Edited By The International
Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Copyright 2023
Latest
on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
August 31
***
“Wij hebben
geen militairen nodig, maar een leger onderwijzers”: 500 inwoners
van het Belgische Sint-Gillis voeren actie na 4 schietpartijen in 48
uur.
https://www.hln.be/brussel/wij-hebben-geen-militairen-nodig-maar-een-leger-onderwijzers-500-inwoners-voeren-actie-na-4-schietpartijen-in-48-uur~a7b5c293/
***
Uzbekistan
has confirmed that it has become the 2nd country to operate China’s
J-10CE fighter, a potentially significant inroad into a Central Asian
military market long dominated by Russian warplanes.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3365756/uzbekistan-confirmed-second-country-buy-chinas-j-10ce-fighter
***
Finland’s
opposition parties have criticised the government after Yle
reported that Finland and Israel signed a 10-year memorandum on
defence materiel cooperation during the genocidal war on Gaza without
a public announcement from the Ministry of Defence.
https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/politics/29209-opposition-condemns-finland-s-secretive-10-year-israel-defence-pact-as-a-historic-shame.html
August 29
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Russia’s
longstanding dominance of the Central Asian arms market is coming
under increasing Chinese pressure as former Soviet republics
diversify their military arsenals & seek to reduce their
dependence on Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
https://caliber.az/en/post/analysts-china-erodes-russia-s-dominance-of-central-asia-s-arms-market
***
Telling the
story of EU border militarization is report on the European Union’s
external borders which are rapidly becoming more expansive and more
dangerous. The report mentions in a structured way the problems and
the solutions.
https://www.tni.org/en/publication/telling-the-story-of-eu-border-externalisation
August 28
***
Nigeria Seeks
Technology Transfer in Emerging Turkish Defence Partnership. The
Defence Industries Association of Nigeria is pressing for local
manufacturing integration as Abuja deepens military procurement ties
with Turkey.
https://streamlinefeed.co.ke/news/nigeria-seeks-technology-transfer-in-turkish-defence-partnership
***
When?
While booze became a symbolic battle cry for sovereignty in the escalating and damaging Canada-US trade war, there is one commodity Canada is unwilling to disrupt (a major US stronghold): arms exports. https://www.nationalobserver.com/2026/08/27/opinion/canada-trade-war-tariffs-arms-sales
***
On Norway’s
Oslo fjord, activists battle Chemring Nobel’s plan for Europe’s
biggest explosives plant.
https://euobserver.com/233198/on-norways-oslo-fjord-activists-battle-chemring-nobels-plan-for-europes-biggest-explosives-plant/
***
Guns and
growth: can Europe’s defence push help drive re-industrialisation?
The answer to that question is negative according to an analysis in
FDi Intelligence (Financial Times).
https://www.fdiintelligence.com/content/55d88689-b952-4b4e-8bc9-b08cec23c304
Some
are assured on the positive result of this spending spree:
Defence spending by the EU’s members reached €418 bn in 2025, a 20% increase on t2024, and is expected to rise to €454 billion in 2026. That represents a 75% increase since 2021. https://europeanbusinessmagazine.com/europes-defence-boom/
***
52% Van de
Nederlanders vindt dat export van wapens naar Israël beëindigd moet
worden (12% oneens). Nederland levert via de VS, nog altijd
onderdelen voor F-35.
48% Vindt dat de import van wapens uit Israël beëindigd moet worden (13% oneens). https://persportaal.anp.nl/artikel/709f12cc-87c1-48b7-b4e0-4889c11e7236/peiling-laat-zien-brede-steun-voor-maatregelen-tegen-isral
***
't Vlaamse
wapenhandeldecreet is goedgekeurd, maar de strijd nog niet gestreden.
Organisaties blijven druk uitoefenen op de Vlaamse regering. 't
Decreet moet worden herzien en vervangen door wetgeving die in
overeenstemming is met internationale afspraken.
https://www.dewereldmorgen.be/artikel/2026/08/27/einde-pacifistische-traditie-vlaamse-regering-zendt-wapens-naar-israel
***
Defeating the
Donroe Doctrine: Latin America can resist US’s gunboat policy.
Performative violence (executions without trial at sea) overshadows
how Washington builds its influence: murder as a tool to create
permanent structures of dominance & extraction.
https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/what-is-trump-s-donroe-doctrine
***
Honduras
police water cannon truck deployed against peaceful demonstration
appears to be made by Israeli Kibutz company HOS/Beit Alfa.
https://pbicanada.org/2026/08/27/honduras-police-water-cannon-truck-deployed-against-peaceful-demonstration-appears-to-be-made-by-hos-beit-alfa/
***
The
US Air Force has awarded Boeing a broad contract for the company’s
F-15 fighter jet worth up to $131.2 bn, according to a DoD
announcement
(https://www.war.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4581800/contracts-for-aug-24-2026/).
