Edited By The International
Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Copyright 2023
Latest
on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
September 30
***
Hypocritisism in
full light
As host of this month’s BRICS summit, India endorsed some of its strongest language yet on Gaza, but its factories, including state-owned arms makers, continued to supply Israel’s war machine. https://thecradle.co/articles/india-backs-palestine-at-brics-while-arming-israel
***
Putin is counting
the cost of a war without an end
Russia’s defence and national security is expected to swallow up 43% of the state budget next year. The Russian military budget, including arms production, will reach 17.1trn roubles (£154bn) in 2027. https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/putin-cost-war-russia-6v5qsbxkk
***
Allies above
rights?
F-35 supply exception remains
UK restrictions stop short of a arms
embargo. British components continue to enter the international F-35
spare-parts program, an exception defended on the grounds of British
and allied security.
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/uk-blocks-50-more-arms-export-licenses-to--israel---f-35-pro
***
A
computer simulation suggests that a missile-borne system with the
latest light detection and ranging system, or lidar, could detect and
track an F-35 fighter up to 61.5km at night.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3369347/chinese-researchers-say-missile-lidar-model-can-spot-us-f-35-615km
The fighter has a central role in strategies to attack Chinese defence.
September 29
***
Dutch
maritime/naval lobby group Maritime & Offshore NL invites its
members for Europort Istanbul.
https://europortistanbul2026.tet.maritimeoffshore.nl/
Also the place for ties with Turkish naval industry. https://europort.com.tr/visitor-profile/
Here a evaluation of diminishing NL-Turkey Connection: https://envantermedya.com/en/en-the-military-power-of-the-dutch-army-f-35-frigates-and-thales-2026-4/
***
Military sales
enriches Trump family.
The mix of high-profile military contracts & Trump family ties has ignited a sharp debate. Critics question a company tied to the president’s immediate family receiving substantial state and foreign military contracts. https://www.news18.com/opinion/drones-dollars-and-diplomatic-rifts-trump-backed-defence-venture-raises-eyebrows-in-new-delhi-ws-l-10357928.html
***
Western automakers
are chasing a defence spending boom as a way to sell more vehicles
and make use of underemployed factories, though executives say
military work will not make up for slowing car sales and growing
Chinese competition.
An overview ➡️
https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/western-automakers-eye-defence-boost-amid-slowdown/134535441
***
When
the US crosses mentioned lines in Europe (see text), the "US
could also lose access to European military infrastructure and arms
trade, both of which are vital to its ability to project power
globally," the Atlantic Council warns.
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/dispatches/for-better-or-for-worse-natos-future-could-define-trumps-foreign-policy-legacy/
***
EU member states approved 5 priority projects for
joint defence-industrial investment drones, counter-drone tech, air
and seabed defence and eastern flank protection, more cooperation on
defence spending is ecouraged and overlap to be prevented.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/09/28/eu-nails-down-five-defense-priority-areas-to-channel-common-spending/
September
28
***
Cost of
militarisation
Warsaw is ramping up domestic arms
production and signing new defence contracts. Moody’s expects the
deficit to remain at around 7 per cent of GDP and public debt to rise
to 68.9% of GDP by 2027. #Poland
https://en.socportal.info/en/news/poland-has-increased-its-defence-spending-to-53-billion-against-the-backdrop-of-a-record-budget-deficit/
Who will pay the price?
September 27
***
Serhiy Pashynsky, chairman of
the National Association of Defence Industry of Ukraine #NAUDI, was
involved in the misappropriation of seized petroleum products. He
admitted his guilt & agreed to provide incriminating testimony to
the investigation.
https://ua.news/en/ukraine/eksgolova-vaks-poiasnila-chomu-viplati-pashinskogo-pogodili-fondam-povernis-zhivim-ta-spilnota-sternenka
***
The final boat in TKMS's
Dolphin-class submarine programme for the Israeli Navy has arrived.
The project sits inside a long-standing arrangement that has drawn
public criticism over German arms exports and the possibility of
nuclear-capable retrofits.
https://www.ad-hoc-news.de/boerse/news/unternehmensnachrichten/tkms-closes-israel-s-dolphin-line-as-india-canada-and-abu-dhabi-deals/70186659
***
Reus op lemen voeten snijdt zich
in eigen vlees...
-----
In het vijfde jaar sinds de militaire invasie staan de overheidsfinanciën van Rusland steeds verder onder druk.
