Latest on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
October 10
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The Russian government has provided little information on military expenditure during the war with Ukraine that started in late February 2022. This is what is known by SIPRI. https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2022-10/bp_2210_russianmilex.pdf
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Companies behind robot dogs asks countries not to arm the robot dogs, please. No rules, but please please please. https://taskandpurpose.com/tech-tactics/dont-arm-robot-dogs/#killerrobots
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Is this a BAEs advertisement at the expense of French Nexter & German KMW/Rheinmetal?
The M777 has found favour with Ukrainian forces for its greater accuracy [than the #PzH2000 & French Caesar howitzer] and ease of use. https://www.wsj.com/articles/bae-u-s-in-talks-to-restart-m777-howitzer-production-after-ukraine-success-11665307803
If true how #inaccurate? #Chora
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Dagblad Suriname haalt verschillende verhalen op over de betrokkenheid van Desi Bouterse bij wapenhandel met de Colombiaanse FARC in ruil voor cocaïne. https://www.dbsuriname.com/2022/10/08/bouterse-krijgt-pak-slaag-in-poll-over-zijn-toekomst-in-de-politiek/
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US should "rethink" arms sales to Saudi Arabia, following the KSA's support for Russia in the war against Ukraine, Sen. Murphy D-Conn. said https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/09/murphy-saudi-arabia-consequences-00061068
If the war in Yemen, global support 4 islamists, internal repression or gross human rights vilolations isn't enough
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Van bulderende tanks tot ingevroren apparaten; Honderdjarig #Thales geeft zeldzaam kijkje in de keuken. https://www.gooieneemlander.nl/cnt/dmf20221008_69958091
Exportbestemming #Saudi Arabië voor producten van Thales Huizen mist in dit PR-artikel.
From roaring tanks to frozen applictions; Centennial #Thales gives a rare glimpse into the kitchen. https://www.gooienemlander.nl/cnt/dmf20221008_69958091
Export destination #Saudi Arabia for Thales Huizen military tech is missing in this PR article.
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The #Czech Republic has officially requested the US to purchase 24 units of the #Lockheed Martin #F35. This means that after the lease of the Swedish SAAB Gripen, which the Czechia uses, ends, Prague does not intend to accept a new offer from #Sweden. https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2022/10/10/czech-republic-ignored-gripen-and-officially-asked-for-the-f-35/
October 9
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Robert #Habeck’s (Greens) Min of Economics approved the export of military products for #Saudi fighter jets worth around €36m. Spare parts for the Airbus A330 MRTT worth €2.8m are also to be supplied. Loud #protests are stirring in De #Grünen. https://globalhappenings.com/politics/266137.html
October 8
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13 criminal Dutch investigations into violations of sanctions against Russia. https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1453246/dertien-strafrechtelijke-onderzoeken-naar-overtreding-russische-sancties-thj2cadIoRGl
Yesterday Fiscal Recherche reported an arrest because of a violation of the Sanctions Act; supplying Russia with microchips that could be used militarily.
https://www.fiod.nl/aanhouding-in-onderzoek-naar-overtreding-sanctiewetgeving/
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Retweet @Mschroeder77:I just discovered US CBP's interactive database on weapons seizures at US ports, which is surprisingly useful. https://cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/weapons-and-ammunition-seizures
In calendar year 2021, USSOCOM reported that it had 28 active SOF operation and command structures, primarily in the Middle East and Africa. From calendar years 2018 through 2021, USSOCOM reported that it terminated or transitioned 57 SOF C2 structures. https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23127312/gao-23-105163.pdf
October 7
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You may have seen that already, but just in case: new EU sanctions against Russia includes arms and other military-related aspects. see the full press release: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/10/06/eu-adopts-its-latest-package-of-sanctions-against-russia-over-the-illegal-annexation-of-ukraine-s-donetsk-luhansk-zaporizhzhia-and-kherson-regions/tnx to @_ENAAT for informing.
Example of how extensive an arms embargo can be.
