BRIEFING

Arms Trade Bulletin July – August 2019

Gender-Based Violence and Arms Transfer Controls – is it still just talk and no real action?

The Fifth Conference of States Parties (CSP5) to the Arms Trade Treaty was being held in Geneva between 26th and 30th August 2019. The theme of CSP5 was gender and gender based violence (GBV), which is a very widespread problem worldwide, fuelled as it is by dominant cultures that equate masculinity with the use of guns. Article 7(4) of the Treaty requires that States Parties, when considering the export of conventional arms, ammunition, munitions and parts and components capable of assembly into a weapon, “take into account the risk of the conventional arms […] being used to commit or facilitate serious acts of gender-based violence or serious acts of violence against women and children” (Article 7.4);

GBV is a relatively new concept and officials and commentators often treat it as equivalent to violence against women. The ATT does not include definitions because the negotiators were not given time to do that amidst all the other complexities of reaching consensus. Nevertheless, the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs in its MOSAIC standards on SALW described GBV in the following terms:

  • The association of masculinity with small arms possession and violent behaviour is socially constructed – most the world’s estimated 875 million small arms are possessed and used by men in law enforcement, military forces, private security, armed groups and as individuals, leaving women in a vulnerable position when men with guns misbehave.
  • Most direct victims of small arms violence are male – more than four fifths of violent deaths (84 percent) are male and less than one fifth (16 percent) are female – while non-combatant women and girls are especially affected by reduced access to food, clean water and shelter, as well as to essential social services such as healthcare and education.
  • Tackling the problem of violent masculinity requires a strong commitment to gender equality and a redefinition of manhood, as well as robust controls on the transfer, possession and use of guns to prevent their proliferation, diversion and misuse.

The ATT requires States Parties to stop arms exports that would be used to commit and facilitate GBV as they are obligated to do in customary and treaty-based IHL and IHRL, as in the provisions of Article 7 read as a whole, as well as the prohibitions in Article 6 of the Treaty.

However, the ATT Conference did not examine any cases of arms transfers that have contributed to GBV. As the Arms Trade Monitor points out “This sends a message of double standards, in which the bad behaviour of larger and generally Western states parties and signatories goes unchecked and unscrutinised, as they divert attention instead to “helping” their smaller counterparts overcome their “shortcomings”, which are posited and framed as the real challenges to Treaty implementation” (Arms Trade Monitor, Vol. 12, N° 4).

If arms transfers were made transparent, the CSP could have discussed ways in which they have been used for GBV. Under Article 13 of the ATT States Parties are required to submit an initial implementation report that describes the measures the State has taken to implement the Treaty, and an annual report concerning authorized or actual exports and imports of conventional arms. So far 72 States Parties have submitted an initial implementation report, meaning 25% of the States Parties have not. Of those 72 initial reports 13 are to be considered confidential (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cyprus, Greece, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Mauritius, New Zealand, Nigeria, Senegal, Palestine, and Tuvalu) (https://thearmstradetreaty.org/initial-reports.html?templateId=209839). In addition, annual reporting on exports and imports has actually gone down. For 2015, 79% of States Parties submitted an annual report. That figure went down in 2018 to only 60% (https://thearmstradetreaty.org/annual-reports.html?templateId=209826). Of the 56 annual reports in 2018, eight are confidential (Greece, Honduras, Liberia, Lithuania, Madagascar, Mauritius, Nigeria and Senegal). In some cases, well-resourced States have violated the Treaty by not submitting data on their imports (United Kingdom). Thus, public reporting is a failure.

Early August the Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts on the situation of human rights in Yemen submitted their report to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (A/HRC/42/17). Women, children and men remain at serious risk of all forms of gender-based violence, including sexual violence:

  • The Group of Experts investigated allegations of sexual violence perpetrated by agents of the de facto authorities… Detainees described the use of rape and sexual assault, including direct assault on genitals (hanging objects and beating), forced nudity and threats of rape, with the aim of humiliating them as part of interrogation and torture techniques.
  • The Group of Experts continued to investigate rape and other forms of sexual violence by United Arab Emirates personnel … The cases involved anal and oral rape, including penile rape, rape with objects, and gang rape. Such violence was used regularly in conjunction with other forms of torture and ill- treatment to humiliate detainees, force confessions and forcibly recruit them, as indicated by 12 verified cases of rape of six men and one boy, multiple sexual assaults, and forced nudity.
  • The Group of Experts has reasonable grounds to believe that all parties to the conflict committed gender-based violence, including sexual violence, of persons in detention, and also that members of the Security Belt Forces backed by the United Arab Emirates and of the 35th Armoured Brigade of the Yemeni armed forces committed rape and other forms of sexual violence, and that members of the de facto authorities committed hostage-taking of women and girls. Perpetrators may be held responsible for war crimes, as such acts amount to serious violations of international humanitarian law.

