Latest on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
December 8
Turkey hints at potential Hurkus aircraft sale to Azerbaijan Hurkus-C, the armed variant of the base version Hurkus, features locally developed ammunition . It can also use INS/GPS-guided bombs, conventional bombs, non-guided rockets and machine guns. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/12/07/turkey-hints-at-potential-hurkus-aircraft-sale-to-azerbaijan/
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A NEW peace declaration demanding that the executive and Irish and British governments reject any plans to allow arms manufacturers to establish in Ireland is to be launched today. https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2021/12/07/news/-downpatrick-declaration-to-demand-rejection-of-arms-trade-2528287/
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1/3 Israel Exports Arms That Endanger Human Rights Because It Serves Us, Top Defense Official Admits.
2/3 "Thales is the number 1 exporter of cyber technology in Europe. Who don't they sell to? Just name it, they're already there. Places we wouldn't dare touch. So they have an ethical code, or so they say. Very nice," Pinko (1st director Defense Export Control Agency) said.
3/3 "The only state that upholds the human rights issue is Germany. Germany will not sell to Saudi Arabia or other such countries, out of considerations of human rights (...) that didn't prevent [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel from offering the Saudis a fleet of submarines."
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.HIGHLIGHT.MAGAZINE-israel-exported-arms-that-endangered-human-rights-top-defense-official-admits-1.10445867
December 7
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Recent news of potential civilian casualties during drone attack comes just days after the Pentagon appointed a general to investigate a deadly March 18, 2019, attack that killed 70 civilians. https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2021/12/04/civilians-may-have-been-killed-in-latest-us-drone-strike-on-al-qaida-in-syria-centcom/
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MEPs of The Left in the European Parliament’s Security and Defence Committee #SEDE have commissioned a study on EU Border Regime: Profiteering from Dehumanisation & Mythologised Technologies. https://left.eu/profiteering-from-dehumanisation-on-eu-borders/
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India and Russia agreed on a € 610 million Kalashnikov transaction. Approximately 600,000 AK 203 rifles would be manufactured in India as part of the agreement. https://english.newstracklive.com/news/defense-deal-of-5200-crores-signed-between-india-and-russia-ak-203-rifle-will-be-made-in-india-mc23-nu764-ta325-1196885-1.html
December 6
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Egypt unveils domestic naval combatants projects https://egyptiandefenseblog.wordpress.com/2021/12/04/egypt-unveils-ambitious-domestic-naval-projects-at-edex2021/
Thales Netherlands seems to make long nose towards peace organisations after judge gave green light for military export to Al-Sisi regime with next export, 3D Smart Mk2 target radar https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/defence/smart-s-mk2-3d-medium-long-range-surveillance-radar
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Retweet @ForumArmsTrade: Finland is reportedly set to pick F-35 fighter jets in its $11 billion tender to replace soon-outdated war planes that form a key defense pillar of Russia’s neighbor https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-05/finland-is-said-to-pick-lockheed-martin-f-35-jets-iltalehtivia @business
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Army Op goes Awry; 14 Civilians Killed in Nagaland. https://www.mangalorean.com/14-killed-in-nagaland-violence-after-army-operation-goes-awry/
Not an accident, but part of a militarised repressive & "senseless" policy, see Dragon On Our Doorstep: Managing China Through Military Power door Pravin Sawhney en Ghazala Wahab. https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2019/12/drakendoder-in-india.html
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5 % more on military! European Union states spent nearly €200 billion ($225 billion) on militaries in 2020, the most since records began in 2006, but joint investment by governments fell, the European Defence Agency #EDA said in a report on Monday. https://gazette.com/news/us-world/record-eu-defence-spending-masks-failure-to-collaborate-report-says/article_f33a762b-b105-56d7-9de7-b681b5fb2dd7.html
Addition: EDA Defence Data 2019-2020 https://eda.europa.eu/publications-and-data/latest-publications/eda-defence-data-2019-2020
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Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to India to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 6 for a summit expected to be dominated by energy and weapons sales. https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-india-weapons-s400-/31595401.html
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Never enough. The #UAE purchase of French #Rafale fighter jets will complement its planned deal to buy the US #F35 warplanes, which has slowed due to Washington's concerns over Abu Dhabi's relationship with China, the country’s defense ministry said. https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/french-fighter-jets-not-a-substitute-for-american-f-35s-uae
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#Saudi Arabian Military Industries #SAMI and #Airbus will form a joint venture on military aviation services and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities.
