlische leger gebruikt Palestijnse gevangenen als menselijk schild in Gaza. Dat meldt de Israëlische krant Haaretz na een uitgebreid onderzoek. NGO bevestigt het onderzoek en spreekt van 'systematische praktijken'.
'Our lives are more important than their lives': Gazans not suspected of terrorism are detained and sent as human shields to search tunnels & houses before IDF soldiers enter, with the full knowledge of senior Israeli officers, sources say;
***
#Canada
refuses to comment on US sale of Canadian-made weapons to #Israel.
Rights advocates say Canada is not being transparent and has failed to take danger of arms exports to Israel #seriously.
***
Defensie
werkt aan "defensieve en offensieve #cybercapaciteiten op
verschillende niveaus, meldde het "#HCSS al drie jaar terug.
https://hcss.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Cybercapaciteit-Koninklijke-Landmacht-Final.pdf
Toch wordt in een recent artikel door #Defensie zelf alleen over aanvallen afslaan gesproken. https://magazines.defensie.nl/materieelgezien/2024/06/deze-militaire-cyber-eenheid-beschermt-tegen-digitaal-spervuur
***
Wow "EU deplores all loss of
civilian life. It notes with utmost concern the unacceptable number
of civilian casualties, especially children, as well as the
catastrophic levels of hunger and imminent risk of famine caused by
the insufficient entry of aid into #Gaza,"
but at the same time EU members continue arms exports to Jeruzalem
with its ethnic cleansing policy & decades of land grab on the
West-Bank.
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-geneva/att-csp10-eu-general-statement_en
It seems Israel as an ally is more
important for Brussels than human lives are.
***
A report
earlier this month that #Huawei is producing an #AI chip on par with
#Nvidia’s H100, the most powerful graphics processing unit #GPU
chip on the market, is yet another indication that US policy denying
#China access to technology isn’t working.
https://www.asiasentinel.com/p/us-export-controls-china-likely-backfiring
Just
one of the many articles on US chip policy backfiring (on the US
industry, without stopping China) published in 2024. See e.g.: US
tech export controls backfire, drive companies into ‘death spiral’.
https://heartofasia.af/gt-voice-us-tech-export-controls-backfire-drive-companies-into-death-spiral/
August 20
***
***
Empty words
China firmly supports ATT to improve global governance of arms trade: ambassador. https://www.bastillepost.com/global/article/4090520-china-firmly-supports-att-to-improve-global-governance-of-arms-trade-ambassador
China Filling Huge Arms Order Placed by Myanmar Junta. https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmar-china-watch/china-filling-huge-arms-order-placed-by-myanmar-junta.html
***
Regeringen
negeren schaamteloos de regels van het Wapenhandelsverdrag en dat
kost wereldwijd vele mensenlevens, merkt Amnesty op.
https://www.amnesty-international.be/nieuws/regeringen-negeren-schaamteloos-de-regels-van-het-wapenhandelsverdrag-en-dat-kost-wereldwijd
De vraag is hoe daarop te reageren. Nog meer verdragen of nog meer politieke druk, machtsvorming, een beetje meer XR'en?
***
Working for
#security?
Report states that on average, during
the war in Afghanistan, 24% of US active duty women & 1.9% of
active duty men experienced sexual assault. Also racial minorities
and LGBTQ+ service members face greater risk of sexual #assault. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/08/19/military-sexual-assault-rate-higher-than-dod-estimates-report-finds/
***
Opinion
in the Gulf News;
Words vs Action: To end armed #conflicts, restrict global #arms trade. Global South must reject injustice and resist becoming mere markets for Western arms. For the merchants of war, the collective pain and misery of whole nations is dwarfed by the lucrative deals of billions of dollars generated from weapons sales.
