Latest on top (updated
regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
July
31
***
Turkish
state-owned defense firm ASFAT has received an order for four
unmanned minesweeping equipment to Burkina Faso. “We made our first
defense industry export to the region with the sale of 4 Mechanical
Mine Clearing Vehicle,” the company announced.
https://militaryleak.com/2021/07/29/turkeys-asfat-exports-mematt-mine-clearing-equipments-to-burkina-faso/
***
CAAT
Spokesperson Andrew Smith said: "BAE Systems has a long and
shameful history of arming and supporting human rights abusers and
selling weapons into conflict zones. These sales aren't just numbers
on a spreadsheet, they are potentially deadly."
https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/19476814.bae-systems-lancashire-firms-earnings-top-1billion/
***
The
British MoD has signed a £250m deal with Team Tempest, a group of
companies working on the country’s future combat jet, to provide
digital & physical infrastructure to develop the aircraft. It
also spoke with Japan to cooperate on power and propulsion.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2021/07/29/britain-inks-200-million-contract-with-team-tempest-for-future-fighter-jet/
***
Private
security contractors, often referred to as mercenaries, have made a
poor reputation for themselves throughout the Global War on Terror.
And it turns out the Pentagon isn’t really monitoring whom it’s
hired, or verifying backgrounds and compliance.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/07/30/dod-really-has-no-idea-who-its-hired-to-do-private-security-report-finds/
July 29
***
US Democrat
Senator Murphy calls on the Biden Administration to withhold aid to
Egypt based on Human Rights violations. He wonders: "Why ...
Egypt get showered with $1.3 billion in military aid each year?"
https://foreignaffairs.co.nz/2021/07/29/mil-osi-usa-murphy-calls-on-the-biden-administration-to-withhold-aid-to-egypt-based-on-human-rights-violations/
***
Some United
States lawmakers have halted the planned sale of arms worth $875
million to Nigeria over concerns about the President Muhammadu
Buhari's-led government's human rights record.
https://www.sunnewsonline.com/us-lawmakers-stop-875m-arms-sale-to-nigeria/
***
Somalia and Ireland
will cooperate on Somalia's campaign in the UN Security Council to
completely lift the arms embargo imposed on it on January 23, 1992.
https://www.mfa.gov.so/somalia-and-ireland-discuss-security-support-and-partnership/
***
Spanish
shipbuilder Navantia has contracted Damen Marine Components (DMC) for
a series of rudders and steering gear systems. The equipment is for
five F110 frigates Navantia is constructing for Armada Española –
the Spanish Navy.
https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/news-content-hub/damen-to-supply-rudders-and-steering-gear-for-navantia-built-frigates-66750
***
#NSO Group
affair is latest in Israel’s long history of arming shady regimes
Aversion to arming human rights violators often trumped by political expediency; only new legislation can keep Israeli firms from selling wares to bad actors, activists say https://www.timesofisrael.com/nso-group-affair-is-latest-in-israels-long-history-of-arming-shady-regimes
***
The
British government plans to nationalize specialist steel
components-maker Sheffield Forgemasters in order to protect the
supply chain involving critical defense programs in the nuclear
submarine and other sectors.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/07/28/british-government-to-nationalize-steel-components-maker-in-354-million-deal/
***
President
Biden told US intelligence officials that he thinks a cyber breach
could lead to a “shooting war” with a major global power. I think
it’s more likely we’re going to end up in a war as a consequence
of a cyber breach of great consequence, he said.
https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-warns-cyber-attacks-could-lead-a-real-shooting-war-2021-07-27/
July
28
***
Canada last
year approved a deal involving Canadian business for the sale of
nearly $74m of weapons to Saudi Arabia, even as there were calls for
Canada to stop arms transactions with the Saudis, one of the main
combatants fuelling the war in Yemen.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-canada-approved-brokered-arms-deal-to-sell-74-million-of-explosives-to/
***
Despite Rabat
illegally occupying Western Sahara Raytheon won a $212 million
delivery order external link for Morocco Fighter Aircraft Engines.
The order is for F100-PW-229 install engines.
https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2707824/
***
Verrassend
wapenindustrie vindt wapenexportcontrole te streng: het huidige
restrictieve beleid zorgt voor problemen bij industrie en belemmert
de ambities van het kabinet voor de defensie- en
veiligheidsindustrie.
https://www.nidv.eu/nieuws/gestage-groei-export-veiligheidssector-ondanks-aanhoudend-streng-beleid/
Surprising:
Dutch arms industry considers the arms control policies to tight.
https://www.nidv.eu/nieuws/gestage-groei-export-veiligheidssector-ondanks-aanhoudend-streng-beleid/
***
smoking
guns
How European arms exports are forcing
millions from their homes
https://www.tni.org/files/publication-downloads/smokingguns-report-tni_final.pdf
July 27
***
Thales optimistic for the whole
of 2021, hoping to achieve a turnover of between €17.5-18bn. During
the 1st half of 2021 it had won 7 contracts worth more than €100m,
4 military - like a share of Rafale fighter sales - & security, &
3 in the space field.
https://www.lacorrespondanceeconomique.fr/2020-07-31
***
#Damen & ENGIE Axima Germany
(formerly Noske-Kaeser) have concluded a contract for the design &
supply of the heating, ventilation & air-conditioning systems,
the CBRN protection systems and the refrigeration systems for the
German F126-class frigates.
https://www.damen.com/en/news/2021/07/damen_assigns_responsibility_for_f126_air-conditioning_systems
***
The
Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) is a ground-modernization
effort to replace nearly 3,800 Bradley Fighting Vehicles among the US
Army’s Armored Brigade Combat Teams.
