Latest
on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
April 8
***
Fire Point,
maker of Ukraine’s Flamingo cruise missile, is in talks with
European companies to launch a new air defense system by next year, a
senior executive told Reuters, creating a low-cost alternative to the
increasingly hard-to-get Patriot system.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/04/06/ukraine-missile-maker-targets-game-changer-air-defense-system-by-2027/
***
The slippery
slope
In Washington groeit de steun voor een
wetsvoorstel om de militante Polisario-afscheidingsbeweging voor de
Sahara als terreurorganisatie aan te merken. Twee Congresleden sloten
zich deze week aan bij de mede-indieners.
https://nieuws.marokko.nl/112547/twee-congresleden-scharen-zich-achter-voorstel-om-de-polisario-als-terreurgroep-aan-te-merken/
***
Damen
launches ‘Drone Carrier’ for the Portuguese Navy.
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/04/damen-launches-drone-carrier-for-the-portuguese-navy/
Damen Launches Multi-Purpose Vessel for the Portuguese Navy. https://www.marinelink.com/news/damen-launches-multipurpose-vessel-537767
***
***
Je
lijkt ergens iets te missen. Alsof er niet de zwaarst bewapende bende
op aarde van loenatic en andere gestoorden de wereld verder op zijn
kop zet. Niet zomaar malloten, maar ook nog eens je bondgenoten.
***
Report "Exposing
French Military Shipments to Israel," argues that French
firms and transport hubs have continued to arm Israel’s
military operations “through supply chains that have
bypassed public scrutiny”.
- https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/04/07/french-defense-firms-sell-steady-flow-of-components-to-israel-report-says_6752176_4.html
- https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20260408-french-arms-exports-to-israel-a-continuous-pipeline-of-military-hardware
April 7
***
Why not?
Must be clear by now!
Greece to Buy Elbit Rocket Launcher
System From Israel in $750 Million Deal, Defense Ministry Says.
Details not known. However the Greek parliament approved a purchase
of 36 PULS rocket launchers in December.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-04-06/ty-article/.premium/greece-to-buy-elbit-rocket-launcher-system-from-israel-in-750-million-deal/0000019d-6366-d62a-a7bf-eb6eb1af0000
Another abhorrent example of arms acquisition policy
In a development of considerable strategic and geopolitical importance, Elbit Systems is set to commence deliveries of its Watchkeeper X drones to Romania valued at US$ 428.75 million. https://www.businessupturn.com/trade-policy/elbit-set-to-restart-delayed-428m-romania-drone-deal-what-changed/7761/
***
Several Gulf
states are looking to purchasecombat drones made by Ukraine’s Fire
Point defense contractor, but the company is still waiting on export
licenses from the government, Fire Point co-founder and chief
designer Denys Shtilierman told April 6.
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/ukraine-missile-maker-targets-game-changer-air-defence-system-by-2027-2026-04-06/
***
France’s
refusal to give India access to Rafale mission software and
electronic warfare source code has delayed the US$40bn 114-fighter
deal, intensified tensions over BrahMos integration, and revived
Russia’s Su-57E stealth fighter offer.
https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/india-40-billion-rafale-deal-crisis-france-blocks-source-code-brahmos-russia-tech-leak/
***
By
force
In fully lifting the Japan’s
long-standing ban on exporting lethal weapons, the government plans
to notify the Diet of arms exports only after the fact instead of
seeking prior approval. So far for responsible statescraft.
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16480095
April 6
***
War criminals in
Tel Aviv and Washington
Healthcare facilities are protected
locations under the Geneva Conventions, agreed as the rules of war by
after World War II.
US President Donald Trump has
threatened to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages ..."
https://www.arabnews.jp/en/middle-east/article_167455/
***
Pentagon
R&D spending would drop by about 1/3 under the White House’s
2027 defense-spending proposal—but the impact of that $4.5 billion
reduction might be cushioned by the tech industry funding its own
research and recash by selling to the Pentagon.
