Latest on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
January 18
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Azerbaijani president in Switzerland for World Economic Forum, meets Damen Shipyards Group chief Arnout Damen. https://www.azernews.az/nation/205170.html
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DR Congo Receives Turkish Military Weapons, Equipment. https://www.azernews.az/nation/205170.html
Companies from at least 13 countries have helped Myanmar’s military to produce a vast range of weapons that are being used against its own people, former top UN officials say. https://graphicnews.com/en/pages/43814/military-global-firms-helping-myanmar-arms-production
https://www.graphicnews.com/media/GN/43814/W/jpg/EN
January 17
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Thales in the US
New Sonar For Navy Frigates Could Turn Any Ship into Submarine Hunter, Maker Says
Thales says its Advanced Acoustic Concepts towed sensors can be installed in just two days.
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Retweet @KelGallagh: UK arms exports in 2021 via @CAATuk https://caat.org.uk/app/uploads/2023/01/CAAT-Exports2021-v4.pdf
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In 2022, #Turkish arms exports exceeded $4 billion, which is about 36 percent more than a year ago. Moreover, 98% of the exports were the sale of #Bayraktar drones. Tested first in 2020 in the #Karabach war. https://news.am/eng/news/739870.html
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Vorige week meldde @Gleemput dat alles er op gericht leek een nieuw Oekraïens offensief door het Westen te laten bewapenen. Hoeveel tanks zijn daarvoor nodig, is zijn retorische vraag deze week. https://stopdeoorlogamsterdam.nl/hoeveel-tanks-heeft-oekraiumlne-nodig.html
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The #transparency on #Dutch military export licenses has #collapsed since July 2022.
Dual Use individual licenses however were provided until November 2022.
For this tweet I selected
a) the exports of #image_intensifiers, and
b) shipments to #Ukraine.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-dual-use-vergunningen
Ammunition through the harbour of Rotterdam, September 2022 (only transit > 1,000 pieces). https://rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/exportcontrole-strategische-goederen/documenten/rapporten/2016/10/01/overzicht-doorvoer-militaire-goederen
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European Defence Agency #EDA launched a project on 13 January to improve the tech behind #automatic targeting, as well as in threat recognition and identification, as European militaries seek to make soldiers and weapons systems more effective in battle. https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2023/01/13/eda-project-to-enhance-automatic-targeting-technology
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Ongoing Israeli spy saga
#Greek authorities fine spyware firm #Intellexa owned by former #Israeli #intel officer.
The Israeli owned spyware company has been ordered to pay 50,000 euros for failing to cooperate as part of an ongoing spyware investigation.
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The arms market in the EU is very concentrated: the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands supply 94 per cent of EU arms exports. https://www.socialeurope.eu/arms-exports-and-human-rights
January 16
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Military technology and weapons shouldn't be traded commercially.Making profits from war and human suffering is not only morally wrong, but also boost often ill advised economic and political attitudes on questions of war and peace.
Retweet with comment @WorldPeaceFdtn: RTell us what you think about the global arms trade. Respond with #takeonthearmstrade for a chance to be featured on our blog, Reinventing Peace. https://tinyurl.com/z5uu39uf
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Firms in Europe, US helping Myanmar manufacture arms, report says Prominent human rights experts urge countries to take action against companies helping Myanmar’s military produce weapons used in abuses.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/16/firms-in-europe-us-helping-myanmar-manufacture-arms-report
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Last Saterday of a range of organisations #protested at #Thales in #Brest against arms sales to #Turkey.
(@L_insoumission, du collectif des Iraniens et Iraniennes de la pointe bretonne, Collectif brestois pour le droit des femmes, @AmKurBret etc.)
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Operation #IRINI investigated 348 merchant vessels via radio calls and carried out 12 boardings. It also monitored 21 suspect flights & continued to monitor 25 airports (+landing strips) & 16 ports (+oil terminals). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/operation-eunavfor-med-irini-results-report-december-2022_en
Only #Turkey mentioned, not possitively.