Retweet
@RheinmetallAG: #Rheinmetall’s Optionally Manned
Fighting Vehicle concept down-selected for #USArmy’s program Team
of industry-leading experts to digitally design advanced #OMFV
https://rheinmetall.com/en/rheinmetall_ag/press/news/latest_news/index_26496.php
#defence #army
***
Amendment MEPs Demirel,
@wallacemick: #EDF & the entire “Defence” budget line violate
Art 41.2 TEU that prohibits any funding from EU budget of measures &
operations having military or defence implications. The budget lines
therefore have to be cut to 0.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/AFET-DT-695297_EN.pdf
***
Amendment
MEPs Demirel, @wallacemick: #Frontex is criminalising
migration & militarising EU borders & its management. Serious
human rights violations became institutionalised and accepted...funds
shall be reallocated for tackling root causes of migration.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/AFET-DT-695297_EN.pdf
***
The
Ukrainian Navy has accepted delivery of the first notorious Bayraktar
TB2 drone from Turkish defense company Baykar, according to Ukraine’s
Defence Ministry.
https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2021/07/26/turkey-delivers-first-armed-drone-to-ukraine-much-to-russias-ire/
***
Bolsonaro
government ended 150% tax that Brazilian exporters selling arms to
Central & S American countries had to pay. Tax was imposed in
2001 after it surfaced 1000s of arms exported to neighboring
countries, later came back to Brazil in criminal hands.
https://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/brazil/brazil-eliminates-taxes-on-domestic-arms-exports/
July 26
***
Murphy, Lee,
Sanders statement on #drone strikes in #Somalia: "We need to
reestablish a system of checks and balances ... to make Congress a
part of these decisions about war and peace and put the interests of
the American people front and center,"
https://foreignaffairs.co.nz/2021/07/23/mil-osi-usa-murphy-lee-sanders-statement-on-drone-strikes-in-somalia/
***
Czech
military used the Airbus A-330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport)
from the international fleet, in which the Czech Republic
participates, for transport of its soldiers for the first time this
week, from Pardubice, east Bohemia, to the Baltics.
***
Who will sell
a frigate to Bangladesh? A $2.5 billion program. China, Italy, the
Netherlands and Turkey made the offers that reached the final stage.
One would think security issues in
#Bangladesh aren't met by with expensive naval ships. #rivers
#climate
https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/turkish-shipbuilder-front-runner-in-bangladesh-frigate-program
More
on same: Bangladesh Shortlists Chinese, Dutch, Italian and Turkish
Shipyards for its $2.5B Frigate Project.
https://www.defenseworld.net/news/30097/Bangladesh_Shortlists_Chinese__Dutch__Italian_and_Turkish_Shipyards_for_its__2_5B_Frigate_Project
***
Massive
lay offs at #Damen Shipyards in Romania (Damen Mangalia and Damen
Galaţi shipyards) also involved in building Dutch naval vessels.
https://www.capital.ro/sute-de-angajati-romani-raman-fara-un-loc-de-munca-o-mare-companie-din-romania-da-masiv-oameni-afara.html
July
25
***
How to make
yourself unmissable as weapon producer? Exclusive Interview:
Lockheed’s CEO Wants His Company to Connect All the Pentagon’s
Weapons.
What will this mean for other nations buying arms at Lockheed?https://www.defenseone.com/business/2021/07/exclusive-interview-lockheeds-ceo-wants-his-company-connect-all-pentagons-weapons/183957/
***
Britain has
invested $268 million for another 13 Protector aircraft, Defense
Minister Jeremy Queen announced Thursday during a visit to GKN
Aerospace, a press release stated.
https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2021/07/22/britain-protector-aircraft-deal/2811626972446/
https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/195m-contract-signed-for-13-additional-raf-protectors/
***
Most costly
weapon system ever (#F35) disarmed by weather conditions.
https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2021/07/23/lightning-strike-grounds-2-f-35b-lightning-ii-jets
***
Sarah Roussel
from Amnesty told Euronews: "On one hand you have the minister
of Foreign Affairs calling this a dirty war.
"And on the other hand, France is still exporting military weapons to the two main countries engaged in this conflict.
***
“NSO Group
can no longer hide behind the claim that its spyware is only used to
fight crime, it appears that Pegasus is also the spyware of choice
for those wanting to snoop on foreign governments,” said Amnesty
International’s Secretary General Callamard.
https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19467071.david-pratts-four-corners-foreign-affairs-writer-gives-expert-analysis-insight-france-australia-tunisia-peru
***
Photo
exhibition at #Greenpeace ship “Beluga II” by the award-winning
photographer Nikita Teryosin to show the negative effects of the
German arms export policy. #Teryoshin took photographs at arms fairs
around the world.
https://www.archyworldys.com/greenpeace-sailing-ship-in-wurzburg-protest-against-arms-exports/
July
22
***
Retweet @keesamok:
Middle East Eye has compiled a list of Middle East
and North Africa figures who have either been targeted in the past or
whose numbers are known to have been in the latest Pegasus
surveillance software leaks.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/pegasus-spyware-middle-east-north-africa-names-list-targeted
***
‘Bandits’ shoot down Nigeria
fighter jet; pilot survives.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/19/bandits-shoot-down-nigeria-fighter-jet-pilot-survives
***
#Embargo? During a military
parade that was held in #Libya on May 2021, Libyan armed forces have
unveiled 2 new wheeled armored vehicles that are produced in #Jordan,
the Al-Wahsh (4x4 armored vehicle) & the Al-Mared (8x8 APC,
Armored Personnel Carrier).
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_july_2021_global_security_army_industry/jordanian-made_al-wahsh_and_al-mared_armored_vehicles_in_service_with_libyan_army.html
***
Roads
fall apart, health care is minimal, social welfare almost not
existent, but US Senate members will consider increasing White House
military spending for next year by $25bn as part of this week debate
over annual defence spending. #SecurityForWhom
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2021/07/21/plan-to-boost-bidens-defense-budget-could-see-bipartisan-support/
July
21
Retweet @SIPRIorg The volume of international arms transfers in 2016–20 was 35% lower than the peak reached in 1981–85, at the height of the cold war. Read more in the summary of #SIPRIYearbook 2021 https://sipri.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/sipri_yb21_summary_en_v2_0.pdf
***
Israel
doesn't care whether journalists or activists are targeted. Instead
it says: we do not interfere in the internal affairs of other
countries and they do not interfere in ours, said lawyer Eitay Mack
who's been suing Israeli exports, but to no avail.
https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/pegasus-software-warum-sich-israel-nicht-dafuer-interessiert-wer-ins-visier-der-cyberwaffe-geraet-a-0440e45b-6a8e-48db-9980-30d0aaea9d29
***
Quarrel
on Peninsular. Egypt & Saudi Arabia have been seen in the past
decades as prominent Arab countries. Riyadh the financial & Egypt
its military hub. But in the last decades, the emergence of the UAE
has begun to change that equation. Iranian analysis
https://en.abna24.com/news//analysis-tip-of-iceberg-recent-saudi-emirati-spat-not-easy-to-solve_1161828.html
***
US
Senators Murphy (D-Conn.), Lee (R-Utah), and @BernieSanders (I-Vt.),
on Tuesday introduced bipartisan legislation to reclaim Congress's
critical role in national security matters such as the use of
military force, emergency powers and arms exports.