It is good to remind ourselves what we wrote in “Building the Path to Disarmament” (2013) on the draft ATT: “If certain transfers are allowed to go unaccounted for under the guise of being “commercially sensitive” or “national security information”, the ATT will provide an excuse for governments to hide information on the transfer of arms used in crimes, human rights violations and the excessive accumulation of conventional arms. Only a firm, robust, and mandatory framework for reporting can serve the purpose of a confidence-building ATT; vague, incomplete, unverifiable or censored information will not.”

 

ARMS TRADE TREATY

 

Fifth Conference of States Parties (CSP5) to the Arms Trade Treaty | 26-30 August 2019 |  reachingcriticalwill.org

The Fifth Conference of States Parties (CSP5) of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from 26-30 August 2019: documents.

The meaning of implementation | 29 August 2019 | ATT Monitor, Vol. 12 N° 7

Effective ATT implementation means putting people above profits | 28 August 2019 | ATT Monitor, Vol. 12 N° 6

Making sure the rhetoric matches the reality | 27 August 2019 | ATT Monitor, Vol. 12 N° 5

What will—and won’t—be discussed at CSP5|26 August 2019 | ATT Monitor, Vol. 12 N° 4

 

Gender-based violence and the Arms Trade Treaty | 29 August 2019 | The Interpreter

This week, the 104 states parties to the Arms Trade Treaty are meeting in Geneva to discuss the world’s only international agreement on the sale or transfer of conventional weapons. This covers everything from small arms and light weapons to battle tanks, attack helicopters and warships, componentry, and ammunition. It is the fifth time such a meeting has taken place. The theme of this year’s meeting is the gender-based violence provisions of the treaty.

 

How the U.S. Should Follow Up Its Unsigning of the Arms Trade Treaty | 20 August 2019 | Ted Bromund |T he Heritage Foundation

President Trump’s decision to notify the United Nations that the U.S. does not intend to become a party to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), and thereby to unsign the ATT, was proper and wise. The failure of the ATT is demonstrated by the poor track record of its states parties in fulfilling their reporting and financial requirements. The U.S. should follow up its unsigning of the ATT by putting further diplomatic pressure on the treaty and on the related network of U.N. small arms instruments.

 

AFRICA

 

Egypt continues to produce locally M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks | 26 August 2019 | armyrecognition.com

The Egyptian Ministry of Defense continues to produce locally M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks with the collaboration of American Company General Dynamics. Pictures were released on Internet, on August 24, 2019, showing M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks 95 percent manufactured in Egypt.

 

Egypt could sell ST-100 4×4 MRAP armored vehicles to United Araba Emirates | 23 August 2019 | armyrecognition.com

According to the website “The Arab Weekly”, Egypt is close to finalizing a deal with the United Arab Emirates for the delivery of local-made ST-100 4×4 MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles. The ST-100 is designed and manufactured by the Egyptian Defense Company International Marathon United Technology Group (IMUT).

 

Chinese-made VN1 8×8 armored vehicle in service with Gabonese army | 22 August 2019 | armyrecognition.com

The Chinese-made VN1 8×8 armored vehicle personnel carrier is now in service with the Army of Gabon. The VN1 was displayed for the first time to the public during the Independence Day military parade that was held on August 17, 2019.

 

Gabon parades VN1 armoured vehicles|21 August 2019 |Jane’s Defence Weekly

Gabon’s elite Republican Guard (GR) displayed Chinese-made Norinco VN1 8×8 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for the first time during the independence day military parade on 17 August.

