Latest
on top (updated regularly):
(https://twitter.com/martinbroek)
April
8
***
Netherlands only country disappearing from list wih 10 biggest global arms exporters and South-Korea only nation entering the league with major arms exporters when SIPRI rankings for 2014-18 and 2019-23 are compared.
Retweet with comment @SIPRIorg: Russian arms exports fell by 53% between 2014–18 and 2019–23. For the first time, Russia was the third biggest arms exporter, just behind France. Get the full analysis https://www.sipri.org/publications/2024/sipri-fact-sheets/trends-international-arms-transfers-2023
April 7
***
#Spain
rejects ban on arms exports to #Morocco. «Spain's defense exports
comply with national, EU, and international regulations, all of which
prioritize international humanitarian law and peace and security»,
wrote the MFA Albares.
https://en.yabiladi.com/articles/details/148435/spain-rejects-arms-exports-morocco.htmlIllegal #occupation?
***
Representative
Nancy #Pelosi, former House speaker and a key ally of Biden, has
signed a letter from dozens of congressional #Democrats to the
president and Secretary of State Blinken, urging a halt to #weapons
#transfers to Israel.
https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1308762/Pelosi-joins-call-to-halt-arms-exports
https://twitter.com/RepMarkPocan/status/1776366820502421643/photo/3
April 6
***
War sells.
At Singapore Airshow, the Israeli-Gaza war was a selling point for Israeli arms makers. Israeli firms unveiled the next generation of kamikaze drones. A visit to the biggest arms trade show in Asia. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-04-05/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/at-singapore-airshow-the-gaza-war-was-a-selling-point-for-israeli-weapon-manufacturers/0000018e-aa7f-dc75-afde-faff383b0000
***
De meest
bekende communicatie truc. Nederlands hoogste militair kent hem: Op
de foto met kinderen, dat vertedert.https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2024/12/index
Maar wie geeft eigenlijk toestemming voor militaire propaganda naar elf en twaalf jarigen?
***
Van
opgedrongen #oorlogslogica tot opgelegde #militarisering?
https://stopwapenhandel.org/van-opgedrongen-oorlogslogica-tot-opgelegde-militarisering/
Hoe 't tij te keren?
Waar is 't woord 'wapenbeheersing' eigenlijk weggestopt? Afstoffen en toepassen op AI, cyber, hyper, nucleaire, nano & biowapens. Niet alsmaar meer, maar werken aan minder.
***
Israel admits
‘grave mistake’ after Gaza bombing kills seven aid workers– but
charity demands full inquiry.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/israel-admits-grave-mistake-sacks-103948914.html
It raises the question: what about the other 30,000 killed Gazans? Mistake or part of ethnic cleansing?
***
Toys for the
boys? Longing for past heavy armour? Wise financially? Sound policy,
military strategically? Or just uniformed nostalgia?
Air defence, #tanks top Dutch military's wish list.https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/04/05/air-defense-tanks-top-dutch-militarys-wish-list
***
As if the
history of Ukrainian arms exports is not bad already:
Ukraine needs to liberalize arms exports abroad. If the domestic arms industry can produce, it would be logical and necessary to sell, Vladyslav Belbas, Gen. Dir of Ukrainian Armor LLC said. https://censor.net/en/n3482832
***
The
opposition towards arming Israel gathers strength day by day.
UK civil servants in the Department of Business and Trade involved with arms exports have raised concern over their degree of liability in arms sales.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/government-gaza-israel-joe-biden-benjamin-netanyahu-b2523585.html
***
The
expensive and blunt answer to a world in disorder. #Norway to double
military spending under ‘historic’ long-term military plan
"involving a significant strengthening of all branches of the
Armed Forces," said Prime Minister Gahr Støre. #Petrokrone.
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/04/norway-to-double-military-spending-under-historic-long-term-defense-plan/
***
Human
rights lawyers said on Friday they had filed an urgent appeal against
Germany's government to stop exports of war weapons to Israel, citing
reasons to believe they were being used in ways violating
international humanitarian law in Gaza.
https://www.aol.com/news/rights-lawyers-court-stop-german-135731376.html
Legal
push to stop Germany's arms exports to Israel
https://euobserver.com/rule-of-law/158312
April 5
***
Preliminary
investigation of misfired frigate.
Dutch #Thales disclaims responsibility for misfired missile launches on frigate (according to #Danish broadcaster DR https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/foreloebig-undersoegelse-af-fejlramt-fregat-frikender-del-af-luftforsvar): “[It] does not indicate a problem related to the #APAR radar.”
***
België:
Activisten blokkeren toegang tot Buitenlandse Zaken om militair embargo te eisen.
***
UK under
growing pressure to halt arms exports to #Israel.
Ex-Supreme Court judges among those warning government of risk of international law breach after aid worker deaths.
Britain also supplies around 15% of the #F35 built in the US by #Lockheed Martin.
https://www-ft-com.ezproxy.depaul.edu/content/69855ef9-da6c-41ed-bf53-a3a1542888a4
***
‘VS willen
niet dat #ASML machines in China blijft onderhouden’.
