My tweets for January 2026

Latest on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek voor dagelijks vredesnieuws zie hier)

January 21

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German manufacturer Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) will provide its tracked Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV) platform for all elements of the new Netherlands low-level air defence system. https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/netherlands-to-get-step-change-in-air-defence-capability/

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Dutch #Damen has announced at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference #DIMDEX 2026 a contract with the #Qatar navy for the delivery of two ASD Tugs.

They will be build at the Song Cam Shipyard in #Vietnam. https://www.damen.com/insights-center/news/damen-contracted-with-qatari-emiri-navy-for-two-asd-tugs-3212

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Several French organisations (ASER, JURDI, AFPS, Actionnaires pour le climat & Cogeres) demanded that #MBDA will publish a plan specifying the measures taken by the company to control and prevent serious human rights violations resulting from its activity. https://aser-asso.org/mbda-mise-en-demeure-pour-les-manquements-de-son-plan-de-vigilance-et-son-implication-a-gaza/

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Trump calls the US$ 9bn vessel a new class of “battleship” (to be nuclear armed) graced by his own name.

China just calls the concept a larger and “easier target” for its anti-ship drones and missiles, like the DF-21D ballistic missile US$10m each. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/01/16/amid-mixed-reception-china-calls-trump-battleship-an-easier-target/

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Denmark has retired its F-16 fleet, becoming the latest European nation to rely solely on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, also produced by the military industry of its new enemy, as its front line combat aircraft. https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/denmark-retires-f-16-fleet-after-46-years

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#Renault has embarked on a strategic partnership with the French Directorate General for Armament (DGA) and local firm Turgis Gaillard to manufacture long-range strike #drones. Entering the military sector is a major shift in production for the company, . https://news.defcros.com/french-carmaker-renault-to-produce-long-range-drones-for-french-forces/

January 20

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Arms trade and ethical policy? #Israel's government-owned arms producer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems said it will sell Trophy systems for tanks worth € 330 million, to 4 NATO countries:
the Czech Republic,
the #Netherlands,
Croatia and
Lithuania.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-01-19/ty-article/.premium/four-nato-states-to-buy-tank-protection-systems-from-israel-in-multimillion-euro-deal/0000019b-d772-d2f8-af9b-f7f300d20000

In de boekbespreking rond Trillion Dollar War Machine noemde ik het al op basis van een artikel in Defense News. https://broekfoto.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-trillion-dollar-war-machine.html

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WHAT COULD GO WRONG? US defense secretary Pete Hegseth announced last week that the US military will begin integrating #Elon_Musk’s AI tool, #Grok, into #Pentagon networks. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/13/elon-musk-grok-hegseth-military-pentagon

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Indian #Tata Sons military division is actively pursuing overseas contracts, supplying military hardware to #Africa and #Europe. In September, Tata opened its first overseas defence factory near Casablanca to produce 150 armoured vehicles for Morocco." https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/tatas-defence-division-in-talks-to-supply-military-hardware-to-europe-africa-report/articleshow/126749820.cms

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Sudan forgotten? #UAE's EDGE Group teams up with Indra to establish weapons manufacturing firm in #Spain. EDGE will focus on “lifecycle support of loitering munitions [kamikaze drones] and smart weapons for Spanish and European programmes,” it stated.
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/edge-group-teams-up-with-indra-to-establish-weapons-manufacturing-firm-in-spain/

January 19

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Spy firm #Palantir secures top Australian security clearance. Its CEO Karp has been blunt about Palantir’s mission. Speaking to shareholders and investors last week, he said the company is helps the West to “scare enemies” and, “on occasion, kill them”. https://michaelwest.com.au/we-kill-enemies-spy-firm-palantir-secures-top-australian-security-clearance/

January 17

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Asian 'arms race'?