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The #Bangladesh Army Aviation Group has received its second C295W tactical military transport aircraft from #Airbus Defence and Space. The new medium utility military aircraft officially joined the Bangladeshi Fleet on September 25. https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/10/06/bangladesh-airbus-transport-aircraft/
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Clayton International won a $7 million deal to provide depot level maintenance services for one VH-3A Helicopter for the Government of Egypt. Work will take place in Georgia. Estimated completion will be in June 2024. https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3181029/
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The Green MEP Hannah Neumann criticizes that the federal government is supplying ammunition to Saudi Arabia. She calls for more pressure on EU partners to prevent arms sales to undemocratic states.
https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/waffenverkaeufe-an-saudi-arabien-ich-persoenlich-finde-die-entscheidung-falsch-a-538cc65a-9372-4dac-ab31-ede02879119f
In times of the energy crisis, Chancellor Olaf Scholz is apparently relying on good relations with the royal family in Riyadh. It was about ... oil and hydrogen from Saudi Arabia. But apparently also about the interests of the European arms industry. https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/monitor/ruestungsexporte-saudi-arabien-jemen-101.html
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The war in Ukraine has supplied a lucrative shop window for arms manufacturers, creating some unlikely winners amid a surge in demand for heavy weaponry.
https://inews.co.uk/news/world/ukraine-war-shakes-up-weapons-industry-new-trends-unlikely-winners-1895022
So keep them far from political decission making, I would like to suggest.
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With the ceasefire over and both sides blaming the other for its breakdown, #Yemen faces another round of violence – with the civilian population no doubt again bearing the highest cost: “at risk if air strikes, ground shelling, & missile attacks resume.” https://themedialine.org/news/as-truce-collapses-devastated-yemen-braces-for-fresh-fighting/
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Why #SAAB is not able to sell its #Gripen fighter to more countries? CEO Johansson explains why: "In many countries, the leverage of the US is tremendous. They are not so easy to work against."
#F35 #Lockheed #Washington https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/world/sweden-s-saab-built-one-of-the-world-s-best-non-stealth-fighters-but-its-ceo-says-that-s-not-enough-to-outsell-us-jets/ar-AA12G2lK
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US Announces Sanctions on Myanmar Military-Linked Arms Broker
Aung Moe Myint and his Dynasty International company are accused of procuring Russian-made arms from Belarus for the military.
https://thediplomat.com/2022/10/us-announces-sanctions-on-myanmar-military-linked-arms-broker/
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Something good, as a result?
US Democrats called to respond on oil cut by pulling back on its 70-year strategic partnership delivering arms and US military protection for #Riyadh, charging that Prince MbS stopped upholding Saudi's side of a the partnership. https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-2022-midterm-elections-biden-inflation-business-fa45f3023af51b1b7201f0c06d86f72d
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The friend of human rights, the champion of regional peace and stability and the greatest collegue of all in NATO, yes the remarkable Recep Tayyip Erdogan, again threatened to block Sweden from joining NATO on Thursday (6/10) evening. https://newsingermany.com/conflicts-erdogan-threatens-greece-could-come-at-night/
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US officials have been frustrated with Ukraine's lack of transparency about its military and covert plans, especially on Russian soil while the article focusses on Daria Dugina it also reports on sabotaging Russian arms factories and weapons depots. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/05/us/politics/ukraine-russia-dugina-assassination.html
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Nuclear-capable missile confrontation in a regional flashpoint, during geopolitical tension, is a reminder that however bleak the outlook, diplomacy remains the only viable way to handle the threat. So create room and opportunity for it to be revived. https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3195085/diplomacy-only-way-defuse-missiles-escalation-north-korea
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The company behind Australian arms fair Land Forces is #AMDA. AMDA is registered with Australian Charities and Non-for-profit Commission which operates around the country. And that scheme is lucrative for the company and its board as is investigated here.. https://michaelwest.com.au/what-do-you-think-the-arms-trade-is-a-charity-actually-yes-thats-what-it-is/
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Thales announces that it has invested in the Canadian startup AI Redefined (AIR), which has created a new AI training capability where humans and machines learn continuously from each other to address sophisticated challenges in real time. https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/countries-americas/canada/press-release/thales-invests-canadian-startup-ai-redefined-air
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As the Gulf region attracts more attention from military companies the world over, it’s becoming apparent that direct competition with local firms can be a tough hill to climb. But local partnerships offer a potentially lucrative way to new customers. https://breakingdefense.com/2022/10/as-western-defense-firms-eye-expansion-in-the-uae-local-competition-awaits/
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Romanian complaints, the French help, they are laughed at, and the Dutch run with all arms contracts. They are redirected to the Damen wharf in Galati, by the former director of DAMEN and current Minister of the Economy, the "Dutch" Florin Spătaru. https://www.national.ro/dezvaluiri/am-dat-4-miliarde-pe-patriot-si-ne-aparam-cu-mamba-de-imprumut-776648.html
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“Taiwan Pledges to Keep Advanced Chips From Chinese Military.” The control of a strategic products to China is also economic policy for the #US, #Taiwan #Semiconductor Manufacturing, Samsung Electronics and Intel are all building new US fabrication plants. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-05/taiwan-pledges-to-keep-advanced-chips-from-chinese-military
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Export of military equipment from the #Czech Rep. to #Ukraine has totalled CZK 47bn (almost €2bn) in 2022, including CZK 4.2bn provided by the state. MoD Jana Cernochova that the Prague approved aid included heavy equipment, as well as fire arms and ammo. https://brnodaily.com/2022/10/06/news/politics/czech-supplies-of-military-equipment-to-ukraine-reach-czk-47-billion/
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An Eurasia Group Foundation poll found that most Americans – nearly 70% were against the continuation of US arms sales to Saudi Arabia, of those almost 35% were "strongly" opposed to it. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221006-most-americans-oppose-arms-sales-to-saudi-new-poll-finds/
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De een knuffelt een boom, de ander tja...