Next week officials of the Biden administration will demand ASML to stop litho machine cooperation with China.
#Veldhoven is the a village in the 51st state?
https://fd.nl/economie/1512749/verenigde-staten-willen-niet-dat-asml-machines-in-china-blijft-onderhouden
***
A minor shift
coming?
“What we want to see are some real changes on the #Israeli side,” #US #NSC spokesman John Kirby said. “And, you know, if we don’t see changes from their side, they’ll have to be changes from our side.” https://breakingdefense.com/2024/04/white-house-indicates-arms-sale-changes-on-table-for-israel/
April 4
***
“Waar vind je
informatie over Nederlandse wapenhandel met #Israël? Wat zijn de
militaire relaties tussen Nederland en Israël? Stop #Wapenhandel
heeft jarenlang ervaring met onderzoek naar dit soort informatie.”
“We steunen de oproep tot een militair embargo en vinden het belangrijk dat acties en campagnes worden gevoerd op grond van kennis en feiten stelt @CTWnl en “Omdat we graag onze kennis delen organiseren we #workshops over dit onderwerp.” https://stopwapenhandel.org/app/uploads/2024/04/workshop-wapenhandel-online-DEF.pdf
***
#Indonesia
has ordered 2 Scorpene-class #submarines from #France’s
#Naval_Group as part of a defence cooperation agreement signed in
2021, the company said Tuesday. The submarines will be built at the
Indonesian #PT_Pal shipyard.
https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2024/04/03/indonesia-buys-two-submarines-from-france.html
***
Offaly-based
Irish Training Solutions has recruited former Army Rangers to train
Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar's troops in an apparent breach of a UN
arms embargo.
https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2024/04/03/irishmen-training-army-of-libyan-strongman-khalifa-haftar-in-apparent-breach-of-un-embargo/
Oud-militairen
van het Ierse leger hebben de troepen van de Libische warlord Khalifa
Haftar getraind, zo blijkt uit onderzoek van The Irish Times. De
oud-leden van de Defence Forces werken vanaf 2023 voor Irish Training
Solutions, een commercieel huurlingenbedrijf.
https://www.bnr.nl/nieuws/internationaal/10544241/iers-huurlingenbedrijf-traint-libische-opstandelingen-schendt-vn-embargo
***
Healthcare
workers blockaded #NHS #England’s headquarters today, demanding
that it sever ties with #Palantir — a US #spy-tech firm which
supplies tech to #Israel’s military and which was first funded by
the #CIA. It was awarded a £330m contract by the NHS.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/not-only-is-our-government-complicit-in-genocide-it-knows-it
***
In the years
2014-23 84 incidents of explosive weapons used by #Nigeria were
recorded with 797 civilian casualties (444 #killed) & 3238 armed
actor #casualties (2971 killed). #Air-launched weapons account for
all civilian casualties.
https://aoav.org.uk/category/explosive-violence-research/state-actors/nigerian-armed-forces/
***
"Israël
bombardeert, #Thales profiteert", galmde het gisteren door de
straten van #Huizen. Zo'n 40 actievoerders van Extinction Rebellion
hebben Thales bezet. "Hier blijven we zitten tot Thales stopt
met het leveren van wapens aan #Israël", zeggen ze.
https://www.nhnieuws.nl/nieuws/334227/pro-palestina-demonstratie-gaande-tegen-wapenhandel-van-huizer-bedrijf
De Huizer vestiging
is niet de enige vestiging die vandaag wordt bezet. Ook #Hengelo,
#Delft en #Breda zijn aan de beurt. De actie is onderdeel van een
serie internationale acties tegen wapenreus #Thales, waaronder in de
#VS, 't #VK (incl, Noord-#Ierland & #Schotland) en #België.
‘Stop met het bewapenen van Israel’, zo luidt het. De
demonstranten hebben zich vastgeketend.
“Thales Groep produceert wapens, drones en militaire technologie in samenwerking met de Israëlische militaire industrie. Dat moet stoppen!”, stelt de organisatie.
https://www.huizernieuws.nl/politiek/politiek/335362/extinction-rebellion-demonstreert-tegen-wapenhandel-voor-inga
Tientallen
demonstranten hebben zich vanmorgen verzameld bij de hoofdingang van
Thales in #Hengelo. Zij demonstreren tegen wapenhandel en laten
Palestijnse vlaggen zien.
https://www.rtvoost.nl/nieuws/2329272/tientallen-pro-palestina-demonstranten-protesteren-tegen-wapenhandel-voor-ingang-thales
Activisten beschuldigen Thales van leveren militaire onderdelen aan Israël. ‘Bloederige business’. https://www.trouw.nl/binnenland/activisten-beschuldigen-thales-van-leveren-militaire-onderdelen-aan-israel-bloederige-business~be3f8522/
***
Israeli
#Hermes 450 #drone/Zik drone used in Gaza aid strike could be powered
by #British-made engine, #CAAT stated.