The point at which China’s military budget will top the combined military spending of its neighbors is slipping ever later as those countries keep boosting their coffers to counter Beijing. With facts, graphs and figures.
https://aviationweek.com/defense/budget-policy-operations/why-chinas-military-spending-dominance-being-delayed

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Ben Freeman and William Hartung, "The reality of Trump’s cartoonish $1.5 trillion DOD budget proposal," "...If we want a safer nation, we should be going in the other direction, towards a lower Pentagon budget, driven by a more intelligent and a..." https://responsiblestatecraft.org/trump-15-trillion/

Authors recently published The Trillion Dollar War Machine. This already showed the war machine eagerness of Trump (and predecessors). My review [in Dutch]. https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-trillion-dollar-war-machine.htmlhttps://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-trillion-dollar-war-machine.html

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Vlaanderen mikt op sterke wapenindustrie en werkbare controle op wapenhandel. De Vlaamse Regering sloot 2025 af met zowel de Vlaamse Innovatie- en Industriestrategie voor Veiligheid en Defensie als het ontwerp voor een nieuw Wapenhandeldecreet goedgekeurd. https://monardlaw.be/nl/stories/ingelicht/vlaanderen-mikt-op-sterke-defensie-industrie-en-werkbare-controle-op-wapenhandel/

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Iraq is said to be in the final phase of negotiations with France to acquire 14 newly manufactured Dassault Rafale F4 fighter jets. The note [PayWall] sheds more light on the deal, its progress, Israeli and Kurdish lobby concerns, and US reservations. https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/64182

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The Netherlands considers a new sanctions bill that could give the country power to impose administrative penalties alongside its existing criminal framework, create a “central reporting point” for sanctions, and put in place other measures to modernize the country’s sanctions implementation and rules, Dutch law firm Knepplehout noted (https://kneppelhout.com/news/the-netherlands-international-sanctions-act-new/) in 2026.

The bill would repeal the country’s “outdated” Sanctions Act of 1977 (https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0003296/2025-03-01) and replace it with the International Sanctions Act (in Dutch: Wet Internationale Sanctiemaatregelen https://www.internetconsultatie.nl/sanctiemaatregelen/document/12709).

Data provision for investigations into companies is organised by the FA Ministry in case of the 'Strategic Services Act' (Wet strategische diensten) & the 'Strategic Goods Decree' (Besluit strategische goederen).

January 16

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Zij zorgen voor uw veiligheid?

OM onderzoekt of kankerverwekkende chroom-6 lozing door civiel militaire bedrijf #Fokker strafbaar was.
https://hoogeveenschecourant.nl/hoogeveen/om-onderzoekt-of-fokker-strafbaar-handelde-bij-lozing-chroom-6-hoogeveen-48297933.html

***
And the winners are:

European Defense Companies in Line to Benefit From Bulk of EU’s $105 Billion Ukraine Loan.
The loan proposal is still to be approved by the European Parliament and representatives of EU countries.
https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/european-defense-companies-in-line-to-benefit-from-bulk-of-eus-105-billion-ukraine-loan-22d826ad

Von der Leyen said EU military items are preferred, but from elsewhere can be financed also by the EU if "gear was not available."

Ukraine said it can't do without the RTX Patriot system (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIM-104_Patriot, also on cost per battery and missile).

https://kyivindependent.com/eu-reveals-details-on-90-billion-ukraine-support-loan/

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Overal bestaan verhalen van dwarsliggers, ook in Rusland. Hun ‘alledaags democratisch protest’ brengt misschien geen brede verandering, maar inspireert wel. De Russische Natalja Taranoesjenko weigerde propaganda te verspreiden in haar klas. Lees maar. https://www.mo.be/reportage/ik-protesteerde-niet-om-rusland-te-veranderen-maar-om-mens-te-blijven

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Updated version at enaat.org of Omnibus for defence; Weakening Arms Transfers Rules or how to sell principles & ethics for the sake of arms dealers https://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2025_Omn4Def_Transfers_BriefingNote_FINAL-V2-07.01.26.pdf

Intro page: Weakening arms trade rules for the sake of arms dealers. https://enaat.org/2026/01/15/weakening-arms-trade-rules-for-the-sake-of-arms-dealers/

