Latest on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
September 7
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Uniform, Bribe, Flight. The former US Navy contractor nicknamed "Fat Leonard," who orchestrated one of the biggest scandals in Navy history, has cut off his ankle monitor and skipped town less than three weeks ahead of his sentencing. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/06/fat-leonard-flees-house-arrest-us-marshals-services-questions
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Opening toespraak 5 september 2022, 27e #vredesactie op het Museumplein. https://www.stopdeoorlogamsterdam.nl/oorlog-kost-werknemers-maandsalaris.html
Dit zei Saar Boerlage in de Telegraaf (25 aug 2022) over de bijeenkomsten op het Museumplein: "We moedigen elkaar aan, maar wij zullen de vrede niet tot stand brengen. Dat doet een wapenzending trouwens ook niet. Het doel is op de hoogte blijven. We houden elkaar bij de les."
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When will justice be done?
Zuma and Thales (the military company defending Europe's freedoms and values, based near you https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/global/group/about-us/thales-worldwide) are facing charges of racketeering, corruption, money laundering and fraud charges relating to the arms deal. https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2022-09-06-jacob-zuma-pursues-private-prosecution-of-billy-downer/
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If the US sells Norwegian defense equipment to Saudi Arabia or the Emirates, and the Norwegian equipment is used to kill children in Yemen – is that really our problem?
https://norway.postsen.com/local/amp/43133
This failing national arms control is an issue not limited to Norway.
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“Once chips have left the factory, it’s very hard to know for sure where they end up,” said Diederik Cops, @Vredesinstituut.
While supply-side restrictions on microchips may have throttled Russia’s firepower, it may soon find a way to overcome this hurdle. https://eurasiantimes.com/out-of-missiles-russia-is-left-with-limited-stock-of-hypersonic-weapons/
September 6
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Arms smuggling from the Ukraine, a summary of the control mechanism and danger of arms falling in the wrong hands. Audio in German. From 13:06 #NDR German Norddeutscher Rundfunk. https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/info/Waffenschmuggel-in-der-Ukraine-Tag-192-194,audio1205474.html
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Microchips seems to get Moscow in the end. 6 Months into its invasion of #Ukraine, Russia is being throttled by a severe tech deficit inflicted by sanctions. Moscow's soldiers are now increasingly relying on ancient stocks of primitive Soviet-era munitions
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Russian MoD is in the process of purchasing millions of rockets and artillery shells from North Korea for its ongoing fight in Ukraine.
And now Biden called with Xi to ask the last to use his influence in Pyongyang? Oh not possible, relations deteriorated.
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Sports and the arms industry.
The connection is closer than you may think. With the the Rugby World Cup and the Olympic Games coming, France is making progress in the fight against drones. https://www.lesechos.fr/idees-debats/sciences-prospective/la-lutte-antidrone-change-dechelle-1785795
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Indian military magazine has an handy overview of Volkel air base from WWII until today. One obvious weapon is missing in the article. Guess what. https://www.vayuaerospace.in/Issue/202208021617347689.pdf
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Rolls-Royce will deliver mtu engines for German F126 frigates build by Dutch Damen. https://www.damen.com/insights-center/news/rolls-royce-will-supply-mtu-naval-gensets-for-f126
They will be energy efficient! Does this mean they will use 2,000,000 liters of diesel a year? Or is it closer to 3 million liters?
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NATO spending hike to be able to withstand Russia? If you tell this over & over people start to believe it, but that doesn't make it true. Find Russia in this graph. Andreas Geldner, Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Zwiespältiger Blick auf Rüstungsbranche 060922 https://www.axios.com/2022/04/25/countries-highest-military-spending-us-china
September 5
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I will actively support South Korea's arms exports on a parliamentary level," National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo said. "If there are laws and regulations that are hurdles ... we can revise them and provide necessary budget at the right time."https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220829006900315
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Het is een cynisch iets, nauwelijks een lichtpuntje, laten we hopen de kiem van meer. Uiteindelijk stopt een oorlog door diplomatie, wapenstilstanden, kleine afspraken, een ruil, etc.
