Latest
on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
July 30
***
Emirati
military company EDGE enters Europe and establishes itself in France
to access the European market. #UAE [paywall]
https://www.tacticalreport.com/in-depth/64703
***
Jack Cinamon,
Andrew Feinstein and Ruth Rohde, Making a Killing: How the West
Profits From Slaughter in Gaza and Yemen, Verso Books, November 24,
2026. (available for preorder)
https://www.versobooks.com/products/3335-making-a-killing
***
Report
on: Killing Spree: Extrajudicial executions in the U.S. boat strikes
campaign.
https://www.wola.org/analysis/killing-spree-extrajudicial-executions-in-the-u-s-boat-strikes-campaign/
Pdf: https://www.wola.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-24_full-report.pdf
July 29
***
Wild West and East
in coastal areas by a Rogue State? No it is the USA.
67 boat strikes. 221 dead. The cocaine hasn’t slowed, officials report. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/07/27/operation-southern-spear-has-not-slowed-cocaine-entering-us/
***
Vladimir
Putin has instructed the Russian government to initiate talks with
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to revise bilateral agreements on mutual
arms trade, technical maintenance of weapons systems and R&D.
https://uz.kursiv.media/en/2026-07-28/russia-to-revamp-arms-trade-treaties-with-uzbekistan-and-kazakhstan/amp/
July 28
***
Macron sees Germany
as nuclear-deterrence ‘vanguard’ in Europe
Are anti-nuclear activists of some decades ago now happy with the strong hugs of nukes by major EU powers? Or are they looking for the banners in the closets or gathering dust at he attics?
***
What is the
use of creating two parallel global IT worlds as is more and more
visible the result of US trade policy?
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-27/asml-slides-after-report-of-china-beginning-duv-tool-production
***
How can the
difference in attitude towards Ukraine & Israel be understood?
This support includes the transit of arms or (the threat) withholding
them.
The author explains this for 4 entities: liberal West, authoritarian states, the South & US populists.
***
Despite the
shaking foundation the Dutch "cannot easily replace Damen Naval
without weakening its own sovereign naval industrial base." What
risk & amount The Hague is willing to pay keeping its domestic
capability afloat to build major surface combatants?
https://dredgewire.com/the-new-naval-shipbuilding-order/
***
Damen
will refit four military vessels of the Bahamas (Damen Stan Patrol 2x
4207, 1x 3007, 1x Stan Lander 5612). Work on the patrol vessels will
be carried n the Netherlands, while the Stan Lander will undergo its
refit at COTECMAR in Colombia.
https://www.marinelog.com/news/damen-to-refit-four-royal-bahamas-defence-force-vessels/
July 27
***
German arms export
licences for Israel surge with focus on sub project
A dramatic rise in export permissions marks the latest twist in Germany’s approach to ally Israel.
***
Next step in the
militarisation and the collapse of its restrained arms trade politics
of Japan.
The India-Japan aim for the joint production of warships to bolster maritime power. https://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/india-japan-unite-to-build-warships/81918388.html
***
Athens will
modernize its military. Large chunks will be acquired in Israel (like
Heron drones and radars and missiles from Rafael) and from the US (40
F-35 fighter). It also includes Italian and French frigates. A budget
of +/- $31.8bn has been allocated.
https://worldisraelnews.com/greece-to-purchase-air-defense-system-from-israel-worth-4-billion/amp/
***
Ammo
manufactured in Brazil for the Saudi army is now being sold in
Houthi-controlled arms markets in Sana'a. Intelligence Online has
mapped the routes by which it is being transported. [Paywall]
https://www.intelligenceonline.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/07/27/saudi-ammo-being-sold-on-houthi-controlled-arms-markets-in-yemen,110850479-art
***
It is today
30 years ago that I witnessed the attack on the PDI party offices in
Jakarta by the Western backed Suharto military regime. Five people
were killed, 149 injured and 74 missing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/27_July_1996_incident
A few days before I visited the building in my trip to introduce
European campaigns against arms sales to repressive military regime.
https://stopwapenhandel.org/app/uploads/2010/10/Indonesia_0.pdf
These campaigns are still needed and to a wide range of countries.