By the way Airbus is a French-German-Spanish company with its official HQ in Leiden, NL. https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/614337/SAUDI-ARABIA/SAMI-Airbus-to-form-joint-venture-for-military-aviation-MRO-and-services
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Despite a stream of complaints arms sales of SIPRI Top 100 arms companies continue to grow amid pandemic. https://sipri.org/media/press-release/2021/business-usual-arms-sales-sipri-top-100-arms-companies-continue-grow-amid-pandemic
Aanvulling: De internationale wapenhandel heeft vorig jaar geen last gehad van corona. Uit berekeningen van het Zweedse vredesinstituut SIPRI blijkt dat de sector voor het zesde jaar op rij groeide. https://nos.nl/artikel/2408388-geen-coronadip-voor-internationale-wapenhandel
December 5
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France, chaired at the time by François Hollande, delivered tens of thousands of bombs to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in 2016, knowing that they would be used in the war in Yemen, according to the Disclose site. https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1283630/des-bombes-livrees-en-2016-a-larabie-et-aux-emirats-par-la-france-affirme-disclose.html
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Vulture policies: Macron has suggested that the blurs between Washington and its Saudi ally could create favorable opportunities for Paris in the reconstruction of the regional balance of power. https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2021/12/03/a-dubai-emmanuel-macron-defend-son-choix-de-traiter-avec-les-regimes-autoritaires-du-golfe_6104649_3210.html
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The brain teaser for a Sunday afternoon: Ethical investors threaten national security.
A least this is what #Serco (public services provider) chief claims in a European wide campaign by military industries to confront ethical financial policies. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/ethical-investors-put-national-security-at-risk-warns-serco-chief/
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A dubious honour: Macron becomes first major Western leader to go to Saudi Arabia since Khashoggi killing. But is it is profitable and offers a smelly grandeur to French power politics. https://thehill.com/policy/international/584360-macron-becomes-first-major-western-leader-to-go-to-saudi-arabia-since
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The Moroccan Khouribga base, where a French naval aeronautics school base was established in 1945, and handed over to Rabat in the early 1960s, will be rehabilitated to receive Boeing AH-64E #Apache attack #helicopters acquired by #Morocco. #WesternShara https://ledesk.ma/enoff/la-base-de-khouribga-sera-rehabilitee-pour-recevoir-les-ah-64e-apache/
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Jeune Afrique on the battle for Africa. China wins on the economic level and despite illusions disappeared remains a strategic partner. On the military level, on the other hand, the Americans remain much more established than the Chinese. https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1275672/politique/comment-la-chine-et-les-etats-unis-se-disputent-lafrique/
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French presidential candidate for Green party Yannick Jadot deplored the sale of 80 Rafale fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates on Friday, saying "France shames us when it arms authoritarian regimes". https://www.europe1.fr/politique/la-france-nous-fait-honte-jadot-deplore-la-vente-de-80-rafale-aux-emirats-4080500
December 4
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Artists #boycott #Spotify as CEO invests €100m in #AI military tech: “It’s a complete contradiction of our music philosophy” https://musictech.com/news/industry/artists-boycott-spotify-as-ceo-invests-e100m-in-ai-defense-tech-its-a-complete-contradiction-of-our-music-philosophy/
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The Virtualized Aegis Weapon System #VAWS provided targeting data for Army and Air Force operation centers in Hawaii and Guam during Valiant Shield (Sept 2020). The system links together offensive and defensive fires capability. https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2021/october/aegis-baseline-10-joint-battle-management
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Nederlands wereldwijde machtsvertoon komt na zeven maanden weer thuis. https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2021/47/02_zr.ms.evertsen-terug_47
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Despite this country's proclaimed values and its international commitments, French-made weapons are being used to carry out repression and kill civilians in some of the world's worst conflicts. Mediapart lists some. @RachidaElAzzz reports. https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/international/021221/repression-and-death-how-french-made-weapons-are-being-used-global-conflicts
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#France and the #UAE United Arab Emirates sign 4 agreements, the largest of which is the supply of 80 Rafale fighters. Who speaks of diversion of arms, #Yemen, #Libya, and something soft like aiming for #peace? https://asumetech.com/france-and-the-united-arab-emirates-sign-4-agreements-the-largest-of-which-is-the-supply-of-80-rafale-fighters/