Retweet @ChiemBalduk: Zo werken de Russen en Oekraïners samen om omgekomen militairen een waardig afscheid te kunnen geven: https://nos.nl/l/2443234
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Dutch Minister of FA answered: NL stops exports military, dual-use & "other tech which may be used to strengthen Russia technological or military or develop the defence or security sector. https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=2022D33991
How/when Dutch techology found by RUSI was delivered is not asked.
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#ENAAT Newsletter. Enjoy the reading!
Main news items:
•Updates on #EDF
•EU support & funding for joint procurements
In short:
•updates on EU Peace Facility
•UK ‘winning’ the Ukrainian military market?
•Massive increase of military spending in EU-mem.
http://enaat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ENAAT-NBB-2022-3_02.09.2022.pdf
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O what fun it is to play winter football in #Qatar on fresh graveyards paved by bribes. #WC2022
In the meantime: from fighter jets to counter-UAV tech, Qatar prepares World Cup security.
Not sports, but weapon industry is winning.
Workers are loosing.
https://breakingdefense.com/2022/09/from-fighter-jets-to-counter-uav-tech-qatar-prepares-world-cup-security/
Swiss arms exports increased more than 40% to $524m from $162m in the Jan_Jun 2022. Sales of air defense systems According to the Swiss economy ministry, a deal has been reached with Qatar. Switzerland’s defense system for the World Cup. https://worldakkam.com/credit-suisse-expands-operations-in-qatar-establishes-new-technology-hub-doha-news/910538/
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The supply chain appears to be solid for now – but offensives may expose weaknesses/bottlenecks that could be critical to #Ukraine’s future military successes. The followers of Saint Javelin will need to continue their worship at factories across the West. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/09/04/how-west-racing-stop-ukraines-guns-falling-silent/
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Ukraine has launched a bid for its army to be a "guinea pig" for cutting-edge Australian military technology, as it seeks a battlefield advantage over Russian forces. Ukraine's bid for light armoured vehicles, 'Hawkeis' made in Thales' facility in Bendigo. https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/ukraine-s-pitch-to-australia-use-our-army-as-your-guinea-pig-20220904-p5bf7l.html
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France certifies Airbus Aliaca 'mini-drone' for use by Navy vessels. https://dronedj.com/2022/09/02/airbus-drone-french-navy/
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#Airbus Defence and Space signed a contract (announced march 25) with Avio Aero on Thursday for the supply of 120 Catalyst 1300-ED1 engines, which will power the 60 MALE drones of the #Eurodrone programme, under German prime contractor. https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/airbus-equipe-officiellement-l-eurodrone-d-un-moteur-italo-americain-929105.html
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Despite calls from France to “buy European,” the F-35 has beat out homegrown candidates in the most recent fighter jet competitions, including the Dassault Rafale, Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen, and the Eurofighter developed by Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/09/04/how-the-f-35-swept-europe-and-the-competition-it-could-soon-face/
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Need to Get a Suicide Drone From Tel Aviv to Paris? #Israel Wants to Help
On the ebb and flow of the rules governing the export of Israeli military technologies and knowhow reveal dramatic shifts in the shady world of arms sales.
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While Beijing today is the third largest arms provider in the world, between 2011 and 2015, 71 percent of Chinese arms exports were to Pakistan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh – states proximate to both India and China. https://www.thedailystar.net/op-ed/the-growing-strategic-importance-bangladesh-china-1393957
September 4
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Holland en de maanmissie. Assemblage European Space Module #Noordwijk. Machinefabriek West-End #Lisse, ingenieursbureau Pentacon Engineering #Haarlem, Microtechniek Special Products #Beverwijk leverden technologie & Airbus #Leiden #Oegstgeest zonnepanelen. https://www.noordhollandsdagblad.nl/cnt/dmf20220903_62705579
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With global military expenditure reaching yet record highs in 2021 "it is increasingly clear that the military industrial complex is once more moving into the position of what Dwight Eisenhower termed ‘unwarranted influence’."