Pressure mounts to halt arms sales as senior Tory calls airstrike a ‘turning point in #Israel’s collapsing #reputation’.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/gaza-aid-workers-israel-british-drone-b2522977.html
The
Hermes 450 is powered by a UK-made R902(W) Wankel engine, which is
produced by Elbit subsidiary UAV Engines Limited in the UK, according
to the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT).
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/not-only-is-our-government-complicit-in-genocide-it-knows-it
***
The Palestine
solidarity movement in Canada has forced the government into a more
critical stance on Israel, but the arms embargo suffers from serious
loopholes, argues John Clarke.
https://www.counterfire.org/article/canadas-dubious-arms-embargo-on-israel/
***
#UK PM
Sunak pressured by lawmakers to suspend arms sales to #Israel. MP's
from multiple parties claimed that the UK should end #arms supply to
Israel based on their perception that Israel was not following
humanitarian law, as the JP worded their concern.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-795271
April 3
***
Family pay
tribute to ‘genuine gentleman’ killed by Israeli missile.
IDF chief sorry for ‘mistake’ after strike kills British aid workers. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/03/israel-hamas-war-latest-british-aid-workers-gaza-air-strike/#1712134974673
Sorry isn't the hardest word, 'ceasefire' is, it seems.
***
PM of Israel
Netanyahu has called on the country’s military industry to boost
local production of weapons amid #growing international calls to stop
arming Jerusalem. He said those firms must adapt to the increasing
needs of the war against Hamas militants.
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2024/04/03/israel-local-production-weapons/
***
"Investeren
in #wapens mag niet normaal worden"
Waarom de financiële sector niet in wapens moet investeren. #Triodos
https://dekleurvangeld.nl/artikelen/2024/opinie-wapens
***
Helpful,
isn't it.
The administration of US President Joe Biden is close to approving the supply of up to 50 American-made F-15 fighter jets and ammunition to Israel, in a deal expected to be worth more than $18 billion.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240402-us-close-to-approving-18bn-aircraft-ammunition-sale-to-israel/
***
US
sanctions targeting #Myanmar’s #arms acquisitions have been imposed
regularly since the coup, with specific sanctions on jet #fuel
supplies in March & August 2023. These measures should be
#coordinated and expanded in light of the surge in air strikes.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/how-myanmar-regime-surviving
April 2
***
Italian
shipbuilder #Fincantieri signed a contract to provide the #Indonesian
Navy with two 4900-ton PPA ships, although the government has not yet
funded the purchase.
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2024/03/29/fincantieri-inks-13b-deal-with-indonesia-for-two-patrol-ships/
Indonesia is headed by the notorious #Prabowo. Some crimes seem to be easily forgotten.
***
Who pays for
the US-China Tech Trade War?
#China progresses on new techniques to cut reliance on advanced ASML lithography machines.
By applying SAQP to DUV machines, China could make 5-nanometre grade #chips without EUV tools sold only by #ASML.
***
"While Russia
has increased production of key munitions most heavily used in
Ukraine, such as artillery shells, the impact of the sanctions is
highly likely greatest on Russia’s most advanced and complex weapon
systems. These systems in production and development almost certainly
have an increased reliance on foreign components and technology,"https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1774738757586997696
***
Bij zo’n
200.000 jongeren die in 2024 17 zijn of worden valt deze dagen weer
de Dienstplichtbrief op de mat. Ook mensen jonger dan 35 jaar die
(op)nieuw zijn ingeschreven als Nederlander, krijgen de brief.
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2024/04/02/dienstplichtbrief-valt-weer-op-de-mat-voor-17-jarigen
Kan je ook weigeren? https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0002386/2020-01-01
April 1
***
US lawmakers
accused the Biden administration of hypocrisy on Friday after it
voiced concerns over civilian deaths in Gaza, while approving
the transfer of billions of dollars' worth of bombs and fighter jets
to Israel.
https://www.newarab.com/news/us-accused-hypocrisy-over-obscene-israel-arms-transfer
***
A man from
Oakland is heading to the slammer. Fares Abdo Al Eyani, 41, has been
sentenced to one year and a day in prison for his audacious plot to
smuggle firearms and night-vision rifle scopes to #Oman. #Optech #US
***
Corbyn “And
our governments still can’t bring themselves to utter the words
permanent ceasefire, still can’t bring themselves to stop the
grisly, ghastly arms trade with Israel and the supply of weapons,"
from France, Germany, the UK and the US.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/mar/31/four-arrested-as-200000-attend-pro-palestine-march-in-london
***
Tailwind for
the German arms industry?
There is much demand for tanks, missiles, and ammunition, and Chancellor Scholz is not the only one who wants to see more of them produced in Germany. But it's not as easy as it sounds.
https://www.dw.com/en/rearmament-tailwind-for-the-german-arms-industry/a-68704891