zondag 22 maart 2026

My tweets for March 2026

 Latest on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)

March 19

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Uncovered channel through which high-precision EU-made equipment critical for the production of missiles and drones found a way into Russia.

How has it been possible for machines made in a Polish factory to end up in Russia's military-industrial complex? https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/articles/2026/03/18/8026146/

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Finance militarisation

UK, the Netherlands & Finland, together with others, are in talks to set up a financial institution that would provide funding for joint multi-year military projects, similar to the European Investment Bank but focused on defence. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/03/18/uk-netherlands-finland-in-talks-to-set-up-defense-investment-bank/

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Groups filed lawsuit against Danish government alleging it had breached int law by selling Terma F-35 parts to Israel. https://www.newarab.com/news/danish-supreme-court-rejects-case-arms-sales-israel

Would organising protest involving citizens not a method to protest instead of the mostly failing juridical tactic? https://www.terma.com/contact-us/europe/

***
Tweet with comment: Greece frigate equiped with French, Italian, Swedish and even Dutch military equipment (picture from source article shows).

The Kimon-Class Frigates: Greece’s Naval Renaissance and an Overview of the FDI HN Program at https://navalanalyses.com/2026/03/the-kimon-class-frigates-greeces-naval.html(includes infographic of FDI HN )

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Europe’s biggest banks/asset managers have dramatically increased investments in Palantir over the past year despite growing concerns of involvement in human rights violations & potential threats to European security, an analysis of company records show. https://www.ftm.eu/articles/european-investors-palantir-investment

March 18

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“Because these supplier countries are unable to send weapons directly to Libya or Sudan, they have been trying to use Turkish ports and borders,” expert said.

The expert said new Turkish transit regulation is aimed precisely at preventing such practices.https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-tightens-military-transit-rules-stop-illicit-arms-trade

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CAAT calls for an investigation into continuous export of drone components to israel since UKs 2024 partial arms suspension. https://caat.org.uk/news/caat-calls-for-an-investigation-into-continuous-export-of-drone-components-to-israel-since-uks-2024-partial-arms-suspension/ This call is based on an investigation by Declassified. https://www.declassifieduk.org/how-a-failed-british-drone-project-won-millions-for-israeli-arms-firm/

March 17

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Bonn based (only on paper?) Van Halteren Metaal B.V. is contracted by HIL Heeresinstandsetzungslogistik GmbH for repair/maintenance services of security and defence materials and repair/maintenance services of military vehicles. Reported 120326

See also: https://www.evergabe.com/sv/anbud/bg-1496-eu-24-werksinstandsetzung-von-radbaugruppe-der-systeme-kpz-leopard-2-und-leopard-1-familie-und-ust-2120507/

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Tegelijk zitten er selectieve elementen in de rechtse afkeer van het Iraanse regime. In 2014 bleek dat een dochter in de VS van Fokker de VS-sancties had omzeild met de export van vliegtuigonderdelen naar onder meer Iran. De justitie in de VS trof een schikking waarbij Fokker een boete van ruim $ 10 miljoen dollar betaalde. Quote noemde het destijds de op drie na heftigste schikking van een Nederlandse onderneming ooit.

Maar Haagse verontwaardiging bleef uit. Eén Kamerlid stelde kritische vragen, Michiel Servaes (PvdA), nu directeur van OxfamNovib. De rechterflank van de Kamer bleef stil, zo stelt NRC-Handelsblad. https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/03/15/de-wereldorde-verkruimelt-den-haag-blijft-steken-in-een-conflictmodel-uit-de-jaren-nul-a4922952

Ondergetekende die het VS-sanctiebeleid doorgaans ziet als middel in imperialstische wereldpolitiek van Washington, ondersteunde het hier wel en schreef een kort verontwaardigd artikel over het Fokker beleid:

Nederlandstalig: https://www.ravage-webzine.nl/2015/03/02/list-en-bedrog-fokker-in-vs-licht-bestraft/

Engelstalig: https://stopwapenhandel.org/fokker-a-company-with-a-long-track-record-of-deceit-and-illegal-behavior/

***
Defensie heeft een contract met Damen gesloten voor 3 patrouilleschepen voor de Kustwacht Caribisch Gebied. De schepen wvervangen de huidige schepen die inmiddels meer dan 25 jaar gebruikt worden. https://www.defensiebond.nl/defensie/nieuwe-patrouilleschepen-voor-kustwacht-caribisch-gebied-defensie-kiest-opnieuw-voor-damen/
Over bewapening nog niets gevonden (.50, 20mm of 40mm).

