Latest on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
August 11
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Imagine $2.1T spend on renewable energy, tackling #climate change disasters, a fund for countries in the Global South, a campaign to minimise the footprint of the industrialised world, clean polluting industries etc. In reality; it is spend on the global militaries. #Security?
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EUROPEAN DEFENCE FUND #EDF unveils 1st round of awardees.
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Embargo now!
Report (https://www.justiceformyanmar.org/stories/exposed-companies-brokering-arms-equipment-to-myanmar-military) names dozens of #Singapore firms involved in arms supply to #Myanmar military.
Justice for Myanmar says 38 companies in Singapore are linked to 78 Myanmar-based companies brokering for the military.
https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2022/08/11/report-names-dozens-of-singapore-firms-involved-in-arms-supply-to-myanmar-military
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Since the start of Russia’s aggression of #Ukraine, the #EU has adopted assistance measures of EUR 2.5 billion under the European Peace Facility (#EPF) to reimburse Member States for lethal and non-lethal equipment provided to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2022-002300-ASW_EN.pdf
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According to a video published on the Telegram account of "Реальная Война | Украина" 090822, Turkey may have delivered Kirpi 4x4 armored vehicles to Ukraine. If the information is true, this delivery could compromise the relations between Turkey & Russia. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_august_2022_global_security_army_industry/turkey_would_have_delivered_kirpi_mrap_4x4_armored_vehicles_to_ukraine.html
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Although Chinese latest white paper keeps 'one country, two systems' model on table, many conciliatory measures in 2000 document are also missing. Beijing e.g. has removed an offer not to deploy military personnel to #Taiwan in the event of reunification. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3188454/beijing-removes-pledge-not-station-military-personnel-taiwan
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An electric-powered version of the Australian Army's Bushmaster armoured vehicle has been unveiled and is designed and built in by defence contractor Thales in Victoria. The all-electric is for test applications, a hybride version for limited use. https://www.9news.com.au/national/australian-army-electric-bushmaster-armoured-vehicle/db3aba09-9e6b-4f27-85c7-ac519a987546
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Nigerian NNS KADA, is a 100-metre long military roro vessel from #Damen. With a capacity to carry over 250 passengers including 32 crew members and 16 embarked Special Forces, the KADA is currently the largest LST in the whole of Africa. 1/2 https://thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/08/09/reinforcing-nigerian-navys-role-as-regional-war-power/
A sale hardly reported in Europe let alone in the Netherlands. This despite the role it can play in the Niger delta.
Now the product of Dutch origin is proudly taking part in the ECOWAS mission in Guinea Bissau. https://www.sunnewsonline.com/navy-deploys-nns-kada-to-guinea-bissau-on-ecowas-mission/
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Majority of victims of #Turkish #drone strikes appear to be #Syrian citizens. Strikes often take place well behind active front lines, in violation of US/Russian brokered ceasefire agreements.
Bayraktar TB-2 drones contain at least 6 US-origin #components. https://www.kurdishpeace.org/policy/turkeys-targeted-killings-threaten-stability-security-in-syria/
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Timely announcement. The Czech Republic starts negotiations with Israel to purchase three Heron drones including ground control stations, data terminals, and shipping containers. https://mocr.army.cz/informacni-servis/zpravodajstvi/ministerstvo-obrany-zahaji-jednani-s-izraelskou-vladou-o-porizeni-tri-bezpilotnich-letounu-237834/
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#Lockheed Martin is awarded a $224 million contract in connection to the production of 12 #F35 aircraft for the #Netherlands. Work will be performed in Texas 57%; California 16%; UK 9%; Italy 4%; Florida 4%; New Hampshire 3%; Maryland 3%; and Japan 2%. https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3096893/
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Overview on “Export Controls in the European Union” aimed at the exporter. https://globalinvestigationsreview.com/guide/the-guide-sanctions/third-edition/article/export-controls-in-the-european-union
August 10
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Retweet with comment: @GKNAero #Romania welcomed back students to the Fokker Academy classes at the site. Through partnership with the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at the @upb1818, the @GKNAero Romania team have been actively involved in student education for over 5 years. #GreatPlacetoWork
Press at time it opened:
The Dutch company Stork Aerospace, active in the field of design and production of aerostructures and electrical systems for military and commercial aircraft, announced on Thursday the opening of a subsidiary in Bucharest. https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-arhiva-1200136-stork-aerospace-deschis-subsidiara-bucuresti.htm
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“Despite Rhetoric, Biden is Continuing Trump’s Weapons Sales.”
