Latest
on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
May 28
***
Into The
Shaddows newsletter informative to read (corruption, arms, control of
journalists, etc.)
https://f7ec0.r.sp1-brevo.net/mk/mr/sh/SMJz09SDriOHUnfnmZCbwguKN2D2/igznmXFzZjPl
***
Who
stops the sheikh instead of courting him for his countries oil.
A UAE-based company recruited Colombian PMCs, trained them at Emirati military facilities, and deployed them to Sudan to support the Rapid Support Forces, according to a HRW. https://www.hrw.org/report/2026/05/25/from-bogota-to-el-fasher/the-uaes-role-in-the-deployment-of-colombian-fighters
May 27
***
Criminal
investigations into arms exports launched in Flanders.
https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/2153496/criminal-investigations-into-arms-exports-launched-in-flanders
***
Damen schermt een
miljardenorder voor Duitse F126-fregatten af om zijn overige
activiteiten te beschermen.
De accountant heeft Damen gewezen op de
risico’s als het niet lukt de order over te dragen aan het Duitse
NVL.
https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1597693/damen-isoleert-vertraagd-duits-fregattenproject-van-rest-onderneming
***
Tackling
Nigerian Islamist insurgency
To counter the rebels’ dream of a new Caliphate, a campaign must offer an alternative: one of a society where grievances can be pursued through courts and taxpayers’ money is invested in public services for citizens. https://www.zammagazine.com/investigations/2099-nigeria-the-dream-of-the-caliphate
May 26
***
Hurry, for the
EU-bargain hunt
Poland is set to finalise the majority of its military procurement contracts under the EU's SAFE loan defence programme this week, as Warsaw rushes to meet a 30 May deadline.
Exactly what the Polish and EU citizens
need.
https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7784/Artykul/3691181,poland-races-to-sign-defence-contracts-before-eu-deadline
***
Human Rights?
Saudi drone production facility will be
developed by SR2Vector, a coop between Utah-based Vector Defense and
Saudi-based SR2 Defense Sys. It will build Vector kamikaze attack
drones, the SKYWASP, capable of hitting targets up to 1500km away.
https://oodaloop.com/briefs/arms-trade/us-saudi-venture-to-build-shahed-drone-clones-in-riyadh/
***
Het
parket heeft in vijftien maanden tijd 41 strafrechtelijke dossiers
geopend voor militaire leveringen die in Vlaanderen tegengehouden
werden. Dat melden De Standaard en De Morgen dinsdag. Het gaat onder
meer om materieel dat naar Israël zou gaan. De Vlaamse overheid
heeft voor het eerst cijfers vrijgegeven over tegengehouden militaire
goederen die vanuit Vlaanderen verhandeld worden of via Vlaanderen
doorgevoerd worden.
https://www.nieuwsblad.be/politiek/vlaanderen-hield-45-miljoen-euro-aan-militair-materieel-tegen/153238317.html
***
An F-35B fighter jet has flight tested the UK SPEAR 3
miniature cruise missile for the first time, according to European
missile house MBDA.
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/05/f-35b-conducts-flight-test-with-british-spear-mini-cruise-missile/
Cruise has a range of 140 km and an Pratt & Whitney engine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPEAR_3
May 25
***
Creditors of
Romania’s Mangalia shipyard intend to sell it with a starting bid
of €168 million. The shipyard is currently in bankruptcy
liquidation. Damen Holding BV is the main creditor of Mangalia
(holding 69.5% of the claims). https://www.imarinenews.com/35414.html
***
Japanese advice to
Trump
For years, the US has been looking for a way to better constrain Beijing. A Japan that can hold the line early in a crisis and help the US fight is an excellent solution.
Writer fears however that US continues
to lambast Japan.
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/japan/japans-point-no-return
***
When racists
take the White House
Colorado Information Analysis Center warned https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28132538-colorado-information-analysis-center-2026-0000860/ that “violent extremists” might perceive “White Supremacy Ideology in ICE Recruitment Materials, Leading to a Potentially Increased Threat Environment.”
Design delays mean deliveries of new
Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigates (ASWFs) for the navies of The
Netherlands and Belgium will start three years later than previously
planned, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence (MoD) has revealed. The
design wasn't stable.
Acknowledging the extent of the slippage in
its latest annual Defence Project Overview (Defensie
Projectenoverzicht: DPO), published on 20 May 2026, p. 68
(https://www.defensie.nl/site/binaries/site-content/collections/documents/2026/05/20/defensie-projectenoverzicht-2026/dpo-rapportage-2026.pdf
) .
May 24
***
Arms control has
died (for now?), power & neglect of international
responsibilities are the norm in Berlin, the major EU-engine.
Elbit signs deal with German submarine
firm TKMS despite the sound and growing calls to boycott
Israeli-linked companies.
https://www.newarab.com/news/elbit-signs-deal-german-submarine-firm-amid-bds-calls
***
For countries
like Germany, waiting times for critical missiles have stretched to
years, exposing the vulnerability of relying entirely on a
transactional superpower. Mark Urban argues that Europe’s strategic
dependence has become its greatest liability.
https://www.thetimes.com/video/originals/article/is-trump-sabotaging-europes-rearmament-dkkf83jq6
***
Japan
is seeking to expand its science & tech effort to benefit
military & the private sectors by boosting
industry-academia-government collaboration. Academics voiced concerns
about the government’s push to link scientific research to military
needs. https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16554433
May 23
***
Rome shifts
course: six Airbus A330 MRTT tanker aircraft, worth around €1.39
billion in total, to bolster the European pillar in NATO.