A more campaign-like text: Weakening arms transfers rules: creating a more dangerous world in the name of ‘security’ & ‘competitiveness’ https://stopwapenhandel.org/weakening-arms-transfers-rules-creating-a-more-dangerous-world-in-the-name-of-security-and-competitiveness/

Wendela de Vries – Stop Wapenhandel/NL
Laëtitia Sédou – ENAAT Brussels/EU
Charlotte Kehne – Ohne Rüstung Leben/Germany

***
Briefing: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey have prepared a draft trilateral military agreement after nearly a year of talks, Pakistan’s military production minister said. Its a signal of a move to create a new regional bloc independent of Western alliances. https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2026/01/15/the-pakistan-saudi-turkey-axis-a-draft-for-a-new-regional-order/

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The Dep. of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry & Security revising its licensing policy for chip exports to China. BIS will review export license applications for the Nvidia H200, AMD MI325X, and similar chips on a case-by-case basis. https://www.bis.gov/press-release/department-commerce-revises-license-review-policy-semiconductors-exported-china

January 15

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Cameron Hudson, a Washington DC-based analyst and former US blames the UAE, which Hudson said "has used its wealth and political influence across the Horn of Africa to construct the largest and an extensive military air bridge operation, flying weapons into the RSF via client regimes in Chad, Libya, Central African Republic, South Sudan and Somalia's Puntland region," efforts, he said that "have enabled and expanded this conflict in ways that have no justification and are beyond any doubt." https://allafrica.com/stories/202601120678.html

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Regional weaponry and ammunition conglomerate Czechoslovak Group (CSG) confirmed an initial public offering (IPO) or stock launch plan in Amsterdam where it wants to emit €750mn in stock through CSG B.V.

CSG is also a key ammo producer in Slovakia
https://www.intellinews.com/czechoslovak-group-confirms-plans-for-ipo-in-amsterdam-420093/?source=czech-republic

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German arms industry stocks such as TKMS, Rheinmetall, HENSOLDT and RENK are off to a strong start in the 2026. But is the rally sustainable?

Arms relations with India (previously mainly buying Russian arms) give German arms industry strong trade winds. https://www.finanzen.net/nachricht/aktien/geopolitik-im-fokus-aktien-von-tkms-rheinmetall-renk-rutschen-ab-gewinnmitnahmen-oder-trendwende-15414742

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Europese leiders zijn bang om voor Europese wapens te kiezen en minder met de VS te doen. Maar er is weinig keus, zegt Guntram Wolff, want ,,de VS hebben weinig goeds met ons voor."https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/01/14/we-moeten-af-van-onze-militaire-afhankelijkheid-van-de-amerikanen-a4917558

@DickBerlijn is nu anti, maar hij liet Nederland de F-35 fuik in zwemmen.

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Amnesty International UK urged the British government on Tuesday not to “reward” Israel by unblocking arms export licenses, saying such a move would be “deeply troubling” amid the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip. https://www.palestinechronicle.com/deeply-troubling-amnesty-warns-uk-against-unblocking-of-arms-sales-to-israel/

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The #Saudi Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the French leg of the French–German #ArianeGroup https://ariane.group/en/group/ remain in talks over a prospective strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s #space military capabilities. [Paywall] https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/64174

***
Als zogenaamde heldhaftigheid dodelijk of levensslopend is, dan is het beter om eieren voor je zweet te kiezen. Dat geldt niet alleen Oekraïne.

Veel dienstplichtigen ontvluchten het land of verstoppen zich, soms zelfs al een paar jaar.
https://www.ad.nl/buitenland/als-onze-verslaggever-in-oekraine-loopt-springen-vier-mannen-uit-een-busje-he-jij-daar~afa8c71a/

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How to qualify the USA?

A Banana Kingdom driven by Robbery Capitalism?