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-lee-sanders-introduce-sweeping-bipartisan-legislation-to-overhaul-congresss-role-in-national-security
***
Deutsche
Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik (Society for Foreign Policy)
under criticism: It doesn't clearly disclose payments from industry &
apparently forms hidden reserves. The current president, former
Airbus boss Thomas Enders, limited transparency.
https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/plus232569931/Thinktank-mit-Tradition-Verdeckte-Foerderung-in-der-Denkfabrik.html
***
German
KMW recently acquired a significant stake in Estonian Milrem
Robotics, by which KMW hopes to obtain supplementary knowledge on
autonomous military systems while Milrem may be part of the
development of various defence industry projects. Baltic News
Service/BNS, 20/07/21
***
De
lobby voor #onderzeeërs van #Damen in het Noordhollands Dagblad gaat
door. Nu niet in de redactionele kolommen maar met een ingezonden
stuk. "Waarom duurt het zo lang? Nederland profiteert van de
bouw van goede #onderzeeboten."
https://www.noordhollandsdagblad.nl/cnt/dmf20210713_71437261
***
Diplomat
on Malaysian shipbuilding, but looking at PT PAL, a state-owned
shipbuilder in Surabaya, Indonesia. It cooperates with S. Korea
(submarines) & the Netherlands (frigates) not for financial
reasons but to acquire "advanced knowledge and technology."
https://thediplomat.com/2021/07/the-challenge-of-modernizing-a-navy-malaysias-boustead-heavy-industries/
***
The
frigates Dutch Damen wants to sell to Greece are accompanied by a
funding package of 80+% of the contract amount, enabled by the Dutch
State Export Credit Agency, which has extensive experience in
arranging loans in cooperation with commercial banks.
https://www.sofokleousin.gr/i-ollandiki-protasi-gia-tis-fregates-tou-pn
***
Longread
in Haaretz on Israeli cybersurveillance firm NSO, its Pegasus tech
phone infections and the persons targeted. It surpasses encryption
programs like Telegram and Signal.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/tech-news/.premium-nso-s-pegasus-the-israeli-cyber-weapon-used-against-180-journalists-1.10010446
***
A
campaign adviser to former President Donald Trump who also served as
chair of his inaugural committee was arrested Tuesday and accused of
acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government by secretly
lobbying on behalf of the #UAE.
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/20/thomas-barrack-chairman-of-trump-2017-inaugural-fund-arrested-on-federal-charge.html
***
Noise
of F-35 fighter jets is not only a problem in Dutch province
#Friesland. Duane Peterson & Patrick McCormack made a short movie
on the ear-shattering “sound of freedom” & living under a
#F35 flight path, or how weaponry intrudes on everyday life.
https://jetlinefilm.com/
Addition: Dutch Secretary for Defence Visser
said: 'I am aware of the fact that people are disturbed by the noise
of fighters flying over. However, the defence forces must practice
and train so that its personnel and aircraft are ready for its
constitutional tasks.'
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/kamervragen/detail?id=2021Z11172&did=2021D29558
***
Dutch
arms exports lowest since 2002. With 1. US, 2. Pakistan, 3. S. Korea,
4. Indonesia, 5. Germany, 6. Romania as major clients.
Licenses (export and transit) refused
for Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi A., UAE. For more details see:
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/binaries/rijksoverheid/documenten/rapporten/2021/07/12/rapport-over-het-nederlandse-exportcontrolebeleid-in-2020/rapport-over-het-nederlandse-exportcontrolebeleid-in-2020.pdf
July 20
***
It took the
European Commission eight months to give this 'answer'
(https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2020-006257-ASW_EN.pdf)
on the role of Thierry Breton, Commissioner with responsibility for
industry, in establishing the EDF. The Questions were raised November
last year
(https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2020-006257_EN.html).
***
De macht van
president Erdogan is groter dan ooit en met talloze buitenlandse
interventies schendt hij het internationale recht. Volgens
@SadetKarabulut hoort Turkije niet meer thuis in de NAVO en stop met
het leveren van wapentuig. Zie verder.
https://www.nporadio1.nl/nieuws/buitenland/c28ab7eb-bd92-4330-a251-6b74da1dc9af/sadetstop-met-turkije-vol-te-stouwen-met-wapens
***
Italië,
Frankrijk, Duitland en Nederland zijn heus niet de enige landen die
wapens leveren aan het brute regime van Al-Sisi. De zelfverklaarde
politieagent van de wereld uit Washington steunt Egypte al jarenlang
met miljarden aan militaire steun.
https://www.justsecurity.org/77513/bidens-egypt-problem/
***
In 2020
then-candidate Biden called for “no more blank checks” for
al-Sisi; yet in February, the Biden administration approved a $200m
arms sale & the 2022 budget requests $1.3bn in military aid to
Egypt, with no human rights reforms or commitments.
https://www.justsecurity.org/77513/bidens-egypt-problem/
***
Retweet
@SadetKarabulut Dit is hoe de Israëlische
Pegasus-software wordt gebruikt om kritische journalisten de mond te
snoeren. De Marokkaanse journalist Radi wordt ook beschuldigd van
spionage voor Nederland. Dit kan niet zo passeren lijkt mij.
#journalismisnotacrime #freeRadi
https://nos.nl/artikel/2390006-zes-jaar-gevangenisstraf-voor-marokkaanse-journalist-radi
***
A very
personal lifelong view on the Endless War fought by the US by
@mazzarino_a.
Worthwhile to read for several reasons.
It concludes with "Don’t doubt it for a second. War is a cancer on our democracy." https://live-thenation.pantheon.io/article/world/american-endless-wars/
***
Tony Blair’s
defence secretary defended BAe by criticizing the Foreign Office for
delaying the controversial export of Hawks to Indonesia in 1997.