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The #Biden administration has told Congress it is preparing the potential $20 billion sale of F-16 #fighter jets to #Turkey, sparking an immediate objection from Senator Bob #Menendez, Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. https://www.chinadailyhk.com/article/310244
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UK updates Armenia, Azerbaijan arms embargo guidance. https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1101590.html
At the same time it strengthens its cooperation with one of the major suppliers to Baku, the Turkish military industry. https://twitter.com/martinbroek/status/1614910292722319365
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Targeting #Myanmar's Factories Of Death
The West, in lieu of arming the resistance, could increase pressure on its allies in #Taiwan, #Ukraine, #Israel and #Singapore to end all support, either through state-controlled or private company engagement.
https://menafn.com/1105431607/Targeting-Myanmars-Factories-Of-Death
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#Thales has signed a contract with #NukkAI to develop an #AI solution for the fusion of data used by military analysts. The automated & real-time processing of this data will enable them to be faster in the development of military strategies. #Biases? https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/group/press_release/thales-and-nukkai-develop-ai-based-data-fusion-solution-military
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Dutch Damen plays a tough battle in Romania and it has Florin Spătaru, the Minister of Economics (a former Damen employee) as ally. The workers of the Mangalia Yard are the victims. https://www.national.ro/social/olandezii-pact-cu-ministerul-economiei-pentru-falimentarea-santierului-naval-mangalia-785480.htmlBut seems to have lost for now, Spătaru: 'We will not accept a workforce restructuring at the Damen Mangalia Shipyard'http://pescurt.ro/stiri-economie/florin-spataru-nu-vom-accepta-o-restructurare-a-fortei-de-munca-la-santierul-naval-damen-mangalia_13-01-2023_18276574and the chairman of the board Dan Constantin Dobrea resigned https://www.mediafax.ro/social/presedintele-consiliului-de-administratie-al-santierului-naval-2-mai-mangalia-a-demisionat-21498775
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Airbus en Dassault zijn beide door het Franse ministerie van Defensie benaderd voor het ontwerp van een nieuw verkenningsvliegtuig.
Het vliegtuig in kwestie moet een concurrent worden van de Boeing P-8 Poseidon die op de 737-800 is gebaseerd.
https://www.upinthesky.nl/2023/01/15/airbus-en-dassault-strijden-voor-deal/
France's DGA announced today that it had awarded Airbus and Dassault 18-month contracts to study maritime patrol variants of their A320neo and Falcon 10X aircraft to replace the French Navy's Atlantique ATL2s. https://defense-aerospace.com/airbus-dassault-awarded-study-contracts-for-future-maritime-patrol-aircraft/
Europe?
At last ! After Germany's stab at France on the Franco-German program MAWS (Maritime Airborne Warfare System), Paris decided to launch its own program. https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/le-nouveau-projet-francais-d-avion-de-patrouille-maritime-avis-de-deces-du-projet-franco-allemand-maws-947773.html
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#Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived in Abu Dhabi Saturday. "The #UAE is the optimum partner for our economy-centric diplomacy in the fields of #nuclear reactors, #defence [included arms sales] and infrastructure."https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/01/356_343593.html
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Defence Minister Akar - of human rights champion #Turkey - arrived in London on Sunday at the official invitation of British Defence Secretary Wallace. The #UK has expressed interest in buying Turkish-made armed #drones, called a "game-changer" by Walace. https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/defense-minister-akar-in-uk-to-discuss-bilateral-security-issues
January 15
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The question why the F-35 is conquering NATO+ (besides France, Sweden & economic/military less advanced members) is only hardly answered. The answer can be summarised by: Canada doesn't want to be an outlier (winner takes all).
There are more arguments why this is an unwise buy.
Retweet StevenStaples with comment: My latest for @ccpa Thanks to @514jon | Why the feds flip-flopped and bought the F-35 | The Monitor https://monitormag.ca/articles/why-the-liberals-flip-flopped-and-bought-the-f-35/
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US navy admiral wants more bangs for the buck (a staggering $800bn annualy). He warned industry to deliver more ordnance, fewer excuses.
“Of course we’re going to help [Ukraine] so they can win that conflict against Russia.”