https://www.redpepper.org.uk/the-war-racket/
Addition: Illustration of the above:
@GKNAero Congratulations @trussliz for being chosen to be the next PM of the UK! https://twitter.com/GKNAero/status/1566773860778889218
Looking forward to the UK Government's continued support for the essential aerospace industry! #MIC
Addition: #MIC Of zie deze als illustratie voor Nederland: @DefensieMin Gesproken met Eurocommissaris @ThierryBreton Nederland steunt zijn initiatieven om de ?ﾟﾇﾺdefensiesamenwerking te versterken. https://twitter.com/DefensieMin/status/1566754532201299969
September 3
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A long list headed by an F-16 (93-0658) fighter jet.
Since 2015, under the pretext of fighting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Turkey’s attacks on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq resulted in the death of 110 civilians and the injury of 186. https://dckurd.org/2022/08/31/casualties-in-turkish-attacks/
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Why go to so much trouble denying the obvious?
“ #Saudi Arabia has been a key customer for FN #Herstal for several years. FN Herstal's turnover for the Saudi market is estimated, depending on the year, at 20% to 50% of the company's total turnover,” Elio Di Rupo said.
Retweet @ATTExpertGroup: Belgian weapons to Saudi Arabia: export at all costs (part 1/2) Risks of humanitarian and human rights law violations be damned! Leaked documents tell a sorry cynical tale of arms export policy and decision-making in the Walloon region of Belgium. https://medor.coop/nos-coups/nos-armes-et-larabie-saoudite/armes-belges-vers-larabie-saoudite-exporter-coute-que-coute-guerre-yemen-wallonie-industrie-emploi-fn-herstal/
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10 Highest Pentagon Contract Awards for August 2022 alone (in $ x million)
Lockheed 7,631
CACI NSS 5,713
Boeing 5,021
John Hopkins Uni. 4,396
L3 3,000
Boeing 2,215
Fed. Express Team 1,631
Lumen Tech 1,500
Patriot Team 1,448
Rolls Royce 1,014
Total 33,567
https://news.clearancejobs.com/2022/09/01/10-highest-dod-contract-awards-in-august-2022/
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From 2016–2020 Israel accounted for 69% of Azerbaijan’s major arms imports — a number that represents 17% of Israeli arms exports for that same period. Israeli arms currently used by Baku are loitering munitions used during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. https://breakingdefense.com/2022/08/israel-may-be-looking-to-strengthen-ties-to-azerbaijan-as-an-iran-counter/
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Tactics Report: UK should impose total arms Embargo on UAE, KSA. https://tacticsinstitute.com/reports/tactics-report-uk-should-impose-total-arms-embargo-on-uae-ksa/
Report: https://tacticsinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/UK-Arms-Sales-to-the-Gulf-report.pdf
And there is not reason to limit this call to the UK. Other states may do the same!
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Please not after all the previous havoc.
A decade after it was declared a supermarket for illegal arms traffickers, Libya once again has become a source of illegal weapons flowing into conflicts across the Sahel and neighboring coastal states.
https://adf-magazine.com/2022/08/libyan-cease-fire-could-renew-arms-trafficking-across-borders/
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#UK Department of Int. Trade #DIT has been accused of using "delaying tactics" after twice telling Middle East Eye it needs more time to decide whether releasing information about British weapons sales to #Saudi Arabia is in the public interest. #FOI https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-saudi-arabia-arms-sales-government-accused-delay-tactics
September 2
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Police clash with "Disarm #Rheinmetall" protestors outside arms factory of Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann. #KMW is the competitor of Rheinmetall at the arms bazaar. Both are called "profiteers of human suffering."
#Germany is the 5th arms exporter in the world.
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-police-clash-with-protestors-outside-arms-factory/a-62999853
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The chief of staff of #Iran's armed forces, Maj-Gen Mohammad Baqeri, has offered to engage in "joint programmes" with #Pakistan on military aircraft, including both drones and manned planes, the official IRNA news agency reported on 1 September.
