Latest
on top (updated regularly):
August 20
***
***
Empty words
China firmly supports ATT to improve global governance of arms trade: ambassador. https://www.bastillepost.com/global/article/4090520-china-firmly-supports-att-to-improve-global-governance-of-arms-trade-ambassador
China Filling Huge Arms Order Placed by Myanmar Junta. https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmar-china-watch/china-filling-huge-arms-order-placed-by-myanmar-junta.html
***
Regeringen
negeren schaamteloos de regels van het Wapenhandelsverdrag en dat
kost wereldwijd vele mensenlevens, merkt Amnesty op.
https://www.amnesty-international.be/nieuws/regeringen-negeren-schaamteloos-de-regels-van-het-wapenhandelsverdrag-en-dat-kost-wereldwijd
De vraag is hoe daarop te reageren. Nog meer verdragen of nog meer politieke druk, machtsvorming, een beetje meer XR'en?
***
Working for
#security?
Report states that on average, during the war in Afghanistan, 24% of US active duty women & 1.9% of active duty men experienced sexual assault. Also racial minorities and LGBTQ+ service members face greater risk of sexual #assault.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/08/19/military-sexual-assault-rate-higher-than-dod-estimates-report-finds/
***
Opinion
in the Gulf News;
Words vs Action: To end armed #conflicts, restrict global #arms trade. Global South must reject injustice and resist becoming mere markets for Western arms. For the merchants of war, the collective pain and misery of whole nations is dwarfed by the lucrative deals of billions of dollars generated from weapons sales.
August 19
***
***
#Iraq has ordered an unspecified number of #H225M multi-role #helicopters from #Airbus to fill potential capability gaps caused by US troops’ pending withdrawal from the country. https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/iraq-orders-caracal-tactical-transport-helicopters
August
18
***
Arundhati Roy, the
writer, is urging India to slam the brakes on its arms sales to
Israel, warning that persisting in this bloody business will
permanently tarnish India with the stain of the ongoing genocide in
Gaza. https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/486721
August 17
***
***
Approach on
#AI and Autonomous weapons #AWS would, 1) prohibit certain types and
uses and 2) place limits and requirements on the development and use
of them. A critical task facing states is to agree on how such a
two-tiered approach could be enacted.
https://www.sipri.org/publications/2024/policy-reports/towards-two-tiered-approach-regulation-autonomous-weapon-systems-identifying-pathways-and-possible
***
A senior
British #diplomat has resigned in protest over the #UK’s continued
arms sales to #Israel, claiming that the government’s actions are
complicit in war crimes being committed in #Gaza.
https://aoav.org.uk/2024/senior-british-diplomat-mark-smith-resigns-over-uks-arms-sales-to-israel/
***
De bewapening
en #wapenhandel met juridische middelen aan banden leggen, kan
onderdeel zijn van een bredere vredesstrategie. Maar zonder politieke
campagne, zonder druk van politici en maatschappelijke organisaties
in de media en op straat, schieten wet...
https://stopwapenhandel.org/oorlog-bestrijden-met-juridische-middelen-werkt-dat/
***
Ukraine is
free to use Canadian-donated tanks & armoured vehicles inside
Russia, the DoD said.
The statement comes as speculation
grows on how long Ukraine can stay on the offensive in Russia's Kursk
region — and its impacts on the running war.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/15/how-canadas-off-the-record-arms-exports-end-up-in-israel
***
Extreme
form of banana republic potitics.
#Israel’s military industry sector in uproar over a surprise appointment to the government-owned company #Rafael, entral in the country’s sprawling defense apparatus. Alon Pikarsky is #Netanyahu’s hernia surgeon. https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2024/08/15/netanyahus-hernia-surgeon-gets-a-seat-on-rafael-board/
August 15
***
#Bulgarian
National Extradited for Scheme to Illegally Export US-Origin
Sensitive #Microelectronics to #Russia.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/bulgarian-national-extradited-scheme-illegally-export-us-origin-sensitive-microelectronics
***
An #US Army
Intelligence Analyst pleads guilty to charges of 1) #conspiracy to
obtain and disclose national defence Information, 2) #export control
violations and 3) #bribery.