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/05/21/italy-moves-to-airbus-a330-tankers-in-major-nato-aligned-shift
***
EU package removes
'obstacles' (synonym for 'control'?) for companies seeking to
establish production facilities within EU member states.
It makes the EU defence industry more
efficient & responsive. And! less focused on a global HR &
peace responsibility.
https://www.defencenordic.com/article/view/1228639/defence_industry_gains_fasttrack_permitting_as_brussels_pushes_production_surge
***
Russische
militairen vragen vaak juriduische hulp om 'n gevangenisstraf te
krijgen. Media.zone (https://en.zona.media/article/2026/05/20/awol)
stelt dat slechts 2 op de 10 soldaten een echte veroordeling krijgt,
de rest wordt weer teruggestuurd naar 't front.
https://www.bnr.nl/nieuws/internationaal/10601312/deserteurs-in-rusland-willen-liever-naar-gevangenis-maar-belanden-vaak-terug-aan-het-front
***
The Int.
Traffic in Arms Regulations #ITAR and the Export Administration
Regulations #EAR impose strict controls on how defense and dual-use
technical data may be stored, transmitted and accessed — including
when that data resides in cloud environments.
https://cloudcomplianceauthority.com/itar-ear-cloud-compliance/
***
nepotism and
corruption
The blurring lines between Government
and Personnel Gain in the the country gliding to a Banana Republic.
The Trump family takes what it can get now the US is ruled by
godfather Donald Trump.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/insight/eric-trump-faces-backlash-over-pentagon-deal-and-partisan-tirade/gm-GM16F4CE5
***
Israeli-Moroccan
relations shift the balance of power in the Street of Gibraltar due
to Israeli supplied military items.
Spain is accused of supplying Iran
strategic goods (dual use & military, also described as defence
related:
https://www.meforum.org/mef-observer/spain-shames-europe-by-quietly-arming-iran).
https://www.meforum.org/mef-observer/israel-morocco-partnership-exposes-spains-gibraltar-hypocrisy
***
Defence far from
home: distance 9800 nautical miles.
Dutch frigate De Ruyter in Manilla:
“The mission demonstrates the Netherlands’ ... closer defence
cooperation with partners across the Indo-Pacific, including the
Philippines,” Commander De Wit told.
https://thephilbiznews.com/2026/05/23/dutch-warship-arrives-in-manila-as-maritime-tensions-persist/
***
51
Nations neglected the international arms control regimes, like the
Arms Trade treaty of the EU Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP &
exported military products to Israel. so much governments aren't
giving a damn to the rules they made and undersigned.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2026/5/23/not-just-the-us-india-to-brazil-51-nations-armed-israel-amid-gaza-war
May 22
***
Both European
states and the EU are trying to accelerate and support national
rearmament and military modernisation plans. As part of this, they
are seeking to harness research and innovation from the civilian
sector and increase engagement with
actors...https://www.sipri.org/commentary/topical-backgrounder/2026/growth-dual-use-design-research-europe-export-control-risks-and-challenges
***
War fever
Can Europe scale its defense industry
fast enough, the Parliament Magazine asks copying the words of Trump,
Von der Leyen and Rutte. A call which is against the security of the
European citizens dealing with deteriorating services and price rise.
https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article/can-europe-scale-defense-industry
***
Italian
authorities detain three India-to-Israel shipments of suspected
military-grade steel after activist tracking, with additional cargo
rerouted.
https://www.telesurenglish.net/italiaport-halt-israel-bound-steel-india/
***
Article examines the
role of the Military-Security-Technology-Industrial Complex in the
hegemonic rise of militarism globally, unprecedented levels of
military spending. It argues for a shift from militarised security
narratives to a focus on corporate accountability and everyday
security needs, such as housing, jobs, and healthcare and emphasizes
the importance of cross-movement solidarity—linking digital rights,
migrant justice, climate activism, and anti-militarization campaigns.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14747731.2026.2652702
***
When the Court is
on the side of the ruling autocrat
Turkish court rules to remove
leadership of main opposition party.
Court ruling removes current CHP leader
Ozgur Ozel and reinstates former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkish-court-rules-remove-leadership-main-opposition-party
***
Kamikaze war naval
drones
Turkey to buy 100 one-way explosive naval drones for swarm attacks. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/05/21/turkey-to-buy-100-one-way-explosive-naval-drones-for-swarm-attacks/
***
We'll see
Italy is considering backing out of a second EU-supported boost to defence spending, taking to about €27 billion the amount of rearmament cash it could forego as it focuses on tackling soaring energy costs. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/05/20/italy-rethinks-eu-defense-financing-aid-as-arms-spending-falls-out-of-fashion/
***
Not reassuring
What is the aim of armed forces buying arms and military tech from a defence industry involved in genocide and the violation of international law?