Despite the fact some believed Labour came to power with a new
‘ethical foreign policy’.
https://afegames.com/blairs-defence-secretary-berated-foreign-office-over-delays-to-hawk-jet-exports/
***
UN human
rights experts expressed grave concern for the situation of human
rights defenders in Myanmar & called for coordinated sanctions &
an arms embargo by an ‘emergency coalition of nations’.
But what is needed to get those unwilling aboard too?
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=27323&LangID=E
***
Former South
African president Zuma is accused of pocketing 4m rand (€234,000)
in bribes from French defence giant Thales, which has been charged
with corruption and money laundering. Thales is meanwhile selling its
arms to all Western democracies.
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210718-zuma-graft-trial-to-resume-despite-deadly-s-africa-protests
***
Is #Hungary
acquiring Spike missiles for its 220 Lynx Rheinmetall KF41 APCs?
Other potential use are the 20 H145M helicopters purchased from
Airbus, or the APCs that Hungary plans to produce indigenously, based
on the Artec Boxer APC of Rheinmetall & KMW.
https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/50957
***
What's
happening with the Damen vessels (four patrol vessels and six utility
vessels – plus an interceptor for each vessel) sold to Trinidad and
Tobago after they were delivered?
https://newsday.co.tt/2021/07/19/lyder-queries-new-coast-guard-patrol-boats/
July
19
***
Pegasus, the
spyware program of Israeli company NSO Group, has been used to hack
dozens of smartphones of journalists, human rights activists,
businesspeople, and even of the fiancée of Jamal Khashoggi.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-report-claims-nsos-pegasus-spies-on-journalists-rights-activists-1001378595
***
Once upon a
time the EU was a project for peace. Now: Europe’s fledgling
#Eurodrone program received a boost in the form of a €100m #grant
from the EU, while an official promised a long expected, €7.1bn
production contract will be signed by October.
https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2021/07/16/eurodrone-effort-gets-118m-funding-boost-updated-production-timeline/
***
Western
nations and arms companies are complicit in aiding regimes in the
Middle East to spy on their citizens, speakers at an international
conference shedding light on the human rights implications of the
arms trade, said on Saturday.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/speakers-international-conference-arms-trade-criticise-western-governments-over-hypocrisy
***
Teething
diseases for fighter with a first flight in 2006, that is 15 years
ago.
The number of major F-35 flaws is shrinking, but the Pentagon is keeping details of the problems under wraps (huh?). And the number of minor problems runs into the hundreds. https://www.navytimes.com/smr/hidden-troubles-f35/2021/07/16/the-number-of-major-f-35-flaws-is-shrinking-but-the-pentagon-is-keeping-details-of-the-problems-under-wraps/
July
16
***
hina's
military has overcome numerous techn challenges to chip away at the
US' supremacy in recent years, but continues to be stymied by lagging
domestic innovation and corruption in its defence industry, according
to a RAND US government-financed study.
***
Robot wars
may have started by NATO member. The report by independent experts of
UN panel on Libya arms embargo breaches stated that four-rotor drones
were programmed in autonomous mode to attack convoys and vehicles
without further human intervention.
https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/5/232159/Robot-wars-may-have-started
***
US "Democrat"
argues for larger role of US Special Forces #SOF to counter threats.
The grey covert and poorly controlled and rapidly growing army
already active in dozens of countries globally isn't the the force to
defend democracy. It is a threat itself.
https://news.usni.org/2021/07/15/lawmaker-special-operations-must-adapt-to-gray-zone-conflict
***
Top
US generals planned to resign en masse if Trump refused to leave
office. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff compared President
Donald Trump to Hitler, and his administration to the birth of the
Nazi party. Read More
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/07/15/top-generals-planned-to-resign-en-masse-if-trump-refused-to-leave-office-reports/
July
15
***
‘Pressure
transducers’ are used for a wide range of civil, but also military
applications, from commercial airliners to nuclear submarines. The
specification "for the production of technology" given by
Dutch on a sale to Israel is thus to vague to judge.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-dual-use-vergunningen
***
A image
intensifier tube of € 16,464 isn't the cheapest one. May an export
license was provided for a sale to India "for scientific use."
But optech is an integral part of the military ops on India's
borders. Can such a (in)direct connection be excluded?
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-dual-use-vergunningen
***
Jorge Domecq
took the revolving door from the the European Defence Agency #EDA to
#Airbus. MEP's @TonoEPP, @DolorsMM both (PPE) question this.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2021-001623_EN.html
@JosepBorrellF answers
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2021-001623-ASW_EN.pdf
which can unsurprisingly be summarised: "No big deal at
all."
Addition: For more details on the case, read this
article from @corporateeurope and @Vredesactie.
https://corporateeurope.org/en/2021/05/eu-defence-agency-under-pressure-change-rules-after-airbus-revolving-doors-scandal
***
#Bolivia’s
FA Ministry published evidence on how #Argentina, under President
#Macri, supplied bullets used by the Añez dictatorship to repress
anti-coup protests across the country, including in Sacaba and
Senkata, where numerous protesters were shot dead.
https://kawsachunnews.com/argentinas-macri-sent-arms-for-bolivia-coup-massacres
US warned Egypt not to target rights campaigners after a prominent activist was indicted, saying the issue would be a factor in arms sales to Cairo. But recently US sold $200m in weapons to Egypt despite human rights abuses. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/17/us-sells-200m-in-weapons-to-egypt-despite-human-rights-abuses
ill: https://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33003.pdf
***
A British
colonel blocked an 80 million dollar weapons sale to Haftar from
Jordan. End-user certificates: “You can declare that the
destination is Tunisia or anywhere else you find acceptable.” #UK,
#Jordan, #Libya
https://www.libyanexpress.com/a-british-colonel-blocked-an-80-million-dollar-weapons-sale-to-haftar-from-jordan/
***
UK asking SA
Armscor to market its surplus arms in Africa. It includes: minimi's,
Sig Sauer pistols heli's, patrol boats, armoured vehicles etc.
"Trying to put a morally superior justification into something
morally questionable just makes it worse."