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Jemen: hoe de wapenhandel wint en de humanitaire hulp verliest (de helft minder alweer dan vorig jaar). Twintig miljoen mensen in nood en op de vlucht. Jemenieten houden van poëzie, zegt Laila, en ze citeert de dichter Sana Uqba: ‘peace will surely come’. https://www.volkskrant.nl/columns-opinie/waarom-het-hier-en-nu-over-jemen-moet-gaan~bb1e9c5c/
Addition: This week 64 international organisations, including Britain-based group Campaign Against the Arms Trade, have signed a statement calling on the UN General Assembly to urgently set up a new international accountability mechanism for Yemen. https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/civil-society-groups-call-for-new-independent-investigation-into-war-crimes-in-yemen
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De nalatenschap van Desmond Ball heeft een overzichtelijke boek opgeleverd; een schematische introductie in de veiligheidssituatie in Azië, waarin ontwikkelingen zijn geordend, gevaren benoemd en een aanzet tot oplossingen gegeven. Mijn bespreking ervan. https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2021/12/de-geopolitiek-in-azie.html
December 3
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Also the Chinese arms industry on Thursday wrapped up its exhibition of advanced weapons and equipment, including tanks, artillery, warplanes, air defense missiles, drones and electronic warfare systems, at the largest international defense expo in Egypt. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202112/1240546.shtml
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Abundance of extremism in the US armed forces. It is not centrally registered, but the facts reported this week are illuminating. Army reported eg. 33 allegations of “racially motivated violent extremism,” Navy had 30, the Marines 7 and the Air Force ... https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2021/12/02/army-reports-the-most-racist-extremism-cases-usmc-the-most-anti-government-watchdog/
Hundreds —possibly thousands— of armor-piercing grenades, plastic explosives, as well as land mines and rockets have been stolen from or lost by the US armed forces over the past decade, according to an ongoing AP investigation into the military’s failure.https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2021/12/02/us-military-explosives-vanish-emerge-in-civilian-world/
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How to Jumpstart a Dialogue With China on Arms Control
Engaging China in talks for its accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime could open the way for broader arms control talks.
https://thediplomat.com/2021/12/how-to-jumpstart-a-dialogue-with-china-on-arms-control/
America’s defense chief rebuked China on Thursday, vowing to confront its potential military threats in Asia and warning that its pursuit of hypersonic weapons intended to evade U.S. missile defenses “increases tensions in the region.” https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2021/12/02/us-defense-chief-slams-chinas-drive-for-hypersonic-weapons/
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US unlikely to impose CAATSA sanctions (like Turkey) on India for S-400, but other Russian deals won’t be easy
The $5.43-bn S-400 ‘Triumf’ missile systems deal is going to be at the centre of the upcoming India visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
December 2
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The protests by the arms industry on ethical restrictions imposed on them by banks arn't surprising, but rightly so activities to target involvement of institutions in financing arms industries and thus wars around te world continue. Like here: https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/22601
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Dutch export of supply system for #Indonesian naval replenishment ship, valued € 2.423.000 https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/binaries/rijksoverheid/documenten/kamerstukken/2021/11/29/kamerbrief-inzake-afgifte-vergunning-voor-export-militair-materieel-naar-indonesie/kamerbrief-inzake-afgifte-vergunning-voor-export-militair-materieel-naar-indonesie.pdf
More on Dutch ‘Underway replenishment’ #UNREP systems (in Dutch, illustrated): https://www.maritiemland.nl/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/NML-Serie-35-De-marine-en-marinebouwcluster.pdf
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German sensor systems in combat drones in use in crisis areas. “The federal government must ensure that arms companies no longer use loopholes and can indirectly export arms technology to authoritarian regimes,” Greenpeace demands. https://detv.us/2021/12/01/no-loopholes-more-greenpeace-wants-tougher-arms-control/
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#Italian student Giulio Regeni was abducted, tortured and killed by Egypt's security apparatus, a parliamentary commission of inquiry into the early 2016 incident said in its final report yesterday.