------
...maar wel met kernwapens in handen.
***
Lawyers prosper on juridically
organising the militarisation of Europe.
https://www.ft.com/content/f58d8c8d-b99c-42c0-bab6-f17d1f2ffc93
BAE recently committed €50mn towards Lakestar and Expeditions, backers of defence start-ups.
Lockheed said it would invest at least $100mn in UK & EU military tech start-ups.
***
MIC
NEDS Matchmaking is
the annual international matchmaking event for the military and
security industry, organised in collaboration with the Dutch industry
lobby group NIDV. This day brings together companies, knowledge
institutes, and universities to explore
collaboration opportunities, whether for the European Defence Fund, the European Defence Industry Programme or global defence projects. https://www.b2match.com/e/neds-matchmaking-2026
***
Switzerland
will vote on the War Materiel Act on November 29. Sunday’s vote
concerns the constitutional limits on Swiss foreign & security
policy. November’s ballot will decide changes to the legislation
governing weapons exports.
- https://eutoday.net/swiss-neutrality-vote-russia-sanctions/
- https://www.vtg.admin.ch/fr/newnsb/KpnrPOW9cpZAvB6IXOekf
***
French Thales
is “quite advanced” in discussions with a number of NATO
countries about using its artificial intelligence-powered
command-and-control system HexaForce, said the company’s vice
president for multi-domain operations, Patrick Moreau.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/09/25/thales-in-quite-advanced-talks-with-nato-countries-on-ai-powered-command-software/
***
Will Portugal
choose as its fighter replacement for another planes as the US F-35?
Is this possible?
Dassault Aviation has signed an
agreement with Portuguese industry as it joins its competitors in
bidding to replace Lisbon’s F-16 fighter fleet.
https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/rafale-enters-portuguese-f-16-replacement-race
***
13 UK
universities held discussions with BAE Systems about suppressing
pro-Palestine protests on their campuses, according to a joint
investigation by Liberty Investigates and Al Jazeera,
published on 24 September. https://thecradle.co/articles-id/40143
***
Parcel Service
China laid hands on Australian F-35A parts (incl cockpit canopy & weapons-bay door) when passing Hong Kong. The components were being transported by UPS on behalf of Lockheed from Australia to the US for inspection and if possible repair... https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/f35-major-setback-china-key-parts-stealth-study
***
How Peter
Thiel is Turning Palantir into a Defence Tech Giant. Thiel turnrd
Palantir into a major military tech company, with AI software now
supporting military operations, government agencies and battlefield
decision-making across several countries.
https://www.analyticsinsight.net/people/how-peter-thiel-is-turning-palantir-into-a-defence-tech-giant
***
Army
awards Palantir $48.1M to modernize ammo management
The tech company has built AI software designed to process data for targeting and decision-making, and now, managing ammo.https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2026/09/24/army-awards-palantir-481m-to-modernize-ammo-management/
September 24
***
The UK
Government’s decision to provide “defensive military support”
as part of Saudi Arabia’s most recent assault on Yemen creates an
imminent danger of direct UK involvement in further atrocities, and
must be immediately reversed.
https://caat.org.uk/news/uk-military-support-for-saudi-arabia-risks-enabling-further-atrocities/
***
French
General Directorate for Armament (DGA) has awarded Airbus
Cybersecurity SAS, the 25-year PARACOM contract to supply advanced
cybersecurity gateways for the networks of the French Ministry of the
Armed Forces and Veterans’ Affairs.
https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-09-airbus-awarded-25-year-cybersecurity-contract-from-the-french-ministry-of-the-armed-forces
September 23
***
Universiteiten en
Defensie versterken samenwerking in onderzoek. Intentieverklaring
verklaart dat universiteiten en Defensie nauwer willen samenwerken
aan onderzoek voor vrede, veiligheid en weerbaarheid (inclusief
afspraken over randvoorwaarden erbij).
https://www.universiteitenvannederland.nl/actueel/nieuws/universiteiten-en-defensie-versterken-samenwerking-in-onderzoek
Volgens de Landelijke Studentenvakbond (LSVb) heeft dit grote
negatieve invloed op de academische vrijheid en onafhankelijk
onderzoek.’
https://www.nationaleonderwijsgids.nl/universiteit/lsvb-bezorgd-over-toenemende-invloed-van-defensie-op-onderzoek-en-onderwijs/
Dutch
MoD has billions of euros of additional funds. Part of that money has
been earmarked for knowledge and innovation. The only question is
where the armed forces will source that knowledge and innovation.