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Canadian company #Rotex may have uncovered a complex clandestine supply chain that allowed one of its motors to somehow end up as part of an #Iranian #drone used by #Russian forces in #Ukraine, Canada's National Post reported. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-728461
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Ontwapening was gisteren
De huidige situatie wordt gebruikt om de militaire uitgaven nog verder op te drijven, ten koste van de samenleving. https://vrede.be/nl/nieuws/ontwapening-was-gisteren
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#Japan, #US to promote cooperation on #dual_use technologies”. Cooperation is envisioned in such areas as drones, artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum technology, several sources of both governments said. https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20230111-83142/
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Biden administration to ask Congress to approve F-16 sale to Turkey:
Sale is contingent on Turkey's approval of Finland and Sweden's Nato membership and comes alongside F-35 sale to Greece.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/biden-administration-ask-congress-approve-f-16-sale-turkey-report
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Israel's Cognyte won tender to sell spyware to Myanmar before coup - documents
The deal was made even though Israel has claimed it stopped defense technology transfers to Myanmar following a 2017 ruling by Israel's Supreme Court.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-728554
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund last month dropped Cognyte from its portfolio, saying states said to be customers of its surveillance products and services “have been accused of extremely serious human rights violations”. The fund did not name any states. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/15/israels-cognyte-won-myanmar-spyware-tender-before-coup
January 14
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Retweet @PAXvoorvrede: Investeren in wapenfabrikanten nu Oekraïne zich moet verdedigen, logisch? Nee, zegt PAX-expert Cor Oudes in @detelegraaf: "...diezelfde wapenindustrie levert wapensystemen aan dictators en is betrokken bij de productie van massavernietigingswapens, zoals kernwapens.”
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Retweet @b_v_apeldoorn:3/3 Dat laat onverlet dat de beste manier om de oorlog te beëindigen de terugtrekking van alle Russische troepen is en een einde aan alle Russische agressie. Maar het antwoord op het uitblijven daarvan kan niet alleen maar zijn doorgaan met de oorlog zonder bereidheid tot praten. https://twitter.com/b_v_apeldoorn/status/1613525425895899137
January 12
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Ukraine gets main battle tanks: Poland sending Leopard 2 , and other nations may follow. Details of timing or quantities were not immediately available. It will be probably 12. https://breakingdefense.com/2023/01/ukraine-gets-its-tanks-poland-sending-leopard-2-and-other-nations-may-follow/
Most probably 2A4 type. They've cost $ 20,00 per unit. http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product1645.html
#German Defence Minister told reporters on Jan. 12 that no country with #Leopard 2s had requested an export license for #Ukraine.
The UK government is to provide Challenger 2 #MBTs to Ukraine, according to officials in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office.
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'No weapons, but technology,' a well known defence against protests.
Midland drone engine factory (part of Israeli Elbit) boss says 'we don't make bombs', as he defends firm's right to trade. However its produce is considered military in export controls. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/inside-midlands-factory-scared-workers-25795269
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#German MoD updated the list of weapons for the #Ukraine including 20 70mm rocket launchers mounted on pick-up trucks. It ordered 2.75-inch high-explosive rockets from Rheinmetall Waffe Munition (#RWM) for an amount €19.92m.
https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/krieg-in-der-ukraine/lieferungen-ukraine-2054514
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Airbus & VDL Group partner to develop/produce a laser communication terminal for aircraft: #UltraAir. It will allow #military aircraft and #drones to connect within a multi-domain combat cloud. UltraAir is based on the development by #Airbus & Dutch #TNO. https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-01-airbus-and-vdl-group-join-forces-to-produce-an-airborne-laser
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According to Defense News on January 5, 2023, #Israel Aerospace Industries #IAI has offered the naval variant of the Barak MX to #Colombia to equip the future five frigates of the PES program (developed with #Dutch #Damen based on Sigma 10514). https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2023/january/12686-iai-offers-naval-variant-of-barak-mx-for-future-frigates-of-colombia.html
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#Damen’s partner in #Colombia, LINEAL Engineering, has opened a new office on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Since the company was founded five years ago it has been based in Bogotá, an ideal location for supporting its governmental and #naval customers. https://www.damen.com/insights-center/news/damen-partner-lineal-engineering-opens-new-office-on-caribbean-coast