07/2020, Biden “No more blank checks for Trump’s favorite dictator,” referring to Egyptian President al-Sissi.
02/2021, Biden stop on US military support for Saudi-led offensive in Yemen. https://warontherocks.com/2022/08/despite-rhetoric-biden-is-continuing-trumps-weapons-sales/
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CAAT calls UK to end arms sales and military support for Israeli forces following Gaza killings https://indcatholicnews.com/news/45253How about arms imports from Israel?
Addition 12/08/22: The killing in Gaza, but in the meantime... Royal Navy to receive new 'cutting edge' drone to beef up Britain's military. This drone was built jointly by #Thales UK and the #Israeli company #Elbit Systems. https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1653896/royal-navy-heavy-lift-drone-uashlc-logistics-military-defence-news-latest
Addition 13/08/22: When countries buy arms from Israel, they help sustain Israel’s military repression of the Palestinian people, just as when they sell them. This is why the #CAAT calls for a two-way arms embargo against Israel, by Sam Perlo-Freeman @smhwpf https://www.redpepper.org.uk/arming-the-occupation/
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Going Dutch; stengtnening Russian armed forces
Based on the technical inspection of Russian military equipment captured in or fired at Ukraine, this report outlines the extent to which Russia’s multi-billion-dollar, decades-long military modernisation programme has depended on the extensive use of microelectronics manufactured in the US, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the UK, France and Germany. https://static.rusi.org/RUSI-Silicon-Lifeline-final-web.pdf
At least 56 unique components were found to have originated from European companies. Notably, the largest volume of products came from Netherlandsbased NXP Semiconductors NV and Switzerlandbased STMicroelectronics.
A total of 14 components originated from Netherlands-based manufacturers, of which 10 came from NXP Semiconductors as well as two from its former subsidiary Nexperia
For instance, the BT33-202 processor module contains at least a dozen microelectronic components – including CMOS SRAM modules, FPGAs, RS-232 and bus transceivers – produced by a range of companies based in the US and the Netherlands.
By examining a given company’s import history in more detail, one can begin to understand how a given entity is likely to have acted as a conduit for these goods to enter into Russian military systems. For instance, the Altana Atlas reveals more than 2,500 individual trade transactions between PAO Mikron and 148 distinct senders from 33 countries and jurisdictions, including the US, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Taiwan.
Source: Byrne, Somerville, Byrne, Watling, Reynolds and Baker, Silicone lifeline; western electronics at the heart of Russia's war machine, RUSI August 2022. https://static.rusi.org/RUSI-Silicon-Lifeline-final-web.pdf
Press report: Russian Weapon Systems Rely Heavily on Foreign Tech. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-08/russian-weapon-systems-rely-heavily-on-foreign-tech-report-says
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To boykot or not to boykot.
Merchant ship under US sanctions passed the Turkish Bosphorus from Syria to Russia late July. European intelligence officials who tracked the Sparta II say it carried military vehicles to bolster President Putin’s war in Ukraine.
The ship’s journey to the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk underlines the Kremlin’s efforts to tap resources for the invasion that’s now in its sixth month, as supply lines strain under the pressure of Europe’s largest military campaign since World War II. 2/2 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-09/russia-is-shopping-around-the-world-for-military-weapons-for-its-war-in-ukraine
August 9
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Educated guess. Amid Russia-Ukraine war, China COULD dominate the value arms market, this is the dynamic arms market consisting of smaller transaction values of new and refurbished equipment. It will find Turkey and India aiming for the same market. https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/amid-russia-ukraine-war-china-could-dominate-the-value-arms-market/
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Palestine Action today #occupied Israeli weapons manufacturer #Elbit System’s client the Good Packing Company, who package, transport and export Israeli weapons battle tested on the #Palestinian people.
Israel has killed 44 Palestinians in the three days.
https://www.vocfm.co.za/uk-activists-occupy-israel-weapons-manufacturers-client/
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The results of the total boykot on Russia are debatable, but what isn't is that Russian weapons depend on Western hightech (broader than what is defined dual use, incl. microcontrollers, programmable chips and signal processors, transistors) and control on its exports are flawed.