Czech Republic announces purchase of 4 SPYDER AiO air-defence systems from Israel. https://meta-defense.fr/en/2026/05/21/czech-republic-spyder-aio-4/
***
Secret arrest
mission by Dutch Naval SOF and special units of police cancelled,
according to public broadcaster NOS. #Bolle_Jos
'Nederland blies arrestatie Jos
Leijdekkers in Afrika op laatste moment af'
https://nos.nl/artikel/2615213-nederland-blies-arrestatie-jos-leijdekkers-in-afrika-op-laatste-moment-af
***
Israel's
arms exports hit record highs as international demand grows despite
public boycotts and words of worry by politicians.
https://www.aurora-israel.co.il/en/Israel%27s-arms-exports-break-records-and-international-demand-grows-despite-public-boycotts/
***
Retweet
@_ENAAT: The government will reportedly buy a 40% stake in tank-maker
KNDS when it goes public later this year." Current ownership
"which plans to go public sometime this summer, is split between
the French government and a German family-holding."
https://www.euractiv.com/news/germany-eyes-40-stake-in-franco-german-tank-manufacturer-knds/
Will KNDS stay officially listed in the
Netherlands (as letter box firm)?
German 40% stake will match
the size of France's stake in the maker of the Leopard tank. Berlin &
Paris would be expected to reduce their stakes to 30% over the next
2-3 years, but both would hold equal voting rights regardless of the
size of each stake.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/germany-to-match-france-with-40-knds-stake-in-frankfurt-ipo/ar-AA23GK8p?ocid=finance-verthp-feeds
May 20
***
The
country is under a notorious ruler
Amnesty: Indonesian authorities, incl.
TNI, used online disinformation campaigns to brand activists &
journalists as "foreign agents", silence dissent, sometimes
leading to physical threats.
https://www.thestandard.com.hk/world/article/332393/
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/05/indonesia-military-silences-dissent-disinformation-campaigns-branding-activists-journalists-foreign-agents/
The Reformasi came to an end, the arms trade continues. So it
did for decades.
Thales Delivers First Two GM403 Radars To Indonesia. https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/news-centre/press-releases/thales-delivers-first-two-gm403-radars-indonesia
The Indonesian Navy has begun preparations ops aboard the ex-Italian aircraft carrier Garibaldi. https://www.tiktok.com/@ceritegubuk/video/7635678120669941012
May 19
***
For long US
industrial strength benefited Washington. But the system that once
anchored partner access to US arms = now an obstacle in a world of
fast tech development. The arms export system designed to protect US
military superiority now risks ceding it.
https://warontherocks.com/cogs-of-war/regulatory-friendly-fire-how-itar-undermines-the-alliance-it-was-built-to-protect/
“Commercial
technology now outpaces defence research. Software-centric weapons
iterate in weeks-long cycles. By contrast, export licenses take
months.”
***
Last year,
Jordan partially refused to allow a Swiss delegation to inspect
weapons exported from Switzerland. This is revealed in a report by
the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, which was reported by
Swiss radio and television on Tuesday.
https://www.bluewin.ch/en/news/jordan-partially-denies-switzerland-arms-control-3240437.html
***
A one way
policy #F35?
Norway’s Naval Strike Missiles export to Malaysia was halted by the presence of a US-made gyroscope component component meant only for US’s closest partners. The missiles are developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/804125
***
European arms
export policy shelved on Israel
An EU-wide arms embargo is unrealistic;
decisions about the arms trade are considered the domain of
individual member states, and Germany nor the Czech Republic would
follow Spain’s example in this area.
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/eu-settler-sanctions/
***
Autocrats get
position in Italian industry said to defend the democracy. CMD is
financially supported (See e.g.
https://www.cmdengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/CMD2021-Annual-report-En.pdf)
UAE defense giant EDGE to acquire
‘controlling’ stake in Italian engine maker CMD.
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/05/uae-defense-giant-edge-to-acquire-controlling-stake-in-italian-engine-maker/
***
De
centrale rol van de drones in oorlog (in Oekraïne) omstandig
uitgelegd.
https://www.meta-defense.fr/nl/2026/05/18/ukraine-drones-remplacent-snipers/
May 18
***
Most expensive
weapon program ever
beaten by an alliance of water and oxygen:
Corrosion is emerging as a growing
concern for the UK fleet of Lockheed F-35's, harming aircraft
availability, senior defence officials have revealed.
https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/corrosion-issues-harming-uk-f-35-mission-rates
***
Zowel
vanuit sociaal als vanuit antimilitaristisch oogpunt zijn de
aangekondigde acties van de vakbonden tegen de regeringsplannen rond
groeiende militaire uitgaven & bezuinigingen op sociale uitgaven
daarom van groot belang. Deze plannen moeten van tafel.
https://www.globalinfo.nl/achtergrond/gewapende-bezuinigingen/
May 17
***
While the value of
arms production for economy and jobs is uncritically overstated this
article a welcome nuance to the military industrial bravado coming
from New Delhi.
The Limits of Indigenisation behind
India and Germany Submarines Deal.
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/the-limits-of-indigenisation-behind-india-germany-submarines-deal/
***
Almost 200
former senior Canadian diplomats are calling on Prime Minister Mark
Carney to impose "robust" sanctions on Israel over
deteriorating conditions in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/former-senior-canadian-diplomats-urge-140100864.html
***
Newly built T-72B3M
tanks with anti-drone protection have been spotted in Libya,
highlighting continued Russian arms exports despite battlefield
losses in Ukraine.
Why is Russia exporting scarce military equipment? https://en.defence-ua.com/news/libya_receives_russian_tanks_with_ukraine_war_drone_defenses-18504.html
***
By reviving
negotiations over the SAMP/T with Italy, Turkey arms a bomb against
European cohesion. Article on the geopolitical EU-mess surrounding
relations between Ankara, Athens and close allies, respectively Rome
and Paris, connected to a missile sale.
https://meta-defense.fr/en/2026/05/15/turkey-samp-t-negotiations-european-cohesion/
***
Column:
EU-Commissie meent zich met veiligheid bezig te houden door invoering
van 'n defensie-omnibus, geschreven na raadpleging van de
wapenindustrie om hun wensen te inventariseren, zoals het verminderen
van de controle op export van militaire goederen.
https://www.solidariteit.nl/commentaren/2026/com-564_meer-wapens-minder-veiligheid-europa-breekt-bescherming-af.html
‘Riskant’:
soepelere regels voor Vlaamse wapenhandel doen allarmbellen afgaan.