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Ukraine aid is more than most states get in a year. Americans should, at the very least, discuss just how big of a check we’re willing to write, particularly with American households reeling from soaring inflation and a stagnating economy. https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2022/12/23/new-ukraine-aid-is-a-go-and-its-more-than-most-states-get-in-a-year/
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OPINION
Call for Restraints in US Arms Transfers to Ukraine
By Natalie Goldring
http://www.ipsnews.net/2023/01/call-restraints-us-arms-transfers-ukraine/
January 11
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broekstukken: Up in arms; disarmament was yesterday? https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2023/01/up-in-arms-disarmament-was-yesterday.html
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Retweet @EmmaMAshford: Interesting piece, with this particularly salient point from Matt Duss. Progressives really need to think about how they will balance pragmatic support for Ukraine against Washington's inclination to turn everything into an endless war. https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/01/09/congress-progressive-foreign-policy-biden/
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Monthly allowances given to MEPs to pay for office supplies were used to purchase shares in the arms, tobacco, mining and fossil-fuels industries to finance a heavily-indebted European Parliament pension scheme. https://euobserver.com/rule-of-law/156578
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#Pakistani shipping and brokerage firm Project Shipping plans to deliver 159 containers of #ammunition for #Ukraine in the second half of January. In exchange, Pakistan may receive Ukrainian assistance in the modernization of its Mi-17 helicopters. Details https://news.yahoo.com/pakistan-plans-transfer-ammunition-ukraine-225000883.html
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UK arms sales fuelling recent attacks on civilians in #Yemen, says report.
Oxfam figures show that hundreds of #Saudi-led attacks on civilians were carried out over recent period using weapons supplied by the #US and #UK
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemen-uk-arms-sales-fuelling-attacks-civilians
January 10
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€35m from arms sales cleared in Paris: 3 men indicted. One of them, "a Franco-Israeli 40-something is described by the intelligence services as 'an arms trafficker' and intermediary between producers & clients, such as Cameroon, Chad, Burundi, Mali, Iraq. https://www.ouest-france.fr/faits-divers/trafic/blanchiment-d-argent-lie-a-des-ventes-illicites-d-armes-trois-hommes-mis-en-examen-1aaf8f8e-8c56-11ed-9fb2-0b86ee40425f
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#US #donates #weapons to boost #Somalia's war on al-Shabab. The donation comes at a time when the Somali government is pushing for the lifting of an arms #embargo the UN imposed on the country in 1992 after a 1991 coup plunged the nation into a civil war.
Somali nat. TV, 8/1/23
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Retweet @Defensie: Sinds gisteren wordt Amerikaans materieel, zoals tanks en infanteriegevechtsvoertuigen, over weg en water door Nederland vervoerd. Het wordt hierbij ondersteund door Nederlandse militairen. Het materieel is onderweg naar Polen en Litouwen. https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/01/09/amerikaanse-landmachteenheid-met-zwaar-materieel-door-nederland
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Industrieweg in Papendrecht gaat Anthony Fokkerweg heten naar de man die Duitsland vliegtuigen leverde waarmee "een tooneel ‘van schrik en bloed’ werd aangericht."https://militairespectator.nl/artikelen/grootbedrijf-van-menschenslachting. Aan die weg zit #GKN. Nu maakt 't onderdelen voor drones & F-35's. https://broekstukken.blogspot.com/2018/11/dodelijke-reaper-drones-en-fokker.html
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Retweet @visegrad24:Finland’s new Defense Minister, Mikko Savola has stated that Finland is considering sending tanks to Ukraine. Savola was appointed on January 5th. The tanks in question would be Leopard 2s. It’s time to free the Leopards! https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1611974049751617536
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#Airbus Defence and Space has signed a contract with #Poland to provide a geospatial #intelligence system including the development, manufacture, launch and delivery in orbit of two high-performance optical Earth observation #satellites. https://apscc.or.kr/airbus-to-provide-poland-with-a-very-high-resolution-optical-satellite-system/
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Canada finalizes agreement to acquire 88 Lockheed Martin F-35's. The estimated investment for the acquisition and support is $19 billion. https://theaviationist.com/2023/01/09/canada-finalizes-acquisition-of-88-f-35s/
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A large number of #Romanian papers report on the workers protests at the Dutch #Damen #Mangalia shipyard against layoffs (postponed now, https://www.capital.ro/restructurarea-angajatilor-de-la-santierul-damen-mangalia-a-fost-amanata.html) and for higher payment (with clip): https://adevarul.ro/stiri-locale/constanta/proteste-la-santierul-naval-damen-din-mangalia-2233288.html
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#Saudi Arabia had planned to REDUCE military budgets by 10% BUT now expects to have spent 43% MORE than was planned for 2022. The rise means military spending will be the fastest growing major element within the Saudi state budget for both 2022 and 2023. https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/saudi-arabian-defense-spending-43-2022
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Israeli Spy Tech Sold to Bangladesh.