But can not exist without tackling the enormous military expenditures
of Western states.
Challenge the arms trade? Challenge
accepted!
https://www.vredesactie.be/wapenhandel/stop-de-medeplichtigheid-van-challenge-airlines
Protesters gathered outside the Farnborough fair to raise
concerns about military companies exhibiting at the show, saying
their weapons have been used in Israel’s genocide in Gaza as well
as in other wars around the world.
https://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/26405492.peace-groups-protest-farnborough-international-airshow/
The
Indonesian Air Force will soon add yet another aircraft type to its
eclectic fleet, after a deal with Leonardo for a dozen M-346F Block
20 light fighters was announced this week.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2026/07/24/indonesia-orders-leonardo-light-fighters-eyes-naval-helicopters/
One of the reasons not to cooperate:
https://humanrightsmonitor.org/news/new-multatuli-project-report-exposes-disproportional-security-force-presence-in-west-papua/
***
Military
business is together with construction one of the most corrupt
economic sectors. https://ti-defence.org/
So this⬇️is an example of a bigger fraud story.
Turkish arms manufacturer was jailed in Brussels. Now Estonia is welcoming his investment.
https://www.ftm.eu/articles/estonia-arms-manufacturer-jail-brussels-corruption-turkey-investment
July 23
***
Canada has
joined the GCAP fighter program as an observer, marking the first
expansion beyond the founding members Britain, Italy and Japan.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/07/21/new-british-prime-minister-gains-early-defense-win-with-canada-fighter-jet-tie-up/
The other European fighter program FCAS
is in tatters after a rift among French and German industry.
***
List of all
EU consolidated reports on arms exports 1998-2024.
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2026/documents/WEBSITE_Annual%20EU%20Arms%20Export%20Reports.pdf
***
Qatar is
advancing parallel French & Dutch naval tracks to strengthen mine
countermeasures, underwater surveillance & maritime support.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/64691
[Report behind paywall]
Google AI comes with the suggestion of Thales invlovement. https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/news-centre/events/qatar/dimdex
***
Forever
wars, forever profits
Today’s interconnected conflicts are enriching the arms industry while pushing the entire world towards permanent militarisation, argues ROGER McKENZIE
Forever wars, mean forever profits for jackals.https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/forever-wars-forever-profits
July 22
***
Omega arms and
security trade fair archive is now available online. It provides
searchable and downloadable data on fairs around the world and the
companies that exhibit at them.
https://omegaresearchfoundation.org/what-we-do/arms-fairs/
July 21
***
Belgium is
considering withdrawing an order for two warships from the Dutch
shipbuilder Damen, NOS reports. This would be another major setback
for the company, which recently also lost an order for six frigates
from Germany.
https://nltimes.nl/2026/07/20/dutch-shipbuilder-damen-risk-also-losing-belgian-frigate-order
***
According to a
letter recently sent by the Dutch government to the Parliament, a
Dutch company obtained an export license for an unmanned surface
vessel (drone) with associated equipment to the Moroccan navy.
Letter [in Dutch] https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=2026D36720
***
Weer arrestaties
van leden oppositiepartij in autoritair geleid Tukrije. Tijdens 'n
inval van 't stadskantoor van Izmit is burgemeester Fatma Kaplan
Hürriyet opgepakt. Ook elders in het land zijn tientallen mensen
zijn opgepakt.
- https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/izmit-belediyesine-operasyon-belediye-baskani-fatma-kaplan-hurriyet-ve-esi-dahil-cok-sayida-gozalti-var-1733695
- https://nos.nl/artikel/2623749-weer-burgemeester-van-turkse-oppositiepartij-opgepakt
***
It
is said "US defence firms face mounting European backlash at the
Farnborough fair as NATO allies push for independent military
manufacturing."
https://streamlinefeed.co.ke/news/us-defense-firms-face-european-backlash-farnborough
But which fighter is bought, which air
defence are procured, & what missiles acquired by European
nations.