Minister Ollongren #D66: Nederland moet wapenindustrie durven omarmen.
https://fd.nl/politiek/1454095/minister-ollongren-nederland-moet-wapenindustrie-durven-omarmen-igj2cadIoRGl
October 6
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Tja dan koop je een #F35 die veel meer #herrie maakt dan de F-16. Het hoeft niet te verbazen dat in juli 318 klachten binnenkwamen (102 juli 2021), in augustus steeg het aantal klachten naar 364 #klachten (aug 2021 114 klachten).
Niet eerder zo meegemaakt. https://www.gelderlander.nl/maasland/klachtenregen-over-vliegbasis-volkel-en-f-35-houdt-aan~aef121c0/
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NewSpace and the Commercialization of the Space Industry: Challenges for the Missile Technology Control Regime. https://www.sipri.org/publications/2022/other-publications/newspace-and-commercialization-space-industry-challenges-missile-technology-control-regime
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#Israel is refraining from setting regulations to monitor the activity of intermediaries, especially former senior defense establishment officials, in military transactions and arms sales. https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2022-10-06/ty-article-opinion/.premium/and-if-they-used-israeli-weapons/00000183-aa22-d5eb-a3af-fab6ca870000
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Airbus Defence and Space and Spanish shipbuilder Navantia signed an agreement to promote and stimulate tech projects aimed at the industrial and defence sector in Spain and Europe. It includes incorporating AI and cybersecurity into products and operations.https://www.pressreader.com/spain/cinco-dias/20221005/281651078995713
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The US is preparing to introduce sweeping export controls in an effort to slow Chinese efforts to obtain semiconductors and chipmaking equipment for supercomputers and other military-related applications.
https://www.ft.com/content/9fd8b86f-4ff2-4a1f-98b9-739360cea98c
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US→Ukraine: "It’s the Wild West", said a lawyer representing arms exporters & serves on the federal Defense Trade Advisory Group. "We're seeing a lot of people who were previously not involved in arms sales getting involved now." It is the opportunity. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/06/world/europe/ukraine-private-arms-deals.html
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A range of thoughts by experts on the international arms market.
War in Ukraine shakes up weapons industry with new trends and unlikely winners.
Surge in demand creates new powers in the arms trade, while Russian exports decline.
https://inews.co.uk/news/world/ukraine-war-shakes-up-weapons-industry-new-trends-unlikely-winners-1895022
October 5
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General Atomics developing hybrid-electric engine for stealthy ‘MQ-Next’ drone design. A game changer in warfare. https://breakingdefense.com/2022/10/general-atomics-developing-hybrid-electric-engine-for-stealthy-mq-next-drone-design/
Imagine all these efforts were put into environmental friendly products or even better: less production.
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The Philippine military has sent eight #Israeli Soltam/Elbit Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS 2000) 155mm self-propelled guns to #Mindanao to support counter-terrorism operations in the southern region. https://army.mil.ph/home/index.php/press-releases-archive-2/1688-game-changer-atmos-self-propelled-howitzers-arrive-in-mindanao
The howitzer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATMOS_2000
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The Moroccan Army has procured advanced military drones from China as part of its continuing effort to bolster its air defense capabilities. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2022/10/351642/morocco-purchases-modern-chinese-military-drones
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Question embedded in Turkish foreign policy (being "increasingly interventionist and thus conflict-ridden character - for example in northern Iraq, in Syria, in Libya, in Azerbaijan") about the total 2022 value of #German arms export licenses for #Turkey. https://www.bundestag.de/presse/hib/kurzmeldungen-913718
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The economy of war establishes itself. The next issue is how it will be financed without ethical restraints. The campaign to lift restrictions at financial institutions is gaining speed.