Federal jury in New Mexico has convicted a former US Navy #SEAL of attempting to #kill law enforcement officers at political demonstrations against President Trump in California. #SOF
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2026/01/14/ex-navy-seal-convicted-for-plot-to-kill-officers-at-california-protest/

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In support of the military partnership in #AUKUS, over the last 2 years, the US Department of State & Commerce set steps to remove regulatory #obstacles to trade in military items, services, & other export-controlled items among these countries. https://perkinscoie.com/insights/update/export-control-exemptions-facilitate-us-defense-and-sensitive-technology-trade

January 13

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Indonesia in Talks with Pakistan on JF-17 Jet Deal, Sources Say. Indonesia is in talks with Pakistan to buy over 40 JF-17 fighter jets and drones as it upgrades its air force fleet, sources say. https://stratnewsglobal.com/world-news/indonesia-in-talks-with-pakistan-on-jf-17-jet-deal-sources-say/

January 12

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In een hal bij #Fokker Aerospace aan de Anthony Fokkerweg in #Papendrecht heeft donderdagavond #brand gewoed. Dat gebeurde rond 22:30 uur in een afzuiginstallatie. https://www.rijnmond.nl/nieuws/2134706/veel-rook-bij-fokker-aerospace-door-brand-in-afzuiginstallatie

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#Myanmar: Beyond criminal law, creative civil pathways are also being utilized, including lawsuits against social media platforms for fueling hate speech and domestic litigation, such as in #South_Africa, that aims to ban #arms exports to the junta. https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/rohingya-genocide-victims-finally-confront-the-myanmar-military/

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Journalists from DanWatch and Dagbladet Information received the Cavling Prize for their coverage of Danish arms exports to Israel. They were praised for uncovering a system bending the rules and misleading the Danish Parliament. https://cphpost.dk/2026-01-12/news/round-up/journalists-win-cavling-prize-for-articles-on-arms-exports-to-israel/

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An alliance of the Social Democratic Party, the Green Party, the Evangelical People's Party, opponents of the military, and NGOs in #Switzerland launched a referendum on Tuesday against the War Materiel Act, which was relaxed by parliament. #Arms_Trade https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/referendum-lanciert-allianz-will-lockerung-fuer-kriegsmaterialexporte-verhindern

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German arms for Hindu extremist.

Deutschland und Indien wollen ihre Rüstungs Kooperation ausbauen. Eine Absichtserklärung der Verteidigungsministerien wurde während des Indien-Besuchs von Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad unterzeichnet.
https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/indien-merz-und-modi-vereinbaren-engere-ruestungskooperation/100190587.html

NOT the largest democracy in the world

Wie die Nachrichtenagentur KNA berichtete, leiden Christen, Muslime und andere Minderheiten unter ,,hindunationalistischer Diskriminierung und Gewalt".

https://www.fr.de/politik/fr-ueh-dran-merz-trifft-modi-und-macht-geschaefte-in-gandhis-heimat-94117170.html

Germany and India aim to expand their cooperation in the defence sector, with a corresponding declaration of intent signed by their defence ministries during Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to the Indian city of Ahmedabad on Monday. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/pm-modi-german-chancellor-merz-set-for-crucial-talks-in-ahmedabad-amid-rising-geopolitical-tension/articleshow/126462589.cms

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An interview on global arms trade & Venezuela Michael Klare: My fear is an unconstrained nuclear arms race, with dangerous consequences. https://harici.com.tr/en/michael-klare-my-fear-is-an-unconstrained-nuclear-arms-race-with-dangerous-consequences/

Klare himself wrote in The Nation on Venezuela & that its extra-heavy crude isn't easy to take: https://www.thenation.com/article/world/venezuela-trump-oil-regime-change-war/

January 11

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War what is it good for

During the 4-day conflict with India in May 2025, Pakistan demonstrated the effectiveness of Chinese military hardware, and indigenously produced equipment, like the JF-17 fighter, the Al-Khalid tank and the Fatah guided G-MLRS.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1966203

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Pro-Palestine protesters disrupt UK Trade Secreatry Reynolds speech in Chatam House (London) with call for F 35 export ban.