Protest
A coalition of peace and anti-militarism
organisations protest the five-day Farnborough International Airshow.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/coalition-peace-and-anti-militarism-organisations-protest-five-day-farnborough
July 20
***
US
rights organisation Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) has
called for a UN arms embargo on the UAE, accusing the Gulf state of
enabling abuses by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
https://www.newarab.com/news/dawn-calls-un-arms-embargo-uae-over-sudan-role
July 18
***
Airbus
Nederland gaat een optisch grondstation bouwen aan de Kapteynstraat
op de NL Space Campus. Dit station vormt een belangrijke schakel in
het EAGLE-1 project, een Europese samenwerking tussen
satellietoperator SES, ESA en de Europese Commissie.
https://www.noordwijk.nl/nieuws/optisch-grondstation-verbindt-noordwijk-met-de-ruimte/
***
Op 12/9 actie voor
'n vreedzame en rechtvaardige energietransitie. Antimilitaristen
willen de rol van oorlog en wapenwedloop in de klimaatcrisis
duidelijk zichtbaar maken. Daarom een antimilitarisme-blok.
Doe mee! Za 12 sep, Amsterdam
#klimaatmars2026
https://stopwapenhandel.org/klimaatmars-12-september-antimilitarisme/
***
Vlaamse
overheid publiceeret overzicht wapenexportvergunningen 2025. Ruim 82%
gaat naar bestemmingen buiten de EU.
https://www.vlaanderen.be/statistiek-vlaanderen/relatie-overheid-en-burger/vergunningen-in-het-kader-van-het-wapenhandeldecreet
De lezer moet zelf op zoeken naar welke landen. Mijn eerste klik (https://www.fdfa.be/sites/default/files/2026-02/Maandverslag_december_2025.pdf ) was meteen raak, export naar Israël.
July 16
***
Armed to the teeth.
Saudis Cleared To Buy A Whopping 20,000 Laser-Guided Rockets
The Saudis are clearly arming themselves massively for future conflicts.
https://www.twz.com/air/saudis-cleared-to-buy-a-whopping-20000-laser-guided-rockets
To defend. Or to attack?
***
Leading? Are you
kidding?
Finland has begun producing structural components for the F-35 fifth generation fighter, marking a significant milestone for the country’s military sector and for the wider program.
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/finland-leading-manufacturer-F35
***
Yes there are
winners in the current international political climate:
German weapon exports so far this year reach €13.8bn record high. https://www.euractiv.com/news/german-weapon-exports-so-far-this-year-reach-e13-8bn-record-high/
And yes they are close to government circles. And not only in Washington, but also in Athens, Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, The Hague, London, Paris, Warschaw etc..
***
You expected it
already?
Ukraine has received authorization to use part of the funds from a military EU-loan to purchase Chinese components for drones. Part of the 1st tranche of the loan, amounting to approximately €6 bn, will be used to this end. https://ua.news/en/all-news/es-dozvoliv-ukrayini-kupuvati-za-kreditni-koshti-kitaiski-komponenti-dlia-droniv
***
Prioriteit?
Aangespoord door de steun uit Brussel en Den Haag gaat Destinus, met onder andere een vestiging in Hengelo, samen met andere Europese militaire bedrijven een raketschild ontwikkelen. Daartoe werd di. in Parijs een intentieverklaring getekend.
https://www.1twente.nl/artikel/6233803/defensiebedrijf-destinus-uit-hengelo-gaat-met-europese-bedrijven-raketschild-ontwikkelen
***
Russian
civil military conglomerate Rostec said its
net profit fell 42% in 2026 despite higher revenue, underscoring financial pressure on one of the Kremlin's key military groups as the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions continue to reshape the economy.