***
Mentioned in Latin America security overview

The Colombian Navy's Plataforma Estratégica de Superficie - a Damen SIGMA-class frigate and the most complex warship built in Colombian shipyards - received its BAE Systems Bofors 40 Mk4 dual-purpose gun. https://menafn.com/1110865997/Latin-America-Defense-Monitor-Mar-916-2026

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2 people died after boats used in protests against the relocation of a US military base capsized in Japan's island prefecture of Okinawa. The victims were a 17-year-old high school student and the 71-year-old captain of one of the overturned boats. https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/japan/japan-okinawa-boat-sinking-capsize-b2939186.html

March 16

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Enrich yourself, march!

Trump’s sons invest in companies vying to fill gaps in US drone industry. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/03/10/trumps-sons-invest-in-companies-vying-to-fill-gaps-in-us-drone-industry/

And let others die to fill your own pockets. #TrumpScum.

***
China supplied 80% of Pakistan’s arms, with Turkey & the Netherlands trailing behind. This dynamic underscores the regional arms race: as Pakistan increases imports, India feels compelled to maintain superiority, and seeks Western tech to counter. https://www.illustrateddailynews.com/defense-security/india-retains-position-as-worlds-2nd-largest-arms-importer-amid-strategic-supplier-shift-sipri-report-859916

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Warning, if necessary let it boomerang

China’s military warned the US against allowing AI to “determine life and death” in warfare, as a dispute between the Pentagon and AI firm Anthropic highlighted growing tensions over military use of the technology. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3346254/china-warns-us-against-granting-ai-ability-determine-life-and-death-battlefield

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The US has used its Low Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System #LUCAS kamikaze drones in combat for the 1st time, US Central Command #CENTCOM confirmed. The one way attack drones, which are based on Iran’s Shahed 136 design are developed by SpektreWorks. https://www.smgconferences.com/editors-corner/6612-news--us-confirms-first-combat-use-of-lucas-kamikaze-drones-during-iran-strikes

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France controversially sells advanced weapons to both Croatia and Serbia, despite Serbia’s close ties to Russia and its differing alignment with Europe, argues Defence24. https://defence24.com/industry/frances-controversial-arms-exports-to-serbia-and-croatia

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Notorious military companies from the Netherlands (Damen Shipyards) & Belgium (FN Herstal) have signed a MoU to start a strategic industrial participation in naval tech, including the joint exploration of advanced maritime solutions and surface drones. https://www.navaltoday.com/2026/03/13/fn-and-damen-to-develop-next-generation-maritime-defence-solutions/

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Let it sink in. Consider if it fits your view on how power is 'shared' in this world:

Germany overtakes China to become world's 4th largest arms exporter
https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/gjermania-le-prapa-kinen-behet-vendi-i-katert-ne-bote-per-eksportin-e-armeve/

By the way: 1st USA, 2nd France, 3rd Russia

***
Tubantia/AD keken rond bij wapenhandelaar TBM (https://tbm.nl) waar eliteteams van de politie hun wapens kopen. De journalist van dienst zaait nog wat angst, met het nietszeggende hagelschot 'dat de veiligheid in de wereld' onder druk staat. https://www.tubantia.nl/binnenland/we-kregen-een-kijkje-achter-deze-dikke-kluisdeur-hier-kopen-eliteteams-van-de-politie-hun-wapens~a75228f4

March 11

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Aanbevolen:

Deze maand legden de VS sancties op aan het Rwandese leger vanwege 't optreden in Oost-Congo. Rwandese journalist Baker Byansi meent dat de maatregel zal falen zolang de illegale mineraalhandel die de oorlog financiert, buiten schot blijft. https://www.mo.be/opinie/de-harde-waarheid-over-de-sancties-van-washington-tegen-het-rwandese-leger

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Zelenskyy stated that he has passed on a request from the Ukrainian military to Rob Jetten for radars manufactured in the Netherlands.