 

Israeli Arms Trade in South Sudan Was Disguised as “Agriculture”|18 August 2019 |The Real News Network

Investigative journalist Sam Mednick revealed that the agricultural company Green Horizon was a front for former Israeli general Israel Ziv’s security company CST who were supplying arms to South Sudan, fueling the conflict by selling arms to both sides

 

La frontière tuniso-libyenne, haut lieu de trafic illicite|16 August 2019 |Illicit Trade News Network

Deux experts en criminalité, Hanane Benyagoub et Xavier Raufer, ont coécrit l’étude « Flux et trafics illicites Europe du Sud-Maghreb : perspectives géopolitique et criminologique », parue dans la revue Sécurité Globale du printemps 2019. La frontière tuniso-libyenne Ben Gardane – Ras Jedir est présentée comme le pôle de contrebande et de trafics criminels le plus importants de la région étudiée.

 

Algeria to indigenously develop weapons and ammunition|15 August 2019 |DefenceWeb

The Algerian military aims to indigenously develop its complex weapons, according to a Presidential decree.

 

Le Togo renforce son dispositif de marquage d’armes à feu par un don en matériel du Japon|15 August 2019 |Gabon Matin

Le ministre togolais de la Sécurité et de la Protection sociale, Yark Damehane, a réceptionné ce mercredi à Lomé, des matériels de marquage d’armes à feu. C’est un don du Japon, afin d’aider le Togo à renforcer sa sécurité.

 

The reasons behind Turkey’s ongoing military support of Libya|30 July 2019 |Middle East Eye

Unanimously declaring that there is no military solution to Libya’s crisis, the UN Security Council last month renewed an arms embargo on the country for another year. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later told journalists: “We have a military cooperation agreement with Libya. We are providing to them if they come up with a request, and if they pay for it. They really had a problem in terms of defence needs.”

 

Stemming the flow of illicit arms in Africa|26 July 2019 |DW

The latest report into the illegal trade of small weapons across the continent highlights the extent of the problem. Illicit arms continue to fuel numerous conflicts, as the AU aims for a blanket ceasefire by 2020.

 

Senegal received 2 200 M4 carbines from the US|26 July 2019 |US Army Security Assistance Command|DefenceWeb

Senegal’s military recently received 2 200 M4 carbines from the United States through its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system.

 

Circulation illicite des armes: le Burkina en quête d’une loi règlementaire|23 July 2019 |Wakat Séra

Le Burkina confronté, dans ces dernières années, à des attaques armées, est à la recherche d’une loi en vue de mieux réglementer la prolifération et la circulation illicite des armes dans le pays. C’est ce qui a expliqué la tenue, ce mardi 23 juillet 2019, et ce sur trois jours, d’un atelier à Koudougou, dans le Centre-ouest.

 

Egypt receives last of 930 MRAPs; requests more from US|22 July 2019 |DefenceWeb

The United States has transferred a final shipment of 101 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to Egypt, completing an Excess Defence Articles grant of 930 MRAPs. Egypt has requested 1 000 more.

 

Mali receives donated Casspir armoured personnel carriers|17 July 2019 |DefenceWeb

Mali has received 29 Casspir armoured personnel carriers and other equipment donated by Germany as part of efforts to beef up security in the West African nation.

 

Chad orders Ara 2 armoured vehicles from Proforce|16 July 2019 |DefenceWeb

Nigeria’s Proforce has secured its first export order for its Ara 2 armoured personnel carriers, from Chad.

 

Angola has received upgraded SA-6 surface-to-air missiles|9 July 2019 |DefenceWeb

Angola’s military has taken delivery of upgraded SA-6 surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems from Lithuania.

 

Proforce delivering improved Ara APCs to Nigeria|8 July 2019 |DefenceWeb

Nigeria’s Proforce is delivering improved Ara armoured personnel carriers (APCs) to the Nigerian Army, while export customers have requested 20 of the type.

 

Djibouti to receive FMTV vehicles|3 July 2019 |DefenceWeb

Djibouti will be one of the recipients of Oshkosh Defence’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTVs) following a contract for foreign military sales of the vehicles.

 

 

AMERICAS

 

CBP, LA law enforcement seize more than 52,000 gun parts from China|26 August 2019 |Homeland Preparedness News

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authorities said a Los Angeles / Long Beach Seaport law enforcement collaboration recently resulted in the seizure of 52,601 illegal firearms parts.

 

Helicópteros Mi-171Sh para la Policía Nacional del Perú| 22 August 2019 | Defensa.com

El Comité de Evaluación de Contratación con Estado Extranjero (CECEE), dependiente del Ministerio del Interior (MINITER) del Perú, ha dado como ganador del Programa de “Mejoramiento de las Operaciones Tácticas Aéreas de la Dirección de Aviación Policial en el ámbito oriental del Perú”, que prevé la adquisición de dos helicópteros de transporte medio, al Mi-171Sh Hip H.