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2026/04/budget-would-cut-pentagon-research-third-can-industry-compensate/412634/
***
Austria’s
vice chancellor stressed Saturday that the country would not be drawn
into President Donald Trump’s “chaotic policy,” saying Vienna’s
neutrality is “non-negotiable,” a principle that also applies to
US military overflights, Anadolu reports.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260404-we-are-not-part-of-trumps-chaotic-policy-including-with-us-overflights-austrias-vice-chancellor/
***
For some war means
profit:
Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr Back Drone Firm Now Pitching Weapons to Gulf States Their Father's War Created. https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/trump-sons-drone-firm-conflict-interest-1790188
For most it is misery or worse.
***
Hundreds of
protesters in the city of Osnabrück, located in northwestern
Germany, marched in an angry demonstration to express their
categorical rejection of the giant 'Volkswagen' company's shift
towards military manufacturing.
https://www.alquds.com/en/posts/234304
***
Japan
is gradually shifting away from its long-held "exclusively
defense-oriented policy" and moving toward a "combat-ready"
military system, Makoto Konishi, former Self-Defense Forces officer
and veteran military journalist said in Tokyo on Saturday.
https://english.news.cn/asiapacific/20260405/d609f80ac5dd49a48bc3a1873fb3f708/c.html
The Japanese government is pursuing a revision of its defense
equipment transfer guidelines to allow lethal weapon exports in
principle and is reportedly reviewing a plan to notify parliament
only after the fact.
https://en.sedaily.com/international/2026/04/04/japan-pushes-to-allow-lethal-weapon-exports-plans-post
Why
China is worried by Japan’s plans to change rules on arms sales.
The government in Tokyo is considering
relaxing its restrictions on exports of lethal weapons amid
heightened tensions with Beijing.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349045/why-china-worried-japans-plans-change-rules-arms-sales
April 4
***
Overview:
RTX is the world’s 2nd largest arms company, according to SIPRI. It
was formed in 2020 following the merger of Raytheon and United
Technologies. In 2023, RTX claimed it was the “world’s largest
producer of guided missiles”.
https://caat.org.uk/data/companies/RTX
***
French
Dassault so far effectively torpedoed European FCAS fighter. UK lead
military aircraft moves slowly forward.
Italy, Japan and the UK have signed a stopgap contract to keep work going on their joint GCAP fighter. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/02/money-starts-flowing-for-new-gcap-fighter-as-britain-sorts-out-finances/
***
NGO's
& activists have urged the Government of Montenegro to make
public info about any export, import or trade in arms and military
tech with Israel, as well as the publication of all valid contracts,
agreements and permits in this area.
https://gradski.me/en/politika/nvo-i-gradjanske-aktivistkinje-vlada-crne-gore-da-odgovori-na-navode-o-trgovini-oruzjem-sa-izraelom/
***
With
an eye on China, Japan looks to kamikaze drones and low-cost
missiles.
Tokyo plans to those drones with a range of more than 1,000km, according to Japanese media reports citing official sources.
***
Wie
maakt op Ministerie van Defensie dat soort koppen?
Luchtmacht haalt in Japan eeuwenoude
band aan
https://www.defensiedichtbij.nl/magazines/defensiekrant/2026/editie-12/03_kg-26
Het gaat overigens over het opereren/oefenen met F-35's.
***
The
same universities where students were protesting the Iranian regime
weeks ago have shown up as rubble.
At least 21 uni's in Iran have
sustained damage, with questions arising as to whether the attacks on
academic institutions constitute a war crime.
https://thehill.com/homenews/education/5811380-iran-war-university-strikes-war-crimes/
***
In
recent documents posted on the government's contracting website, the
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, said it's
looking for faster, cheaper ways to produce missiles, sensor
technology, weapons avionics, and counter-air systems.
https://www.businessinsider.com/darpa-wants-cheaper-missiles-as-us-burns-through-stockpiles-2026-4
***
This
war cost
US president requested a 10% cut in non-defence discretionary spending for FY 2027 & a massive $500bn increase in military spending, as the US continues its war against Iran. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/04/03/trumps-budget-proposes-massive-defense-spending-with-10-cut-to-other-programs/
Stop this militarisation in the interest of the global majority.