Amnesty International en onderzoeksinstituut IPIS slaan alarm. Ze
vrezen dat het toezicht op de Vlaamse wapenhandel wordt uitgehold.
‘Dit is een riskante toestand.’
https://www.demorgen.be/snelnieuws/riskant-soepelere-regels-voor-vlaamse-wapenhandel-doen-allarmbellen-afgaan~b8f63bd6/
***
Hamburg protest
allowed to continue.
Organizers of the protest said the location in Hamburg was intentionally chosen to highlight the historical “continuities,” including Germany’s support for Israel and arms exports passing through Hamburg. https://worldisraelnews.com/german-courts-allow-anti-israel-protest-camp-at-holocaust-deportation-site-in-hamburg/amp/
***
Tata
Electronics and Dutch chip equipment major ASML signed an agreement
to boost India’s semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem as PM Modi
and his Dutch counterpart Jetten held talks on enhancing cooperation
in areas ranging from trade to tech.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tata-electronics-asml-ink-pact-to-boost-semiconductor-manufacturing-in-india-101778985707885-amp.html
May 14
***
EU provides
financial tailwind for militarisation
Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania ready to spend around €12.2 billion from the EU’s Security Action for Europe #SAFE low-cost loans on new weapons, equipment and ammo, with first contracts soon to be signed. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/05/13/baltic-nations-ponder-biggest-bang-for-their-bucks-in-14-billion-arms-spending-spree/
***
IJveren voor het
stoppen van wapenleveranties naar conflictgebieden is zo dom nog
niet.
Conflict en geweld jagen nu meer mensen op de vlucht dan natuurrampen. https://www.mo.be/nieuws/conflict-en-geweld-jagen-nu-meer-mensen-op-de-vlucht-dan-natuurrampen
***
Ja zulke wapens
Al eeuwen grijpen vrouwen wereldwijd naar naald en draad. Gebreide mutsen als teken van verzet, breiwerk dat een inlichtingenrapport was, doeken als getuigenissen van oorlogsmisdaden, om te vertellen wat de kranten niet mogen schrijven,... https://www.mo.be/reportage/de-naald-als-wapen
***
Why is the US
Silent about a Deadly Massacre in the Philippines?
In April, the Philippine military reportedly massacred 19 people, including journalists, activists, and some US citizens. https://inkstickmedia.com/why-is-the-us-silent-about-a-deadly-massacre-in-the-philippines/
***
Belgium and Turkey
MoD's, plus Presidency of Turkey's Defence industry signed LoI behind
closed doors.
No further details were given on the
content. But stepping up defence industrial cooperation was earlier
mentioned to aim at. https://www.trtworld.com/article/c346375fa070
/ https://www.trtworld.com/article/afd51721b9b5
Belgian
and Turkish defence companies met in Ankara on Wednesday during
Belgium’s economic mission to Turkey, highlighting efforts to
strengthen long-term partnerships in the sector.
https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/2135095/belgium-wants-to-deepen-cooperation-with-turkey-on-defence
***
Indonesia
could become the first international customer for Baykar’s
Kizilelma autonomous combat aircraft. (The company is also the
producer of the notorious Bayraktar drone.)
https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/indonesia-signs-acquire-baykars-kizilelma-ucav
***
The
cooperation we need
A Quaker researcher has helped expose an illegal arms shipment from the UK to Israel, which has been seized by Belgian authorities and is now the subject of a criminal investigation. https://www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-events/news/quaker-research-helps-trigger-seizure-of-uk-arms-bound-for-israel
***
Ukraine is
trying to use the momentum of the Iran war & the escalation in
the Middle East as a window of opportunity to strengthen its
geopolitical role, change from a recipient of arms to become an
exporter to the M. East, Persian Gulf, Europe & Caucasus.
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/04/28/ukraine-says-it-will-open-arms-exports-with-drone-deals-but-not-to-all-countries
***
More nuclear energy
at sea:
The Navy's Trump-class battleship will
be nuclear-powered, according to the service's new 30-year
shipbuilding plan
(https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/28112692/navy-shipbuilding-plan-may-2026.pdf),
signaling a significant about-face on the developing program's
propulsion system.
https://insidedefense.com/story-of-the-week/227325
From the report⬇️:
(Advisable do also a quick review of the Neptune Papers III published by GreenPeace 1989 https://www.nuclearinfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Neptune_papers_Naval_Accidents_1945_1988_William_Arkin_June_1989.pdf to give some worrying context to this development. )
***
It is telling that
Russia, at its time of need, must rely on a country as poor and
isolated as North Korea. It is in the end an alliance of desperation,
not inspiration.
