Latest
on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
March
18
***
Dan hier wat doorwrochter in Follow the Money. https://www.ftm.nl/artikelen/het-nederlandse-leger-heeft-meer-officieren-dan-soldaten
March
17
***
Initial sea trials of
the 2nd OPV-76 offshore patrol vessel for the #Nigerian Navy
#Turkey’s Dearsan Shipyard. The 1st ship was launched in October
2023 & the 2nd in April 2024. They both feature advanced tech &
weaponry. The project is valued at $160m.
https://www.dearsan.com/en/news/an-agreement-was-signed-with-the-nigerian-navy-for-the-construction-of-2-opvs
March 15
***
Despite all
the European talk ...
A Royal #Netherlands Navy frigate test fired a #Tomahawk guided-cruise missile off the coast of Norfolk, Va., on Tuesday ahead of introducing the missile system into Dutch service.
... still hooked to #USA.
https://news.usni.org/2025/03/13/royal-netherlands-navy-frigate-fires-first-tomahawk-off-east-coast-u-k-italy-prepare-for-carrier-operations
***
Controversial
arms firm Leonardo was given a licence to test communications
equipment in the Braid Hills last year. But now Green councillor
Ben Parker is calling for such testing to be stopped – &
calling for the council to ‘stand against the arms trade.’
https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2025/03/councillor-calls-for-ban-on-arms-companies-testing-products-in-the-capital/
March 14
***
Recent deals
have included Patriot missiles and Chinook heavy lift helicopters for
Germany, F-35s for Greece, Romania and the Czech Republic, and
tactical missiles and missile defense systems for the Netherlands. If
these deals are sustained, European defense forces would be dependent
on U.S. military technology for combat aircraft, missile defense
systems, and tactical missiles for years, perhaps even decades to
come. So one question is whether any major European nation will pull
back from one or more of these multi-billion dollar deals in order to
“buy European.”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhartung/2025/03/10/can-europe-wean-itself-of-us-arms/
***
“TRUMP SAYS
defence spending has to go up, and the #EU jumps through the hoop.
€800bn, whoopee!” Wendela deVries, of @CTWnl , is #denouncing the
EU’s new defence-financing initiative before a few hundred
activists at a community centre in #Amsterdam.
https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/03/13/europes-other-front-peaceniks-vs-hawks
***
The #EU plans
to develop the defence industry by reducing US support. The priority
is to provide #Ukraine with weapons, ammo and strengthen
collaboration in the military sector.
https://unn.ua/en/news/eu-prepares-white-paper-on-defense-investments-to-deter-russia-and-support-ukraine-politico
And when the war in Ukraine is over, will it be scaled back?
***
Why?
The partner countries involved in the #Lockheed Martin F-35 remain fully committed to the fighter jet, and there’s no sign the US is changing course on the Joint Strike Fighter program, #Dutch @DefensieMin Brekelmans said.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/03/11/f-35-partners-fully-committed-to-program-dutch-defense-minister-says/
***
#African
imports of major #arms by African states #fell by 44% between 2015–19
and 2020–24, which was mainly due to decreases in the arms imports
of Algeria and Morocco, research (SIPRI) has shown.
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/african-news/african-arms-imports-decline-by-nearly-50-over-last-decade/
March 13
***
A #US Army
AH-64 #Apache heli recently flew with the Spike NLOS missile in Erbil
Air Base, #Iraq.
The flight was part of the #Israeli
military manufacturer #Rafael missile’s operational tests with the
attack rotorcraft.
➡️
https://thedefensepost.com/2025/03/10/us-army-spike-missile/
***
An overview
of Czech views on expanding the European Union budget for military
items in the Brno Daily.
"... some Czech MEPs reject the new defence spending." https://brnodaily.com/2025/03/12/news/politics/czech-meps-question-european-commissions-plans-to-borrow-to-increase-defence-funding/
***
#Israël
bombardeerde in Gaza en Zuid-Libanon met #F15 gevechtsvliegtuigen die
Waalse onderdelen bevatten, aldus de Franstalige omroep RTBF. Het
gaat om #motoronderdelen van het Waalse bedrijf Safran Aero Boosters
https://www.safran-group.com/companies/safran-aero-boosters).