Zelensky: it is a country: "that produces the best radars, and today we discussed this request in particular." https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-and-netherlands-agree-to-expand-joint-arms-production/ar-AA1XLIFo

March 10

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Restrictions. How Trump’s team decides to dole out chip licenses would determine whether countries are able to build critical digital infrastructure, tech that is seen as key to economic growth, corporate competitiveness and military sovereignty. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-05/us-drafts-rules-for-sweeping-power-over-nvidia-s-global-sales

***
Article for free for the next 20 hours on Follow The Money, about the NATO corruption case involving Czech and Spanish companies, and public offering listed in Amsterdam

European defence giant entangled in #NATO #corruption scandal https://www.ftm.eu/articles/europe-defence-giant-czechoslovak-group-csg-entangled-nato-corruption-scandal -> @ArmsTradeCT

March 9

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For much of the post-Cold War era, Europe indulged the belief that war had become a distant memory. Defence budgets shrank, arsenals aged, and Europe grew comfortable under the long shadow of US protection. This is now dissolving at speed. https://eutoday.net/the-end-of-europes-peace-dividend/

Fable or true? 

***
HEAR HEAR!!
EU must decide whether the rules-based international order “is more a help or a hindrance to our credibility as a geopolitical actor”, Von der Leyen said. The strongest sign yet that EU might break from decades of rigid adherence to global norms. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3345980/get-realpolitik-von-der-leyen-questions-europes-faith-rules-based-order

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Switzerland views the war on Iran as a violation of international law, according to its Minister of Defence, Martin Pfister, who said the government would weigh any requests for arms exports to countries embroiled in the Middle East conflict. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/iran-attacks-breach-international-law-swiss-defence-minister-says-2026-03-08/

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Human Rights Watch on Monday accused Israel of "unlawfully" using white phosphorus over residential parts of the southern Lebanese town of Yohmor last week, March 3, 2026. https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/09/lebanon-israel-unlawfully-using-white-phosphorus

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Swiss neutrality is only as good as its acceptance abroad. The neutrality purists in the Swiss People's Party argued in the National Council that one can only be completely neutral or not at all, but no one called for an halt to arms exports to the USA. https://www.nzz.ch/nzz-am-sonntag/report-und-debatte/neutralitaet-oder-realpolitik-beides-ist-leider-nicht-immer-zu-haben-ld.1928085

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Conflict in Soedan ligt ook op Europese tafel. Want de RSF beschikt over Europese wapens en onderdelen, ondanks het wapenembargo. De VAE zijn 't tussenstation. Tweede Kamer moties die opriepen de wapenhandel met de VAE op te schorten zijn niet aangenomen. https://www.nd.nl/opinie/commentaar/1308889/de-oorlog-in-soedan-laat-zien-wat-er-gebeurt-als-niemand-opko

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Wij hebben uitgerekend dat tot 2030 de omzet van de Nederlandse defensie-industrie bijna verviervoudigt van 3,6 miljard euro naar 13 miljard euro", zegt Rabo-onderzoeker Cramer. ,,Maar het is moeilijk om het exact te berekenen."