In the mean time his job was to defend the US. Really?
***
#Saudi
Arabia's #SERB and #Turkeys #Baykar drone maker are said to be in
talks to forge a partnership in unmanned aerial vehicles (#UAVs,
drone) technology. https://www.tacticalreport.com/daily/62924
***
#China’s
influence in #Bangladesh has been particularly strong in defence
cooperation (...) from 2019 to 2023 Bangladesh was the second-largest
recipient of Chinese #arms exports after Pakistan with 11 per cent,
according to official data.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3274417/ouster-bangladeshs-sheikh-hasina-india-losing-its-south-asia-allies-china
August 14
***
Authoritarian
and dangerous allies, are clients for #US #weaponry.
https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/us-revives-offensive-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia-14769
US Revives Offensive #Arms Sales To #Saudi Arabia
After years of suspension, the decision
reflects new geopolitical realities amid shifting alliances
concerning the Middle East conflict.
US lifts ban on sending
offensive arms to Saudi Arabia
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/8/12/headlines/us_lifts_ban_on_sending_offensive_arms_to_saud_arabia
Canada’s participation in the giant US arms deal makes
clear that the country is failing to ensure that Canadian-made
weapons are not used in suspected human rights violations abroad, as
required by law.
https://dnyuz.com/2024/08/15/how-canadas-off-the-record-arms-exports-end-up-in-israel/
***
Nigerian
Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, on Augus t 13, 2024
said Defence Industry Corporation of #Nigeria #DICON can produce
enough #weapons for use by the Security forces in the Country and in
extension to many other #African Nations.
https://nigerdeltaconnect.com/nigeria-selling-arms-to-african-countries-says-mattawale
***
Weird combo of
clippings
➡️Israel boosting local arms production to reduce reliance on US, @IsraelHayomHeb reports https://x.com/IsraelRadar_com/status/1823307513116106825
➡️US approves $20bn worth of arms sales to Israel
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-approves-new-20-billion-worth-weapons-sales-israel
2x Bad news 4 regional peace.
2x Good news 4 arms industries.
August 13
***
More uniform
approach to dual-use export control in the EU to be expected. New
types of technologies and goods are being used in warfare causing a
need for refinement to existing export control lists. In response,
Western leaders call for uniformising trade controls; however, this
appears to be just as tricky.
https://schjodt.com/news/modernized-ecom-regulation-provides-clarity-for-the-satellite-value-chain
***
‘Developments
in arms production and the effects of the war in Ukraine’—New
external article in Defence and Peace Economics from SIPRI’s
Lorenzo Scarazzato, @Xiaoo_l, @NanTianSA and @dielopesilva.
Read it here
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10242694.2024.2381784
***
A signal for
the floodgates to open.
More security?
For whom?
Opinion: NATO states should abandon
treaty banning the use of cluster munitions. Some members, like
Lithuania, already did.
https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/2024/08/10/nato-states-should-abandon-the-treaty-banning-the-use-of-cluster-bombs/
***
Export
richtlijnen militaire kennis?