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1461731/Army-equipment-sale-African-countries-morally-supsect
***
4 builders
left for Greek frigate acquisition, part of its military build up
sending an indirect message to Turkey that "the Armed Forces are
being modernized and the country is shielded against any challenge
and threat ... in the region," said MoFA.
https://newpost.gr/amyna/60edc6ac4de2b83e5a4ef3c1/minymata-ishyos-pros-tin-agkyra-efialtis-oi-fregates-kai-ta-rafale-gia-toys-toyrkoys-aystiri-apantisi-panagiotopoyloy-se-akar
***
Erdoğan, his
associates enriched themselves on back of Turkey-Qatari military,
defense deals, states Gülen connected Nordic Monitor of exiled
journalist (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdullah_Bozkurt) in long
article and illustrated with documents.
https://nordicmonitor.com/2021/07/erdogan-his-associates-enriched-themselves-on-back-of-turkey-qatari-military-and-dense-deals/
New CAAT research reveals that the majority of UK arms sales are supplied via secretive Open Licences, meaning official figures on UK arms exports only tell part of the story. Share if you agree we need real transparency to stop the arms trade. http://caat.org.uk/hiddenarmssales
***
Infamous
Israeli-Canadian lobbyist hired by Myanmar's ruling military leaders
to represent them in Washington and other capitals said on Wednesday
he has stopped his work with the generals because sanctions prevented
him from being paid.
https://www.jpost.com/international/infamous-israeli-lobbyist-for-myanmar-junta-ceases-efforts-wasnt-paid-673871
July
14
***
A'dam fractie
van Bij1 heeft schriftelijke vragen gesteld over gemeentelijke
plannen om de verhuizing van de firma Damen subsidiëren:
https://amsterdam.raadsinformatie.nl/document/10389523/1/232%20sv%20Veldhuyzen%20inzake%20behoud%20scheepswerf%20Damen
Las net dat Damen Senegal schepen gaat leveren. Handig voor contraguerrilla in de Casamanche. https://www.africaintelligence.com/central-and-west-africa_business/2021/07/09/damen-shipyards-beats-off-turkey-s-desan-and-tais,109678797-art
VVD Raadslid noemt opsommen van de feiten een smeercampagne. De handel van de eerlijke ondernemer uit Gorinchem, met een vestiging in Amsterdam, klinkt blijkbaar toch niet zo prettig. https://twitter.com/ClaireMartens3/status/1413800322879918080
(In het geval Senegal gaat het niet persé om Amsterdam wel om Damen).
***
At Greek arms
DEFEA 2021: Ssmart and Signaal Hellas
(https://www.ssmart.gr/ssmart-sa/ssmart-participation-in-domestic-international-programs/)showcased
Thales Netherlands Lirod Mk2 system.
https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-exhibitions/defea-2021-news-official-show-daily/10428-defea-2021-ssmart-and-signaal-hellas-showcases-lirod-mk2-system.html
***
German group
Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems handed over controversial S44, the fourth
Type 209/1400mod-class submarine, to the Egyptian Navy.
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/07/fourth-class-209-1400mod-submarine-officially-handed-over-to-egypt/
***
MDT Armor won
a $9.9 million contract for procurement of the David Urban Light
Armored Combat Vehicle by Israel. The David Urban Light Armored
Combat Vehicle is based on a LandRover Defender 4x4 wheeled chassis
and is built in MDT Armor’s Alabama facility.
https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2687878/
***
Pakistan has
hired an Italian defense company to convert three Embraer Lineage
1000 regional jetliners into long-range maritime patrol aircraft for
its Navy.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2021/07/08/pakistan-hires-leonardo-paramount-group-for-aircraft-conversion-program/
***
Europa heeft
ambitieuze plannen voor een satellietnetwerk dat de digitale groei
aanzwengelt. ,,We willen aan de top blijven en data uit de ruimte
zijn onmisbaar’’, zegt directeur Rodrigo da Costa van Europees
ruimteprogramma Euspa.
https://www.ad.nl/tech/interview-rodrigo-is-de-grote-baas-van-de-europese-satellieten~aea7a640/
***
NEW: Israeli
oppression in #Gaza did not end with the ceasefire. The UK must end
military support & all arms exports to Israel. Statement by the
UK Working Group on Arms (UKWG):
https://www.saferworld.org.uk/resources/news-and-analysis/post/971-uk-working-group-on-arms-statement-on-the-continuous-conflict-between-israel-and-palestine-
***
Brochure: de
militarisering van de Europese Unie. Korte introductie, bespreking en
met veel links.
https://www.globalinfo.nl/Recensies-enzo/brochure-de-militarisering-van-de-europese-unie
***
Dutch #Damen
vessels for contraguerrilla in #Senegal? It has has been contracted
to deliver 3 military logistics ships to the Senegalese navy. These
ships could help improve the army's deployments in the insurgent
province of #Casamance.
https://www.africaintelligence.com/central-and-west-africa_business/2021/07/09/damen-shipyards-beats-off-turkey-s-desan-and-tais,109678797-art
***
'Important
milestone' as Norway, Germany conclude 'Gigantic' submarine deal.
Russian
https://sputniknews.com/military/202107091083343872-important-milestone-as-norway-germany-conclude-gigantic-submarine-deal/
But based on Norwegian source
https://e24.no/internasjonal-oekonomi/i/4zz7bV/kongsberg-gruppen-datter-inngaar-gigantavtale-med-norge-og-tyskland
***
Chinese
military threat is overstated, states professor at Australian
Strategic & Defence Studies. However the Pentagon will continue
to worst-case China’s military capability to support its claims for
funding in a competitive US fiscal environment.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/chinese-military-threat-is-overstated/news-story/93b69ed912992e9996d204fba2bc7893
***
"Zuma
also faces a corruption case related to the $2 billion arms trade
when he was vice president in 1999. He denied the allegations in this
case."
It puzzels me why only the receiver of the bribes is always mentioned & not the briber arms giant #Thales. https://quebecnewstribune.com/news/business/former-south-african-leader-zuma-faces-court-hearing-during-robbery-and-killing-reuters-28430/
***
Morocco becomes
poluar destination for arms sales. It overtakes Algeria to become
Africa’s top importer of French Arms. Morocco ordered €425.9m
worth of arms from France, whereas Algeria ordered €41.1m.https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2021/07/343357/morocco-overtakes-algeria-to-become-africas-top-importer-of-french-arms
#WesternSahara ?