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/03/11/israel-wapens-belgie-wallonie-rtbf/
***
"#TNI-Polri
members who are found to be involved in the purchasing and selling of
firearms with armed criminal groups must be #shot dead,” Papua
Regional Police Chief Inspector General Patrige said in a voice
message received by Tempo March 11, 2025.
https://en.tempo.co/read/1985807/papua-police-chief-personnel-involved-in-arms-sales-with-separatist-group-must-be-shot-dead
***
The past
returns?
Deputy Director of Imparsial, Hussein Ahmad, underscored the excessive participation of active soldiers in Prabowo’s administration. He likened the situation to that of the New Order regime. https://en.tempo.co/read/1985823/indonesias-army-chief-dismisses-fear-of-new-order-resurgence-says-its-naive-thinking
See also [in Malay]: https://www.tempo.co/politik/imparsial-sebut-revisi-uu-tni-hanya-dalih-agar-elite-tentara-bisa-berbisnis-1216434
***
UK
'confident' in #F35 exports to #Israel even as aid into Gaza halted.
Middle East minister says halting export of parts would harm
international peace and security.
(Article also explains #Dutch position clearly.)
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-middle-east-minister-confident-f-35-exports-israel-even-aid-gaza-halted
***
The
sentencing of #Israeli Gal Haimovich to 2 yrs in prison for
violations of #US export controls on erospace components listed at
the Commerce Control List #CCL shows the policy adopted by US to
counter the #circumvention of trade restrictions on #Russia.
https://blog.volkovlaw.com/2025/03/israeli-freight-forwarder-sentenced-to-two-years-in-prison-for-violating-u-s-export-controls-on-aircraft-components-to-russia/
March 12
***
Accident
involving US chemical/oil tanker. The MV Stena Immaculate was at
anchor near #Grimsby and on route to #Rotterdam. There is concern
about the “potential ecological impact” of the #spill. Cause
investigated by Marine Accident Investigation Branch.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2025/03/10/cargo-ship-hits-tanker-carrying-jet-fuel-for-the-us-military/
***
#SouthAfrica’s
arms exports to #UAE, a state accused of violating Genocide
Convention. (Unfortunately it is not only Pretoria considering the
Emirates a welcome client for its arms.)
https://mg.co.za/thought-leader/2025-03-12-sas-arms-exports-to-uae-a-state-accused-of-violating-genocide-convention/
***
‘Gunning
for the trouble’: Investigating the #Bofors scandal, its impact –
and inconclusive outcome (#Book Review)
The scandal tarnished the image of two PMs , threw light on the unscrupulous world of the global arms trade and its nexus with politics. By @chitraSD
https://www.socialnews.xyz/2025/03/10/gunning-for-the-trouble-investigating-the-bofors-scandal-its-impact-and-inconclusive-outcome-book-review/
***
NL MoD
schaft 13 snelle vaartuigen aan. Ze vervangen de huidige Frisc’s.
#DeHaasShipyards in #Rotterdam bouwt de zogeheten Future Fast
Interceptors (FFI). De contracten werden 10 maart 2025 ondertekend.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/03/10/nieuwe-snelle-boten-voor-marine-en-landmacht
March 11
***
Scholz wants
to involve the UK, Norway, Switzerland, or Turkey in EU expansion of
military production. Macron pushed back, emphasizing that Europe’s
focus should be on developing its own capabilities rather than
relying on outside suppliers.
https://english.nv.ua/nation/france-and-germany-split-over-eu-defense-funding-as-brussels-fears-150-billion-delay-50496277.html
***
appointed &
corrupt
EU leaders last week pledged to dramatically increase military spending after Von der Leyen presented a €800bn plan to allow member states to take out loans & increase national debts. Many member states would like to go further, how... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/09/eu-defence-funding-ursula-von-der-leyen-trump
***
The CAAT UK
arms exports browser has been updated to include data up to September
2024:
https://caat.org.uk/data/exports-uk/overview
The raw data is also available for
analysis in CSV spreadsheet format:
https://github.com/caatdata/uk-arms-export-data
***
A kill switch
embedded within the F-35s could allow the US to effectively ground
these fighter aircraft at any time, raising significant questions
about military autonomy. (The article is on Germany but the argument
is valuable for large parts of the EU).
https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/concerns-rise-over-trumps-influence-on-germanys-f35-acquisition-257711
The reality is that a dedicated kill switch is not needed to keep foreign F-35s from being able to perform what they were designed to do. Just cutting off support to the jets would accomplish the same result, albeit maybe not instantly, but soon enough. https://www.twz.com/air/you-dont-need-a-kill-switch-to-hobble-exported-f-35s
***
Onbemande
straaljagers?