The contract includes Japan, Israel,
Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Singapore.
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/08/boeing-nabs-whopping-131-billion-f-15-deal/
***
In
a new article, Neta C. Crawford writes that "it is increasingly
clear that the US pursuit of military preeminence directly and
indirectly sacrifices environmental security and is part of the
behavior that risks the survival of everyone on the planet."
https://thebulletin.org/2026/08/the-us-militarys-fatal-stance-on-climate-change/
August 27
***
Dutch navy
plans to equip its fleet with a counter-drone capability based on
interceptor drones from military firm Destinus (HQ Netherlands) to
improve protection of its warships against drone attacks.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/08/25/dutch-navy-to-equip-fleet-with-destinus-c-uas-interceptor-drones/
No attack without defence, the arms race in 4 words.
***
Talks
on Indian participation in FCAS 6th-gen air combat tech are
repeatedly reported in the Asian press, while Paris & French
industry remain discreet. In Delhi it was confirmed that official
approaches to France were made.
What happens behind the scenes? https://meta-defense.fr/en/2026/08/26/rafale-fcas-franco-indian-industrial-cooperation/
August 26
***
For a country
that prides itself on getting a fixed price and sticking to it, the
F-35 saga has been an education in how "fixed" defence
contracts really work. Now Bern just has to count how many it can
afford. fore more see ->
https://migflug.com/afterburner/de/switzerland-first-f35a-main-assembly-2026/
***
Staat
mogelijk voor honderden miljoenen het schip in door fraude via
verzekeraar Atradius.
https://fd.nl/samenleving/1610007/staat-mogelijk-voor-honderden-miljoenen-het-schip-in-door-fraude-via-verzekeraar-atradius
Wat is precies de betrokkenheid van Damen: "Damen was de projectmanager van de zogenoemde ‘retrofit’ van de schepen, die op een Turkse werf werd uitgevoerd."
August 25
***
Lidmaatschap
militair industriële lobby organisatie NIDV is in drie jaar gegroeid
van 200 naar ruim 400 aangesloten bedrijven en kennisinstellingen.
Nederland militatariseert in rap tempo, zo gezegd om "Nederland
en Europa veiliger te maken."
https://web.apsis.one/wve/4ef4cc89-f777-44c3-935c-4fe261c42b3c
***
Europe
depends on Moroccan police, naval patrols and intelligence
cooperation to manage one of its few land borders with Africa, while
Rabat continues to pursue its diplomatic and territorial interests.
https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/morocco-mobilises-hundreds-of-police-and-eight-naval-vessels-ahead-of-possible-mass/el0fwp0
***
Bankrupt Mangalia
shipyard in Romania held its 2nd auction on July 29 with a starting
price of €184 million , but received no bids.
Damen and its subsidiaries are the largest creditors, Damen controls the creditors’ meeting.
https://www.imarinenews.com/37821.html
Pessimism is growing over the outcome of the 3rd auction for
sale en bloc of the entire package of movable and functional
immovable property to the shipbuilding activity of the shipbuilding
plant Romanian Santierul Naval Mangalia.
https://www.informare.it/news/gennews/2026/20261078-Si-attende-asta-x-conferma-interesse-Rheinmetall-MSC-x-Mangaliauk.asp
***
Looking for danger?
Here it is!
The US is planning revisions to US nuclear employment guidance that will emphasize the role of tactical nuclear weapons & limited employment options, while possibly de-emphasizing certain missions for US strategic nukes.
https://www.armscontrol.org/blog/2026-08-24/us-embrace-limited-nuclear-war-new-guidance
***
To defend what?
The butcher of Riyadh MbS came to France to oversee the signing of commercial and military contracts valued at more than $10 billion. https://www.brugnijmegen.nl/agenda/2026/9/4/geweldloos-communiceren-stop-wapenhandel-224188
Oh not only to earn, create stronger bonds with the autocratic power awash in petrodollars.
bad≠bad?
***
Why Dutch
insurers remain on the sidelines as Netherlands pushes military
spending?
It has to do with the militarist
fondness of secrecy & dislike of transparency (thus against
public control. Business lacks info to weight opportunities/risks).
https://live.euronext.com/en/financial-news/why-dutch-insurers-remain-sidelines-netherlands-pushes-defence-spending
Focus: Why Dutch insurers remain on the sidelines as
Netherlands pushes defence spending.
https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/why-dutch-insurers-remain-sidelines-netherlands-pushes-defence-spending-2026-08-24/
***
Patria to
join with Ukraine’s General Cherry to make drones in Finland.