Qui financera l'économie de guerre?
Who will fund the war economy?
https://www.lesechos.fr/idees-debats/editos-analyses/qui-financera-leconomie-de-guerre-1866434
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On the other side of the world.
Give #Myanmar’s resistance what it needs to shoot down Junta helicopters. The Myanmar resistance needs meaningful support: weapons to shoot the Mi-35s and all of the regime’s other airborne killing machines out of the sky. https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/commentary/give-myanmars-resistance-what-it-needs-to-shoot-down-junta-helicopters.html
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Indian PM Modi reiterated his call to Pres. Zelenskyy for an earliest cessation of hostilities with Russia & the need to walk the path of dialogue & diplomacy.
He emphasized the UN Charter, Int. Law, & the sovereignty & territorial integrity of all states. https://www.dailypioneer.com/2022/page1/modi-speaks-to-zelenskyy--calls-for-talks--diplomacy-to-end-war-with-russia.html
Ukraine will not conduct negotiations with Putin: Zelenkskyy responds to PM Modi's call for peace. https://theprint.in/world/ukraine-will-not-conduct-negotiations-with-putin-zelenkskyy-responds-to-pm-modis-call-for-peace/1154910/
He sticks to the Five point peace palns as outlines in the General Assembly of the UN. https://gadebate.un.org/en/77/ukraine
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One killed, two missing in Bulgaria rsenal Kazanlak arms and ammo factory blast. The prosecutor said the most likely cause of the accident was failure to follow safety rules. https://www.spacewar.com/reports/One_killed_two_missing_in_Bulgaria_arms_factory_blast_999.html
October 4
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De recherche ziet dat een groep verdachten van grootschalige cocaïnesmokkel en #wapenhandel via versleutelde berichtendienst Encrochat contact heeft met naar later blijkt V., een #KMAR-lid. V zit inmidels in een beschermingsprogramma. https://www.tubantia.nl/enschede/militair-die-informatie-lekte-aan-criminelen-opgenomen-in-beschermingsprogramma-om-eist-maximale-taakstraf~a4f35287/
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US #Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) has led a biparatisan group of colleagues in demanding sanctions against #Algeria for its purchase of #Russian arms, a violation of the "Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act".
- https://gna.org.gh/2022/10/us-lawmakers-call-for-sanctions-against-algeria-for-arms-deal-with-russia
- https://mcclain.house.gov/2022/9/rep-lisa-mcclain-leads-colleagues-in-demanding-sanctions-on-algeria-for-purchase-of-russian-weapons
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Komatsu stopped producing light armoured vehicles, Sumitomo Heavy Industries halted its production of the next series of machine guns etc. According to the #Japanese Defense Ministry, more than 100 companies have exited the military industry since 2003. https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20221003-62181/
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South #Sudan, a nation in need of a #arms embargo, not sanctions. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch want an arms embargo, but US sanctions include South Sudan’s oil industry. https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/opinion/nation-in-need-of-an-arms-embargo-not-sanctions-d8b9641d-bcdc-453f-9ceb-716f75c451a8
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Australian Greens’ senator David Shoebridge at arms fair: “They use our fear, and at the moment fear from the conflict in Ukraine and fear of conflict with China, to make their fortunes. The whole purpose of this industry is to win multibillion-dollar...”. https://michaelwest.com.au/michael-west-media-banned-from-land-forces-weapons-expo/
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@FrankSlijperTurkish shipbuilder RMK Marine launched 1st MilGem (Ada)-class corvette on order for Ukraine https://janes.com/defence-news/turkey-launches-first-ada-class-corvette-for-ukraine
"One of four" the Russian webpage armstrade.org states based on a RIA Novosti report. https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2022/1003/094069742/detail.shtml
The ships are equipped with arms from France, Germany, Italy, the US and military tech from the Netherlands (Thales, IMTECH) and Turkey. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_corvette_Hetman_Ivan_Mazepa
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A new mission is being established at US European Command’s headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany to oversee how the US trains and equips Ukrainian troops, the New York Times reported (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/29/us/politics/pentagon-command-ukraine.html). 4 training Grafenwöhr or Hohenfels may be used. https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-army/2022/10/03/us-may-establish-new-command-in-germany-to-arm-ukraine-report/