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Who is jamming and spoofing GPS-data in the East Mediterranean region? Haaretz comes to the conclusion Israel must be one of the countries involved. It is part of counter-droneattack operations. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2022-08-31/ty-article/massive-gps-jamming-observed-around-israel-are-anti-drone-weapons-to-blame/00000182-ea9d-dcde-a9d6-eeff04eb0000
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Russia-Ukraine war: Algeria could face weapons crisis due to conflict, say analysts.
Importers of Russian arms are facing increased risks of supply shortages, with Russian manufacturers racing to meet the needs of their own country's military.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/russia-ukraine-war-algeria-weapons-crisis
September 1
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War is one of the most profitable businesses; Conni Lenert and Nina Kemper from the alliance Rheinmetall Disarm („Rheinmetall entwaffnen“) on arms exports and hope for peace. https://taz.de/Rheinmetall-entwaffnen-ueber-Abruestung/!5878538/
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Waar ken ik dat bedrijf - De Haas in Maassluis - ook al weer van? Hier. Ik had het genoemd in een artikel over hoe de #oliewinning in #Nigeria beschermd wordt met Nederlandse (militaire) leveringen: https://stopwapenhandel.org/dutch-maritime-support-for-oil-industry-in-niger-delta/
@NIDVnews @Defensie_DMO en 9 bedrijven uit de sector in dialoog op de 15de Regiodag bij De Haas Maassluis. Dank aan de gastheer en Defensie voor het mee mogelijk maken van transparante en concrete gesprekken
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Germany has in 2022 (so far) exported arms worth almost € 5.1 billion. This is an increase of almost 76 percent compared to 2021, when the black-red federal government approved € 2.9 billion in arms exports by the end of August. (Large deals ended 2021.) https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/ruestungsexporte-rekordwert-eu-nato-ukraine-krieg-101.html
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Peace activists to protest against arms trade event in Liverpool
CAMPAIGNERS are taking to the streets of Liverpool on Saturday in protest at a forthcoming “electronic warfare” arms fair, which opponents have dubbed a gathering of “merchants of death.”
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/peace-activists-to-protest-against-arms-trade-event-in-liverpool
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1/2 US "deeply concerned" about continuing hostility between rival leaders in Libya, as militias continue to manoeuvre for political/military gains & the continued flow of weapons & other military equipment into the country in violation of UN arms embargo. https://dailynewsegypt.com/2022/09/01/us-warns-libyan-leaders-and-foreign-forces-of-un-sanctions/
It's easy to find out who those villains are because of the research of the officially established panel of experts. So go through the report and directly address grievances to those reported e.g. in Table 3: Jordan, Russia, Syria, Turkey, UAE, (Ukraine) https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2074509/N2233441.pdf
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Airbus OneWeb Satellites (AOS), the joint-venture between constellation operator OneWeb and Airbus Defence & Space, have contracted with Astra Space to use and integrate Astra's spacecraft engines into its Arrow small satellite portfolio. https://advanced-television.com/2022/08/31/oneweb-to-buy-astra-space-engines/
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As of August 2022 #EXIM was monitoring the end use of a single transaction that it had continued to finance in fiscal year 2020. Two satellites for the government of Mexico. Mexico was in compliance with EXIM policy not to use them military. https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-106090
But : The spacecraft (Morelos III (originally MEXSAT 2) is designed to provide L-band services to mobile 3G+ users AND armed forces via a deployable 22m Herschelian antenna dish with RF transceivers, wiki documents. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morelos_Satellite_System
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Slovakia, Finland ink deal for 76 Patria combat vehicles, part of Slovak's NATO modernisation. “we firmly believe that the Russian aggression to Ukraine has made it more and more important” to invest in defense MoD Nad said. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/08/31/slovakia-finland-ink-production-deal-for-76-patria-combat-vehicles
The war shows a strong Russia?