July 15
***
Den Haag bood
excuses aan voor historische wandaden in Indonesië, maar geen
juridische. Auteur Vermeulen stelt in 'Masdoelhak en Adriana...' dat
dit koloniale restant moet worden opgeruimd wil Nederland komen tot
'n gelijkwaardige relatie met Indonesië.
https://historiek.net/masdoelhak-nasoetion-moord-indonesie/184552/
***
US
Africa Command plans to set up a new training and technology testing
center in Morocco over the next few years that officials said will
help African military partners combat terrorism, including through
the use of drones and emerging systems.
https://defensescoop.com/2026/07/14/africom-morocco-amtec-tech-experimentation-center-counterterrorism
***
Retweet @CentreDelas:
(Translated from Catalan) The Stop Trade in
Arms with Israel Campaign has reported today, at the Congress of
Deputies, that two years after the registration of the bill to reform
the Law on the control of arms trade, it continues to be unapproved
and the deadline for amendments remains open. #SeAgotaElTiempo
***
Retweet @marineschepen:
Nederlands-Britse samenwerking voor verbeterd
laserwapen. Interview met experts van TNO en MBDA UK over de
laserplannen. Meer:
https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Nederlands-Britse-samenwerking-voor-verbeterd-laserwapen-140726.html
July 14
***
Nederlands MoD
heeft recent rapporten van inlichtingenofficieren gevonden met daarin
bijna 30 vermeende schendingen van 't humanitair oorlogsrecht door
bondgenoten in Afghanistan. Voor zover bekend heeft het deze nooit
onderzocht.
- https://archive.ph/ypZRR#selection-1215.3-5269.387
- https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/brieven_regering/detail?id=2026Z14227&did=2026D31906
***
The US
loosened export controls on the United Arab Emirates on Friday,
making it easier to export Nvidia AI chips, military equipment,
commercial satellites and spacecraft in a boost to relations between
the two controversial allies.
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-makes-it-easier-export-certain-military-items-ai-chips-commercial-satellites-2026-07-10/
US
Enhanced Favorable Treatment for the United Arab Emirates Under the
Export Administration Regulations
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/14/2026-14132/enhanced-favorable-treatment-for-the-united-arab-emirates-under-the-export-administration
UAE welcomes the US government's decision to upgrade its
classification to Category A:5 under the US export control system,
describing the move as a reflection of the longstanding trust and
strategic partnership between the two countries.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/uae-welcomes-us-upgrade-export-control-status
***
Next in Turkish
S-400/F-35 saga
Turkey consulted Russia on the possibility to sell 2nd-hand the controversial S-400 air defence system it purchased from Moscow—the decision that got Ankara banished from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
Turkish media reporting claims that the system will be sold to a Gulf state, likely Qatar or the United Arab Emirates, if Russia gives the transfer a green light. https://aviationweek.com/defense/missile-defense-weapons/turkey-talks-russia-over-s-400-transfer
***
Gerechtelijke
procedure om levering van F-35 onderdelen aan Israël te leveren
duurt al 3 jaar. Daar komt - al is een vertragingstactiek van de
Staat gestopt - nog zeker 'n halfjaar bij. Intussen gaat de genocide
in Israël door en is Nederland medeplichtig.
https://rightsforum.org/rechter-steekt-stokje-voor-verdere-vertraging-f-35-rechtszaak/
A
Belgian peace activist on how civil society used research, public
pressure and the courts to stop military shipments through Antwerp.
https://www.opendemocracy.net/how-belgian-campaigners-forced-a-de-facto-arms-embargo-on-israel/
***
Damen
has signed a procurement contract with Norwegian Libra-Plast for the
delivery of all watertight, weathertight and gastight doors and
hatches for the Clombian warship it builds. A Damen SIGMA frigate
will be built by shipyard of COTECMAR in Cartagena.
https://euro-sd.com/2026/07/news/sea/52279/damen-naval-contracts-libra-plast-for-pes-project/
July 13
***
The war in
Ukraine has spurred the EU military position , but not everybody is
convinced that a massive spending increase is the right fix.