According to him this is impossible due to security considerations and internationalised production. https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/uknews/pro-palestine-protesters-disrupt-reynolds-speech-with-call-for-f35-export-ban/ar-AA1BLvq6

January 10

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Disreputable Indonesian president Prabowo sends two ministers to meet Erdogan after KAAN fighter jet deal. Last year, Erdogan announced that Indonesia had pledged to acquire 48 KAAN fighter jets. https://jakartaglobe.id/news/prabowo-sends-ministers-to-meet-erdogan-after-kaan-fighter-jet-deal

***
A list of events to protest. Military meetings in:
Australia, Germany, Portugal, Sweden Switzerland, and the UK.
https://www.defenceiq.com/events

More security is not reached by more weaponry and war.

***

Which countries are supporting #US military might?

The example of the F-35 #Lockheed Martin fighter jet. https://www.f35.com/content/dam/lockheed-martin/aero/f35/documents/26-00130_001A%20F-35FastFacts_1_2026.pdf
Europe is represented by 14 countries. ⬇️↓

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#Pakistan Nears $1.5 Billion Arms Deal to Aid #Sudan’s Army. The agreement, reportedly including jets, drones, and air defence systems, could shift the balance in Sudan’s protracted conflict with paramilitary forces. https://slguardian.org/pakistan-nears-1-5-billion-arms-deal-to-aid-sudans-army/

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Corruptiezaak rond de kurk waar de Nederlandse marine vrijwel geheel op drijft.

#Damen: verdediging wil 101 getuigen oproepen, rechter wijst slechts een kwart toe. https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1583133/corruptiezaak-damen-verdediging-wil-101-getuigen-oproepen-rechter-wijst-slechts-een-kwart-toe

January 9

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#Egypt is in talks with the #Saab to replace the Egyptian Air Force's E-2C Hawkeye 2000 fleet.

Talks began on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show in late June 2025 and have since evolved into a formal government-to-government scoping phase. [Paywall]
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/64154

***
Dangerous course, in the interest of what, who?

Trump is proposing setting US military spending at $1.5 trn in 2027, citing “troubled and dangerous times.”
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/01/07/trump-proposes-massive-increase-in-2027-defense-spending-to-15t/

In 2024 the whole world (minus US) spent $ 1.7 trn on the military. https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/2504_fs_milex_2024.pdf

Here the in and outs of the 50% increase is discussed. Will it happen? Where does the money come from ("even mandatory programs like Social Security or Medicare")? How ill it influence or being influenced by the mid term elections? What about Greenland? https://aviationweek.com/podcasts/check-6/podcast-trump-vs-defense-industry

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World an arms bazaar

Hindu extremist #India and #Germany are preparing to sign an $8bn military deal for advanced #submarines, including technology transfer and domestic manufacturing, marking the largest-ever military agreement between the two nations. https://zeenews.india.com/world/8-billion-deal-india-and-germany-set-to-seal-biggest-ever-defence-agreement-3004699.html

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The Malaysian anti-corruption center C4 warned that the newly passed government procurement pact would've been largely ineffective in preventing the recent military #RMAF corruption scandal. There are deep-rooted failures in the military procurement system.https://www.dagangnews.com/article/english-terkini/army-procurement-corruption-can-government-procurement-act-prevent-future-scandals-63463

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The US State Department has issued a final rule that, effective Dec. 30, 2025, amended the ITAR Regulations to further facilitate defense trade among the U.S, Australia, and the UK. This rule finalizes an August 2024 interim final rule. https://www.strtrade.com/trade-news-resources/str-trade-report/trade-report/january/defense-trade-with-australia-and-uk-further-liberalized

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Defensie als redder van de Europese industrie? ‘Wie dat gelooft, is aan het dromen’. Militaire productie kan de malaise in de Europese industrie niet afwenden, stelt econoom Carl Benedikt Frey. ‘Als dat je groeistrategie is, dan heb je geen strategie.’ https://fd.nl/economie/1582418/defensie-als-redder-van-de-europese-industrie-wie-dat-gelooft-is-aan-het-dromen

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Here it is argumented that an interlinked word is safer for the parties cooperating. Here in the context of Nvidia chips for China & the links with Taiwanese TMSC.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/johntamny/2026/01/08/nvidias-china-chip-sales-great-business-even-better-foreign-policy/
If that is fully true? History shows otherwise. But cooperation is to be preferred over divide.