De NIDV, een platform voor de Nederlandse militaire-industrie, meldt dat er 300 bedrijven zijn aangesloten. Daar zitten ook investeerders zoals Rabobank bij. Cramer verwacht dat er inmiddels zeker 450 Nederlandse bedrijven afhankelijk zijn van Defensie. https://www.telegraaf.nl/financieel/bedrijven-azen-op-mega-pot-van-178-miljard-voor-defensieopdrachten-maar-er-moet-nog-wel-een-hobbel-genomen-worden/138709536.html

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The colossal self-acclaimed policeman of the world is weaker than expected as is painted by Indian Major General (ret.) Dr. Dilawar Singh, IAV https://www.ibtimes.co.in/how-tehrans-lowcost-swarm-tactics-have-trump-us-cornered-multifront-war-898992

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The Netherlands will equip its next generation Orka class submarines with the French F21 Mk2 heavyweight torpedo, moving away from plans that considered the interim use of US Mk48 currently deployed aboard the Walrus-class subs.

***
Arms reduction?

No.

French nukes are the answer.

Are they?

UK, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden & Denmark will use their conventional forces to protect the striking power of France’s nuclear force. https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/08/france-extends-nuclear-deterrence/

Not really an improvement from the situation US nukes are present at Kleine-Brogel.

French nuclear-armed Rafale fighters could operate from Belgium under new deterrence plan.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2026/french-nuclear-armed-rafale-fighters-could-operate-from-belgium-under-new-deterrence-plan

Kleine-Brogel: https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2025-09-26/air-force-nuclear-weapons-europe-19227720.html

***

On the sideline of the real debates

The latest bout of fighting between the US, Israel and Iran has seen artificial intelligence deployed as never before to sift intelligence and select targets, although the technology's use in war remains hotly debated. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/09/world/society/ai-tech-iran-strikes/

Amnesty International has warned that the unregulated global arms trade is accelerating human rights violations and contributing to conflicts and civilian suffering worldwide. https://shiawaves.com/english/human-rights/140657-amnesty-international-warns-unregulated-arms-trade-fuels-human-rights-violations/

***
With 33% of the global share Europe is the most important region for arms imports. Between 2016 and 2020 it was Asia and Oceania (42%) & the Middle East (32%) that were the leading import regions. Europe was in third place but much further behind (12%).
https://www.dw.com/en/sipri-europe-is-the-worlds-biggest-arms-importer/a-76261906

Europa voorname wapenproducent, maar ook grootste wapnimporteur van de wereld geworden. In periode 2016-2020 was het nog 12% van de wereldwijde importen. In de periode 2021-2025 werd Europa met 33% de grootste importeur.

Zie ook (Nederland komt 5x in de tekst voor, bijvoorbeeld: 9.0% van de Europese importen ging naar het kleine landje. Dat is 1.8% van de wereldwijde wapenimporten): https://www.sipri.org/.../files/2026-03/fs_2603_at_2025.pdf

March 8

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Smart Japanese

56.6% oppose lethal arms exports by Japan.

Not all: 36.9% support it. Unfortunately government is part of this minority.
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/71849

***
Smart youth

Across Germany, tens of thousands of high school students went on strike on Thursday to protest the likely reintroduction of military service. Germany’s political leaders want a new generation of soldiers, but young people are against it.
https://jacobin.com/2026/03/germany-student-strikes-rearmament-conscription

Verstandige jongeren

Opinie: Als er oorlog komt, dan gaan wij niet!

Dit kabinet beschermt vooral de veiligheid van de rijken. Jongeren worden daaraan opgeofferd, betogen Rik Bresters en Boyd Angenent. 
https://www.trouw.nl/opinie/opinie-als-er-oorlog-komt-dan-gaan-wij-niet~b734af20/

March 7

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Jennifer Kavanagh: The Costs of Militarized Rivalry with China: A 1st Estimate. https://costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/MilitarizedRivalry Suisheng Zhao: The Costs of US-China Militarized Rivalry for Chinese & Asian Americans: Hate Crimes, Unjust Targeting of Scholars, & Legal Exclusions. https://costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/HumanCostUSChina

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@WilliamHartung: The Costs of the War With Iran Will Mount For Decades. https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhartung/2026/03/04/the-costs-of-the-war-with-iran-will-mount-for-decades/

Ray Acheson: War on Iran Means Death and Destruction for Civilians and International Law. https://reachingcriticalwill.org/news/latest-news/18161-war-on-iran-means-death-and-destruction-for-civilians-and-international-law

***
German HENSOLDT will acquire Nedinsco, a Dutch developer of electro-optical sensor systems (like periscopes, driver vision systems, & sensor subsystems). Nedinsco is based in Venlo, Eindhoven.