@letysedou of @_ENAAT said it is: “a race to do more without really
taking the necessary time to reflect”. https://www.euractiv.com/news/eu-budget-can-europe-buy-security-without-losing-its-identity/
***
To intervene where?
Damen Shipyards will design a new class of amphibious transport ships under a £2.4 billion ($3.2 billion) joint UK-Netherlands contract.
Each vessel will be 160 meters long, and both countries will operate four ships each.
https://www.briefs.co/news/damen-secures-3-2b-deal-to-design-joint-anglo-dutch-amphibious-ships/
***
Enemies
who kill are wrong!
Allies (with money) who enable large scale killings are friends?
Urge in UK to support an arms embargo
on the UAE, which has been exporting military equipment to Sudan for
use in atrocities by the Sudanese RSF.
https://hastingsonlinetimes.co.uk/hot-topics/campaigns/dollimore-challenged-over-uk-complicity-in-sudan-genocide
July 1
***
UK Export
Finance has fired the largest single shot in its century-long
history, setting aside £50 bn to bankroll British defence exports at
a moment when the world is rearming faster than at any time since the
Cold War.
https://bmmagazine.co.uk/get-funded/ukef-50bn-defence-export-fund-british-defence-industry/
See also: https://x.com/declassifiedUK/status/2071964941049819352
***
The villains from
Tel Aviv
https://www.btselem.org/video/20260629_unshielded_childhood_palestinian_children_and_teenagers_killed_by_israel_in_the_west_bank_in_2025
Tempo waarin minderjarige Palestijnen worden gedood door Israël op de Westelijke Jordaanoever was sinds het begin v.d Israëlische bezetting in '67 niet zo hoog, stelt mensenrechtenorganisatie B'Tselem. https://nos.nl/artikel/2620907-mensenrechtenorganisatie-meer-dode-minderjarigen-door-schietbeleid-israel
***
The US Army
should treat drones like ammo, one officer said, estimating a brigade
needs between 1,000 to 1,500 drones per week in sustained combat
operations.
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2026/06/26/101st-soldiers-use-drones-to-drop-grappling-hooks-breach-razor-wire/
With over 30 active brigades that can involve a large amount of production, rubish and waste!
***
To continue
spreading mayhem US Special Forces Command (SOCOM) "is seeking a
long-range kamikaze drone."
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/06/30/socom-is-seeking-a-long-range-kamikaze-drone/
***
If you've missed this
opinion before
“Security for Whom?”. Civil society organisations from across the spectrum urge EU decision-makers to reject the military budget surge and invest in human security instead. https://centredelas.org/premsa/seguretat-per-a-qui-organitzacions-de-la-societat-civil-de-tot-lespectre-politic-insten-els-responsables-politics-de-la-ue-a-rebutjar-laugment-del-pressupost-militar-i-a-invertir-en/
***
Colombo does
not need the Kfir — it needs Israel. The expenditure makes little
sense as procurement. It makes a great deal of sense as the
maintenance of a relationship.
https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/colombo-does-not-need-kfir-it-needs-israel
***
Washington
is subsidizing Israel's booming global arms trade. Even as
frustrations mount over Israeli military campaigns across the Middle
East, governments keep buying weapons from Israel — making it one
of the world's largest arms exporters.
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/israel-arms-exports/
--
Israel
is on tap to sell Spyder air defence systems to Romania for +/- €2
bn according to a June 28 Rafael Advanced Defense Sys announcement.
Deal includes the supply of launchers, interceptors, radar systems, training programs and logistical support.
***
The controversial US company
Palantir supplies crucial software to intell services & armed and
police forces in Europe. European governments are growing nervous
about the firm. Meanwhile, European investors have scaled up their
investment in the company.
https://www.ftm.eu/articles/podcast-investors-ramp-up-investment-palantir