 

Report to Congress on Foreign Arms Sales|21 August 2019 |Congressional Research Service |USNI News

This report reviews the process and procedures that currently apply to congressional consideration of foreign arms sales proposed by the President. This includes consideration of proposals to sell major defense equipment, defense articles and services, or the retransfer to third-party states of such military items.

 

Proyectos militares para la industria aeroespacial Mexicana|20 August 2019 |México aeroespacial

México es un país con una pujante industria aeroespacial ubicada en 5 clusters aeronáuticos ubicados en los Estados de Baja California, Nuevo León, Sonora, Chihuahua y Querétaro, esta industria genera más de 50,000 empleos directos y muchos más indirectos, se espera que la industria tenga exportaciones de 12 mil 267 millones de dólares para 2021, con un crecimiento medio anual de 14%.

 

Arms trafficker convicted in anti-aircraft missiles scheme and of other arms offenses sentenced to 30 years in prison|20 August 2019 |ICE

A black-market arms dealer with a long history of brokering machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank armaments – and who was found guilty last year in a scheme to sell and use surface-to-air missiles – has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison.

 

China urges U.S. to immediately stop arms sales plan to Taiwan|20 August 2019 |CCTV.com

China on Monday urged the United States to immediately stop its planned arms sales to Taiwan and cease military contact with Taiwan, saying otherwise, the U.S. side will have to bear all the consequences.

 

General Dynamics LS Canada lands $3 billion contract to supply 360 LAV APC|19 August 2019 |Armyrecognition.com

The Canadian federal Liberal government has unveiled plans to award a sole-source contract for hundreds of light armoured vehicles to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada.

 

Estados Unidos donó en los últimos años 28 millones de dólares en material militar a Uruguay| 19 August 2019 | Defensa.com

Durante la entrega de las dos nuevas lanchas Metal Shark Defiant – las dos primeras arribaron en 2014 – a la Armada Nacional Uruguaya, la Encargada de Negocios estadounidense en esta nación , Jennifer Savage, destacó que en los últimos años su país ha cedido equipamiento a las Fuerzas Armadas uruguayas por un valor de 28 millones de dólares.

 

US Moves Ahead With $8 Billion F-16 Fighter Jets Sale to Taiwan|16 August 2019 |The Diplomat

The White House is pushing ahead with the sale of up to 66 Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon Viper (V) Block 70 multirole combat aircraft to the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF), according local media reports.

 

Ukroboronprom confirma la venta de un avión AN-178 a la Policía de Perú|16 August 2019 |Infodefensa.com

El director general de Ukroboronprom, Pavel Bukin, ha confirmado la adjudicación de un contrato para la fabricación y entrega de un avión de transporte militar para la Dirección de Aviación Policial del Perú (Diravpol).

 

The U.S. Army Is Creating Artillery Rounds Guided By AI|15 August 2019 |Popular Mechanics

The U.S. Army is working on a new artillery shell capable of locating enemy targets, including moving tanks and armored vehicles. The shell, called Cannon-Delivered Area Effects Munition (C-DAEM), is designed to replace older weapons that leave behind unexploded cluster bomblets on the battlefield that might pose a threat to civilians. The shell is designed to hit targets even in situations where GPS is jammed and friendly forces are not entirely sure where the enemy is.

 

Aurum Security defiende su vehículo blindado para el Ejército de Perú|15 August 2019 |Infodefensa.com

La selección del producto postulado por la compañía alemana Aurum Security GmbH ha sido colocada en cuestión por fuentes allegadas al Ejército del Perú y del Comando Conjunto de las Fuerzas Armadas.

 

México acentuará el control sobre la adquisición y porte de armas de fuego|15 August 2019 |Infodefensa.com

La Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana, informó que a fin de evitar hechos delictivos, durante el periodo comprendido del 1 de diciembre de 2018 al 5 de agosto de 2019 decomisó mil 294 armas de fuego; de ellas, 807 cortas y 487 de grueso calibre, tres mil 353 cargadores, 156 mil 610 cartuchos, 41 granadas, dos lanzagranadas y un aditamento para lanzagranadas.