It has expertise in image processing & optronic tech. https://defensehere.com/en/hensoldt-acquires-dutch-electro-optics-specialist-nedinsco/

***
Florence Gaub (NATO): What frightens me most is that we stop talking to one another across rival countries, that we lose the ability to understand how the other side thinks. We are losing strategic empathy. And that is where the real danger begins. https://english.elpais.com/international/2026-03-03/florence-gaub-natos-futurist-you-can-slide-into-a-world-war-even-if-nobody-wants-it.html

***
Trump announced a 4x increase in arms production in the USA. He spoke about meeting leaders of companies such as BAES, Boeing, Honeywell Aerospace, L3Harris Missile Solutions, Lockheed, Northrop Grumman & RTX. https://open.kg/en/news/in-the-world/79197-tramp-zajavil-o-chetyrehkratnom-uvelichenii-proizvodstva-vooruzhenij-v-ssha.html

Be sure Europe will buy a large part of it.

March 6

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Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum called on the US government to step up efforts to combat gun trafficking.

If stopped “these groups wouldn’t have access to this type of high-powered weaponry to carry out their criminal activities.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/09/mexican-cartels-guns-come-from-us-sheinbaum-trump

***
Nukes

Addition to the toolbox directed at military responses to an unstable world order and the wish to become an independent power at the world stage.

France, Germany create panel to advance shared nuclear deterrence plans. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/03/05/france-germany-create-panel-to-advance-shared-nuclear-deterrence-plans/

***
More than 50.000 youth participated in second German school strike against threat of compulsory conscription. https://www.jungewelt.de/artikel/518662.schulstreik-gegen-wehrpflicht-friedrich-merz-an-die-front.html

Movement site: https://schulstreikgegenwehrpflicht.com/

***
Damen Shipyards Mangalia is looking for a strategic investor. Representatives of the giants MSC and Rheinmetall are expected to participate in discussions for the takeover of the largest Romanian shipyard. https://informat.ro/en/current-affairs/damen-shipyards-mangalia-is-looking-for-a-strategic-investor-and-proposes-reorganization-109460

***
Detailed article on: Why India, rest of Asia are feeling the heat of Iran-US war most. China's role in the conflict is often overstated, with claims of significant military hardware sales/ failures and energy security threats (dimmed by diversification.) https://www.theweek.in/news/middle-east/2026/03/06/why-india-rest-of-asia-are-feeling-the-heat-of-iran-us-war-more-than-china.html

March 5

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US private sector forced into military playbook. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei goes back to Pentagon, resumes negotiations on military’s AI use to allow the Pentagon to resume using Anthropic's AI technology and avoide a formal blacklist designation. https://www.financialexpress.com/life/technology-anthropic-ceo-dario-amodei-goes-back-to-pentagon-resumes-negotiations-on-militarys-ai-use-4163283/

Anthropic executives warned that a US government blacklist could cut 2026 revenue by billions & harm its reputation. The firm sued the US DoD to block the move. It is said defence contracts, investor confidence and deals could be seriously affected.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/artificial-intelligence/anthropic-executives-say-pentagon-blacklisting-could-hit-billions-in-sales-harm-reputation/articleshow/129368725.cms

Anthropic has received backing from researchers at rival AI companies (incl. those from OpenAI & Google DeepMind—also Google chief scientist Jeff Dean) in its legal challenge against the US government, after the Pentagon cancelled its defence contracts. https://www.peoplematters.in/news/ai-and-emerging-tech/anthropic-wins-support-from-rival-ai-researchers-in-legal-battle-over-pentagon-blacklist-48740

Microsoft has backed Anthropic in its legal fight against the Pentagon’s ban, warning that blocking the AI company without a transition period could disrupt military contracts and affect US military ops. https://www.moneycontrol.com/europe/?url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/technology/microsoft-supports-anthropic-lawsuit-against-pentagon-over-ai-supply-chain-ban-article-13856587.html
But let not forget for what the quarrel started.

