*** On Gaza,
Germany’s government faces pressure. Germany, after the Holocaust,
has a special bond with Israel. But a hunger crisis in Gaza is
creating a demand for Berlin to take bolder action.
*** When even the
US allied brutes start to call for an end...
#Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed
bin Salman #MBS on Tuesday called on all countries during an
extraordinary summit of the #BRICS group of nations to stop exporting
#weapons to #Israel.
#EU funding for the arms industry, like: -EC proposes fivefold increase for the
military in 2028-34 EU budget -EDF benefiting Israeli Aerospace
Industries
The Colombian Navy
has embarked on an ambitious project to build a new class of
#frigates in #Colombia, in so doing becoming only the third South
American country, after Brazil and Mexico, to build ships of this
type. Based on #Damen’s #SIGMA 10514 design, previously built for
Indonesia and #Mexico, the PES frigates will replace the
Colombian Navy’s ageing Amirante Padilla-class frigates, and will
be built in Colombia with technical support from the #Dutch yard.
https://rina.org.uk/publications/the-naval-architect/frigate-building-first-for-colombia/
*** Peace
organisations such as Campaign Against Arms Trade #CAAT and the
European Network Against Arms Trade #ENAAT have stepped up their
criticism of European rearmament plans, considering them to benefit
the arms industry at the expense of social spending.
https://www.equaltimes.org/eighty-years-after-the-atomic
*** Only
criminals sell arms to Israel
(not to mention buying weapons from
Israeli arms industries, part of the genocidal apparatus). UN experts have recommended that states
impose a arms embargo on Israel due to its multiple violations of
international law. https://en.ypagency.net/365262
*** Dat wisten we in
grote lijnen al, maar ze hebben er schijt aan in Washington
#VS wapens dragen in grote mate bij aan
het massale #bendegeweld in #Haïti. Zo lijkt uit 'n reconstructie
van de FT, de krant onderzocht de toeleveringsketens van de
#wapenhandel.
Comment: Was ever an
export license for the sale of this #Damen designed naval vessel,
armed with 20 mm gun (http://www.cmano-db.com/ship/2802/),
reported?
Retweet with comment @JorgeDBL (https://x.com/JorgeDBL/status/1952070634286235709): The Dutch
Damen Shipyards Group has been positioned as the main Naval
builder(in Cuba) of the Venezuelan Navy. Damen has built it in recent
years, and is building it, 51 boats of different types. I think of
Eric and a burning promise of DAMEX, Santiago de Cuba.
***
Acquisition
policy of Indonesian navy creates "a logistics and training
[costly] nightmare" for itself.
*** Nederland
levert wapens aan Oekraine en financieert en passant de
wapenindustrie van de Verenigde Staten, terwijl dit land steeds meer
een kapitalistische concurrent wordt met een onvoorspelbare politieke
koers.
*** Dangerous game
in the corridors of power with the other 8 billion as pawns.
US President Trump ordered the
deployment of 2 nuclear subs in an extraordinary escalation of what
had been an online war of words with a Russian official over Ukraine
& tariffs.
*** “European
components used to harden #Myanmar weaponised #drones.” Through
formal tracing operations, CAR (Conflict Armament Research) alerted
the module manufacturer—based in Europe & not named in the
Dispatch—that the product has been used for militarily.
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/75430e34391741d9bb2e7d7b8d1d7c4c
*** @WilliamHartung
I just never imagined it would actually hit a trillion — yes, a
trillion! — dollars. I’m thinking, of course, about what’s
still called the “defense” budget. It’s now estimated that, for
the first time in history, does include a trillion dollars for the
Pentagon.
The writer argues what is needed, is a
new surge of public engagement and a genuine debate about what kind
of world we want to live in and how the US could play a constructive
(rather than destructive) role in bringing it about.
https://tomdispatch.com/entering-a-golden-age-for-war-profiteers/
*** The US DoD
considers reliance on foreign sources for items a national security
risk. DoD estimates that over 200,000 suppliers help produce advanced
weapon systems and noncombat goods. The primary procurement database
provides little visibility into where these goods are manufactured or
whether materials and parts suppliers are domestic or foreign.