April 3
***
Libya’s
Haftar acquires combat drones despite UN embargo. Satellite images
reveal at least three new drones at an eastern airbase. Weapons
experts say they are most likely from China and Turkey (Probably
Feilong-1 (FL-1) and Bayraktar TB2 drones).
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/libyas-haftar-acquires-combat-drones-despite-un-embargo-2026-04-02/
***
Romanian Ministry of
Economy grants strategically important operators access to state
support. This includes Liberty Galați, and #Damen Shipyards
Mangalia. The decision allows funds from the Guarantee Fund to be
used to pay outstanding wages to employees.
https://gmk.center/en/news/liberty-galati-is-preparing-for-a-relaunch-following-a-failed-attempt-to-sell-the-company/
***
Swedish
arms exports to Turkey more than doubled in 2025 from a year earlier,
Swedish media reported on Thursday, indicating a shift in bilateral
ties since Stockholm joined NATO in March 2024 after Turkey dropped
its objections to Swedish
membership.https://www.turkishminute.com/2026/04/02/swedish-arms-exports-to-turkey-surged-after-stockholm-joined-nato-report/
April 2
***
France's Dassault
says 'weeks' left to save Europe warplane project
FCAS program is a joint effort to build a next-generation combat aircraft between France, Germany and Spain. But it has faltered as disagreements persist between Dassault and Airbus.
***
Israel's
Defense Ministry has launched a sweeping set of punitive measures
against France, following sharp public criticism from US President
Donald Trump over Paris' decision to deny access to its airspace for
arms shipments bound for the Middle East.
https://menafn.com/1110929782/Israel-Launches-Retaliatory-Measures-Against-France
***
Switzerland has
suspended payments to the US for the Patriot missile system due to
uncertainty over delivery timelines. The government did not rule out
that the contract could ultimately be terminated, according to
Reuters.
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/switzerland-may-abandon-patriot-what-is-the-1775070819.html
***
Canada may
join the European sixth-generation GCAP fighter jet program amid
tensions over its F-35 deal with the US.
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/move-over-f-35-canada-eyes-uk-japan-italy-gcap-sixth-gen-fighter-program-amid-f-35-review/
***
British
companies and investors are profiting from gold mining, gas
extraction and palm oil plantations in West Papua, while the British
government supports the Indonesian military through arms exports and
training.
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/04/02/how-british-companies-profit-from-west-papuan-repression/
***
Report: Concerns
regarding Palantir Technologies in HHS data systems. Also on:
- Military operations
- Border enforcement
- War crimes and genocide
https://corporatewatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Palantir-Briefing_March-2026.pdf
***
Inside
the Anthropic x Australia alliance: What the $550bn AI giant wants.
As global AI giants face increasing friction in the US, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has landed in Australia with a strategic ‘Plan B.’
Wiki on Claude: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_(language_model)
April 1
***
Italian
national Manfred Gruber pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit export
control violations. Gruber illegally exported ammo worth $540,000+
from the US to Kyrgyzstan, via companies controlled in Italy. Most of
it was subsequently reexported to Russia.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/arms-dealer-pleads-guilty-conspiring-export-american-made-ammunition-used-war-against
***
March
2026 the long-running bribery and sanctions case involving Damen
Shipyards Group has entered a more consequential phase.
Prosecutors are actively advancing a broad set of charges—including
bribery, sanctions violations, fraud, and money laundering.
https://dredgewire.com/damen-trial-update-legal-pressure-mounts-on-the-company-despite-strong-deliveries/