***
UK government
refuses to reveal details of its support for the Saudi war machine.
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/07/13/saud-j13.html
***
Skirmisses. US Navy
has denied China’s claim that its military chased an US warship out
of the South China Sea. The statement from the Navy comes after one
of its guided-missile destroyers performed a freedom of navigation
operation in the SCS on Monday.
https://news.usni.org/2021/07/12/navy-denies-chinese-forces-chased-away-destroyer-during-fonop
***
Military
industry revenues of the top 100 defense companies in the world
climbed for a fifth consecutive year, a sign that fiscal 2020
was good for the industry despite the crippling coronavirus.
https://www.defensenews.com/top-100/2021/07/12/riding-the-wave-defense-revenues-rise-despite-a-dark-2020/
***
The German
military has announced the creation of a separate command dedicated
to #space, becoming the latest of a handful of nations prioritizing
more resources and missions among the stars. It follows the US, UK
and France who established space commands.
https://www.defensenews.com/space/2021/07/13/germany-establishes-new-military-space-command/
Indonesian naval wharf PT Pal order book (expected and realisations) shows intake from Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) and expected sale of amphibious vessel for Philippine navy Rp. 1,529 bn (€ 2.613.675). https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/indonesian-defense-equipment-and-arms-exports.345821/page-19#post-13228020
July
9
***
SIPRI arms &
ME programme’s Smith points out, even as military options are
considered by the Southern African regional bloc & EU “adding
new arms to the conflict in Mozambique risks worsening an already
dire situation for local civilians, not ending it”.
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/sipri-warns-arms-for-mozambique-will-not-necessarily-end-insurgency/
***
Switzerland
looks to the US with F-35 & Patriot selections. But protest is
already brewing over the decision. Campaigners have begun securing
signatures for a referendum through the country’s voting system
that could yet ditch an F-35 buy altogether.
http://now.eloqua.com/es.asp?s=966913078&e=817603&elqTrackId=4c85114565b64dab9d00441ca5178163&elq=c252494e99f7483db974276855671119&elqaid=29066&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=24570
***
Warning
tumbles over warning: When US Air Force, Navy & Marine Corps’
F-35 operations reach their peak in 2036, it will be exponentially
difficult to afford sustaining the F-35 if the cost per tail remains
at current estimates.
GAO https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-21-439
July
8
***
EU-NATO
cooperation in the context of transatlantic relations. European
Parliament resolution of 7 July 2021 on EU-NATO cooperation in the
context of transatlantic relations.
On EDA, EDF, "fostering the development of the European defence industry," etc https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2021-0346_EN.pdf
***
French arms
sales order intake in Africa in 2020: Morocco and Algeria leading
customers.
https://maghrebemergent.net/ventes-darmes-francaises-en-afrique-en-2020-le-maroc-et-lalgerie-en-tete-des-clients/
Based on annual report
(https://defense.gouv.fr/content/download/616773/10303962/file/Rapport%20au%20Parlement%20sur%20les%20exportations%20d'armement%20de%20la%20France%202021.pdf
***
Corruption in
the military business, paid with Government money to protect society.
10 years after juicy contracts with Kazakhstan, Tunisian
intermediary, Lyès Ben Chedli & a former #Airbus executive,
Olivier Brun, were indicted in the "Kazakhgate" survey.
https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/kazakhgate-un-ex-cadre-d-airbus-et-un-intermediaire-mis-en-examen-20210707
***
Retweet
@shustry: SCOOP: Documents Reveal Erik Prince's $10 Billion Plan to
Make Weapons and Create a Private Army in Ukraine.
https://time.com/6076035/erik-prince-ukraine-private-army/
***
#France will
soon end its participation in the Franco-German program for maritime
patrol aircraft #MAWS and turn to a Franco-French solution.
#Germany's decision to buy 5 P-8A Poseidon aircraft from #Boeing for
€1.43bn is at the origin of this withdrawal.
https://www.challenges.fr/entreprise/defense/avions-de-patrouille-maritime-la-france-claque-la-porte-au-nez-de-l-allemagne_772419
Addition:
In English on same issue: Germany's Purchase of Boeing P-8A Poseidon
Casts Doubts over Franco-German MPA Program
https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29971/Germany_s_Purchase_of_Boeing_P_8A_Poseidon_Casts_Doubts_over_Franco_German_MPA_Program
***
Thales wants
to launch a drone on the commercial market, which can also perform
military and government missions.
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/thales-booste-son-offre-sur-le-marche-commercial-des-drones-civils-et-gouvernementaux-888371.html
***
Raytheon
Technologies will get up to $2 billion to develop the U.S. Air
Force’s Long Range Standoff Weapon system, a new nuclear-capable,
air-launched cruise missile that will be carried by B-52 and B-21
bombers.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/07/06/raytheon-wins-2b-for-new-nuclear-cruise-missile/
***
Revealed:
UK troops ‘secretly operating in Yemen’
By Naseh Shaker, Phil Miller and Mark Curtis
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-07-06-revealed-uk-troops-secretly-operating-in-yemen/
July
7
***
#Argentine
Air Force undertook "huge effort" to modernize 2 Fokker 28s
& a #Fokker 27 "that had been deprogrammed & can
continue to operate," MoD Agustin Rossi said July 1st at the Cdr
Rivadavia air base.
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/rossi-en-chubut-el-reequipamiento-de-la-fuerzas-armadas-es-uno-de-nuestros-objetivos
History of planes sold to Argentine is notorious.
***
Bad news:
Italy has loosened restrictions on arms exports to Saudi Arabia and
the United Arab Emirates, government sources said on Tuesday, in a
move aimed at easing diplomatic tensions with the two Gulf states.
https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/italy-eases-curbs-arms-sales-saudi-arabia-and-uae
***
Belarus was
the only country voting against the UN resolution on Myanmar urging -
among more - to “prevent the flow of arms into Myanmar”.
Why? It is one of the countries that continue to sell arms and air defense capabilities to the Myanmar military.
https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/analysis/un-vote-puts-spotlight-on-myanmar-belarus-connection.html
***
#France is
arming its MQ-9 #Reaper drones with GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided
bombs for Operation Barkhane operations in Africa. The French Air and
Space Force will this month put the bombs into service on 3 of its
MQ-9 Reaper UAVs deployed to #Niger (...)