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26035801-gao-25-107283/
*** #Israel faced
a shortage of #THAAD interceptors as Iranian missiles came in during
the Israeli-Iranian War in June. The US is said to have requested
#Saudi's to transfer a portion of its Thaad stockpile to Israel.
However Ryad declined the request. Paywall
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/63719
*** In early July, NATO
Secretary General Mark Rutte made a striking claim: Russia is now
producing "three times as much ammunition in three months as the
whole of NATO is doing in a year," effectively suggesting a
twelvefold Russian advantage in ammunition production.
To
verify or challenge this assertion, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty,
in collaboration with the Conflict Intelligence Team, analyzed
publicly available data.
Contrary to NATO Secretary General Mark
Rutte’s dire assessment, the data we examined presents a more
nuanced picture of the current arms production
balance between Russia and the West.
https://notes.citeam.org/russia_vs_nato_en
*** US NAVY IS
AGGRESSIVELY TELLING STARTUPS, ‘WE WANT YOU’
(16/06/25)
#Israel's #Elbit Systems will supply
missile defence technology worth $260 million for #Germany's military
transport planes, expanding its footprint in Europe despite
controversy over its role in the #Gaza war.
Australian
government has been caught out again lying about their arms trade
with Israel. Despite claims to the contrary, it has been revealed
that it signed & vetted all stages of a $900m contract with Elbit
Sys, which makes drones used to kill in Gaza.
https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/we-will-not-be-silenced-end-genocide
*** #Corruption
Concerns
The EU said on Friday that it would
withhold €1.5 bn from an overall #Ukraine Facility fund of €4.5
bn whose disbursement is dependent on achieving good governance
standards and that can’t be used for #military purchases.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/world/europe/eu-ukraine-corruption-aid.html *** US
IT-startups betting on the great re-industrialisation of US’s
military base. Dozens of other Silicon Valley industrial companies
are building out large manufacturing operations, at the same time the
Trump administration pushes to bulk up military spending.
*** #Germany
Plans to Nearly Triple Military Spending to $175 Billion. Germany is
going through a major shift in its approach to defense, with the
government prioritizing innovation, startup engagement, and AI
integration.
https://propakistani.pk/2025/07/24/germany-plans-to-nearly-triple-defense-spending-to-175-billion/
*** Over 30
activists gathered outside the #Leonardo UK factory in
#Millbrook on July 23, demanding an end to the company’s
involvement in the #Israeli arms trade.
*** The military will
not fight the climate crisis
Europe is rearming. Laëtitia Sédou of
@_ENAAT explains why she sees support for Ukraine as a "legitimate
exception" and why the arms buildup is slowing down civilian
investment.
*** Against war
and militarisation - Meeting by Disarm #Rheinmetall Berlin, 28 of
July 2025 Do you want to get active against rearmament and
militarization? Then come by! https://de.indymedia.org/node/527532
*** #Welsh
government accused of funding companies exporting arms to #Israel
despite public assurances
*** The #German
government has authorized the export of #Eurofighter combat aircraft
to #Turkey, following a lengthy deliberation period. The Ministry of
Defense has sent a formal confirmation to the Turkish government
regarding the approval of the export.
https://themunicheye.com/germany-approves-eurofighter-jet-exports-turkey-24811
*** #Lockheed’s
#F35 fighter jet programme has been under scrutiny recently after the
Pentagon reduced its purchases in its 2026 budget. #European nations
have continued to purchase the fighters despite arguments to purchase
fewer #US-made weapons.
https://www.ft.com/content/b43d3ad8-8794-4a39-b63b-13b5f86112b9
*** BBC fact finding
Professor @StavrianakisA, an expert in
#UK Arms Export, described the UK government's decision to allow for
the exemption of #F35 parts as "an enormous loophole" &
the UK export #bans on #Israel were quite limited in their
effectiveness. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz09k48z9v0o *** (Old
31/03/25) Next step in Damen
Romania saga?