Het #Zwitserse bedrijf #Destinus is naar eigen zeggen in onderhandeling met het #Nederlandse ministerie van Defensie, over de levering van drones die worden aangedreven door straalmotoren. #drones https://fd.nl/economie/1548206/vdl-zou-straaljagerdrones-gaan-maken-voor-het-nederlandse-leger
***
Shipments of
US weapons to Europe rose 233% in 2020-24 from the previous 5-year
period, a March 10 report (https://doi.org/10.55163/PBRP4239) by
#SIPRI stated.
For the 1st time in 2 decades, Europe
accounted for the largest share of US arms exports, SIPRI said.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/03/10/us-arms-exports-to-europe-triple-boosted-by-ukraine-aid-sipri
Internationale wapenhandel Europese landen zijn de afgelopen
vijf jaar voor de uitbreiding van hun wapenarsenaal alleen maar
afhankelijker geworden van de VS, blijkt uit onderzoek van het
Zweedse instituut SIPRI.
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/03/09/de-verwevenheid-tussen-defensiebedrijven-in-europa-en-de-vs-zal-trump-overleven-en-vier-andere-trends-in-de-wapenhandel-a4885600
***
#Militarisation.
#Germany’s #economy should embrace the pivot from cars to defence
equipment as a major growth driver, according to a proposal by the
Federal Association of the German Security and Defence Industry
#BDSV, which pitched the idea last week.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/03/10/defense-companies-jack-up-germanys-auto-industry-to-make-weapons-fast/
War economy. Who will pay the price?
While French social partners have been
engaged since February in discussions on the 2023 pension reform, the
question of a further postponement of the retirement age has
resurfaced as part of the war economy.
https://entrevue.fr/en/lage-de-la-retraite-sous-tension-leconomie-de-guerre-sinvite-dans-les-negociations/
Same disease is also
in the UK drinking water. "Labour must rely on military
Keynesianism," columist states.
https://thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-14476239/British-defence-giants-ready-war-footing.html
Producing renewable energy systems, a better idea?
***
Italy’s
#Leonardo and Turkey’s notorious #Baykar ink agreement for UAV
joint venture, which may tap into growing demand from the European
#drone market valued in excess of $100bn over the next decade and
will include production out of #Italy & #Turkey.
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/italys-leonardo-and-turkeys-baykar-ink-agreement-for-uav-joint-venture/
#Baykar
one of #Turkey’s largest military companies has been linked to
#Sudan's nearly 2-year-old war after a report showed a series of arms
shipments to the Horn of Africa nation in what could be a clear
violation of EU & US-led #sanctions on #Khartoum.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/turkish-defence-firm-linked-sudan-182237104.html
***
Europe,
what Europe?
As #Europe rushes to reasses its reliance on US security guarantees and to dramatically boost military spending, #Lithuania’s defence minister personally worked to cement ties with US policymakers & also with the US military industry. https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/amid-us-european-strain-lithuanian-defense-minister-cements-ties-with-us-industry-giants/
March 8
***
Ralph Nader
in an outburst on Trump (a deranged, unstable pathological liar): "He
has launched an arms race with China & Russia. He has perpetuated
and even worsened the genocidal support against the Palestinians. He
never mentioned the Palestinians once."
https://eveningreport.nz/2025/03/07/trump-has-declared-war-against-the-american-people-says-ralph-nader/
Keynes trekt
steeds vaker zijn militaire uniform aan:
Defensie is niet alleen een kostenpost, maar ook een businesscase.