August 19
***
***
#Iraq has ordered an unspecified number of #H225M multi-role #helicopters from #Airbus to fill potential capability gaps caused by US troops’ pending withdrawal from the country. https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/iraq-orders-caracal-tactical-transport-helicopters
August
18
***
Arundhati Roy, the
writer, is urging India to slam the brakes on its arms sales to
Israel, warning that persisting in this bloody business will
permanently tarnish India with the stain of the ongoing genocide in
Gaza. https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/486721
August 17
***
***
Approach on
#AI and Autonomous weapons #AWS would, 1) prohibit certain types and
uses and 2) place limits and requirements on the development and use
of them. A critical task facing states is to agree on how such a
two-tiered approach could be enacted.
https://www.sipri.org/publications/2024/policy-reports/towards-two-tiered-approach-regulation-autonomous-weapon-systems-identifying-pathways-and-possible
***
A senior
British #diplomat has resigned in protest over the #UK’s continued
arms sales to #Israel, claiming that the government’s actions are
complicit in war crimes being committed in #Gaza.
https://aoav.org.uk/2024/senior-british-diplomat-mark-smith-resigns-over-uks-arms-sales-to-israel/
***
De bewapening
en #wapenhandel met juridische middelen aan banden leggen, kan
onderdeel zijn van een bredere vredesstrategie. Maar zonder politieke
campagne, zonder druk van politici en maatschappelijke organisaties
in de media en op straat, schieten wet...
https://stopwapenhandel.org/oorlog-bestrijden-met-juridische-middelen-werkt-dat/
***
Ukraine is
free to use Canadian-donated tanks & armoured vehicles inside
Russia, the DoD said.
The statement comes as speculation
grows on how long Ukraine can stay on the offensive in Russia's Kursk
region — and its impacts on the running war.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/15/how-canadas-off-the-record-arms-exports-end-up-in-israel
***
Extreme
form of banana republic potitics.
#Israel’s military industry sector in uproar over a surprise appointment to the government-owned company #Rafael, entral in the country’s sprawling defense apparatus. Alon Pikarsky is #Netanyahu’s hernia surgeon. https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2024/08/15/netanyahus-hernia-surgeon-gets-a-seat-on-rafael-board/
August 15
***
#Bulgarian
National Extradited for Scheme to Illegally Export US-Origin
Sensitive #Microelectronics to #Russia.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/bulgarian-national-extradited-scheme-illegally-export-us-origin-sensitive-microelectronics
***
An #US Army
Intelligence Analyst pleads guilty to charges of 1) #conspiracy to
obtain and disclose national defence Information, 2) #export control
violations and 3) #bribery.
In the mean time his job was to defend the US. Really?
***
#Saudi
Arabia's #SERB and #Turkeys #Baykar drone maker are said to be in
talks to forge a partnership in unmanned aerial vehicles (#UAVs,
drone) technology. https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62924
***
#China’s
influence in #Bangladesh has been particularly strong in defence
cooperation (...) from 2019 to 2023 Bangladesh was the second-largest
recipient of Chinese #arms exports after Pakistan with 11 per cent,
according to official data.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3274417/ouster-bangladeshs-sheikh-hasina-india-losing-its-south-asia-allies-china
August 14
***
Authoritarian
and dangerous allies, are clients for #US #weaponry.
https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/us-revives-offensive-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia-14769
US Revives Offensive #Arms Sales To #Saudi Arabia
After years of suspension, the decision
reflects new geopolitical realities amid shifting alliances
concerning the Middle East conflict.
US lifts ban on sending
offensive arms to Saudi Arabia
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/8/12/headlines/us_lifts_ban_on_sending_offensive_arms_to_saud_arabia
Canada’s participation in the giant US arms deal makes
clear that the country is failing to ensure that Canadian-made
weapons are not used in suspected human rights violations abroad, as
required by law.
https://dnyuz.com/2024/08/15/how-canadas-off-the-record-arms-exports-end-up-in-israel/
***
Nigerian
Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, on Augus t 13, 2024
said Defence Industry Corporation of #Nigeria #DICON can produce
enough #weapons for use by the Security forces in the Country and in
extension to many other #African Nations.
https://nigerdeltaconnect.com/nigeria-selling-arms-to-african-countries-says-mattawale
***
Weird combo of
clippings
➡️Israel boosting local arms production to reduce reliance on US, @IsraelHayomHeb reports https://x.com/IsraelRadar_com/status/1823307513116106825
➡️US approves $20bn worth of arms sales to Israel
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-approves-new-20-billion-worth-weapons-sales-israel
2x Bad news 4 regional peace.
2x Good news 4 arms industries.