But what other choices does Russia
have? Few according to @johnfeffer
https://fpif.org/russia-and-north-korea-an-alliance-of-desperation/
***
In
de nacht van 8 op 9 mei zijn de ruiten van DRS, vastgoed bemiddelaar
tussen wapenbedrijf Thales en Vastint, kapotgeslagen. Thales is
producent van civiele en militaire technologie die zijn Nederlandse
positie in Amsterdam wil concentreren.
https://www.indymedia.nl/node/56615
Meer
info: Een wapenfabriek zoals die van Thales hoort geen plek te
krijgen in onze stad. Laten we Thales daarom het welkom geven dat het
verdient: met demonstraties, directe actie en blokkades om alle
werkzaamheden van het bedrijf te verstoren!
https://www.amsterdamalternative.nl/articles/21894/een-wapenfabriek-niet-in-onze-stad
Thales has risen from 6th to 3rd place as most
attractive Dutch employer (private sector), according to the Randstad
Employer Brand Ranking 2026, Thales reported the messages above show
not all agree.
https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/news-centre/news-brief/netherlands/thales-now-3rd-most-attractive-employer-netherlands
May 13
***
US lifts arms
export restrictions on Ethiopia. They were installed under Biden in
2021 because of human rights violations during
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigray_war
in northern Ethiopia.
https://wazema.substack.com/p/us-lifts-strict-arms-export-restrictions
How many died isn't totally clear, but the number of 600.000! is
often used.
***
US Tomahawk
hits target 390 miles away in land test of mew launch system. It is
meant to target Chinese (ad Russian) area defences (AA/AD).
https://news.usni.org/2026/05/07/u-s-tomahawk-hits-target-390-miles-away-in-land-test-of-new-launch-system
***
Next step:
Turkish Defense Ministry Produces Six Experimental Fighter Engines. No details were provided on the extent of engine testing so far, or whether the engines have been run at sustained high-thrust settings. https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/turkish-defense-ministry-produces-six-experimental-fighter-engines
***
Drones everywhere:
Drones transform warfare but not
strategic outcomes
Rob de Wijk
https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/drones-warfare-strategic-outcomes/
NATO to cultivate counter-drone tech market https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/05/12/nato-to-cultivate-vetted-counter-drone-vendor-pool-for-nations-to-pick-and-choose/
They may even be fantasised: Droneshow;
Panic in European airspace
https://www.human.nl/medialogica/artikelen/medialogica-ontleedt-de-grote-droneshow
drone issue: Russian State funds, drones &
corruption. A former chief executive of a Russian drone company has
been arrested in a major defence-sector fraud case involving the
alleged diversion of state funds ($8mln & $ 12mln) meant for
drone production.
https://the420.in/russia-drone-defence-fraud-yury-kozarenko/
***
Retweet
@HneumannMEP: @hrw
#DualUseRegulation be evaluated in 2026 - these loopholes need to be
fixed! #HumanRights don’t stop at our borders.
https://hrw.org/preview-link/node/393559/ec76d40f-01c0-420e-8b23-37c339978919
1/9
***
Not all see walking the militarist tightrope as a
advisable policy.
25 Civil society organisations warn EU
defence overhaul could weaken arms export controls. Campaigners say
reforms would reduce transparency over military transfers.
https://euractiv.com/news/ngos-warn-eu-defence-overhaul-could-weaken-arms-export-controls/
Thanks!
NGO’s waarschuwen
dat EU defensieplannen controle op wapenexport verzwakken
https://stopwapenhandel.org/ngos-waarschuwen-dat-eu-defensieplannen-controle-op-wapenexport-verzwakken/
Retweet with comment @obsarm:
Read our analysis article on the
subject: Open letter
Members
of Parliament: "Wake up!"
Press release European cooperation Arms industry Transfers / exports
Online: Monday December 8, 2025
Last
modified: SATURDAY February 21, 2026
https://www.obsarm.info/spip.php?article717
Automatically
translated
from French:
Are EU parliamentarians selling off
the fundamentals of transparency & arms control? The EU's
"defence omnibus " package, now under discussion, aims to
give free rein to manufacturers to export military equipment as they
see fit, without any real framework or control.
May 12
***
Breaking
Defense advertises its latest news with: EU gears up to spend
billions more on defense. https://breakingdefense.com/europe/
Articles on rising arms industry sales by Rheinmetall, SAAB, and Leonardo and Poland as 1st nation to sign EU SAFE loans, now on track to receive over $51bn..
***
Laat Vlaanderen
toch maar “kieskeurig” blijven als het om wapenhandel gaat
Opiniestuk van Nils Duquet (directeur
Vlaams Vredesinstituut). Het verscheen op 8 mei 2026 in de krant De
Standaard en online.
https://vlaamsvredesinstituut.eu/nieuwsbericht/opinie-laat-vlaanderen-toch-maar-kieskeurig-blijven-als-het-om-wapenhandel-gaat/
***
Made in
Europe: ICC rejects request to open examination into complicity of
arms traders into Yemen War. The absence of int. accountability
granted a ‘green light’ to all parties, to persist in committing
grave violations that exacerbate human suffering.
https://caat.org.uk/news/made-in-europe-bombed-in-yemen-icc-rejects-request-to-open-examination-into-complicity-of-arms-traders-in-yemen-war/
***
Indian Communist Party on military
production and arms arms sales and imports. "Despite the
rhetoric, India remains the world’s second-largest arms importer
(second only to Ukraine..."
https://cpim.org/make-in-india-owned-by-capital/
May 11
***
ASML CEO
Fouquet: To reverse-engineer anything, you first need to have the
machine. And there is no EUV machine in China — we never shipped
any tools there. All the tools we have shipped, we know where they
are... we track those.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/05/asml-ceo-christophe-fouquet-no-one-is-coming-for-us/
***
***
What Is Behind Turkey’s Pursuit Of An ICBM?