https://fd.nl/economie/1547465/defensie-is-niet-alleen-een-kostenpost-maar-ook-een-businesscase
***
Ze doen
er alles aan om Europa uit te wringen, ze sluiten eigen personeel uit
(https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/02/21/reed-blasts-trumps-firings-of-top-military-brass/),
maar: ‘Werkwijze en vriendschap met Amerikanen blijft onveranderd,’
aldus commandeur George Pastoor a/b Johan de Witt In de laatste
Defensiekrant.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2025/09/01_joint-viking_09
Rob de Wijk: ‘Tegen mensen die hopen dat het nog goed komt
met de VS zeg ik: dat is een totale illusie’
https://fd.nl/politiek/1547574/tegen-mensen-die-hopen-dat-het-nog-goed-komt-met-de-vs-zeg-ik-dat-is-een-totale-illusie
March 7
***
Stories on
resales of Ukrainian arms keep surfacing as are the reports to
counter or downplay them. An example of the 2nd. It concludes "arms
trafficking happening in Ukraine appears, as of this writing, to be
contained to isolated incidents by criminals."
https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/03/06/ukraine-black-market-weapon-sales/
***
Military
industry spends big on #lobbying Brussels
With Brussels increasingly taking charge of Europe’s defence agenda, arms-makers are beefing up their #influence in #EU institutions.
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-defense-industry-goes-big-on-lobbying-in-brussels/
***
#CAAT
(https://caat.org.uk/news/latest-repression-in-turkey-must-be-nail-in-the-coffin-for-eurofighter-deal/)
has called on the UK government to block the proposed sale of 40 EFA
Typhoon jets to #Turkey, citing the country’s ongoing military
campaign in Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Syria & alleged
human rights violations.
***
Just part of
the Great re-Militarisation game?
March 6, 2025, #Lithuania formally withdrew from the Convention on #Cluster #Munitions, an unprecedented move with potentially profound consequences. It creates dangers for its population and global norms.
***
Turkey the new regional
power in Africa is part of a serie of three articles. This 3rd is
about unofficial troop deployments.
https://www.lesclesdumoyenorient.com/Turkiye-the-new-regional-power-in-Africa-3-3-A-military-presence-that-is-now.html
prt1: military industries https://www.lesclesdumoyenorient.com/Turkiye-the-new-regional-power-in-Africa-1-3-African-solutions-for-African.html
prt2: troop deployments
https://www.lesclesdumoyenorient.com/Turkiye-the-new-regional-power-in-Africa-2-3-A-Turkish-economic-presence.html
 |
 |
March 6
***
Von der
Leyen’s ‘Rearm Europe’ plan and the holes in it.
The US withdrawing from Europe and reviewing its military position has shaken Brussels, which now searches for a place at the ball of the global powers instead of developing Nie Wieder tools. https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence/news/von-der-leyens-rearm-europe-plan-and-the-holes-in-it/
***
New #ENAAT
#website #counters clarion calls for European rearmament with
valuable information.
https://enaat.org/2025/03/05/new-enaat-website-counters-clarion-calls-for-european-rearmament-with-valuable-information/
Le nouveau site web de l'ENAAT propose des informations et une perspective #critique face au appels incessants au réarmement européen.https://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/PR_ENAAT-new-website_05.03.2025_FR.pdf
***
What is it
good for?
European military stocks have rallied in the wake of talks from EC President Von der Leyen, Starmer and other leaders on ramping up military budgets. Thales has gained 60% in 2025, while Hensoldt gained 85.5% and Saab 52% in 2025. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/04/thales-ceo-presses-for-europe-defense-spending-to-stay-in-the-region.html
***
Erosion of
existing disarmament regimes has exacerbated global insecurity.
“I urge leaders to strengthen the systems and tools that prevent the proliferation, testing and use of deadly weapons and live up to their disarmament obligations,” Guterres said.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/03/1160796
***
#Saudi Arabia
has long been among the world’s top #arms importers, particularly
relying on western suppliers. But the Kingdom is no longer just
purchasing military equipment—it is building a domestic industry.
Turkey plans to be a key driver of this shift.
https://amwaj.media/article/turkey-moves-to-power-saudi-defense-driven-economic-transformation
***
Chinese
Buyers Are Ordering #Nvidia’s Newest #AI #Chips, Defying US Curbs.