Universities are queuing up for a chunk of it. https://delta.tudelft.nl/en/article/universities-want-to-collaborate-even-more-with-defence
***
Anti-war
campaigners have raised concerns that Plaid Cymru MSs (the Party of
Wales) may have misled constituents who called for the Welsh
Government to withdraw its sponsorship from what critics have dubbed
an “arms fair”.
https://nation.cymru/news/activists-accuse-plaid-cymru-of-deceit-in-arms-fair-row/
***
War
what/who is it good for...
The European Parliament has approved a
package of measures that would allow European Union funding to cover
defense technology testing in Ukraine.
https://thedefensepost.com/2026/09/21/eu-defense-technology-testing-ukraine/
The aim: More and faster weapon procurement.
September
22
***
Heading doesn't
fit. Is it well advised to end the AI arms race, is instead question
answered in the Economist. The magazine stays in the middle. We need
it against authoritarians while its dangers must be taken seriously.
https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/09/17/can-the-ai-arms-race-be-stopped
My take:
https://stopwapenhandel.org/we-need-two-tier-approach-to-control-military-ai/
September
21
***
Nederlands
militaire bondgenoot wil eigenmachtig internationale orde naar zijn
hand zetten.▼
VS regering bereidt sancties voor tegen
't Internationaal Strafhof in Den Haag. De maatregelen zijn al
uitgewerkt en worden naar verwachting binnenkort aangekondigd
https://www.ad.nl/buitenland/regering-trump-bereidt-sancties-voor-tegen-internationaal-strafhof-in-den-haag~aff00088/
September 19
***
Defensie wil
sneller kunnen uitbreiden ondanks zorgen over natuur en paste truc
toe om inspraak niet over het hele pakket aan maatregelen te laten
gaan.
O.a. passages internationaalrechtelijke verplichtingen en de gevolgen voor beschermde natuur ontbraken. https://www.gemeente.nu/ruimte-milieu/defensie-wil-sneller-kunnen-uitbreiden-ondanks-zorgen-over-natuur-en-inspraak/
***
With components
from?
US State Department has cleared the potential sale of F-35's to Saudi Arabia, fulfilling a commitment of President Donald Trump despite security concerns over transferring the highly advanced stealth jet to the Gulf kingdom. https://breakingdefense.com/2026/09/us-clears-24b-f-35-sale-for-saudi-arabia/
***
Thales
has introduced HexaForce, an AI platform for military command and
control to process large amounts of data and provide commanders with
faster insight on the battlefield situation. European technological
independence plays a key role in this.
https://www.techzine.eu/news/applications/144398/thales-launches-european-ai-alternative-to-palantir/
***
Retweet @janbuelinckx:
Regisseur Dandhy Laksono: ‘Wat in
West-Papoea gebeurt, is puur kolonialisme’
https://mo.be/nl/interview/regisseur-dandhy-laksono-het-papoease-volk-verdient-onze-volledige-aandacht
via @mondiaalnieuws
September 17
***
Qatar
reassesses air-defense requirements and German role. Germany’s
State Secretary for Armaments, Innovation and Cyber at the Federal
Ministry of Defense, Jens Plötner, visited Doha on 23/8/2026.
[paywall] https://www.tacticalreport.com/in-depth/64818
***
5 years
ago Australia, the UK, and the US announced AUKUS, a security
partnership to deepen technology and capability-sharing among the
three countries. How its different parts doing?
https://www.ussc.edu.au/what-has-aukus-pillar-ii-achieved-over-5-years
***
Why
was an export license given?
Pakistan’s Damen build naval
ship PNS Hunain (F-273) was involved in a collision with a frontline
Indian Navy destroyer near the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ), part of international waters, Tuesday evening.
https://theprint.in/defence/high-speed-manoeuvre-collision-damaged-ship-what-happened-between-pns-hunain-indian-destroyer/3044973/
Pakistan
Navy vessel collides with Indian warship in Arabian Sea.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-pakistan-vessel-collision-arabian-sea-protest-lodged-september-16-2026/article71471556.ece
What happened on September 15? What kind of vessels
were involved? Was there any damage to the vessels? How did
India and Pakistan react to the incident? What is Article
10 of the 1991 Agreement that India alleged Pakistan violated?