Romania in talks with Turkish firm
Desan to revive Mangalia shipyard.
*** The banning
of protest group #PalestineAction has made the #UK government an
“international #outlier” when it comes to political protest,
lawyers representing one of its co-founders told the High Court in
London on Monday.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/palestine-action-court-case-uk
*** Tomorow US Congress
will vote on 2 bills that will make it easier for the US government
and US arms makers to push weapons out the door to foreign clients
more quickly, with less time for congressional scrutiny, and, in some
cases, with Congress not even being informed that the sales are
happening. At a time when arms sales are a centerpiece of U.S.
foreign policy, for good or for ill, this is a misguided approach
that will increase the risks that U.S. arms transfers will sow
instability, fuel conflicts, and enable violations of the laws of
war... https://responsiblestatecraft.org/arms-sales-2673354428/
*** If
#Germany or any significant arms provider imposed an #arms #embargo
on #Israel, its effects for Israel would be immediate and
devastating. And that’s why they should do it, @andrewfeinstein in
german-foreign-policy.
https://www.german-foreign-policy.com/en/news/detail/10066
*** A Dutch
court sentenced a chip engineer to 3 years in prison in the
1st-ever prosecution for digital exports of tech assistance under
Dutch sanctions law.
- de #Vlaamse regering te gebieden per
direct iedere #doorvoer te (doen) staken van defensiegerelateerde
producten en ander voor militair gebruik dienstig
*** Details of
ongoing talks between #Thales and Emirati defense and technology
stakeholders to establish an artificial intelligence #AI research and
development (R&D) center in #AbuDhabi. [paywall]
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/63682
*** Due to US
#chips and other emerging tech-related export controls to #China
programs, the #Dutch imposed unilateral export controls on SME.
Thereby steering away from the #EU and other int. #export #control
regimes.
*** Trump
administration will allow #semiconductor firm #Nvidia to sell its
previously restricted advanced H20 chips to #China as part of an
agreement Washington and Beijing reached during trade talks in recent
months, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
https://techwireasia.com/2025/07/nvidia-ai-chip-china-export-ban-lifted/
Europe’s largest
missiles maker #MBDA
is selling key components for bombs that 've been shipped in their
1000s to Israel & used in multiple airstrikes where research
indicates Palestinian children & other civilians were killed.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/17/european-missile-group-mbda-selling-parts-for-bombs-that-have-killed-children-in-gaza *** When you've to pay
to military strengthen your opponent.
*** Een hapsnap
artikel over oorlogsvoorbereiding, militaire productie, wapenhandel
en overslag en de '#Rotterdamse
haven', mensen met Palestijnse achtergrond in Vlaardingen en
bevoorrading Russen door een bedrijf uit Schiedam.
https://www.bnnvara.nl/joop/artikelen/de-oorlog-in-mijn-regio
If military might become the ruling
power “the consequences will be grave: a global arms race, renewed
wars of conquest, shrinking trade, and the collapse of the
cooperation needed to confront shared global threats.”
*** The EU is split
on UK joining its weapons fund - and France is saying non
Some countries are sceptical about full
British involvement in the EU's defence investment fund - with senior
officials saying it will undermine the bloc's supply chain.
More than half of Israel's arms exports
last year went to Europe, up from 35% in 2023, as countries replace
donated equipment and invest heavily under #NATO’s expanded
military spending commitments.