Nederlandse commando's #KCT hebben februari-mei 2024 de #Ivoriaanse special forces les gegeven in terrorismebestrijding en kregen rondedans & liederen als waardering.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/commandos-geven-ivorianen-les-terrorismebestrijding-ytowe
#Mensenrechten US State dep: https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/cote-divoire/
August 12
***
Voor het
eerst werd tijdens de Spelen in Parijs het gebruik van
videosurveillance met kunstmatige intelligentie gelegitimeerd. En als
de sporters zijn vertrokken, blijven die videocamera’s hangen.
https://www.volkskrant.nl/buitenland/als-het-olympische-circus-uit-parijs-is-vertrokken-blijven-de-surveillance-camera-s-gewoon-hangen~b47e31e0/
***
'De wetgeving
over nieuwe wapentechnologie loopt ondertussen hopeloos achter. Als
er al rechtsregels zijn, worden ze door krijgsmachten creatief
omzeild.'https://jacobin.nl/oorlog-bestrijden-met-juridische-middelen-werkt-dat/
***
#Dutch #navy
announced its intention to equip its new frigates with robotic ships
to increase their anti-submarine warfare capabilities, without
expanding the pressure on its human resources. #drones
https://meta-defense.fr/en/2024/08/10/robotic-ships-asm-navy-netherlands/
See e.g. (p. 91) [in Duch]
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=2023D44605
***
#Thales
South #Africa has unveiled tech to enhance the precision of mortar
systems. The company’s newly developed Mortar Fire Control System
#MFCS & Automated Mortar Fire Control System #AMFCS are set to
redefine the landscape of indirect fire support.
https://www.military.africa/2024/08/thales-south-africa-revolutionizes-mortar-operation-with-digital-upgrades/
***
Finnish #MEP
@AuraSalla criticizes government’s #Israel policy, calls for #arms
embargo and sanctions. #Finland
https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/politics/25506-finnish-mep-aura-salla-criticizes-government-s-israel-policy-calls-for-arms-embargo-and-sanctions.html
***
#Damen
Shipyards gaat meebouwen aan een fregat voor de #Colombiaanse marine.
Het wordt 't eerste fregat dat in dat land wordt gebouwd. Damen
levert de technologie en de onderdelen. Het schip wordt naar een
model van Damen gebouwd en wordt 107,5 meter lang.
#COTECMAR and Damen sign contract for construction of frigate for Colombian Navy in #Colombia. https://defence-industry.eu/cotecmar-and-damen-sign-contract-for-construction-of-frigate-for-colombian-navy-in-colombia/
***
Germany must
reconsider its extreme support for Israeli aggression.
https://countercurrents.org/2024/08/germany-must-reconsider-its-extreme-support-for-israeli-aggression/
68% of Germans oppose military support for Israel: Survey.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240810-68-of-germans-oppose-military-support-for-israel-survey/
***
Outside
#Agadir, #US and #Moroccan troops are putting new electronic warfare
#EW tech/tactics to the test. It’s a small but vital piece to
restore and update capabilities disbanded after the Cold War.
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/08/drones-jammers-and-big-balloons-in-morocco-armys-multi-domain-task-force-tests-ew-tech/
Illegal occupation south of Agadir no problem?
***
AI arms race?
#AUKUS partners demonstrated
‘real-time’ #AI tests at US Army’s Project Convergence. #UK
military's science arm said that "once proven," AI and
autonomous capabilities provide the military operational #advantage
through a quicker response.
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/08/aukus-partners-demonstrated-real-time-ai-tests-at-us-armys-project-convergence/
***
Weapons to kill
the free press.
The growing number of killings of Palestinian journalists in #Gaza has triggered a demand for a cut-off in US #arms supplies to #Israel. https://www.globalissues.org/news/2024/08/12/37420
August 9
***
South China
Sea #SCS: #Vietnamese navy frigate visits #China amid flurry of
drills in waterway
Despite Beijing and Hanoi having overlapping claims, Vietnamese ship arrives at Guangdong port ‘to improve mutual understanding and trust’ #CBM
***
Vergeten
conflict:
Wat is er nodig voor echte #vrede in Oost-#Congo?
https://www.mo.be/opinie/wat-is-er-nodig-voor-echte-vrede-in-oost-congo
***
A. #Damen we
zijn "erg trots op de opdracht voor een multi-purpose vessel
(‘drone carrier’) voor de Portugese marine. Het betekent dat we
op dit moment voor zes #NAVO-marines schepen aan het bouwen zijn, dan
wel recent hebben opgeleverd.”
https://maritimetechnology.nl/nl/actueel/records-voor-omzet-en-orderportefeuille-damen/
Wie betaald ze?