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-is-the-india-pakistan-conflict-at-sea-about-explained/article71485874.ece
September 16
***
Coalition of
legal professionals demands in a letter adressed to the UK Prime
Minister (text:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BG06rgxwnZrHl-mHWDUhEb3kp3xUSz3q/edit)
tougher action against Israel included a comprehensive arms embargo.
https://lawgazette.co.uk/news/coalition
***
Has
Swiss a chance to become part of the enormous EU arms market? What
has it changed in its military equipment export rules to bring this
closer? And is that enough?
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-position/swiss-arms-industry-and-eu-funds/92026683
September 14
***
De
voortvluchtige Nederlandse zakenman Guus Kouwenhoven, die veroordeeld
is voor medeplichtigheid aan oorlogsmisdrijven in Liberia, is dood.
Dat melden Liberiaanse media
https://www.liberianobserver.com/news/guus-kouwenhoven-is-dead/article_b8dc3c65-bdce-4b80-b0cc-0bc085eb0189.html
op basis van een verklaring van zijn familie.
https://nos.nl/artikel/2630727-voortvluchtige-nederlandse-wapenhandelaar-guus-kouwenhoven-84-overleden
***
Russian
war spending hits record $123bm in first half of 2026.
Military-related expenditure accounted for 43.8% of all federal
budget spending during the period
https://thedefensepost.com/2026/09/08/russian-war-spending-123b/
To compare see annual 2025 Military Expenditure figures per country https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_with_highest_military_expenditures
September
13
***
Democracy?
The Intercept has learned that US
Central Command — which oversees military ops in the Near East —
keeps a secret blacklist of journalists who ask to many critical
questions and don't stick to what the Pentagon wants to communicate.
Embedded 2.0
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/pentagon-blacklist
***
How
Russian are Russian arms?
Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute of Military Intel showed samples of foreign parts Russia uses. This includes products from manufacturers in the US, China, Swiss, S. Korea, Taiwan, Germany, Malaysia, India, UK & Belarus https://unn.ua/en/news/the-diu-showed-foreign-components-that-russia-uses-in-weapons-production
September 12
***
The dangers of AI
Anthropic said Thursday it has blocked efforts by bad actors to use its artificial intelligence models for malicious activity such as cyberattacks, surveillance, and research that could have led to biological weapons. https://apnews.com/article/anthropic-ai-threat-bioweapon-russia-00266dca90e4f8853f669648998d3bda
***
Anti-Erdo site
reports
Erdogan’s defence contractor walks free as US abruptly drops NATO corruption case. https://nordicmonitor.com/2025/11/erdogans-defense-contractor-walks-free-as-us-abruptly-drops-nato-corruption-case/
***
he
Netherlands has become the latest country to sign on to buying the
Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning aircraft, the Dutch Defense
Ministry announced Sept. 10.
https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/dutch-join-saab-globaleye-club
Dutch government: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2026/09/11/nederland-tekent-overeenkomst-met-zweden-voor-aanschaf-globaleye
***
A remembrance
for the present. 20 years ago 9 members of the Derry Antiwar
Coalition entered the premises of Raytheon. They, a mixture of
socialists and Irish republicans, caused more than £300,000 worth of
damage, destroying computers and other equipment.
https://www.ontheditch.com/comment-the-raytheon-nine-the-northern-arms-industry-and-the-politics-of-moving-on/
***
More
peace movement urgently needed. End the war fever and the repressive
love for arms. Afd: ‘we will naturally need the appropriate
resources for future repatriation and deportation campaigns, ...
internal security, our stability and national defence.’
https://en.ilsole24ore.com/art/afd-saxony-anhalt-is-arming-itself-but-only-in-the-areas-of-remigration-and-internal-security-AJfO9bAB
September 11
***
"From
Ukraine's "drone wall" to the Taiwan Strait, the
India-Pakistan border & the battlefields of Sudan & the
Sahel, loitering munitions 've quietly become the defining weapon of
contested frontiers."
Text advertises ugly kamikaze drones as if a bouquet. https://loiteringmunitionshub.com/en/content/loitering-munitions-border-kill-zone/
Brief commissie Defensie aan bewindspersoon: Aan minister en staatsseretaris Defensie - Verzoek reactie positionpaper Stop Wapenhandel
paper: https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=2026D39837
Meer papers over Wet
Defensiegereedheid:
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/debat_en_vergadering/commissievergaderingen/details?id=2025A06793
***
The Costs of the Iran War
Will Continue For Decades
By William Hartung. https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhartung/2026/09/05/the-costs-of-the-iran-war-will-continue-for-decades/
September 10
***
Jakarta supports
Moscow
Indonesian army receives Russian Mi-35M attack heli's. They've been extensively combat tested in the Ukrain, and seen an increasingly diverse range of armaments integrated.