Pentagon staffers, former officials and IT contractors who work closely with the U.S. military say they are reluctant to give up Anthropic’s AI tools, which they view as superior to alternatives, despite orders to remove them. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/03/19/hegseth-wants-pentagon-to-dump-claude-but-military-users-say-its-not-so-easy/

***
Emirati #EDGE Group has signed a Letter of Intent with Ecuador’s MoD to support the development of the country’s - let it sound positive -border protection systems. https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/uaes-edge-group-partners-with-ecuador-to-enhance-border-security-systems-1.500464239

Nothing on raising border tensions and controls because of a dispute with Colombia.

***
In a militarist US House Armed Services Com. speech the EU is also mentioned, as vazal to buy US arms: "...we must implement the President’s executive orders on arms exports to leverage allied purchases to support the expansion of US production capacity." https://armedservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6411

***
In the meantime

EU military industry throwing dirt at each other.

French-German-Spanish FCAS closer to failure, after aircraft maker Dassault Aviation blamed partner Airbus for no longer wanting to work together on the next-generation fighter. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/03/04/french-german-fighter-program-on-life-support-as-dassault-blames-airbus/

***
Will the Canadian mix involve Swedish SAAB Gripen fighters? Saab said it's hoping to partner with the government and Canadian businesses to develop systems for the next generation of aerial warfare as it pursues deals to supply Ottawa with new aircraft. https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/9.7112654

***
Does it matter?

1st kill by a US submarine since WWII? https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/03/04/us-submarine-sinks-iranian-ship-in-first-torpedo-kill-since-wwii-pentagon-confirms/

323 killed by UK torpedo in 1982 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARA_General_Belgrano

My grandfather was killed by a German torpedo in '44 (near Dover) & also 2! brothers of my grandmother, Feb 15 1940. https://www.aukevisser.nl/bemlijsten/id1268.htm

War what is it good for

Another first. Happy now?
Israeli F-35 notches first kill of a manned fighter, a Iranian Yak-130.

One more

In another first, the UK reported that its Royal Air Force’s F-35B jets had intercepted Iranian drones above Jordan.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2026/03/04/israeli-f-35-notches-first-kill-of-a-manned-fighter-in-downing-of-iranian-yak-130/

War what is it good for

***
Austal Defence Australia and Damen Shipyards Group have signed a contract supporting the local construction of Landing Ship Transport (LST) 100 vessels for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) on Friday, 20 February. https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/austal-and-damen-partner-on-lst-100-vessels-construction

***
Speaker at the Int. Compliance Professionals Association’s conference, Christopher Skinner (ArentFox trade lawyer), said Trump Admin could move toward “lesser controls” for items covered by the ITAR or restricted for “defense applications.” [Pay Wall https://exportcompliancedaily.com/]

March 3

***
Repression to defend ugly interests

France arrests activists blocking ship over suspected Russia uranium links

Greenpeace has repeatedly accused Paris of maintaining ties with Russia's state-owned energy company, Rosatom, despite Moscow's war in Ukraine.
https://www.courthousenews.com/france-arrests-activists-blocking-ship-over-suspected-russia-uranium-links/

***
Reports suggest a formal disinterest from New Delhi in the F-35, linked to high maintenance costs and the lack of a complete tech transfer. The equation hinges on balancing industrial sovereignty, the pace of local industrialization, stealth capability. https://meta-defense.fr/en/2026/03/02/india-f-35-su-57th-burst-mrfa-iaf-2025/

***
Russian law enforcement officials cited by RIA Novosti claim NATO-supplied weapons sent to Ukraine are being written off as lost and sold on the black market, raising concerns in Europe and beyond. Sources not solid, but it's a warning. https://voennoedelo.com/en/posts/id13665-nato-weapons-to-ukraine-allegedly-sold-on-black-market 

Here same info translated into Dutch (some of it was debunked already a long time ago by the European agency here used as source. But despite this, the warning is still valuable): https://businessam.be/navo-wapens-bestemd-voor-oekraine-duiken-op-op-de-zwarte-markt/

***
The race is on!

Europe ramps up defense spending to 21% of global total, up from 17% in 2022 and is led by Berlin. Report

Defense spending jumped globally to $2.63 trillion in 2025, according to IISS's latest Military Balance report.