"As it stands, Turkey has developed its strike capabilities primarily to counter its regional rival, Greece, while it has also reportedly used short-range ballistic missiles against Kurdish militants in Iraq in the past. Of course, neither of these threats requires an ICBM."
The missile also seems not to be developed for the export market (the MTCR -regime of which Turkey is part limits this possibility).
"Most likely, therefore, is that Turkey is looking to field the Yildirimhan to extend the reach and firepower of its own conventional deterrent, allowing it to hold at risk targets as far away as Beijing." https://www.twz.com/nuclear/what-is-behind-turkeys-pursuit-of-an-icbm
May 10
***
Op de Loep longlist
van de Ver. van Onderzoeks Journalisten VVOJ:
De Standaard deed onderzoek naar de
invloed die de wapenindustrie en ontdekte dat het
Transparantieregister met alle Europese lobbyactiviteiten, niet zo
transparant is als 't lijkt.
https://www.vvoj.org/2026/05/07/hoe-de-wapenlobby-europa-verovert/
***
In
an OpEd without the words Gaza, human rights, genocide etc. the
author claims stopping arms trade to Israel is ill advised. He states
it is part of "distancing from an unpopular ally."
https://thehill.com/opinion/international/5866360-israel-us-defense-alliance/
Not from an ally in Tel Aviv which killed, maimed, occupied
land and commits violations of Int. Humantarian Law?
Author Barak Sella has a close relation to Israel. See e.g. https://image.jewishinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/07043438/06-07-2024.pdf
***
A “no war”
sentiment has been growing across Japan in recently, written on the
posters at some of the country’s largest protests in at least a
decade. They oppose PM Takaichi’s push to steer the nation away
from its decades-long pacifist identity.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/09/world/asia/japan-antiwar-protests-constitution.html
***
Geef
Tegengas actie tegen de rol van Nederland als doorvoerland: volgens
de groep stroomt via de Rotterdamse haven oorlogsmaterieel naar het
Midden-Oosten, waardoor Nederland medeverantwoordelijk is voor
oorlogsmisdaden en mensenrechtenschendingen.
https://rotterdam.headliner.nl/item/burgemeester-maant-demonstranten-te-vertrekken-rijnmond-116037
May 9
***
Workshops Stop
Wapenhandel
In het kader van de lopende expositie (un(h)armed (25 april - 14 juni) organiseren 'Stop Wapenhandel' en 'Breda en Tilburg voor Vrede' een Arms Trade Research Lab in Clublokaal, in de vorm van twee losse workshops. https://www.explorebreda.com/nl/evenementen/workshops-stop-wapenhandel
***
Enormous arms sale
to Middle East, worth $25.8 bn.
Arming autocrats in a time Pentagon experts warn of a dangerous decline in US arms stockpiles in the wake of regional wars. https://www.avapress.com/en/report/353979/25-8-billion-in-arms-sales-to-middle-east-approved-pentagon-faces-empty-shelves-crisis
***
UK protesters
take aim at Aviva as shareholder meetings face disruption. The group
claims Aviva underwrites or invests in companies profiting from
immigration detention and surveillance, fossil fuel giants and
weapons firms.
https://www.aol.com/news/protesters-aim-aviva-shareholder-meetings-120522820.html
***
Transition
Security Project Report
https://transitionsecurity.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Labor-of-the-US-Military-Industrial-Complex-%E2%80%93-Transition-Security-Project-2.pdf
on the state of the military economy, looks at the longstanding
assumption that Pentagon spending is a good way to develop tech,
create well paying jobs, & serve as an anchor for the US economy.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhartung/2026/04/30/new-report-emphasizes-downsides-of-a-militarized-economy/
***
@mklare1 on
AI during the US war against Iran. US officials said that the
Pentagon relied on an AI-powered data-fusion/decision-support
program, the Maven Smart System, to identify top-priority targets and
help choose the weapons used in attacking them.
https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2026-05/news/ai-plays-major-role-war-iran
***
Rheinmetall is
seeking about € 12 billion from Germany to take over the country's
troubled F126 frigate programme, lifting the total cost of six
warships to roughly 14 billion euros, the Financial Times reported on
Wednesday.
- https://www.bairdmaritime.com/security/naval/naval-ships/rheinmetall-seeks-12b-euros-to-rescue-german-warship-deal
- https://www.ft.com/content/8d9ce2fb-a766-4ded-a6b3-33d822a11b2f
***
Studeren aan
mbo, hbo of uni, dan kun je tegenwoordig het leger in. Steeds meer
instellingen bieden die ruimte. Is dat wel wenselijk?
https://www.destentor.nl/zwolle/tijdens-studie-het-leger-in-is-plots-doodnormaal-fantastisch-toch-als-je-met-f-35s-mag-werken~ae6e6602/
Nee. 't Nieuwe normaal is onwenselijk, mag niet gewoon worden omdat de €€ tegen de plinten kottsen in de krijgsmacht.