August 13
***
More uniform
approach to dual-use export control in the EU to be expected. New
types of technologies and goods are being used in warfare causing a
need for refinement to existing export control lists. In response,
Western leaders call for uniformising trade controls; however, this
appears to be just as tricky.
https://schjodt.com/news/modernized-ecom-regulation-provides-clarity-for-the-satellite-value-chain
***
‘Developments
in arms production and the effects of the war in Ukraine’—New
external article in Defence and Peace Economics from SIPRI’s
Lorenzo Scarazzato, @Xiaoo_l, @NanTianSA and @dielopesilva.
Read it here
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10242694.2024.2381784
***
A signal for
the floodgates to open.
More security?
For whom?
Opinion: NATO states should abandon
treaty banning the use of cluster munitions. Some members, like
Lithuania, already did.
https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/2024/08/10/nato-states-should-abandon-the-treaty-banning-the-use-of-cluster-bombs/
***
Export
richtlijnen militaire kennis?
Nederlandse commando's #KCT hebben februari-mei 2024 de #Ivoriaanse special forces les gegeven in terrorismebestrijding en kregen rondedans & liederen als waardering.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/commandos-geven-ivorianen-les-terrorismebestrijding-ytowe
#Mensenrechten US State dep: https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/cote-divoire/
August 12
***
Voor het
eerst werd tijdens de Spelen in Parijs het gebruik van
videosurveillance met kunstmatige intelligentie gelegitimeerd. En als
de sporters zijn vertrokken, blijven die videocamera’s hangen.
https://www.volkskrant.nl/buitenland/als-het-olympische-circus-uit-parijs-is-vertrokken-blijven-de-surveillance-camera-s-gewoon-hangen~b47e31e0/
***
'De wetgeving
over nieuwe wapentechnologie loopt ondertussen hopeloos achter. Als
er al rechtsregels zijn, worden ze door krijgsmachten creatief
omzeild.'
https://jacobin.nl/oorlog-bestrijden-met-juridische-middelen-werkt-dat/
***
#Dutch #navy
announced its intention to equip its new frigates with robotic ships
to increase their anti-submarine warfare capabilities, without
expanding the pressure on its human resources. #drones
https://meta-defense.fr/en/2024/08/10/robotic-ships-asm-navy-netherlands/
See e.g. (p. 91) [in Duch]
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=2023D44605
***
#Thales
South #Africa has unveiled tech to enhance the precision of mortar
systems. The company’s newly developed Mortar Fire Control System
#MFCS & Automated Mortar Fire Control System #AMFCS are set to
redefine the landscape of indirect fire support.
https://www.military.africa/2024/08/thales-south-africa-revolutionizes-mortar-operation-with-digital-upgrades/
***
Finnish #MEP
@AuraSalla criticizes government’s #Israel policy, calls for #arms
embargo and sanctions. #Finland
https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/politics/25506-finnish-mep-aura-salla-criticizes-government-s-israel-policy-calls-for-arms-embargo-and-sanctions.html
***
#Damen
Shipyards gaat meebouwen aan een fregat voor de #Colombiaanse marine.
Het wordt 't eerste fregat dat in dat land wordt gebouwd. Damen
levert de technologie en de onderdelen. Het schip wordt naar een
model van Damen gebouwd en wordt 107,5 meter lang.
#COTECMAR and Damen sign contract for construction of frigate for Colombian Navy in #Colombia. https://defence-industry.eu/cotecmar-and-damen-sign-contract-for-construction-of-frigate-for-colombian-navy-in-colombia/
***
Germany must
reconsider its extreme support for Israeli aggression.
https://countercurrents.org/2024/08/germany-must-reconsider-its-extreme-support-for-israeli-aggression/
68% of Germans oppose military support for Israel: Survey.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240810-68-of-germans-oppose-military-support-for-israel-survey/
***
Outside
#Agadir, #US and #Moroccan troops are putting new electronic warfare
#EW tech/tactics to the test. It’s a small but vital piece to
restore and update capabilities disbanded after the Cold War.
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/08/drones-jammers-and-big-balloons-in-morocco-armys-multi-domain-task-force-tests-ew-tech/
Illegal occupation south of Agadir no problem?
***
AI arms race?
#AUKUS partners demonstrated
‘real-time’ #AI tests at US Army’s Project Convergence. #UK
military's science arm said that "once proven," AI and
autonomous capabilities provide the military operational #advantage
through a quicker response.