The Regenis have appealed to the EU for help in finding the truth about their son's slaying and have condemned continued Italian arms sales to #Egypt including two frigates. https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2021/12/01/regeni-killed-by-egypt-security-apparatus-says-panel_87947253-f1bf-4b1c-a963-898e53c9dd79.html
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Another arms traders on the road to the Gulf. A bipartisan group of senators wants to stop the #US Biden administration from selling arms to #Saudi Arabia, but they are running out of time. https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/715793/the-clock-is-ticking-for-lawmakers-to-stop-bidens-first-major-saudi-arms-deal/
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EDA will keep ammunition and missiles 'healthier'. project is implemented by a consortium composed by 13 European organisations, namely: MBDA Italy, Dutch #TNO, BAE Systems Bofors AB, Polish Military University of Technology (MUT), and more https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2021/11/25/eda-s-munition-health-management-project-expands
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#Embraer and the Dutch Aerospace Center #NLR have signed a MoU for a potential strategic collaboration relating to aerospace research. The research areas include technology development and innovation in defence and space systems, and more. https://www.traveldailynews.com/post/embraer-and-the-netherlands-aerospace-centre-sign-a-mou-for-strategic-collaboration-relating-to-aerospace-research
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Arms trafficker on the road to the desert. French President Emmanuel Macron returns to the Gulf on Friday, to obtain new contracts, such as the one expected on the Rafales in the Emirates. https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2021/12/02/macron-en-tournee-dans-le-golfe-entre-diplomatie-et-contrats
Addition: France Should Stop Selling Arms to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia
Macron Should Address Rights Abuses in Gulf Region
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Civil society calls on French company Thales to put an end to suspected indirect support to the Myanmar Junta. https://rsf.org/en/news/civil-society-calls-french-company-thales-put-end-suspected-indirect-support-myanmar-junta
Wrote on the issue six years ago: https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2015/07/despite-military-embargo-india-sells.htmlBut was answered tech was absolete. Glad it surfaces again.
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Satellite imagery obtained by Al Jazeera reveals that the UAE is providing extensive military support to the Ethiopian government in the civil war against Tigrayan forces which has killed tens of thousands of civilians and displaced millions. https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/satellite-images-reveal-uae-military-support-ethiopia
In het Nederlands: Satellietbeelden, waarover Al Jazeera beschikt, laten zien hoe de Verenigde Arabische Emiraten uitgebreide steun verlenen aan het Ethiopische leger bij de strijd tegen de rebellen in de regio Tigray. Er is een luchtbrug geopend voor militaire bevoorrading. http://troepenbewegingen.blogspot.com/2021/11/luchtbrug-van-emiraten-naar-ethiopie.html
December 1
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More reassuring would be a heading like:
US in hypersonic weapon 'arms control efforts' with China
Hardening of relations seems to be the choice of the day, at the cost of future relations & tax payer. Nice for the Military Scientific Industrial Complex. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-hypersonic-weapon-arms-race-with-china-air-force-secretary-2021-11-30/
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During Hollande’s presidency, Egypt became the world’s largest buyer of French armaments. It has remained so under Emmanuel Macron, who preserved continuity by making Le Drian minister for foreign affairs — and external trade. https://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/2021/12/FONTENELLE/64116
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The majority of #Libya is still controlled by armed groups.
"Based on the 2020 transfers, arms stockpiles remain high and sufficient to sustain any future conflict," the UN experts said in a confidential report.
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Airbus Takes Part in EDEX 2021 in Egypt With Defence and Military Operations Solutions. https://www.albawaba.com/business/pr/airbus-takes-part-edex-2021-egypt-defence-and-military-operations-solutions-1457085
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Among allies. Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even said: "The aggressiveness of the Americans is very strong on the military helicopter market."https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/l-agressivite-des-americains-est-tres-forte-sur-le-marche-des-helicopteres-militaires-bruno-even-897438.html
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Why is Turkey selling drones to Ukraine? Turkey did “even though it was going to be something that would certainly ruffle Russian feathers...it really shows that as far as the Turks are concerned, there aren’t friends, there are interests,” said @jteurope https://thedispatch.com/p/why-is-turkey-selling-drones-to-ukraine
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Two locally produced drones have made their debut at the Egypt Defence Expo. One of them, the EJune-30 looks exactly like the Emirati Yabhon United 40 unmanned aerial vehicle. It is highly probable that technology was transfered from the UAE to Egypt. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2021/11/30/egypt-unveils-locally-made-drones-at-edex-2021/