 

Exportations d’armes vers l’Arabie saoudite: un silence gênant|13 August 2019 |La Presse

Combien de temps faut-il pour examiner les exportations d’armes vers l’Arabie saoudite et décider si on les poursuit ou pas ? Il y a 10 mois que le premier ministre Justin Trudeau s’est engagé à réaliser cet exercice. Depuis, plus rien.

 

Queda sin efecto en Perú la norma que suspendía otorgamiento de Licencias de Armas de Fuego| 13 August 2019 | Defensa.com

El Ministerio del Interior del  ̈Perú dejó sin efecto el artículo 2 de la Resolución Ministerial del 1 de agosto, que suspendía por 180 días el otorgamiento de Licencias y Tarjetas de Propiedad de Armas de Fuego por parte de la Superintendencia Nacional de Control de Servicios de Seguridad, Armas, Municiones y Explosivos de Uso Civil (SUCAMEC).

 

Cómo la venta y exportación de armas de EU afecta a México| 13 August 2019 | Newsweek México

Funcionarios judiciales de Estados Unidos y México afirman que casi toda la violencia armada del territorio mexicano es consecuencia de la importación y venta ilícita de armas de fuego estadounidenses. El comercio clandestino de armas en México está valuado en cientos de millones de dólares anuales y, cada año, las armas estadounidenses cobran decenas de vidas mexicanas.

 

EEUU dona a las FFAA de Perú equipos para lucha contra el narcotráfico|13 August 2019 |Infodefensa.com

El Ministerio de Defensa del Perú ha aceptado la donación efectuada por el gobierno de Estados Unidos en equipos y vehículos para misiones de combate al narcotráfico por un valor de 6,35 millones de dólares.

 

Aurum Security suministrará ocho vehículos 4×4 al Ejército de Perú|12 August 2019 |Infodefensa.com

La compañía especializada en el blindaje de vehículos Aurum Security GmbH se ha adjudicado un contrato valuado en 2.190.000 dólares para la entrega de ocho vehículos protegidos 4×4 al Ejército del Perú.

 

Gobierno federal libera compra legal de armas en el norte del país| 6 August 2019 | ContraRéplica

Con la apertura en noviembre próximo de la segunda tienda de venta de armas legales de la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (Sedena) al norte del país, 18 mil personas podrán adquirir un arma ya sea para protección de su domicilio o aquellas que practican caza o tiro.

 

Despite human rights concerns, Senate fails to stop Saudi arms sale|30 July 2019 |Catholic News Agency

The Senate on Monday failed to override President Trump’s veto of their attempts to block over $8 billion in arms transfers to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

 

Trump vetoes 3 bills prohibiting arms sales to Saudi Arabia|25 July 2019 |CNN

President Donald Trump has vetoed three joint resolutions prohibiting arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the White House announced Wednesday, rejecting an attempt by congressional lawmakers to halt the controversial weapons transfers.

 

Indumil pone a la venta la pistola Browning 1911-22 Black LBL| 24 July 2019 | Infodefensa.com

La Industria Militar Colombiana (Indumil) ha puesto a la venta al público, tanto para usuarios civiles como militares activos y en retiro, la pistola de fabricación estadounidense Browning 1911-22 Black LBL calibre .22 L/R milímetros, con una capacidad de hasta diez (10) cartuchos, según lo dispuesto por la legislación colombiana para armas de este calibre.

 

Iveco entregó al Ejército Brasileño el Guaraní número 400| 23 July 2019 | Defensa.com

Iveco celebró la producción del vehículo (VBTP-MSR) Guaraní número 400 que se entregará al Ejército de Brasil. El evento tuvo lugar en la sede de la fábrica, ubicada en la ciudad de Sete Lagoas.

 

Los primeros 4×4 rusos Vodnik uruguayos con los colores de la ONU rumbo al Golan| 23 July 2019 | Defensa.com

Fotos proporcionadas a defensa.com por el Ejército Nacional Uruguayo muestran el embarque del equipamiento des<nado al nuevo con<ngente – que hace muy poco obtuvo la máxima clasificación por parte de la ONU por su par<cipación en Misiones Operacionales de Paz- que se desplegará en los altos del Golán al mando de la UNDOF, inicia<va que, desde 1974 asegura el statu quo en la frontera sirio -israelí.

 

Camiones Oshkosh 1083 MTV para el Ejército Argentino| 22 July 2019 | Defensa.com

En la Dirección de Arsenales se presentaron los nuevos camiones OshKosh FMTV, vehículos blindados fabricados por la firma norteamericana Oshkosh.Se trata de 22 camiones y 8 acoplados del modelo M1083 A1P2.