Traders offer servers containing the company’s Blackwell chips by
routing them through 3rd parties in nearby regions.
After the initial Biden controls took effect in late 2022, a cottage industry
of #middlemen sprang
up, sometimes bringing small quantities of chips into China through
couriers. That business has matured into a more sophisticated network
that can handle the paperwork, foreign payments & logistics of
moving chips across borders.
https://www.wsj.com/tech/china-nvidia-blackwell-chips-ai-531fed0c
March 5
***
Most
expensive weapon ever. #F35 a cash succes, but the Office of the
Director Operational Test & Evaluation: “no improvement in
meeting schedule and performance timelines for developing and testing
software designed to address deficiencies..”
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2025/02/05/key-tests-for-latest-f-35s-will-begin-in-2026-two-years-after-rollout/
Frontpage
F-35 to get new software this summer—but there’s no date yet for planned full upgrade.
Lockheed is hoping to wring out problems this year as the new administration revisits purchase plan.
https://www.defenseone.com/business/2025/03/f-35-get-new-software-summer-theres-no-date-yet-planned-full-upgrade/403536/
***
Kan iemand ze even waarschuwen in #Brussel dat 't uitgeven van €800miljard voor militaire zaken misschien wat voorbarig is als bijvoorbeeld Nederland zijn #toeslagenschandaal nog niet eens elegant financieel kan afronden.
#Veiligheid voor wie eigenlijk?
https://eutoday.net/eu-commission-e800-billion-defence-and-ukraine-plan
March 3
***
“Producing
ammo is a dangerous business,” a US spokesperson said after blast,
Feb 25
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2025/02/28/no-injuries-reported-in-virginia-army-ammunition-plant-explosion/
In Spain an explosion at a Rheinmetall ammo plant injured 6, Jan 25 https://www.aol.com/multiple-injuries-explosion-rheinmetall-munitions-115758075.html
A blast at a Turkish ammo factory killed 11, Dec 24 https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/a-blast-at-a-turkish-ammunition-factory-kills-11-people/
***
The #US
approved potential FMSales to #Israel worth $3 bn, according to the
State Department. The sales include #munitions, guidance kits, and
Caterpillar D9 #bulldozers, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency
#DSCA stated.
▶️https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/israel-caterpillar-d9-bulldozers
***
The world’s
five largest listed oil companies – BP, Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil
and TotalEnergies – have made profits of more than $380 billion
dollars since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the ensuing rise in
energy bills.
https://globalwitness.org/en/press-releases/ukraine-war-third-anniversary-record-oil-profits-and-dash-for-critical-minerals-amid-conflict/
***
Is that really what Europeans want?
Ukranian protester: “Europe must organise its own defence to be at least as strong as that of the US. European member states need to increase their arms production and take the lead.”
https://www.brusselstimes.com/1468557/brussels-demonstrators-call-on-europe-to-build-its-own-defence
2024 ME
US $ 840 bn
EU $ 340 bn
Peace campaigners
slam continued rise in British military spending. Campaign for
Nuclear Disarmament general secretary Sophie Bolt e.g. slammed Sir
Keir’s plans to hike military spending while portraying himself as
a peacemaker.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/peace-campaigners-slam-continued-rise-in-british-military-spending
March 1
***
India
overlegt met #Airbus om 10 extra C-295 militaire
#transportvliegtuigen te kopen boven de 71 die het gepland had.
https://nl.marketscreener.com/koers/aandeel/AIRBUS-SE-4637/nieuws/India-in-gesprek-voor-10-extra-Airbus-C-295-vliegtuigen-om-verouderde-vloot-op-te-knappen-zeggen-br-49196208/
India in talks for 10 more Airbus C-295
aircraft in ageing fleet revamp, sources say.
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/india-talks-10-more-airbus-c-295-aircraft-ageing-fleet-revamp-sources-say-2025-02-28/
***
We'll see.
Getting rid of US military products? This was how SIPRI pictured the relationship in 2019-2023: https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2024-03/fs_2403_at_2023.pdf
***
#US-made
#AI empowers #Israel’s #warfare.
US tech giants have empowered Israel to track and kill in Gaza, raising fears that AI is contributing to the deaths of innocent people.
https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/spotlight/arid-41583856.html