To Armageddon?

https://breakingdefense.com/2026/02/europe-ramps-up-defense-spending-to-21-of-global-total-led-by-berlin-report/

March 2

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Jolle Demmers: De geschiedenis herhaalt zich niet. Ze begint telkens opnieuw. Opnieuw de leugen van massavernietigingswapens. Opnieuw de propaganda dat een volk uit de greep van dictatuur zal worden bevrijd. https://jolledemmers.substack.com/p/over-de-amerikaans-israelische-oorlog

***
Bunschoten

Defensie heeft meer pantservoertuigen nodig en daarvoor wordt gekeken naar de Nederlandse industrie. Ingewijden weten dat er wordt gekoerst op een grote rol voor het familiebedrijf Van Halteren uit Bunschoten.
https://www.rtvutrecht.nl/nieuws/4011233/bedrijf-uit-bunschoten-gaat-mogelijk-vierhonderd-pantservoertuigen-maken-voor-defensie

Vrijdag meldde De Telegraaf op basis van ingewijden dat het familiebedrijf Van Halteren in Bunschoten een miljardenorder in de wacht sleept voor de bouw van pantservoertuigen. In de slipstream daarvan profiteren twintig andere Nederlandse bedrijven als toeleverancier mee.

Dutch reports on the ACSV G5 and integrated Skyranger 30 air defense systems hint the project is being steered toward Van Halteren, a family-run defense manufacturer in Bunschoten-Spakenburg, with a wider national supply chain expected to participate. https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2026/netherlands-to-procure-400-acsv-g5-support-vehicles-with-skyranger-30-counter-uas-systems

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Arms export control? In 1978, the Shah of Iran ordered 8 frigates at the Dutch shipyard consortium Rijn-Schelde-Verolme (RSV) in a contract valued +/- 3 billion Dutch guilders (€1.4 bn). The contract was cancelled following the Iranian Revolution. https://www.nwo.nl/en/cases/the-netherlands-was-blinded-by-the-shahs-carefully-constructed-reputation

Wapenexportcontrole?

Een order gaat niet door vanwege: de concurrentie. Damen probeerde landingsschepen aan #Rusland te verkopen, maar 't Franse DCN haalde het contract binnen. https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/09PARIS1529_a.html https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2018/01/landingsschepen-deel-10-serie-over.html

Uiteindelijk haalden zij onder druk bakzeil.

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Veiligheid

Hoogeveen had tijdens de grote chroom-6-lozing in het riool door Fokker, eind 2024, geen zicht op de gevaren voor medewerkers in de rioleringsdienst. Voor hen waren er bovendien te weinig beschermingsmiddelen.
https://dvhn.nl/drenthe/hoogeveen/hoogeveen-had-tijdens-chroomlozing-geen-risicoplan-voor-rioolreiniging.-gemeente-op-de-vingers-getikt-48572855.html

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Last Friday at 7:30, hundreds of workers gathered at the administration at the Damen Shipyard Mangalia dissatisfied with the fact that yesterday they should have received their outstanding salary rights, at least part of them, and they were not paid. https://www.digi24.ro/digieconomic/companii/protest-spontan-la-santierul-naval-mangalia-angajatii-nu-si-au-primit-salariile-de-peste-doua-luni-89353