Advanced cyber tools to intercept mobile and internet traffic were sold to the Interior Ministry, internal security agency and armed forces, via Cyprus. Israel and Bangladesh do not have diplomatic relations.
January 9
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#EDA officials are awaiting word from Italy on a proposal for a program for seabed infrastructure protection. If approved, it could join the growing list of #PESCO projects whose work serves as a blueprint for solving specific military capability problems. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/01/09/europeans-wade-into-fighting-seabed-threats-with-drones-and-sensors/
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Cambio climático y armamentismo (Climate change and arms) on the report by @TNI, @CTWnl & @TPNS: “CLIMATE COLLATERAL https://listindiario.com/ventana/2023/01/08/756945/cambio-climatico-y-armamentismo
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At last. #Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Sunday that the #Turkish government is imposing a series of demands on his country to join #NATO that Sweden is unable and unwilling to meet. And #Finland will stay with Stockholm: "isn't in a hurry". https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/sweden-claims-that-turkey-is-imposing-demands-on-it-to-join-nato-that-the-country-cannot-meet/
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#Asia-Pacific's #submarine aspirations make regional waters more congested - and riskier. It's precisely in such times that such "common-sense guardrails" become all the more crucial, instead of waiting for a major submarine #incident to happen. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/submarine-invincible-singapore-navy-asian-china-defence-3186236
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The war in Ukraine continues and is on its way to its one-year anniversary (February 24). In this context, the arms industry not only continued to do business in 2022, but was a profitable sector for investors on the stock exchanges. https://www.jornada.com.mx/2023/01/06/economia/018n1eco
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Turkish Presidency of Defence Industries head Ismail Demir invited Azerbaijan to participate in the production of a Turkish combat aircraft, Azernews reports, citing the Turkish media. https://www.azernews.az/nation/204777.html
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As reported by AP, #Australia announced on 5 January that it will spend more than 1 billion Australian dollars (US$700 million) on Lockheed Martin M142 #HIMARS (launchers, missiles and training rockets), possibly 20 units. Would be inducted by 2026. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2023_global_security_army_industry/australian_army_to_get_m142_himars_missile_launchers.html
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Visits of French and US delegations brought into focus their parallel efforts to secure the contract for equipping #India's indigenous aircraft #carrier with a fighter wing. The #Rafale and the #SuperHornet, did demonstration ski-jumps in Goa in 2022. https://www.indiandefensenews.in/2023/01/the-race-for-indian-naval-fighter.html
January 8
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Did France surprise Germany by pledging tanks for Ukraine? https://uk.news.yahoo.com/did-france-surprise-germany-pledging-141753642.html
January 7
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Colombia picks Israels Elbit Atmos howitzer over French Nexter Caesar version. https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/01/06/colombia-picks-elbits-atmos-howitzer-over-nexters-caesar/
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German defence supplier #Hensoldt has applied to the government for clearance for a number of politically sensitive projects with #Gulf states, the Spiegel news magazine reported on Friday. https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/Germany-s-Hensoldt-plans-defence-deals-with-Gulf-states-Spiegel--42674888/
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One of the main policy goals of Germany's current coalition government had been imposing stricter controls on arms imports. But now it's becoming apparent that the status quo will likely remain in place – at least for now. https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-weapons-dilemma-germany-takes-a-critical-look-at-arms-exports-a-1ba58fae-ba40-4b86-8f5d-47eff4fb0516
Question: Is it known or discussed elsewhere what the proposed "tightening" implied and entailed, or was it just an abstract policy goal?