*** Shadow looms
over #Mexico’s former president Peña Nieto as a fresh
investigation is launched into allegations that he accepted a $25
million #bribe from #Israeli businessmen to secure contracts for
#Pegasus spyware during his 2012–18 presidency.
https://www.jfeed.com/news-world/mexico-pegasus-spyware-bribery-scandal
*** #Switzerland
exported 20% more #war materiel in the first half of 2025 compared to
the same period last year. Among the buyers of Swiss military
equipment were authoritarian regimes such as #Qatar and #Saudi Arabia
(and rose by 95.5% & 57%, respectively.
https://menafn.com/1109775416/Swiss-Weapons-Exports-Grew-20-In-First-Half-Of-2025
*** The #UAE is
interested in the procurement of #Russian military aircraft,
especially the Su-35 #fighter jet and the Ka-52 attack #helicopter.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/63658
[paywall]
*** Defence of Europe
to gain national income. New europen fighter aircraft FCAS pestered
by conflict between Germany and France. Now it becomes clear France
wants 80% of the production.
*** Despite
#Spain’s public statements to an embargo, sources within the MoD
admit a full break would be “highly difficult”, as key parts
of the military tech still rely on #Israeli systems.
*** The #Dutch
city of #Papendrecht witnessed a protest demonstration on Saturday
against "#GKN #Fokker" company's export of spare parts for
#F-35 stealth multirole fighter jets to the Israeli entity.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3511668.htm
*** #NATO
accounts for 34% of all #US #arms exports globally. No wonder, Trump
came away from the Hague saying he enjoyed himself at the NATO event.
The NATO summit didn’t utter a word about Russia. It was, in
reality, about fuelling #Trump’s MAGA movement.
https://www.eurasiareview.com/07072025-natos-mega-spending-pleases-trump-oped/
The Chinese Global Times: Tying the
gains & losses of the #Rafale in specific markets rigidly to
#China is merely self-dramatization; it isn't only an evasion of
reality and also a recurring issue of "shifting the blame to
China" when faced with problems.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1337841.shtml
Vier van de 14
secretarissen-generaal van de NAVO waren Nederlander en lid van een
vertrouwelijke 'vriendenclub' voor de eilte, zo blijkt uit boek Onder
ons en bijbehorende database. Zie mijn bespreking ↑
July 3
*** How to support the
military industry of a country committing genocide?
Buy weaponry from that country (&
continue to claim your are defending democracy rights), like eg
#Romania does.
*** "While
life in Gaza is being obliterated & the West Bank is under
assault," report shows "why Israel's genocide continues:
because it is lucrative for many," like corporations
"financially bound to Israel's Apartheid & militarism."
*** Which foreign
arms manufacturers are already operating in #Ukraine?
Companies from #Germany,
the #Czech Republic, #Canada,
and #Turkey have already invested in
local manufacturing. Other countries are currently in the planning
stage.
https://ubn.news/which-foreign-arms-manufacturers-are-already-operating-in-ukraine/ *** Arms to
hug, arms to kill and arms to commit genocide
An important part of the problem: EU Buying #Weapons Tested on
#Palestinians
*** De NAVO wekt
de verwachting dat ze voor veiligheid zorgt. Maar met de VS sleept ze
ons mee naar chaos en gevaar. Het is een gedwongen huwelijk met een
roekeloze, machtsbeluste mogendheid die zich niks van internationale
verdragen aantrekt.’
https://www.bnnvara.nl/joop/artikelen/waarom-laten-we-ons-meeslepen-in-de-ramkoers-van-trump
*** European
states continue to impose substantial barriers to transparency in
arms transfers. This has significant implications for international
efforts to enhance accountability in the global arms trade,
especially as defence spending escalates worldwide.
https://www.asser.nl/about-the-asser-institute/news/new-report-the-transparency-deficit-in-european-arms-exports/
*** Military production
requires continuously high levels of investment to maintain
technological progress. This sucks public investment from other parts
of the economy.
Unlike defence, where the repurposing
of civilian technologies for military uses carries a cost to society, many green
investments involve beneficial substitutions that reduce the cost of
a green transition.