January 8

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Damen Naval expands Colombian involvement by contracting Georg Fischer (https://www.georgfischer.com/en/about-gf/locations.html) for the PES project in LATAM. Under this project, a Damen SIGMA frigate will be built by COTECMAR, at their shipyard in Cartagena. https://www.damen.com/insights-center/news/georg-fischer-latin-america-contracted-for-pes-project

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Trump vowed to block military contractors like RTX (Raytheon) from paying dividends or buying back shares until they speed up weapons production. This is a rare presidential strike. It sent 'defence' stocks lower & signals sweeping changes for US's MIC. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/01/08/companies/trump-defense-payout-block/

January 7

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Pak-Chinese fighter plane becomes success (after Algeria now ...):

... Pakistan courts Bangladesh with fighter jet deal Talks on JF-17 sales highlight warming ties as Islamabad pushes arms exports after clashes with India.
https://www.gamereactor.eu/pakistan-courts-bangladesh-with-fighter-jet-deal-and-new-defence-pact-1657273/

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia negotiate a conversion of about $2bn of Saudi loans into a deal to buy JF-17 fighter jets.
The talks come as KSA flexes its military muscle against the UAE in Yemen, & as Pakistan looks to seal major arms deals with Arab states.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-and-pakistan-talks-swap-loans-jf-17-warplanes-report

Pakistan’s is offering JF-17 warplanes to pay for debt. Converting debt into jets and military stakes might make for colourful headlines, but it does nothing to address the fundamental economic rot that has gripped Pakistan for decades. [Paywall] https://www.moneycontrol.com/world/pakistan-s-new-economic-model-how-a-debt-ridden-country-is-offering-jf-17-warplanes-instead-of-repayments-article-13764810.html

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan conduct negotiations regarding purchasing Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 fighters. This is very interesting considering parallel attempts to acquire American F-35s, creating a threat of U.S. secret information could leaking to China. https://en.defence-ua.com/industries/saudi_arabia_negotiates_chinese_pakistani_fighters_while_seeking_f_35s_us_secrets_at_risk-17109.html

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S. Korea’s response to Thai forces’ use of the ROK’s T-50TH trainer aircraft in cross-border strikes on Cambodian territory has exposed how Seoul applies its arms export policy inconsistently, tolerating combat use in some cases while restraining others. https://koreapro.org/2026/01/thailands-use-of-korean-made-jets-against-cambodia-poses-arms-exports-quandary/

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Israel's arms manufacturers benefit from EU funding for cutting edge civilian research.

Public data shows that Israeli arms companies have won grants for civilian projects despite a strict EU ban on funding research that can be used in warfare.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israels-arms-manufacturers-benefit-eu-funding-cutting-edge-civilian-research

***
GroenLinks-lid Mari Beks: “Bij de Partij voor de Dieren was er in ieder geval nog discussie voordat het hogere defensiebudget werd goedgekeurd. Bij GroenLinks-PvdA heb ik daar weinig van gemerkt. Blijkbaar leeft het te weinig bij de leden.”

Wendela de Vries van Stop Wapenhandel zegt: “Het is goed dat politici weten dat er iemand op ze let. Alleen al dat besef, zorgt ervoor dat ze niet zomaar hun gang gaan.” De Vredesbeweging is watching you. https://www.nieuwwij.nl/interview/vredesbeweging-is-watching-you/

***
More Israeli weapons for Europe

Elbit Systems will supply Iron Fist active protection systems to BAE Systems Hägglunds in a $150m deal, the Israeli company stated.