Reply @martin broek: Maybe this is of some help to you:
https://blog.prif.org/2022/12/14/why-the-future-german-arms-export-control-act-goes-in-the-right-direction-but-not-far-enough/
https://bmwk.de/Redaktion/DE/Downloads/P-R/eckpunkte-ruestungsexportkontrollgesetz-entwurf.pdf
January 6
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Sinds het begin van de oorlog tegen Oekraïne probeert de anarchistische beweging BOAK de oorlogsmachine van president Vladimir Poetin van binnenuit te saboteren. https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/1595872684/russische-groep-saboteert-poetin-en-zijn-oorlogsmachine-rusland-is-niet-van-hem-maar-van-ons
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Should the new era (Zeitenwende) consist only of a return to old-fashioned patterns of the military-supported use of force? Arms control is not taking place at the moment. The United Nations and other arms control forums have been pushed to the side. https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/foreign-and-security-policy/a-security-order-that-looks-beyond-europe-6420/
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Parts made by more than a dozen US and Western companies were found inside a single Iranian drone downed in Ukraine last fall, according to a Ukrainian intelligence assessment obtained exclusively by CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/04/politics/iranian-drone-parts-13-us-companies-ukraine-russia/index.html
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Hoewel de Wagner-aanpak in Mali veel burgerslachtoffers maakte, slaagden de Russische huurlingen er niet in om de jihadisten terug te dringen. Maar worden wel betaald met goudmijnopbrengsten. https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20230105_98619606
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Oproep tot onderhandelen. Hoe eerder de wapens zwijgen, hoe beter dat voor alle betrokkenen is – voor de Oekraïners, de Russen en de rest van de wereld. Met een hele trits ondertekenaars. https://golfgroep.blogspot.com/2022/12
January 5
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During a flight a pilot handed control of a special, highly-modified F-16 over to an #AI system that autonomously piloted the fighter. Less than two hours later, that same F-16 took to the skies again for a second flight test of a completely different AI. https://breakingdefense.com/2023/01/inside-the-special-f-16-the-air-force-is-using-to-test-out-ai/
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Germany’s Puma infantry fighting vehicles feature superior capabilities but are too prone to failure for actual operations, according to an initial assessment from defense officials over recent breakdowns in the fleet. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/01/04/germany-sees-puma-combat-vehicles-as-great-but-too-iffy-for-war/
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New #F35 engine deliveries suspended amid ongoing investigation. Pratt & Whitney did not respond Wednesday to multiple requests for comment. Last week, the company said it could not comment on the mishap because it involves an ongoing investigation. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/01/04/new-f-35-engine-deliveries-suspended-amid-ongoing-investigation/
Jamuary 4
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Vredesonderhandelingen zijn verre van vanzelfsprekend. Geef ze 'n kans.
Het alternatief is in het beste geval een jarenlange stellingenoorlog met meer doden en gewonden, meer vernieling voor Oekraïne en meer ellende voor de wereld en in het slechtste geval 'n nucleair armageddon.
Retweet met comment @Ludodb: Goed stuk van ex-Vrt-journalist Johan Depoortere die de situatie en inzet bondig en overzichtelijk op een rijtje zet: Vredesonderhandelingen over Oekraïne zijn verre van vanzelfsprekend. Geef ze toch een kans https://demorgen.be/ts-b322df60via @demorgen
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@_ENAAT bracht een info-fiche uit over ‘hoe de EU wapenhandelaren en corrupte bedrijven financiert’. De beknopte en informatieve brochure bestaat ook in het Nederlands; vredesorganisatie @CTWnl leverde een groot deel van het onderzoek voor deze publicatie. https://www.andereuropa.org/eu-wapenhandel-en-corruptie/
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US military companies are finding it tough to quickly replenish weaponry such as missiles etc. artillery shells for Ukraine. Has industry consolidation has gone too far? https://wsj.com/articles/lagging-arms-production-makes-pentagon-wary-of-further-industry-consolidation-11672754128But is that what they produce? No its stealth aircraft, high end ships, space craft.
