My tweets (or X's) for December

 

Latest on top (updated regularly):

(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)

December 3

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#Russian economy in crisis as #arms exports collapse by over 90% and mass bankruptcies loom.
The country has "failed" as an arms exporter, with a leading Putin ally warning the defence sector faces mass bankruptcies over high interest rates. https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1983671/russian-economy-arms-exports-collapse

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Is South #Korea’s rejection of Ukraine’s #weapons request due to Trump or public objection?
S Korea is wary of doing so due to its laws. Additionally the opposition parties have threatened to impeach the defence minister if weapons were sent to #Ukraine. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3288984/south-koreas-rejection-ukraines-weapons-request-due-trump-public-objection

Why South Korea Is Still Afraid To Provide Weapons To Ukraine. Article clearly lists arguments for Government and Opposition. https://zn.ua/eng/why-south-korea-is-still-afraid-to-provide-weapons-to-ukraine.html

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Glimpse of the weapons and sensors to be fitted on the new #Pakistani naval vessels built by Dutch company #Damen Shipyards show the navy has signed contracts with #Thales, #MBDA and #Rheinmetall, Intelligence Online reports. [paywall] https://www.intelligenceonline.com/international-dealmaking/2024/12/03/pakistan-navy-s-discreet-contracts-with-mbda-and-thales-revealed,110347032-art

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#Chip war ramps up with new #US restrictions on China.
Biden administration broadens limits on #Chinese access to advanced microchip technology, with Donald Trump expected to go even further.
#Dutch government follows US policy in respect to #ASML. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/03/joe-biden-china-microchip-export-restrictions-law-changes

#China has announced it will block exports to the #US of critical raw materials, including gallium and germanium, in response to the Biden administration's increased export controls targeting the Chinese chip industry.
https://thechinabrief.substack.com/p/breaking-china-blocks-exports-of
https://english.news.cn/20241203/82640469de9b4334a8b896880720afda/c.html

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The last 2 #Typhoons on order at the Warton facility are set to be delivered in 2025, meaning #BAE looks for export customers to keep a workforce it is counting on to make the 6th-gen fighter in the future. Potential for sales to #KSA & #Turkey mentioned. https://breakingdefense.com/2024/12/how-bae-plans-to-keep-its-eurofighter-typhoon-uk-final-assembly-line-alive-for-gcap/

Turkey? Bombed Kurds more than 4.000 times since the beginning of 2024. https://x.com/Osint613/status/1861016513123148169
Saudi Arabia? Photo internal bombing Awamiya (https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/not-aleppo-shock-extent-destruction-saudi-shia-town) as example:

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#Japan’s shift from a very restrictive policy to active promotion of #arms production & sales reflects its broader strategy. Japan’s industry still faces hurdles. Companies remain reluctant to invest in export-oriented production for several reasons. https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/japans-defence-budget-surge-new-security-paradigm

December 2

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The Dutch group #Damen and the #Romanian state-owned company 2MMS agreed to terminate the association contract signed in 2018 for the shared operation of #Mangalia Shipyard (Santierul Naval 2 Mai). https://www.romania-insider.com/damen-pulls-out-mangalia-shipyard-december-2024

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ARI Arms wins historic $26 million contract to supply OR-4 assault rifles to IDF, replacing Tavor rifles and standardizing infantry weaponry as Israel pushes to bolster domestic arms production and reduce reliance on imports. https://www.ynetnews.com/business/article/rkkg00myxjl

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Edinburgh-based investment firm, Baillie Gifford, a #Scottish firm has given financial backing to an #AI weapons start-up founded by a US tech billionaire who has links to Donald Trump. https://theferret.scot/baillie-gifford-investment-sparks-ai-weapons-debate/

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Madrid boosts funding for #ICC and #UNRWA. The #Spanish government has also taken steps to limit arms exports to Israel and recognized “Palestine” as a state in May, in a coordinated move with #Ireland and #Norway. https://www.jns.org/madrid-boosts-funding-for-icc-and-unrwa/

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We don't know about transports to #Israel of our F-35 components. "The global distribution of #F35 components is controlled by the US Government-led F-35 programme," Maria Eagle "Pilatus", #UK Minister of State for Defence said. https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-clarifies-role-in-f-35-component-transfers-to-israel/

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Russian President Putin signed off the country’s new budget.

Around 32.5% of the 2025 budget — €119 bn —  has been allocated for national defense, up from a reported 28.3% in 2024, according to a document posted on a government website, AP reported.
https://www.politico.eu/article/putin-russia-budget-moscow-record-defense-spending-kremlin-war-ukraine/

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Retweet @SIPRIorg: World’s top arms producers see revenues rise on the back of wars and regional tensions. The arms revenues of the SIPRI #Top100 companies totalled $632 billion in 2023, +4.2% from 2022. New #SIPRI data on the #ArmsIndustry is available now: https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2024/worlds-top-arms-producers-see-revenues-rise-back-wars-and-regional-tensions