Finnish military company Patria is teaming up with Ukrainian drone
maker General Cherry to jointly develop drones as well as start
production of drones in Finland.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/08/24/patria-to-join-with-ukraines-general-cherry-to-make-drones-in-finland/
***
Stop the Militarisation of UK Universities!
This isn't a call for UK education alone.
It also counts for Dutch schools and universities. Or where else the militarisation enters the institutes to provide (young) people education.
August 5
***
Actievoerders
blokkeren poort van Vliegbasis Volkel: ‘Hier liggen wapens die
nooit hadden mogen bestaan’
Exact 81 minuten duurde de blokkade. https://archive.ph/eHLb3#selection-585.0-593.36
***
Europe
wants ITAR-free weapons. US firms are trying to adjust.
Skepticism surrounding US-European relations has led to a serious push on the continent to move away from buying weapons that are subject to US arms-traffic regulations. https://breakingdefense.com/2026/08/europe-wants-itar-free-weapons-us-firms-are-trying-to-adjust/
August 4
***
Each of the
Royal Netherlands Navy’s new Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigates
will be equipped with a 12-metre-long uncrewed surface vessel (USV).
A so-called FLASH dipping sonar from Thales, which is yet to be
adapted, will be installed on this USV.
https://www.edrmagazine.eu/design-of-uncrewed-vessels-for-new-asw-frigates-gets-underway
***
Leaked
internal documents reviewed by Haaretz reveal extensive negotiations
between Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit and the UAE over advanced
drones, intell and EW systems, highlighting the rapid expansion of
military cooperation between the two.
https://en.safa.news/post/6967/Leaked-Files-Reveal-Israel-UAE-Secret-Arms-Deals
Haaretz:
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2026-08-03/ty-article-magazine/.premium/how-israels-elbit-armed-the-united-arab-emirates/0000019f-c256-d2d0-af9f-faf6c5730000
***
Early
Monday morning, activists blocked access to the ThyssenKrupp Marine
Systems (TKMS) shipyard in Kiel. According to police, around 16
people participated in the action. The protest targeted the company's
arms production and arms exports.
https://youtube.com/shorts/2QYS_-d39sU?si=Wo-2NHBH1jOoynne
August 3
***
Can
S. Korea advocate peace while selling weapons of war?
On South Korean arms export regulations and a proposed amendment to the Foreign Trade Act that would limit defense cooperation with countries in violation of international humanitarian law. https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/english_editorials/1270981.html
August 1
***
Italian
shipyard Fincantieri is pending €600m to acquire 4 maritime drone
and undersea engineering firms. Following the acquisitions,
Fincantieri will employ 1,500 in sub-sea activities in Italy, the
Netherlands, the UK, Norway and UAE, the firm said.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/07/06/thales-to-buy-french-underwater-drone-maker-exail-in-45-billion-deal/
***
Why Japanese
stealth fighters over Australia signal a strategic pivot against
China.
Back-to-back military drills and new logistics arrangements point to shift in US and allied air power, with northern Australia as a key hub.
***
Stop Nukes
Thales has welcomed the UK's investment for its nuclear deterrent submarine programme. Thales also highlights its ongoing partnership in supporting new build nuclear-powered submarines and the performance of submarines already in service.
***
Airbus has been
fined £6.4m in the UK after the company admitted to breaches of
rules designed to stop sensitive military hardware falling into the
wrong hands. Notable, given the pivotal role it plays in Europe’s
military sector.
- https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jul/30/airbus-fined-64m-hmrc-export-technology-breaches
- https://www.wired-gov.net/wg/news.nsf/articles/Aircraft+manufacturer+breached+Strategic+Export+Controls+30072026152000
***
How international
arms export guidelines are implemented is a political choic e to
change it pressure is needed.
Delhi sidestepped Amnesty's allegations that India breached its international obligations by permitting arms-related exports to Israel. https://thewire.in/diplomacy/india-sidesteps-amnesty-israel-allegations-says-export-controls-robust
***
A few years
ago it was reported Damen was planning to deliver an Tank Landing
Vessel to Dakar. The story died.
Now information emerges of relations between both parties, still on civil maritime issues. https://www.presidence.sn/en/actualites/president-bassirou-diomaye-faye-receives-a-delegation-from-damen-shipyards-group
***
Ukraine is a
notorious arms exporter (long before Russia invaded) and is now
establishing a stronger arms export policy to give its military
industry a stronger position.
How do drone and EW manufacturers react. https://censor.net/en/r4016356
***
Military
offensives against terrorists will continue, says defence
headquarters and Nigeria's military Targets local arms production to
improve operational readiness.
https://guardian.ng/news/military-offensives-against-terrorists-will-continue-says-defence-headquarters/
Human rights organisation point to the dangers of this policy, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/400425129_Terrorism_and_Counter-Terrorism_Strategies_in_Nigeria_Balancing_Security_and_Human_Rights