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/unmanned-aerial-vehicles/france-arming-operation-barkhane-reaper-uavs/
***
The US State
Department approved a contract to Kuwait for heavy tactical vehicles.
The contract, estimated to be worth $445 million, will cover 517
total Heavy Tactical Vehicles.
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/kuwait-heavy-tactical-vehicles
***
IISS reports
on the development of different aspects of cyber capabilities in a
selection of countries.
https://www.iiss.org/-/media/files/research-papers/cyber-capabilities-and-national-power---a-net-assessment.pdf
Is seems the Netherlands stayed under the radar.
C$ISRNet summarised: Who can match the US as a cyber superpower? No one
https://www.c4isrnet.com/cyber/2021/06/28/who-can-match-the-us-as-a-cyber-superpower-no-one/
Retweet @Vredesactie: Juridische strijd keldert de wapenexport
Het afgelopen jaar trokken we 3 keer naar de Raad van State om de wapenexport naar Saudi-Arabië te schorsen. Mét effect, tonen de jaarverslagen van FN Herstal & Mecar nu.
***
Protestors of @3CCAAT against military expo in UK ask to focus efforts not on weapons, but to concentrate technology on climate instead. https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/19422383.three-counties-defence-expo-concentrate-technology-climate-instead/
July
6
Retweet @JaspervanDijkSP Replying to @DeGroene @GidiPols and @jvstaalduine Onze Kamervragen:
***
1.2 billion
euros! What "major things" can the European Defense Fund
accomplish? A Chinese view - readable with Google translate - on the
European Defence Fund (the writers miss the national military
contributions, Europe is hard to understand).
https://news.sina.com.cn/w/2021-07-03/doc-ikqciyzk3314125.shtml
***
Prabowo’s
European trip seems to be aimed at further arms procurement to
modernize the Indonesian Military (TNI).The notorious former Special
Forces general has deep pockets, with a budget of US$ 125bn for arms
procurement for the period 2020-24.
https://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2021/07/05/prabowos-defense-diplomacy.html
***
Ukrainian
Foreign Minister Kuleba has said "We're working to change
Germany's position on number of issues", like Ukraine's EU
membership, a more constructive German position on Ukraine's
membership of NATO, as well as arms sales to Ukraine.
https://ukranews.com/en/news/786532-foreign-ministry-hopes-for-change-in-germany-s-position-on-ukraine-s-membership-in-eu-and-nato
***
Athens
seeking to contain Turkish influence in Libya. Greece suspects
Turkish influence in a recent request by Libya that Greece return 8
mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles confiscated from a ship
traveling from Turkey.
https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1163917/athens-seeking-to-contain-turkish-influence-in-libya/
***
Franco-Italian
military industrial cooperation stuck. There are several cases of
friction. On a naval engine eg the French are frustrated a General
Electric propulsion system is introduced in Europe "as Trojan
horse" by Italian Avio at the cost of Safran.
https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/armement-la-cooperation-entre-la-france-et-l-italie-au-plus-bas-888270.html
July
5
***
Yemen war:
Britain cannot be both arms dealer and peacemaker
The international community must send Britain a message: either stop selling weapons to the Saudis, or give up the UN penholder role for Yemen
https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/uk-yemen-war-arms-dealer-and-peacemaker
***
OCCAR Extends
Contract for Binocular Night Vision Goggles for Belgian Defence and
German Army with HENSOLDT and THEON SENSORS. The first phase alone
will amount to a high two-digit million-euro value.
https://forceindia.net/occar-extends-contract-binocular-night-vision-goggles-belgian-defence-german-army/
***
7 projects
involving the participation of #Estonian defence industry received €
6m from the European Defence Industrial Development Programme #EDIDP
to develop new technological solutions. The Estonian state is
providing almost €500,000 for the projects.
https://kaitseministeerium.ee/en/news/projects-estonian-defence-industry-companies-received-eur-6-million-europe
***
De
krijgsmacht is er voor de veiligheid? Wiens veiligheid dan en tegen
welke dreigingen?
'Extreme' militair kan in wapendepot; Zelfs na zaak-Jürgen Conings moet aan Hells Angels gelinkte Bart D.S. nog wacht houden bij opgeslagen munitie. https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/opnieuw-extremistische-militair-die-in-munitiedepot-kan-zelfs-na-zaak-conings~bc2e09c7/
#German arms export report or 2020 published. https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/DE/Publikationen/Aussenwirtschaft/ruestungsexporte-bmwi-070221.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=12 The largest recipients in value outside NATO/EU are Egypt (€763.8m), Tunesia (€57.1m), Indonesia (€56.9m), India (€48.6m) and the Philippines (€24.8m).
***
East
Lancashire Girl Guides (promoting an interest in engineering amongst
young females) participated in a programme run by #BAE, notorious for
its arms trade.
#CAAT said: "We would urge the Guides to think again, and to end their relationship with BAE." https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/19403979.bae-systems-3000-east-lancs-girl-guides-take-part-clever-clogs-partnership/
***
A top German
court largely confirmed a decision to force Sig Sauer to pay back
earnings from illegal sales. It found it largely right to confiscate
€ 11.1m for legally exporting 38,000+ pistols to the US, from where
they were illegally sent to Colombia.
https://then24.com/2021/07/02/arms-export-to-colombia-via-detours-sig-sauer-costs-dearly-to-export-them/
***
A legal
campaign to expose details about Israeli arms exports came to an end
last week, as the country's Supreme Court rejected a petition
regarding tracking technology made by an Israeli cyber company and
also shut the door on all future petitions.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-arms-sales-transparency-court-decision-ends-hopes
Aanvulling
Nederlands: Israëlische rechter sluit de deur voor tegenstanders van
geheime wapendeals. Wapenindustrie Activisten al jaren in
Israël trachtten openheid te krijgen over de wapenhandel met
dubieuze regimes. De juridische weg is nu afgesneden.
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2021/07/06/israelische-rechter-sluit-de-deur-voor-tegenstanders-van-geheime-wapendeals-a4050114
***
Arming the
Philippines: It’s a Duterte job, but does UK have to do it?