Retweet @keesamok: As Russian missiles struck Ukraine, Western tech still flowed - The programmable chips give electronic-equipment manufacturers enormous flexibility because they quickly can be reprogrammed to perform whatever new task is necessary https://reuters.com/investigates/special-report/ukraine-crisis-russia-missiles-chips/@SpecialReports
August 8
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Jonas Ohman, CEO of Blue-Yellow, a Lithuania-based organization said the West has to win the war to prevent delivered weapons may fall in the wrong hands (in respons to previous examples, like what happend in Iraq and Afghanistan). https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-military-aid-weapons-front-lines/
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Total FY21 defense revenue of the Top 100 is $595 billion, up 9% from the total FY20 defense revenue. A +/- $53 billion increase. https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2022/08/08/why-most-of-the-top-100-saw-defense-revenue-grow/
Top 100 military companies: First 5 from the United States.
https://people.defensenews.com/top-100
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US federal lawmakers are pressing the Biden administration to investigate how US parts and technology ended up in what has fast become one of the most notorious drones on the world market: Turkey's - thus not fully - the TB2 Bayraktar drone. https://asiatimes.com/2022/08/us-calls-for-tougher-scrutiny-of-turkeys-tb2-drones/
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Kigali rejects a UN expert report with solid evidence that members of #Rwanda's military conduct operations in eastern #Congo in support of the M23 rebels whose deadly resurgence has led to talk of war as well as protests against the UN peacekeeping force. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/rwanda-rejects-un-report-on-support-for-rebels-in-congo/2022/08/05/a1dd08b2-14d6-11ed-8482-06c1c84ce8f2_story.html
For report see https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N22/338/70/PDF/N2233870.pdfFor report see page 16-17/297
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#Kraken (https://krakentechnology.com/security/kraken-k50/) and Thales will work together on boat for inland security operations. #Thales will deliver integration capabilities for sensor and weapons equipment, with adaptable command-and-control, communication & networking systems. https://www.naval-technology.com/news/kraken-thales-mou-k50-development/
August 7
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Report published in #Malaysia this week on irregularities concerning the buy of Littoral Combat Ship. Did Najib, Zahid conspire to give advantage to troubled companies (in case French #DCN over Dutch #Damen).
Report https://www.parlimen.gov.my/pac/review/docs-257-312.pdf
Press: https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/bahasa/s/394933
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Policing, border control and surveillance have become increasingly militarised in the UK and infiltrated by a “war mentality”, according to a reportfrom Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) and the Network for Police Monitoring (Netpol). https://caat.org.uk/publications/a-very-british-problem-the-evolution-of-britains-militarised-policing-industrial-complex/
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#UK #arms sales to #Saudi Arabia back on trial next year
A legal challenge over the supply of UK-made weapons for the war in Yemen will proceed to the High Court in January 2023.
https://leftfootforward.org/2022/08/uk-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia-back-on-trial-next-year/
August 6
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In a paper from Bangladesh: Western countries have been ramping up weapons and ammunition shipments to Ukraine as Kyiv fights off a Russian invasion, but arms trade experts warn some of the lethal assistance could end up falling into the wrong hands. https://www.thedailystar.net/news/world/2022-russian-invasion-ukraine/news/arms-ukraine-could-end-wrong-hands-3025851
Indian paper: Foreign supply of missiles, rockets, & artillery to Ukraine has raised fears of the weapons entering Ukraine's illicit arms market and their subsequent smuggling and that some of them could also re-emerge in conflicts for the coming decades.
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Dutch Defense has officially put the Roll-on Roll-off ship into service. The New Amsterdam is now being loaded and departed from Eemshaven to the port of Klaipeda in Lithuania. There are Dutch soldiers of the enhanced Forward Presence. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/naval-weapons/latest/dutch-mod-deploys-newly-leased-roro-ship-for-first-time
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Share prices for the world’s largest arms traders are soaring and supply can hardly keep up with demand. Belgium, known for the companies FN Herstal and armoured vehicle manufacturer John Cockerill, is also seeing these pressures and financial gains. https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/267083/belgian-and-global-defence-industry-booms-from-war-in-ukraine
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Is there an anti-arms trade/human rights peace movement in Korea?
Following a massive arms deal with Poland, Korea has now set its eyes on Egypt, a new potential suitor seen as the next biggest market for defense products after the United States.