Buying them strengthens the Russian military industry. https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/indonesian-army-new-russian-mi35m
***
Military
orders have been a potent weapon for the Modi government to ward off
uncomfortable situations, such as criticism about its record on
democracy, freedom and human rights, and as an inducement to extract
favours. Bart de Wever denies such a link.
https://m.thewire.in/article/diplomacy/belgium-says-it-only-updated-modi-on-choksi-extradition-during-pm-de-wevers-visit/amp
September 9
***
China will
show fighter jets, tankers and helicopters to the Egyptian El Alamein
Airshow.
https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/china-is-bringing-fighter-jets-tankers-and-helicopters-to-africas-most-powerful/stm75rx
***
F-35 costs jump in
latest production lots
Compared to recent contracts, the average flyaway cost of an F-35A & F-35B rose by over 11%, while the price of an F-35C climbed over 8%, according to figures supplied by the F-35 Joint Program Office. https://breakingdefense.com/2026/09/f-35-costs-jump-in-latest-production-lots/
***
Wir machen das,
Völkermord
Rafael, Lower Saxony and Aurelius to develop Volkswagen site in Germany.
The agreement, if completed, would give
Rafael a new production site in Germany, at a Volkswagen location
slated to close.
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/09/rafael-lower-saxony-and-aurelius-to-develop-volkswagen-site-in-germany/
***
Dutch authorities
have no power to stop the transport of military cargo to Israel
aboard ships sailing under the Netherlands' flag when it is neither
exported from nor transits through the Netherlands, Minister
Sjoerdsma answered.
- https://en.apa.az/europe/dutch-authorities-unable-to-stop-ships-carrying-arms-to-israel-under-national-flag-523263
- https://open.overheid.nl/details/b0b20c8c-9ece-45a0-a411-7c4baf7821e2
***
How the UK
approaches export controls, according to the Global Investigations
Review.
https://globalinvestigationsreview.com/guide/the-guide-sanctions/seventh-edition/article/how-the-united-kingdom-approaches-export-controls
***
GKN
Aerospace's UAV Demonstrator with 3D Printed Engine Avoids ITAR
Regulations.
https://3dprint.com/331810/gkn-aerospaces-uav-demonstrator-with-3d-printed-engine-avoids-itar-regulations/amp/
***
EU Introduces
Melt and Pour Traceability Requirement for Steel Imports.
https://info.expeditors.com/newsflash/eu-introduces-melt-and-pour-traceability-requirement-for-steel-imports
***
TSMC
stapt na jaren van twijfel in 2030 toch over op ASML’s meest
geavanceerde High NA-machines.
Ook gaan ASML, TSMC, Samsung en Intel samen grotere fotomaskers ontwikkelen om de kosten voor het maken van chips verder te verlagen. https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1611407/tsmc-schaart-zich-achter-nieuwste-technologie-van-asml
September 6
***
US
Appropriations Committee has discovered a stunning abuse (at the
expense of public health) that the DoD signed a secret interagency
agreement that allows DoD to sap billions of dollars from NIH’s
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
https://www.protectourcare.org/investigation-time-hegseth-secretly-raiding-nih-disease-research-money-to-fund-defense-department-activities/
***
(A bit like Stalin
at the verge of WOII?)
Banana republic purged its military of
more than 80 generals and admirals – about 10 percent of the
military's top officers – who did not agree with the political and
ideological views of Minister of War.
https://thecradle.co/articles/us-military-hunts-leakers-after-reports-expose-interceptor-shortages-amid-iran-war-report
***
Sounds
robust: Main Battle Tank.
Ukrainians know better. Their tanks are difficult to maintain, engorge fuel, are easy targets for drones (when not fitted with an expensive counter system).
They aren't survivable and better kept far from the frontlines. https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/ukrainian-forces-confirm-abrams-not-survivable
September 5
***
More arms solution?
Oped: While Ottawa cannot count anymore on USA it must neither count on Europe as savior.