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/08/aukus-partners-demonstrated-real-time-ai-tests-at-us-armys-project-convergence/
***
Weapons to kill
the free press.
The growing number of killings of Palestinian journalists in #Gaza has triggered a demand for a cut-off in US #arms supplies to #Israel. https://www.globalissues.org/news/2024/08/12/37420
August 9
***
South China
Sea #SCS: #Vietnamese navy frigate visits #China amid flurry of
drills in waterway
Despite Beijing and Hanoi having overlapping claims, Vietnamese ship arrives at Guangdong port ‘to improve mutual understanding and trust’ #CBM
***
Vergeten
conflict:
Wat is er nodig voor echte #vrede in Oost-#Congo?
https://www.mo.be/opinie/wat-is-er-nodig-voor-echte-vrede-in-oost-congo
***
A. #Damen we
zijn "erg trots op de opdracht voor een multi-purpose vessel
(‘drone carrier’) voor de Portugese marine. Het betekent dat we
op dit moment voor zes #NAVO-marines schepen aan het bouwen zijn, dan
wel recent hebben opgeleverd.”
https://maritimetechnology.nl/nl/actueel/records-voor-omzet-en-orderportefeuille-damen/
Wie betaald ze?
***
#Leonardo
embroiled in #Indonesia #corruption scandal.
Did a middleman in Jakarta take the fall for a #bribery scandal while European executives escaped scrutiny?
By @Lorenzo_Bagnoli, @andrewfeinstein, Fabio Rapetti & Alexandra Smidman
https://www.declassifieduk.org/anglo-italian-arms-firm-leonardo-embroiled-in-indonesia-corruption-scandal/
***
#Elbit Systems
announced on Thursday that it secured a contract worth $130 million
to supply Iron Fist Active Protection Systems to #BAESystems
#Hägglunds.
The APS will be installed on CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle over a 5½ year period.
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-813943
August 8
***
#India is
using #Russia as a bargaining chip in its negotiations with the #West
and using the West as leverage in its dealings with Russia. By
navigating between these two powers, India is enhancing its own value
and advancing its regional dominance.
https://www.eurasiareview.com/07082024-has-the-wests-strategy-toward-india-failed-analysis/
***
Local
residents are angry that a military contractor in Brampton, #Ontario
is seeking to ship armoured vehicles built in #Canada to #Israel
despite a ban on exports of “lethal goods” to the Israeli
government amid its violent occupation of #Gaza.
https://pressprogress.ca/local-residents-are-disappointed-a-brampton-factory-is-trying-to-sell-armoured-vehicles-to-israels-government/
***
#Niger cut
diplomatic ties with #Ukraine over remarks from officials showing
Ukraine's support for groups fighting in neighbouring #Mali that
killed dozens of soldiers & Russian Wagner fighters in July. The
move follows Mali's decision on Sunday. #Senegal
https://www.reuters.com/world/niger-cuts-ties-with-ukraine-over-comments-mali-wagner-attack-2024-08-06/
***
US
proposed significantly widen the scope of export control #EAR over US
person activities & the shipment of otherwise uncontrolled items
as military, military-support, intelligence or foreign-security
end-users in/from many countries would be involved.
https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/alerts/bis-proposes-significant-amendments-to-the-ears-us-person-and-end-user-controls-and-a-control-on-facial-recognition-items
August 7
***
#Germany’s
#Rheinmetall is boosting its plant-engineering business to meet
growing demand for ammunition factories, with an agreement to buy a
majority stake in the #SouthAfrican engineering firm #Resonant
Holdings for an undisclosed price.