***
#Leonardo
embroiled in #Indonesia #corruption scandal.
Did a middleman in Jakarta take the fall for a #bribery scandal while European executives escaped scrutiny?
By @Lorenzo_Bagnoli, @andrewfeinstein, Fabio Rapetti & Alexandra Smidman
https://www.declassifieduk.org/anglo-italian-arms-firm-leonardo-embroiled-in-indonesia-corruption-scandal/
***
#Elbit Systems
announced on Thursday that it secured a contract worth $130 million
to supply Iron Fist Active Protection Systems to #BAESystems
#Hägglunds.
The APS will be installed on CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle over a 5½ year period.
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-813943
August 8
***
#India is
using #Russia as a bargaining chip in its negotiations with the #West
and using the West as leverage in its dealings with Russia. By
navigating between these two powers, India is enhancing its own value
and advancing its regional dominance.
https://www.eurasiareview.com/07082024-has-the-wests-strategy-toward-india-failed-analysis/
***
Local
residents are angry that a military contractor in Brampton, #Ontario
is seeking to ship armoured vehicles built in #Canada to #Israel
despite a ban on exports of “lethal goods” to the Israeli
government amid its violent occupation of #Gaza.
https://pressprogress.ca/local-residents-are-disappointed-a-brampton-factory-is-trying-to-sell-armoured-vehicles-to-israels-government/
***
#Niger cut
diplomatic ties with #Ukraine over remarks from officials showing
Ukraine's support for groups fighting in neighbouring #Mali that
killed dozens of soldiers & Russian Wagner fighters in July. The
move follows Mali's decision on Sunday. #Senegal
https://www.reuters.com/world/niger-cuts-ties-with-ukraine-over-comments-mali-wagner-attack-2024-08-06/
***
US
proposed significantly widen the scope of export control #EAR over US
person activities & the shipment of otherwise uncontrolled items
as military, military-support, intelligence or foreign-security
end-users in/from many countries would be involved.
https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/alerts/bis-proposes-significant-amendments-to-the-ears-us-person-and-end-user-controls-and-a-control-on-facial-recognition-items
August 7
***
#Germany’s
#Rheinmetall is boosting its plant-engineering business to meet
growing demand for ammunition factories, with an agreement to buy a
majority stake in the #SouthAfrican engineering firm #Resonant
Holdings for an undisclosed price.
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2024/08/05/rheinmetall-to-buy-south-african-engineering-firm-to-meet-ammo-demand/
***
"Pessimistic
assessments of Russia’s arms industry have started to surface even
within tightly controlled Russian media. Experts in Russia
acknowledge difficulties with maintaining relationships with
historical recipients of #Russian #weapons." #RAND
https://kyivindependent.com/something-is-rotten-in-the-state-of-russian-arms-industry/
Three workers lost their lives due to a gas-related incident
in the Avangard facility in the Russian Republic of Bashkortostan
(north of Kazachstan), which produces components for MLRS and is
sanctioned by the EU for aiding Russia’s war in Ukraine.
https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/08/06/deadly-blast-at-sanctioned-russian-arms-factory-kills-three/
***
UK Government
needs to clarify position on arms exports to Israel. Amid media
reports that export licensing officials have suspended the handling
of new applications for arms exports, London has repeatedly been
quoted as stating there has been "no change".
https://caat.org.uk/news/government-needs-to-clarify-position-on-arms-exports-to-israel-in-the-face-of-urgent-need-for-embargo/
***
Who has the biggest.
The Defense News top 100.