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On US WMEAT-report: Ending the report is a problem in that it signals a continued lack of disclosure in general on US arms sales policies, not because it decreases transparency over US support to Ukraine. https://www.c4isrnet.com/thought-leadership/2022/10/03/ukraine-arms-transfers-still-tracked-after-us-state-dept-kills-report/
October 3
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The #US State Department approved an #FMS of M1A2K tank operational & training #ammunition to #Kuwait for an estimated cost of $250 million to deter and defend against land-based threats, and help protect border regions and key land-based infrastructure. https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/kuwait-m1a2k-tank-operational-and-training-ammunition
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#Kuwait now has 6 #Eurofighters in the country after #Leonardo delivered another two aircraft to Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah Air Base. This is the 3rd batch of delivery. https://www.arabnews.com/node/2171641/middle-east
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Austria, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Romania have urged the European Commission to aim high in its upcoming proposal on cyber defence, setting out their recommendations on five priority areas.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/cybersecurity/news/six-eu-countries-call-for-ambitious-cyber-defence-policy-document/
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#French Minister of the Interior & Overseas Gérald Darmanin arrived in Fort-de-France, #Martinique. The fight against the circulation of firearms on the island is the priority of his trip. https://www.europe1.fr/politique/trafic-darmes-en-martinique-quels-sont-les-engagements-de-gerald-darmanin-4138065
Advice for free: Ask the US to control its borders against #SALW exports!
October 2
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In an overview on #Indian arms export policy:
"#Myanmar is very special in this respect. India is the third largest arms supplier after China and Russia. India accounts for 17% of Myanmar’s defense equipment imports."https://india.postsen.com/world/289939/What-is-the-Weapon-Diplomacy-of-India-India-is-selling-arms-to-which-countries-included-in-top-25-countries.html
October 1
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Drones at sea during REMPUS 2022 https://nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2022/9/pdf/220915-factsheet-exercise-repmus.pdf
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It's easier to violently disrupt societies than it is to juridically end the export of small arms to other countries. A US #judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Mexican government accusing US arms makers of contributing to the bloodshed in #Mexico. https://worldnationnews.com/they-deal-a-blow-to-mexico-us-judge-dismisses-lawsuit-against-arms-manufacturers/
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Het is de bedoeling dat de scheepsbouwers rond de zomer van 2023 hun biedingen insturen. Eind volgend jaar moet dan bekend zijn of het Zweeds-Nederlandse conglomeraat Saab/Damen, TKMS uit Duitsland of de Franse Naval Group de miljardenorder krijgt.
De onderzeeboten en fregatten worden bovendien in de toekomst voorzien van langeafstandsraketten. Daarover informeer ik de Tweede Kamer volgend jaar”, aldus Van der Maat. https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2022/38/01_onderzeeboot
Kamerbrief over offerteaanvraag vervanging onderzeebootcapaciteit Staatssecretaris Van der Maat (Defensie) informeert de Tweede Kamer over de offerteaanvraag, een belangrijke mijlpaal in de vervanging van de onderzeebootcapaciteit. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2022/09/30/kamerbrief-over-offerteaanvraag-vervanging-onderzeebootcapaciteit
De vertrouwelijke bijlage I geeft inzicht in 't #levensduurkostenbudget en de risicoreservering. Daarnaast zijn de top-10 risico’s opgenomen in de vertrouwelijke bijlage III bij deze brief. Deze top-10 vertegenwoordigt ongeveer 80% van het totale benoemde financiële risico's.
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The US has actively pursued the development of hypersonic weapons since the early 2000s. Recently the US has focused such efforts on hypersonic glide vehicles & #hypersonic cruise missiles with shorter and intermediate ranges for use in regional conflicts. https://www.idga.org/events-hypersonicweaponssystems
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A point of view by Dr. Daphné Richemond-Barak of the Israeli MirYam Institute: Nations that set limits on #AI capabilities may encounter adversaries who have no qualms about doing so, putting them at a disadvantage. https://www.c4isrnet.com/unmanned/robotics/2022/09/30/beyond-killer-robots-how-ai-impacts-security-military-affairs/