***
Brazilian
President Lula told US President Trump on Thursday that his country’s
rare earth reserves are open to investment from China and any other
nation willing to process the minerals on Brazilian soil, resisting
pressure to side with Washington.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3352824/lula-wont-sideline-china-or-anyone-rare-earths-tells-trump-refining-stays-brazil
***
The missing tanks
on Red Square tell a bigger story about Russia’s arms production
“Russia does not want to project
weakness, especially when it has little new equipment to display to
the world and to its own citizens,” political annalist
Majcin said.
https://www.euractiv.com/news/the-missing-tanks-on-red-square-tell-a-bigger-story-about-russias-arms-production/
***
UK
Dep. for Business & Trade has granted 2 new licences - despite
the September 2024 suspension- for the export of military equipment
to Israel, including an £8.7m licence covering “components and
technology for targeting equipment”, CAAT has revealed.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260508-britain-quietly-approves-11-85m-arms-licence-to-israel-despite-gaza-ban
***
The Singapore Straits Times on
one of the larger shifts in global arms production:
S. Korean
military firms no longer have a strategic advantage as Japan lifts
export ban.
https://www.magzter.com/stories/newspaper/The-Straits-Times/S-KOREA-FACING-JAPANESE-COMPETITION-IN-LETHAL-ARMS-EXPORTS-MARKET
May 6
***
Sudan has
accused neighbouring Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of
orchestrating drone strikes on its main airport, describing the
assault as "direct aggression". Ethiopia declared the
accusations baseless. Th UAE didn't react.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clype712r3qo
***
Turkey
unveiled a new ICBM, advancing the country's capabilities. The
Yildirimhan missile
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y%C4%B1ld%C4%B1r%C4%B1mhan
) has a range of 6,000km, meaning it would be able to hit targets
across most of Europe, a large part of Asia and much of Africa.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/05/05/turkey-unveils-6000km-ballistic-missile-at-defence-show/
***
Een steeds weer
terugkerende waarschuwing
De Poolse wetshandhavingsinstanties
bereiden zich nu al voor op een mogelijke toename van de smokkel van
illegale wapens uit Oekraïne na het einde van de oorlog.
https://businessam.be/polen-bereidt-zich-voor-op-mogelijke-toestroom-van-illegale-wapens-uit-oekraine/
***
Archange
heeft mogelijk militaire info gelekt, stelt de Franse
inlichtingendienst. 't Bedrijf was bezig de activiteiten te verleggen
naar wapens & wordt besculdigd van illegale bemiddeling bij de
productie van wapens of handel
erin.
- https://www.trouw.nl/buitenland/le-monde-inlichtingenfirma-lekte-geheime-militaire-informatie~b7707d5a/
- https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/05/04/de-l-elysee-a-la-societe-archange-l-intrigante-nebuleuse-de-militaires-et-d-ex-militaires-suspectes-d-avoir-compromis-des-documents-secret-defense_6685408_3224.html
May 5
***
Dutch
military-tech startup Intelic created a European military drone
marketplace that brings together drone manufacturers from nine
European countries, in a bid to speed up procurement by allowing
militaries to compare various available unmanned systems.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/05/04/dutch-startup-intelic-sets-up-drone-marketplace-for-european-militaries/
***
To fly Boeing
is to fly Apartheid
Israel’s ministerial committee for
acquisitions has approved the purchase of 2 squadrons: a 4th squadron
of F-35I fighters manufactured by Lockheed Martin, and a 2nd squadron
of F-15IA fighters manufactured by Boeing.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2026/05/04/israel-to-buy-more-f-35-and-f-15-warplanes/
***
Blaaskaak
Het Tsjechische CSG ging fors
onderuitgegaan op de Amsterdamse beurs. Het aandeel verloor bijna 20%
en de handel werd tijdelijk stilgelegd. De aanleiding is een kritisch
rapport van journalistiek platform en shortseller Hunterbrook.
https://fd.nl/financiele-markten/1595686/defensiebedrijf-csg-duikt-omlaag-op-damrak-na-rapport-vol-kritiek
#Strnad
Shortseller Hunterbrook viel wapenbedrijf CSG aan,
maar gebruikt volgens critici daarbij vooral oude informatie.
Een kritiekpunt was dat CSG niet
transparant is over doorverkoop van munitie, maar dat zou
gebruikelijk zijn in de sector.
https://fd.nl/financiele-markten/1595895/na-de-aanval-op-wapenbedrijf-csg-ligt-shortseller-hunterbrook-nu-zelf-onder-vuur
***
Aegean NATO-EU
Powder Keg?
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul insisted that arms sold to Turkey must not be used against Greece, as he arrived in Athens on Monday for fraught talks overshadowed by a widening rift between Washington and Berlin. https://www.euractiv.com/news/berlin-draws-red-line-on-turkey-arms-use-during-fraught-athens-talks/
***
Turkey and
Azerbaijan intend to establish an arms production company, that will
produce attack weaponry for Azerbaijan and "most likely export
some of its products abroad.” https://news.am/en/news/23064
***
An unhealthy pie?
Belgian defense minister meeting with
firms lined up for slice of $1.3B counter-drone pie.
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/belgian-defense-minister-meeting-with-firms-lined-up-for-slice-of-1-3b-counter-drone-pie/
***
Are European
automakers driving into the defense market? One expert predicts car
companies will be open to military production “at least as long as
substantial funding remains available — especially from the EU, but
also potentially from private actors.”
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/05/are-european-automakers-driving-into-the-defense-market-analysts-say-to-tap-the-brakes/
***
Next
step
Japan offers Indonesia and the
Philippines lethal muscle to counter China.