US (7x) and China (3x) fill the top-10.
https://people.defensenews.com/top-100/
August 6
***
There's a clear risk
that weapons and military equipment directly or indirectly exported
to Israel will be used to commit serious crimes against civilians in
#Gaza. Any state continuing to transfer arms risks becoming complicit
in violations of international humanitarian law.
Amnesty’s
latest research has confirmed that large amounts of weapons from
#China, #Russia, Serbia, #Turkey, #UAE and Yemen among others have
made it into the hands of #Sudanese combatants accused of serious
violations including war crimes.
https://amnesty.ca/activism-guide/protect-civilians-gaza-sudan/
***
A UK
guidance for academics in fields where there is a high risk it could
be used for military purposes, explaning: - how to assess if the UK’s
export controls apply - when research might be exempt - how to check
if an export licence is needed.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-controls-applying-to-academic-research
August 4
***
#China’s
#arms exports have significantly declined over the past decade due to
issues related to poor quality, compatibility problems, and
substandard operational performance underscoring a serious quality
issue within China’s military-industrial complex.
https://defence.in/threads/chinas-arms-exports-crumble-under-weight-of-poor-quality-and-broken-promises.8893/
August 4
***
Big Tech's Reliance on Conflict Minerals https://www.statista.com/chart/32755/number-of-countries-gamam-potentially-sourced-conflict-minerals-from/
August 3
***
After months
of bad publicity and rolling disruptions the #Canadian #Scotiabank
announced that it’s divested over half its stake in #Israeli arms
manufacturer #Elbit Systems. This was the first change to its
#holdings in more than 10 years.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/letters/article-what-to-do-about-alice-munro-books/
***
Investeer in
klimaatrechtvaardigheid, niet in oorlog! – 21-28/09/24 – Tijdens
de mondiale actieweek voor vrede & klimaatrechtvaardigheid
organiseren groepen wereldwijd allerlei activiteiten. Iedereen kan
meedoen met een eigen activiteit. Bedenk ook iets!
https://www.globalinfo.nl/nieuws/actieweek-voor-vrede-en-klimaatrechtvaardigheid/
***
34,327 people
signed a petition launched by T. Portes, a lawmaker from the La
#France Insoumise #LFI, to urge the French government to halt #arms
sales to #Israel. The campaign is still active on change.org &
required only 700 more signatures.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240802-france-lawmaker-needs-over-600-signatures-to-urge-government-to-stop-selling-israel-arms/
***
A grainy
picture of an ostensibly Made in #India part of a bomb in #Gaza
created a social media maelstrom last month and highlighted a growing
#concern about India's arms exports exacerbating the suffering of
Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
https://ipanewspack.com/use-of-exported-indian-arms-in-foreign-land-against-civilians-is-cause-for-concern/
***
The #UK’s
HMRC is investigating $Airbus for possible #export control
#violations. Airbus’ recent financial report stated:
“Airbus is fully cooperating with an investigation by the ..HMRC.. into possible violations of the UK's export control rules (...)"https://globalsanctions.co.uk/2024/08/reported-uk-investigation-into-airbus-export-control-violations/
***
Tampa man
sentenced to more than 3 years in prison for defrauding #biochemical
company (#MilliporeSigma, a subsidiary Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
#Germany) and diverting products to #China using falsified export
documents.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/tampa-man-sentenced-more-three-years-federal-prison-defrauding-biochemical-company-and
***
Fantastic:
Demand for “green ships” drives Damen's turnover to +€ 3 bn.
https://ground.news/article/demand-for-green-ships-drives-damens-turnover-to-over-3-billion
But the other side of the coin =
#Damen's role as major builder of war vessels. Militaries, in
particuular air forces/#navies play a big rol in #CO2 emissions.
https://ceobs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SGRCEOBS-Estimating_Global_MIlitary_GHG_Emissions_Nov22_rev.pdf
***
Son
of former regime’s ‘Ecotourism Minister’ now supplies #arms to
current #Myanmar junta.