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2024/08/05/rheinmetall-to-buy-south-african-engineering-firm-to-meet-ammo-demand/
***
"Pessimistic
assessments of Russia’s arms industry have started to surface even
within tightly controlled Russian media. Experts in Russia
acknowledge difficulties with maintaining relationships with
historical recipients of #Russian #weapons." #RAND
https://kyivindependent.com/something-is-rotten-in-the-state-of-russian-arms-industry/
Three workers lost their lives due to a gas-related incident
in the Avangard facility in the Russian Republic of Bashkortostan
(north of Kazachstan), which produces components for MLRS and is
sanctioned by the EU for aiding Russia’s war in Ukraine.
https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/08/06/deadly-blast-at-sanctioned-russian-arms-factory-kills-three/
***
UK Government
needs to clarify position on arms exports to Israel. Amid media
reports that export licensing officials have suspended the handling
of new applications for arms exports, London has repeatedly been
quoted as stating there has been "no change".
https://caat.org.uk/news/government-needs-to-clarify-position-on-arms-exports-to-israel-in-the-face-of-urgent-need-for-embargo/
***
Who has the biggest.
The Defense News top 100.
US (7x) and China (3x) fill the top-10.
https://people.defensenews.com/top-100/
August 6
***
There's a clear risk
that weapons and military equipment directly or indirectly exported
to Israel will be used to commit serious crimes against civilians in
#Gaza. Any state continuing to transfer arms risks becoming complicit
in violations of international humanitarian law.
Amnesty’s
latest research has confirmed that large amounts of weapons from
#China, #Russia, Serbia, #Turkey, #UAE and Yemen among others have
made it into the hands of #Sudanese combatants accused of serious
violations including war crimes.
https://amnesty.ca/activism-guide/protect-civilians-gaza-sudan/
***
A UK
guidance for academics in fields where there is a high risk it could
be used for military purposes, explaning: - how to assess if the UK’s
export controls apply - when research might be exempt - how to check
if an export licence is needed.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-controls-applying-to-academic-research
August 4
***
#China’s
#arms exports have significantly declined over the past decade due to
issues related to poor quality, compatibility problems, and
substandard operational performance underscoring a serious quality
issue within China’s military-industrial complex.
https://defence.in/threads/chinas-arms-exports-crumble-under-weight-of-poor-quality-and-broken-promises.8893/
August 4
***
Big Tech's Reliance on Conflict Minerals https://www.statista.com/chart/32755/number-of-countries-gamam-potentially-sourced-conflict-minerals-from/
August 3
***
After months
of bad publicity and rolling disruptions the #Canadian #Scotiabank
announced that it’s divested over half its stake in #Israeli arms
manufacturer #Elbit Systems. This was the first change to its
#holdings in more than 10 years.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/letters/article-what-to-do-about-alice-munro-books/
***
Investeer in
klimaatrechtvaardigheid, niet in oorlog! – 21-28/09/24 – Tijdens
de mondiale actieweek voor vrede & klimaatrechtvaardigheid
organiseren groepen wereldwijd allerlei activiteiten. Iedereen kan
meedoen met een eigen activiteit. Bedenk ook iets!
https://www.globalinfo.nl/nieuws/actieweek-voor-vrede-en-klimaatrechtvaardigheid/
***
34,327 people
signed a petition launched by T. Portes, a lawmaker from the La
#France Insoumise #LFI, to urge the French government to halt #arms
sales to #Israel. The campaign is still active on change.org &
required only 700 more signatures.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240802-france-lawmaker-needs-over-600-signatures-to-urge-government-to-stop-selling-israel-arms/
***
A grainy
picture of an ostensibly Made in #India part of a bomb in #Gaza
created a social media maelstrom last month and highlighted a growing
#concern about India's arms exports exacerbating the suffering of
Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
https://ipanewspack.com/use-of-exported-indian-arms-in-foreign-land-against-civilians-is-cause-for-concern/
***
The #UK’s
HMRC is investigating $Airbus for possible #export control
#violations. Airbus’ recent financial report stated:
“Airbus is fully cooperating with an investigation by the ..HMRC.. into possible violations of the UK's export control rules (...)" https://globalsanctions.co.uk/2024/08/reported-uk-investigation-into-airbus-export-control-violations/
***
Tampa man
sentenced to more than 3 years in prison for defrauding #biochemical
company (#MilliporeSigma, a subsidiary Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
#Germany) and diverting products to #China using falsified export
documents.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/tampa-man-sentenced-more-three-years-federal-prison-defrauding-biochemical-company-and
***
Fantastic:
Demand for “green ships” drives Damen's turnover to +€ 3 bn.
https://ground.news/article/demand-for-green-ships-drives-damens-turnover-to-over-3-billion
But the other side of the coin =
#Damen's role as major builder of war vessels. Militaries, in
particuular air forces/#navies play a big rol in #CO2 emissions.
https://ceobs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SGRCEOBS-Estimating_Global_MIlitary_GHG_Emissions_Nov22_rev.pdf
***
Son
of former regime’s ‘Ecotourism Minister’ now supplies #arms to
current #Myanmar junta.