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BAE Systems F-16 maintenance contract includes arms exports to 21 countries, incl: Jordan, Taiwan, Belgium, Egypt, Iraq, Bahrain, Thailand, Poland, Oman, Romania, Turkey, Chile, Morocco, Pakistan and the Netherlands (the NLAF has no longer F-16's itself). https://de.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/f16instandhaltung-bae-systems-sichert-sich-auftrag-der-us-air-force-uber-989-mio-dollar-93CH-3356588

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The Western Sahara issue, instability in the Sahel... Also Algeria intensifies the arms race by purchasing Russian aircraft. There is little doubt that the purchase of these aircraft is a message sent to Rabat. also because of the close ties with Israel. https://www.liberation.fr/international/afrique/question-du-sahara-occidental-instabilite-au-sahel-lalgerie-intensifie-la-course-a-larmement-en-achetant-des-avions-russes-20260226_7NMEGJMHERFVHGJUSNOB6CZW3A/

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Wassenaar Arrangement

China’s advanced tech risk making the group’s export control list increasingly irrelevant. But if China were given membership, it would be seen as a political victory for Beijing and opposed by key members like the US and Japan. https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/02/27/wassenaar-arrangement-will-china-join-or-kill-this-30-year-old-weapon-control-club

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Part of the debate on US influence in NATO is around the exports of equipment. In the past 3 yrs 50+% of Europe's spending on arms went to the US. While advocating European rearmament, the US has simultaneously expanded its sales, securing multiple gains. http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/2025xb/O_251451/16444904.html

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A view from Minsk on the militarisation of the European Union (and especially Poland), and SAFE (Security Action for Europe). https://eng.belta.by/politics/view/mousetrap-for-europeans-whats-wrong-with-the-eu-defense-program-177389-2026/

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Africa’s militaries are built on imported power. Foreign countries dominate Africa’s military market. Between them they supply everything from small arms to attack helicopters, drones & C3 equipment. Why a shift to homegrown defence is now under way? https://defenceweb.co.za/industry/industry-industry/africas-militaries-have-always-relied-on-imported-weapons-why-a-shift-to-homegrown-defence-is-now-under-way/

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The UN Security Council lifted sanctions imposed on the Syrian jihadist Al-Nusra Front, the militant group that evolved into Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), from its so-called Daesh and Al-Qaeda Sanctions List.

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Report of the independent international fact-finding mission for the Sudan (Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom) calls on the international community to act without delay to expand the arms embargo, preventing the transfer of weapons, equipment to protect civilians.

Human Rights Watch calls the UN SC to enforce & expand the UN arms embargo from Darfur to the whole of Sudan. Countries should speak out against the UAE’s ongoing military support to the RSF, and the UN should investigate the UAE’s potential complicity. https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/02/24/un-body-finds-hallmarks-of-genocide-in-darfur

A UN fact-finding report classified the actions of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in el Fasher of October 2025 as showing hallmarks of genocide. https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/02/1166997

The RSF is being supported militarily, financially and diplomatically by the UAE.
https://www.adhrb.org/2026/02/united-nations-rules-uae-funded-rsfs-atrocities-as-genocidal/

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A coalition of 235 civil society groups calls the UN Human Rights Council for a comprehensive global arms embargo on Myanmar, including targeted sanctions on aviation fuel, cutting the financial flows that sustain the military's decades-long impunity. https://eng.mizzima.com/2026/02/20/31433

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed off on a bilateral agreement with Myanmar's junta to promote and protect bilateral investments, further deepening ties between the two regimes across the military, economic and political fronts. https://www.irrawaddy.com/business/putin-ratifies-investment-protection-pact-with-myanmar-junta.html


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In juli 2023 maakte VVD Minister van Buitenlandse Handel Schreinemacher plots 'n einde aan het staande strengere wapenexportbeleid (PoD) m.b.t. Saoedi-Arabië, de VAE en Turkije. Volgens haar was dit nodig om te kunnen toetreden tot het Verdrag van Aken. https://www.ftm.nl/artikelen/kabinet-overtrad-beperking-wapenexport-bedoeld-om-schending-mensenrechten-te-voorkomen

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