January 3
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President Zelensky on Dec. 29 signed into law a #controversial bill on the media. In July the @EFJEUROPE urged the Ukrainian authorities to withdraw the draft media law. It said that the law contained "many provisions that are contrary to European values."https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/zelensky-signs-media-law-criticized-by-journalist-groups-as-authoritarian
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Since the beginning of the war, almost 12,000 Ukrainians are said to have tried to evade military service and flee abroad. Some of them are said to have died while crossing the border. https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article242944847/Ukraine-Live-Ukrainische-Grenztruppen-fassen-Tausende-Kriegsdienstverweigerer.html
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India's External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on Monday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in contact with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, pressing them to return to dialogue and diplomacy as a prolonged conflict will not serve the interests of any party.
Dr S Jaishankar said, there is a growing concern for the Global South about the knock-on effects of the conflict in terms of accessibility and affordability of fuel, food, and fertilizers. https://asianews.network/india-deeply-concerned-over-ukraine-conflict-jaishankar/
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Some in the West will resist the idea of such reassurance that it's safe to end the war by leaving Ukraine. But if Russia's elites conclude that it is as dangerous 4 Russia to leave Ukraine as to stay, they have no incentive to press for an end to the war. https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/in-ukraine-putin-has-no-red-lines
January 2
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@WendelaVries: Solidariteit met Oekraïne betekent niet het sturen van steeds meer wapens, maar betekent zoeken naar manieren om het geweld te stoppen. https://www.bnnvara.nl/joop/artikelen/onderhandelen-moet-de-oorlog-beeindigen
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How much money has the West spent on the Ukraine war?
If the recent Biden 45bn proposal is passed, it would be the fourth US aid package for Ukraine and the total money allocated for Ukraine since February would be nearly $100bn. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2022/12/27/how-much-money-has-the-west-spent-on-the-ukraine-war
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#Diarmament was yesterday.
Since the Ukraine war, SPD parliamentary group leader Mützenich has suffered defeat after defeat. Like on arms exports to #Saudi Arabia. In September, the government approved the export of fighter jet equipment and ammo to Ryad. https://www.nzz.ch/international/zeitenwende-der-abruestungspolitiker-muetzenich-muss-aufruesten-ld.1716659
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Our friend in Ryadh: In the time that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman al Saud has ruled Saudi Arabia, Riyadh has killed over 377,000 Yemenis and executed over 523 Saudis. Who is selling him the weapons? https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/3789858-it-is-time-for-congress-to-hold-saudi-arabia-responsible-for-its-victims/
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It is not clear if the #drones are very successful at finalizing victors in war. Using drones to harass an adversary and embarrass them doesn't win a war. Drone strikes used against civilians also don't win wars.
An condensed overview of its use worldwide:https://www.jpost.com/international/article-726025
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'China and Russia's abstentions [on UNCS resolution n Myanmar, adopted 21/12/22] signal that even the junta's few friends have lost interest in sticking out their necks to defend its atrocities,' said Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human Rights Watch. https://www.mizzima.com/article/human-rights-watch-approves-un-myanmar-resolution
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Retweet @Mschroeder77: Ukrainian border guards foil attempt to smuggle helicopter across the border to Hungary. https://dpsu.gov.ua/en/news/a-helicopter-was-found-at-the-border-with-hungary-which-was-illegally-exported-from-ukraine/
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On December 28, 2022, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto announced that the Italian Government is busy thinking about the possibility to deliver air defense systems coming from the military inventory of the Italian army. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_december_2022_global_security_army_industry/italy_to_provide_ukraine_%E2%82%AC10_million_of_aid_including_air_defense_missile_systems.html
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Airbus Helicopters: "Ageing Russian heli's have performed badly in Ukraine & are now unable to be serviced properly owing to sanctions." The're 8,000 around worldwide. 260+ by countries like Bosnia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, N-Macedonia, Serbia & Slovakia. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/12/31/nato-forces-risk-ageing-fleet-russian-helicopters/
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Two European defence giants, Thales and Airbus, hunt for the same prey: Atos, a firm offering cyber security services. https://www.lesechos.fr/tech-medias/hightech/atos-les-intentions-dairbus-se-precisent-face-a-thales-1893093
Janyuary 1
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Het nieuwe jaar ingeluid met een sexy foto van je oliebol of appelflap? Nu blijft dat nog tussen jou en je partner(s), maar @Europol ziet dat graag anders. Wij willen dat tegenhouden. Begin het nieuwe jaar goed met een donatie aan Bits of Freedom. https://bitsoffreedom.nl/hapklarevoornemens