The tech will be fitted on CV90 infantry fighting vehicle used by European NATO members.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2026/01/06/elbit-sells-new-batch-of-iron-fist-protective-kit-for-cv90-vehicles/

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China on Tuesday banned exports of dual-use goods that can serve military purposes to Japan, a move that comes at time of heightened tensions between the two countries over Taiwan, a self-ruled island Beijing claims as its sovereign territory. https://apnews.com/article/china-japan-exports-ban-military-0ea90fa798771c9fb650422ca3e21e09

China has targeted Japan with “rare earth controls” in response to Japanese PM Takaichi Sanae’s remarks on Taiwan. This is the first retaliation that has escalated from diplomatic protests and restrictions on human exchanges to trade and tech controls. https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2026/01/06/XXAETRRHQNCF5MHZRB5JJYLLQE/

***
Kleine modulaire #kerncentrales zijn zeer duur, maar omdat sinds het ophogen van de NAVO-norm het geld tegen de plinten klotst, kan het leger juist een voortrekkersrol spelen bij het realiseren van zo'n kerncentrale. Dat is een conclusie van #TNO. https://www.laka.org/nieuws/2026/tno-kleine-kerncentrales-te-duur-maar-voor-het-leger-speelt-geld-geen-rol-731635 #LAKA

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While the rare earth supply chain is being shaken by trade disputes between the United States and China, the Donald Trump administration’s invasion of Venezuela is expected to intensify the power struggle over resources with China. https://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html

January 6

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While the rare earth supply chain is being shaken by trade disputes between the United States and China, the Donald Trump administration’s invasion of Venezuela is expected to intensify the power struggle over resources with China. https://businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html

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More background by 'rationale' for US miliary action against Venezuela
Alas, as I predicted for Venezuela, Trump has captured the chicken to scare the monkeys. The president has signaled that he can and will do anything to expand his power globally. https://fpif.org/the-geopolitics-of-trumps-venezuela-campaign/

January 5

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Retweet @johnfeffer: Alas, as I predicted for Venezuela, Trump has captured the chicken to scare the monkeys. The president has signaled that he can and will do anything to expand his power globally. https://fpif.org/the-geopolitics-of-trumps-venezuela-campaign/

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#Bosnia’s FA & Economics Minister, Kosarac, revoked the licence of BNT Tvornica Masina i Hidraulike to produce drones, citing violations of the Law on the Production of Weapons & Military Equipment.

Decision has halted the production of military #drones. https://balkaninsight.com/2026/01/05/bosnian-drone-producer-loses-licence-over-legal-violations/

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With European record spending on the military in 2025 from ammo to battle tanks, air defence and naval ships, industry winners included MBDA, Rheinmetall, Saab and BAE Systems.France’s Naval Group had a less successful year.

The US gain is not mentioned.

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/12/31/europes-2025-defense-winners-include-saab-rheinmetall-fcas-falters/

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Solidarity activists targeted an aerospace manufacturing factory located near Edinburgh, protesting its links to #Israel.

Images posted online showed the Bruntons Aero Products site sprayed with slogans in red, just after midnight on New Year’s Day. #F35
https://www.newarab.com/news/pro-palestine-activists-vandalise-israel-linked-factory

January 1

The #US government ‍has renewed its annual licence for 2026 to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing #TSMC to import US #chip manufacturing equipment to its production facility in Nanjing, the capital of eastern #China’s Jiangsu province, the company said.
https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3338380/us-grants-tsmc-annual-licence-import-american-chipmaking-tools-china

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South Korea seals US$4 billion arms deal with Poland amid ‘daunting’ EU bloc trade threat. Observers urge South Korea to integrate itself into European supply chains by increasing production localisation to maintain competitiveness.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3338318/south-korea-seals-us4-billion-arms-deal-poland-amid-daunting-eu-bloc-trade-threat