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/junta-crony/son-of-former-regimes-ecotourism-minister-now-supplies-arms-to-current-junta.html
Augustus
2
***
FOLLOWING the news
that the UK government has delayed making a decision on arms exports
to Israel, War On Want, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and
Campaign Against Arms Trade released the following joint statement:
"The UK government’s delay in ma....
https://www.ekklesia.co.uk/2024/08/01/delayed-decision-on-arms-exports-to-israel-is-unconscionable/
***
World
Policeman sanctioned 5 persons & 7 companies in China & Iran,
accusing them of aiding Tehran’s ballistic missile & drone
programs. Entities in China, Hong Kong, & Iran involved in
procuring tech for “subordinates” of Iran’s MoD/#MODAFL were
targets.
https://www.barrons.com/news/us-sanctions-firms-in-china-iran-for-aiding-tehran-s-uav-program-902845d3
***
€
750,000,000.00 for a naval vessel.
Italy has signed a €1.5 billion contract with local defense champions Fincantieri and Leonardo for two new, upgraded FREMM frigates.
***
To make the world a safer
place for all?
The US Air Force expects its annual foreign military sales #FMS to grow by 60% this fiscal year due largely to increases in #F35 and #F16 purchases.
Or lucrative for some?
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2024/08/01/air-force-sees-spike-in-overseas-weapon-sales/
***
The critisism
is global...
25 prominent Indians, including former
Supreme Court and high court judges, economists, activists, &
poets, have written to #Indian MoD Rajnath Singh, to urge him to stop
licensing #arms and ammunition exports to #Israel.
https://kmsnews.org/kms/2024/08/02/prominent-indian-figures-urge-modi-govt-to-halt-arms-exports-to-israel.html
...from the largest to the smallest countries
Moviment Graffitti urged the Maltese government to forbid a #fuel tanker on its way to #Israel passage & services through #Maltese waters, as its delivery 'll contribute to further violence against #Palestinians. https://timesofmalta.com/article/graffitti-calls-government-block-military-fuel-shipment-israel.1096223
Augustus 1
***
The Biden
administration has pledged a half-billion dollars in new military aid
to the government of the #Philippines as the 3US and its allies in
the Asia-Pacific continue to ratchet up tensions with #China.
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/7/31/headlines/us_pledges_new_military_aid_to_philippines_as_protesters_warn_against_provoking_china
***
#Saudi
military students visited #SouthAfrican AirF College on 15074 for a
benchmarking & training program. “We hope your visit at one of
our best Training Units expands your knowledge and helps you further
your careers in the military,” SAfr general said.
https://www.military.africa/2024/07/saudi-arabian-air-defence-cadets-strengthen-ties-with-south-africa/
***
Jordan
Goudreau, the former #US green beret who coordinated a failed coup
attempt to oust #Venezuelan strongman Nicolas #Maduro in 2020, was
arrested Tuesday in a weapons-smuggling case filed in Tampa federal
court.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/venezuela/article290614174.html
Also
in the Military Times:
A former U.S. Green Beret who in 2020 organized a failed cross-border raid of Venezuelan army deserters to remove President Nicolás Maduro has been arrested in New York on federal arms smuggling charges.
***
Next step in
relaxing Japanese arms export restrictions:
#Japan plans to export military
equipment and technology to #Vietnam part of a program to strengthen
defence capabilities of Indo-Pacific nations to counter Chinese
maritime advances. (Nikei 310724).
https://jp.reuters.com/article/uk-japan-vietnam-defence-idUKKBN26Z02S/
***
#ASML
lijkt te worden vrijgesteld van strengere #VS-exportrestricties.
Washington wil de export van geavanceerde chiptechnologie vanuit 't
buitenland naar #China verder beperken, maar dit maal worden de
belangrijkste producenten van chipapparatuur ontzien.
https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1525676/vs-ontzien-asml-van-exportrestricties-koers-stijgt-fors