Thousands of people have been killed in the Philippines under President Duterte, but the UK has massively increased arms exports to his authoritarian regime http://southafrica.shafaqna.com/EN/AL/2776924
***
Miroslav Číž
& @monika_benova of EP S&D fraction asked if the Commission
is prepared to take sanctions to Members providing arms used in the
Yemen conflict.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2021-002355_EN.html
It took @JosepBorrellF 2 months to state it's up to the Member
States.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2021-002355-ASW_EN.pdf
***
Where Beijing
buys its military hardware? Mainly SIPRI based answer is: Russia 1st,
than France (9.7%) & Ukraine (6.3%). China is 2nd-largest client
for Swiss exports, receiving 13% of total exports during 2016-20, and
also imports from Germany and UK.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3139603/how-china-grew-buyer-major-arms-trade-player
***
With the
#Swiss buying the US #F35 fighter jet, the Swiss Federal Council
upset its European partners. The issue will be settled in the coming
weeks, when the losing bidders meet with Swiss government officials
in Bern, a conference, called a #debriefing.
https://www.msn.com/de-ch/nachrichten/schweiz/kampfjet-krimi-amherds-entscheid-kostet-die-deutschen-15-millionen/ar-AALKdy8
***
The
weaponisation of the T&T juridical system. List of cases provided
includes: investigation between the Anti-Corruption Bureau &
Dutch prosecuting authorities, concerning a criminal investigation
into a suspicion of bribery committed by #Damen. More see:
https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/ag-some-weaponising-courts-as-business-ventures-6.2.1350877.2b0960b3c3
July
3
***
The new face
of war:
Israeli Rafael combines AI and automatic target recognition in new Sea Breaker missile and also performs “deep learning” that it combines with its AI capabilities. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2021/07/02/rafael-combines-ai-and-automatic-target-recognition-in-new-sea-breaker-missile/
***
Nederland
heeft zijn eerste eigen militaire satelliet in de ruimte.
https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2021/25/05_lancering-nanosatelliet_25
***
Terwijl het
Nederlandse marineschip Zr. Ms. Evertsen in de Zwarte Zee de Koude
oorlog opzoekt, liggen de grootste grijze griezels in de haven van
#Amsterdam. Je zou wensen dat er meer aandacht voor ntspanning zou
zijn dan voor grijs spierballengerol.
https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Karel-Doorman-Rotterdam-in-Amsterdam-020721.html
***
Dutch
government sold 12 F-16's to private US company, Draken
International. Draken offers contracted air support to air forces
around the world during exercises and earlier bought F-16 Fighting
Falcons which were retired from the Israeli Air Force.
https://www.aerotime.aero/28274-draken-buys-12-dutch-f-16-fighters-to-train-usaf-pilots
***
Earlier
this year, it was reported that the Sri Lankan Air Force was in talks
with Israel to overhaul five Kfir fighters. Now Israel Aerospace
Industries (IAI) has confirmed that a deal worth $50 million was
signed recently with Sri Lanka.
https://www.iai.co.il/iai-to-upgrade-sri-lanka-air-force-kfir-aircraft
July
1
***
There was a
time the European Community was seen as a force for diplomacy, peace
and development. Defence Industry: the Commission kick-starts the
European Defence Fund with €1.2bn and awards 26 new industrial
cooperation projects for more than €158m.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_3325
***
#German
#submarines are giving #Turkey an edge over #Greece
That may make the eastern Mediterranean less stable.
https://www.economist.com/europe/2021/07/03/german-submarines-are-giving-turkey-an-edge-over-greece
***
Data en
inlichtingen als wapen, zo laat informatiemanoeuvre zich kort
omschrijven. Het is verontrustend dat in de Militaire Specator wordt
gepleit dit 'wapen' onderdeel te maken van de militaire diplomatie.
Een 'quick win' wordt dit genoemd.
https://www.militairespectator.nl/thema/geschiedenis-operaties/artikel/informatiemanoeuvre-en-nieuwe-traditieverbanden-de-koninklijke
***
Lost at the
bus stop. The bundle of top-secret files includes updates on arms
export campaigns between the UK and other nations. Within these
documents are sensitive observations about areas that Britain might
find itself competing with European allies.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1455085/Brexit-news-leaked-documents-bus-stop-MoD-European-Commission-OCCAR-EU-army-vn
***
Hulpdiensten
zijn gisteren uitgerukt naar #Fokker Landing Gear in #Helmond, actief
op militair en luchtvaart gebied. Medewerkers voelden zich niet
lekker nadat ze giftige dampen hadden ingeademd. Na een grondige
controle bleek het mee te vallen.
https://www.ed.nl/helmond/groot-alarm-om-lek-giftige-stoffen-bij-fokker-in-helmond-loopt-af-met-een-sisser~a2804a24/
Aanvulling: Voor
blogs met informatie over het bedrijf zie:
https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/search?q=Fokker+landing+gear
***
Retweet
@Vredesactie: Turkey uses the A400M
airplane to violate international arms embargoes. The Belgian export
of components for this aircraft has to end immediately.
#StopArmingTurkey
https://www.brusselstimes.com/news/belgium-all-news/175814/ego-amnesty-international-flemish-brussels-walloon-government-libya-syria-turkey-united-nations-weapons/
***
Hier een link
naar het Groene artikel:
https://www.groene.nl/artikel/de-financiele-draaischijf
En het project in het Engels
https://www.journalismfund.eu/supported-projects/tax-avoidance-arms-industry
(overigens exporteert Nederland wel direct naar Egypte en is het
zelfs een grote klant voor Nedelandse wapens).
Aanvulling: Kamervragen rond de Nederlandse rol als financiële draaischijf voor wapenindustrie door Jasper van Dijk @SP en @MahirAlkaya https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/kamervragen/detail?id=2021Z13008&did=2021D27992
Schriftelijke vragen in de Amsterdamse Raad door @AmsterdamBIJ1 @GroenLinks020 en #SP
***
Lockheed
Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has emerged victorious in
Switzerland’s $6.5 billion fighter competition, beating out
entrants from Eurofighter, Dassault and Boeing. Switzerland plans to
buy 36 F-35's.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/06/30/lockheeds-f-35-topples-competition-in-swiss-fighter-contest/