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/junta-crony/son-of-former-regimes-ecotourism-minister-now-supplies-arms-to-current-junta.html
Augustus
2
***
FOLLOWING the news
that the UK government has delayed making a decision on arms exports
to Israel, War On Want, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and
Campaign Against Arms Trade released the following joint statement:
"The UK government’s delay in ma....
https://www.ekklesia.co.uk/2024/08/01/delayed-decision-on-arms-exports-to-israel-is-unconscionable/
***
World
Policeman sanctioned 5 persons & 7 companies in China & Iran,
accusing them of aiding Tehran’s ballistic missile & drone
programs. Entities in China, Hong Kong, & Iran involved in
procuring tech for “subordinates” of Iran’s MoD/#MODAFL were
targets.
https://www.barrons.com/news/us-sanctions-firms-in-china-iran-for-aiding-tehran-s-uav-program-902845d3
***
€
750,000,000.00 for a naval vessel.
Italy has signed a €1.5 billion contract with local defense champions Fincantieri and Leonardo for two new, upgraded FREMM frigates.
***
To make the world a safer
place for all?
The US Air Force expects its annual foreign military sales #FMS to grow by 60% this fiscal year due largely to increases in #F35 and #F16 purchases.
Or lucrative for some?
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2024/08/01/air-force-sees-spike-in-overseas-weapon-sales/
***
The critisism
is global...
25 prominent Indians, including former
Supreme Court and high court judges, economists, activists, &
poets, have written to #Indian MoD Rajnath Singh, to urge him to stop
licensing #arms and ammunition exports to #Israel.
https://kmsnews.org/kms/2024/08/02/prominent-indian-figures-urge-modi-govt-to-halt-arms-exports-to-israel.html
...from the largest to the smallest countries
Moviment Graffitti urged the Maltese government to forbid a #fuel tanker on its way to #Israel passage & services through #Maltese waters, as its delivery 'll contribute to further violence against #Palestinians. https://timesofmalta.com/article/graffitti-calls-government-block-military-fuel-shipment-israel.1096223
Augustus 1
***
The Biden
administration has pledged a half-billion dollars in new military aid
to the government of the #Philippines as the 3US and its allies in
the Asia-Pacific continue to ratchet up tensions with #China.
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/7/31/headlines/us_pledges_new_military_aid_to_philippines_as_protesters_warn_against_provoking_china
***
#Saudi
military students visited #SouthAfrican AirF College on 15074 for a
benchmarking & training program. “We hope your visit at one of
our best Training Units expands your knowledge and helps you further
your careers in the military,” SAfr general said.
https://www.military.africa/2024/07/saudi-arabian-air-defence-cadets-strengthen-ties-with-south-africa/
***
Jordan
Goudreau, the former #US green beret who coordinated a failed coup
attempt to oust #Venezuelan strongman Nicolas #Maduro in 2020, was
arrested Tuesday in a weapons-smuggling case filed in Tampa federal
court.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/venezuela/article290614174.html
Also
in the Military Times:
A former U.S. Green Beret who in 2020 organized a failed cross-border raid of Venezuelan army deserters to remove President Nicolás Maduro has been arrested in New York on federal arms smuggling charges.
***
Next step in
relaxing Japanese arms export restrictions:
#Japan plans to export military
equipment and technology to #Vietnam part of a program to strengthen
defence capabilities of Indo-Pacific nations to counter Chinese
maritime advances. (Nikei 310724).
https://jp.reuters.com/article/uk-japan-vietnam-defence-idUKKBN26Z02S/
***
#ASML
lijkt te worden vrijgesteld van strengere #VS-exportrestricties.
Washington wil de export van geavanceerde chiptechnologie vanuit 't
buitenland naar #China verder beperken, maar dit maal worden de
belangrijkste producenten van chipapparatuur ontzien.
https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1525676/vs-ontzien-asml-van-exportrestricties-koers-stijgt-fors