Frigate and submarine sales are
reportedly on the cards as Tokyo’s defence minister tours the
region.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3352442/japan-offers-indonesia-and-philippines-lethal-muscle-counter-china
May 4
***
Nikolay
Kolesov, corrupt Russian defence contractor, grilled in Spain as
authorities raid oligarch’s villas.
https://luxherald.com/3029-nikolay-kolesov-corrupt-russian-defence-contractor-grilled-in-spain-as-authorities-raid-oligarchs-villas.html
***
EU
Arms export control is nearly dead
Finland’s parliament has rejected a
citizens’ initiative calling for a ban on arms trade between
Finland and Israel, voting it down by a wide margin.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/skakjxbrwx
May 3
***
The
modernizing the Greek MEKO 200HN Frigates involves Thales Nederland,
which acts as the primary systems provider, responsible for
delivering advanced sensors, combat management systems, and
integrated data networks.
https://raillynews.com/2026/05/greece-frigate-modernization-by-2030/
***
A class of
landing vessels designed by Dutch Damen – 1st built in the UAE &
debuted by the Nigerian Navy (wrong it was #Venezuela MB) – will
become the mainstay of US Marines & Australian amphibious
operations across the Indo-Pacific in the coming decades.
https://news.usni.org/2026/04/29/ship-that-debuted-with-the-nigerian-navy-will-be-key-for-future-u-s-australian-naval-forces
I
wrote on the ships
General:
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2018/01/landingsschepen-deel-10-serie-over.html
Venezuela (Damen Cuba):
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2017/11/eu-imposes-weak-arms-embargo-on.html
Nigeria:
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2019/12/damen-to-help-nigerian-military-to.html
***
Calls grow to ban
Palantir in Australia after manifesto described by UK MP as
‘ramblings of a supervillain’
Spy tech firm says it’s just ‘a
software company’ amid pressure for a ban on new contracts with
government agencies.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/30/palantir-manifesto-australia-government-contracts
***
Who are the main
persons in the Sudan/UAE arms smuggling case?
13 Men have been referred to a Abu
Dhabi court over a multimillion-dollar scheme to illegally procure
military goods for Sudan’s Armed Forces through UAE-based companies
& financial channels.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/04/30/who-are-the-main-individuals-in-uaes-sudan-arms-smuggling-case/
***
Qatar’s
Ministry of Defence withdrew the counter-drone (C-UAS) file from the
standard tender cycle and moved it into a restricted, ministerially
supervised procurement channel, to enroll in direct negotiations with
MARSS Group on its NiDAR Command system.
https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/64429
May 2
***
Netherlands
Submarine Batteries - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and
Insights.
https://www.indexbox.io/store/netherlands-submarine-batteries-market-analysis-forecast-size-trends-and-insights/https://www.indexbox.io/store/netherlands-submarine-batteries-market-analysis-forecast-size-trends-and-insights/
***
Israeli
Rafael has signed a LoI with Volkswagen to acquire the German
automaker's plant in Osnabrück in western Germany to produce Iron
Dome parts, two people familiar with the matter said.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-05-01/ty-article/.premium/israeli-firm-rafael-buys-german-factory-from-volkswagen-for-iron-dome-parts/0000019d-e3c1-d153-a3df-e3efb4730000
Israel isn't that the Apartheid state
committing genocide?
Israeli arms firm Rafael plans to take
over Volkswagen's German plant. Peace activists and the Left Party
condemn the move as cooperation with an Israeli weapons manufacturer
amid a genocide in Gaza.
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-arms-firm-rafael-plans-to-take-over-volkswagen-s-ger
***
China is one
of the most vocal critics of the ‘abuse’ of export controls in
pursuit of national security objectives and of controls that prevent
transfers of tech for peaceful uses. However this doesn't rhyme with
what it is doing itself.
https://www.sipri.org/commentary/topical-backgrounder/2026/chinas-export-control-framework-domestic-developments-and-international-positioning
***
Is this what
NATO calls (https://x.com/NATO/status/2049794210308489235)
arms control?
Strike Weapons Boom In Pentagon Spending Plan
The Trump administration’s first
long-range spending plan raises planned outlays for offensive missile
procurement sevenfold.
https://aviationweek.com/defense/missile-defense-weapons/strike-weapons-boom-pentagon-spending-plan
***
Is European arms
export control a dead letter?
France, Germany, and Greece led EU arms
sales to Israel in 2024, even as pressure now builds for new
sanctions due to ongoing Israeli war crimes.
https://euobserver.com/214004/france-topped-eu-arms-sales-to-israel-while-backing-mini-sanctions/
***
Amphibious
intervention ships Bougainville and Fallujah deliveries are pushed
another year, because of “construction performance indicators and
shipyard labor challenges”.
https://news.usni.org/2026/04/27/amphibs-bougainville-fallujah-deliveries-are-pushed-another-year
(By the way what cynicism to call a naval vessel after a city you've destroyed.)
***
Google is the third
tech giant to sign a Pentagon deal. Is big tech normalising AI for
defence?
Three AI companies sign defence
contracts after Anthropic refuses mass surveillance terms.
https://www.easterneye.biz/google-pentagon-deal-ai-defence-normalisation/
***
Romanian MoD
Miruta said that building diver intervention vessels & patrol
vessels, valued +/- €1bn, would be carried out at the Mangalia 2
Mai yard. The yard is under the administration of Rheinmetall
following the insolvency of Damen Shipyards Mangalia.
https://defence-industry.eu/romania-advances-e8-3-billion-safe-defence-projects/
***
It
is making sick
Dutch military takes more and more nature as
part of the militarisation efforts and burns it down during
exercises.
Are they training scorched-earth tactics?
They
still call it defence and security.