"Canada has no realistic substitute for US’s security or market." It has to develop its own military & economic capabilities as leverage is said. https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/dont-count-on-europe-to-save-us-canada-ed-fast-and-richard-shimooka-in-the-hub/
***
“15
years in prison – just because he opposes the war”: voices from
Germany call for the release of Bogdan Syrotiuk.
- https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2026/09/05/vvoc-s05.html
- https://www.leftvoice.org/free-bogdan-syrotiuk-defend-a-socialist-imprisoned-for-opposing-imperialist-war/
September 4
***
Estonia’s
defence minister resigns over Ukraine ammo dispute.
https://www.euractiv.com/news/estonias-defence-minister-resigns-after-e70m-ukraine-ammunition-dispute/
***
US
universities get millions to do military research for Israel. The
projects, which often fail to disclose their funding, include efforts
to create surveillance robots and improve missile guidance.
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/israel-military-us-universities/
***
Ukraine’s
recently ousted defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov is teaming up with
Palantir CEO Alex Karp to launch a new defense company. Read More ->
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/09/01/ousted-ukrainian-defense-chief-lands-palantir-ceo-as-first-investor-in-new-venture/
***
Thorben
Peters of Lower Saxony's Left Party said converting the Osnabruck
Vokswagen plant to military production with Israel's Rafael cannot
solve the automotive crisis, warning that public funds must not
support arms ventures while the Gaza war goes on.
https://en.yenisafak.com/world/critics-slam-volkswagen-plan-to-produce-arms-with-israels-rafael-3722719
***
In de
Belegger van 3/9/26 een nieuwe raming van de Rabobank waarin wordt
gesteld dat meer dan de helft van de Nederlandse economische groei
(1,3%) komt uit hogere overheidsuitgaven. Defensie speelt daarin een
belangrijke rol.
https://www.debelegger.nl/post/welke-aandelen-profiteren-%C3%A9cht-nu-defensie-de-nederlandse-economie-stut
***
Recently articles
painted a failing Russian military industry. Not the way to blow fear
into European public. Financial Times & IISS join forces to
correct the picture into one more suitable to NATO discourse:
Don’t write off Russia’s defence industry yet https://archive.ph/sifjO
***
The mighty
pirates of the West:
The Boat Strikes Aren’t Part of a War.
They’re Murder,” Lawfare, August 27
https://lawfaremedia.org/article/the-boat-strikes-aren-t-part-of-a-war.-they-re-murder
Who is the US killing in its war on drug boats | Fault Lines
Documentary, Al Jazeera September 2
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y57CfGFCf3U
And related press releases from
ACLU, https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-demands-end-to-the-trump-administrations-illegal-year-long-boat-strikes-campaign
Amnesty USA, https://www.amnestyusa.org/press-releases/congress-must-stop-murderous-year-long-campaign-of-air-strikes-at-sea/
Human Rights Watch, https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/09/02/united-states-year-of-extrajudicial-killings-at-sea
Taken from https://mailchi.mp/forumarmstrade/weeklypubs_2026_sep3
***
What could be
wrong with military collaboration with an extremist Hindu state?
(https://indiatomorrow.net/2026/08/15/with-44-killed-in-hate-crimes-in-2026-india-set-to-witness-worst-year-of-anti-muslim/)
India and Belgium signed a military
pact covering joint arms production, expanded cooperation on military
training, joint exercises etc.
https://worldview.ranenetwork.com/content/situational-report/2026-09-03/india-belgium-defense-pact-to-expand-joint-arms-production-double-trade-in-five-years
India and Belgium sign 8 military contracts.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/4415713158683488
***
For
decades a web of international agreements kept some of the world’s
most dangerous weapons under control. Today, that web is weakening,
and experts warn the consequences could be severe.
https://hcss.nl/news/asser-institute-tim-sweijs-beyond-traditional-arms-control-law-politics-and-the-future-of-restraint/
Meeting 24/9 15:30 @ the Asser Institute.
September 3
***
Annual
Defense News top 100 of military production:
https://people.defensenews.com/top-100/
Articles on:
Drones, AI, robotics https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2025/09/02/drones-ai-and-robotics-challenge-order-of-top-100-defense-firms/
Investors https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2025/09/02/investors-are-waking-up-to-the-defense-sector/
Military industry
robot boats that launch attack drones https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/07/29/pentagon-puts-out-call-for-robot-boats-that-launch-attack-drones/
***
Morocco boosts
naval surveillance with Dutch unmanned vessels.