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2022/08/205_333963.html
A group active today, something like World Without War:
https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2020/death-market-world-without-war-take-action-dx-korea-arms-fair
August 5
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Helder stukje van Ko Colijn: Na de mislukte inname van hoofdstad Kyiv is ook Poetins plan B een lachertje. ... Van de verovering van heel Oekraïne ten oosten van de rivier de Dnipro (royaal voorspeld door Nederlandse experts) is niets terechtgekomen. https://www.nu.nl/spanningen-oekraine/6215880/defensie-expert-colijn-poetin-verliest-zijn-greep-in-het-donetsbekken.html
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The war in Ukraine is having an impact on a long-running territorial dispute. Turkey is adopting a more aggressive stance towards Greece and has lashed out at pious diplomatic interventions from Germany. https://www.dw.com/en/why-the-turkish-greek-island-spat-flares-up-again-and-again/a-62713489
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Seven US-sanctioned Russian ships have docked in India over the past month the are connected to sanctioned Russian shipping companies that have a history of transporting arms on behalf of the Russian government. https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1650720/putin-news-india-hands-russia-lifeline-arms-ships-sidestep-biden-sanctions-oil
August 4
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Everyone knows the US makes the right "choice between democracy and autocracy," as Nansi Pelosi labled the challenge. That's why Washington decided to greenlight a $ 5 billion military deal with Riyad, a country led by the notorious autocrat & killer MbS. https://www.defenseone.com/business/2022/08/just-weeks-after-saudi-trip-biden-administration-greenlights-5b-arms-gulf-nations/375298/
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Civil military equiped satellite ended mission (https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space/event/thales-alenia-space-flies-high-space-symposium) due to power problems (https://scihub.copernicus.eu/news/News00980) with an unknown cause. Russia related sources say it is becaue of jamming. (https://avia-pro.net/news/sputnik-shpion-nato-vyshel-iz-stroya-posle-neskolkih-popytok-otsledit-rossiyskie-voyska).
August 3
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#Canada ended an attempt to send materials to Russia in violation of sanctions because of the invasion of #Ukraine.
Border officers in Montreal seized the shipment, described as “dual-use goods” banned from export to Russia under Canada’s sanctions regime. https://globalnews.ca/news/9032327/canada-disrupts-attempt-export-banned-materials-russia/
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#Satellite Prometheus-2 is co-funded & designed with #Airbus and assembled by In-Space Missions as part of a collaboration between the UK's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and partners, including the US National Reconnaissance Office. Cornish Guardian 3/8/22
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Dutch #Damen in #Kenya, working on a military civil harbour and military ships. https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2022/08/kisumu-shipyard-will-create-job-opportunities-for-kenyans-president-kenyatta-says/
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The AT-802U Sky Warden, of #L3Harris Technologies/Air Tractor is #SOCOM’s pick for a rugged plane that can carry out #intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support, and #strike missions ... in austere locations such as parts of #Africa. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/08/02/how-l3harris-created-us-special-operators-new-plane-to-hunt-and-strike-terrorists/
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If you want oil, we want...
US government approved 2 massive arms sales to #Saudi's and #UAE.
The more than $ 5 billion in missile defense and related sales follow President Joe Biden’s visit to the Middle East last month.
Promisses, promisses, promisses
August 2
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Under the carpet: #US #government contractors paid #Bout's air cargo companies $60m in taxpayer money to fly military supplies to Iraq and gave his pilots 1.9 million liters of free fuel. The partnership occurred 2003-05 over the course of 1,000 trips.
https://www.grunge.com/948834/the-untold-truth-of-viktor-bout/
August 1
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Huh?: Japanese military budget increase “bearing #NATO’s 2% target in mind.”
The Ministry of Finance and key figures within the Kishida administration are cautious of dramatic increases in spending given #Japan’s difficult fiscal situation.
https://asiatimes.com/2022/08/japans-ramped-up-defense-spending-not-a-done-deal/
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Quick gain. Endless justice.
Zuma is facing:
1 count of racketeering
2 of corruption
1 of money laundering
12 of fraud.
Thales:
1 count of racketeering
2 of corruption
1 of money laundering.
Both pleaded not guilty to all of them.
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The UAE sent one of its Boeing C-17 cargo plane, to Amarillo, Texas on July 26 to help #Bahrain bring two of its new #Bell Helicopter AH-1Z attack heli's home.
Bahrain will receive 12 of the helicopters.
Total contract is worth an estimated $912 million