The vessels are designed to operate
with a high degree of autonomy and can undertake missions lasting
several days, according to information cited in reports on the deal.
https://middle-east-online.com/en/morocco-boosts-naval-surveillance-dutch-unmanned-vessels
***
CAAT
published a video with an in-depth exploration & explanation of
CAAT's online data browser for UK export licences
(https://caat.org.uk/data/exports-uk/), going through all its various
features & explaining what the data tell and what is missing.
Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dZgOsXrxYI
***
Germany
approved nearly €800 million worth of military equipment exports to
Israel in the first half of 2026. The Economy and Energy Ministry
disclosed the figure in its response to a parliamentary inquiry by
the opposition Left Party.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260902-germany-approves-nearly-930m-in-arms-exports-to-israel-amid-gaza-genocide/
***
Aug.
24 a federal court in New York sentenced Manfred Gruber, a
61-year-old Italian & former commercial director of an Italian
arms company (must be Bignami Spa, sport included bicycles and
shooting)
https://www.wttlonline.com/stories/italian-arms-dealer-sentenced-for-routing-us-ammunition-to-russia,15624)
to 18 months in prison for conspiracy to violate U.S. export laws.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/arms-dealer-sentenced-prison-conspiring-export-american-made-ammunition-used-war
September 1
***
Militair
Maritiem Plein in Den Helder geopend in het Havengebouw bij de
marinebasis De Nieuwe Haven als trefpunt voor verkenning,
samenwerking, innovatie en zakelijke ontmoetingen tussen het
Nederlands bedrijfsleven, kenniscentra, Marine en Kustwacht.
https://maritiemland.nl/nieuws/militair-maritiem-plein-in-den-helder-officieel-geopend/
***
5th European
factory supplying weapons to Ukraine catches fire in a month. Sunday
night, a fire broke out at the WB Electronics plant in the Polish
city of Skarzysko-Kamienna, which produces drones for the Ukrainian
and Polish armies, Onet reported. https://news.am/en/news/1058723
***
Not so long ago the
ties between Sweden and Dutch Damen were blown up. Deflated now.
Sweden signed an order for 4 Naval
Group frigates during a ceremony in Stockholm attended by French
President Emmanuel Macron and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/08/31/sweden-signs-french-warship-order-to-boost-defense/
***
'n Veilige
samenleving ontstaat door op vrede gericht beleid met wapenbeheersing
& diplomatie. De regering voert 'n op oorlog gericht beleid,
zoals naar voren komt in 't voorstel voor de Wet op de
Defensiegereedheid, binnenkort door de 2e Kamer besproken.
https://boeddhistischdagblad.nl/maatschappij/krijgsmacht/968354-stop-wapenhandel-nieuwe-wet-op-de-defensiegereedheid-verregaande-gevolgen-voor-democratie-natuur-en-milieu/
***
Arms exports and
acquisition policy part of EU human and international rights
practise?
No, not to much.
Israel signed $3.5bn arms deal with
Greece, the largest between the two Mediterranean countries.
https://www.thenationalherald.com/greece-and-israel-sign-intergovernmental-agreement-on-achilles-shield/
Israeli military industry is supported
instead.
Hughmm
Finland extends defense agreement with
Israel until 2034. Agreement signed while Israel faces
genocide allegations, public broadcaster reports.
https://www.usmuslims.com/service/amp/finland-extends-defense-agreement-with-israel-until-2034-report-368925h.htm
***
“The Mecca Pact
(Pakistan, Turkey and KSA) should not be viewed simply as an
arms-export agreement. It is much broader, It aims to facilitate
joint investment in defense industries, major defense projects,
technology transfer, local production, research and development,
training, & the integration of complementary capabilities. Over
time this could transform the relationship from a buyer-seller model
into a genuine defence-industrial partnership,” said Ali Bakir,
defence analyst at Qatar University.
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/08/saudi-turkish-pakistani-defense-pact-to-boost-turkish-industry-entire-trilateral-ecosystem/
***
Democratie
en militarisme gaan slecht samen
Over bwapening hebben we het niet meer.
Een enorme stijging van de staatsuitgaven wordt buiten het
openbare debat gehouden. Volksvertegenwoordigers moeten mond houden
en burgers krijgen helemaal niets te horen.
https://sargasso.nl/over-bewapening-hebben-we-het-niet-meer/