 

The U.S. Army Is Building a Smarter Land Mine|16 July 2019 |Popular Mechanics

The U.S. Army is working on a new generation of land mines and mine-like battlefield munitions. The weapons, all of which are designed to be left unattended on the battlefield, have to fulfill the sometimes competing interests of being useful against high-tech enemies while at the same time not becoming a long-term hazard to civilians.

 

México ya ha producido 155.000 FX y tiene cinco nuevas configuraciones en camino|15 July 2019 |Infodefensa.com

La Industria Militar de la Secretaría de Defensa Nacional de México (Sedena) ya ha alcanzado la producción de 155.000 armas de su línea FX-05 entre fusiles y carabinas y va por cinco nuevos diseños.

 

Canadian government denies claim UN Arms Treaty to track civilian firearms|14 July 2019 |ipolitics.ca

The federal government is challenging claims by three major firearm groups that Canada’s ratification of the UN Arms Trade Treaty will create a new gun tracking regime to keep records on imported civilian firearms that have been legally purchased by licensed gun owners.

 

Canadian gun groups up in arms over government plan to join UN weapons treaty|11 July 2019 |ipolitics.ca

The Liberal government quietly passed measures late last month setting the stage for Canada to join a landmark United Nations arms-control treaty on the eve of the October federal election.

 

International arms trafficking gang dismantled in Spain and Argentina|11 July 2019 |eu-ocs.com

The National Police of Spain in collaboration with the National Gendarmerie of Argentina have dismantled a dangerous international band of arms traffickers supplying weapons to Brazilian drug traffickers.

 

Congress needs more authority in international arms sales|9 July 2019 |Elias Yousif |The Hill

Like no other time in recent memory, Congress is losing the war for its rightful place in American governance. President Trump’s distaste for the norms that have traditionally limited the authority of his office have battered the separation of powers, a founding principle of American political life and an essential bulwark against presidential overreach. And when it comes to the weighty decision to transfer American weapons beyond our shores, our president has shown that the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches has come to list dangerously to one side.

 

El Ejército Uruguayo estrena internacionalmente en el Golán sus blindados rusos Vodnik| 4 July 2019 | Defensa.com

Cliente extranjero de lanzamiento del blindado GAZ 39371 Vodnik VML-M7, cuando en 2006 adquirió 48 unidades, casi 15 años después de su incorporación en el Ejército uruguayo el vehículo, respuesta rusa al Hummer/Humvee M 998 y sustituto potencial de los BDRM, saldrá del país para cumplir funciones en la UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force).

 

Canadian firm’s lobbying contract with Sudan military rulers may face police probe|4 July 2019 |Middle East Eye

Canada’s government has referred a lobbying contract between a Montreal-based firm and Sudan’s ruling military council to federal police to determine whether the deal violates Canadian sanctions on the country.

 

Rosoboronexport prevé abrir la planta de Kalashnikov en Venezuela en 2019|1 July 2019 |Infodefensa.com

La construcción de planta en Venezuela para fabricar los fusiles Kalashnikov se está realizando conforme a los plazos acordados, por lo que se prevé que se concluya en los tiempos previstos que marcan la apertura de las instalaciones este mismo año, según indicó el director general de Rosoboronexport, Alexandr Mijéev.

 

ASIA

 

United States has delivered armored variant of HMMWVs to Lebanon|23 August 2019 |Armyrecognition.com

The United States has delivered a batch of military equipment, including an armored version of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs), to Lebanon, as part of Washington’s support for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).

 

Jordan has delivered Al-Jawad 4×4 armored vehicles to Palestinian Security Forces|22 August 2019 |Armyrecognition.com

The Palestinian Security Forces have received a new batch of Al-Jawad 4×4 armored vehicles from Jordan. A tweet was published on the Twitter account of Flat Eric on August 21, 2019, showing members of the Palestinian security forces at the front of Al-Jawad vehicles.

 

UAE’s Yemen Troop Withdrawal Follows New Houthi Weapons and Threats of Attack on Dubai|18 August 2019 |The Greanville Post

Yemen’s Houthi-allied armed forces have unveiled a package of new domestically-manufactured military hardware, including ballistic and winged missiles and drones. The weapons were unveiled in the Yemeni capital city of Sana’a on Sunday afternoon during an exhibition named after Saleh al-Samad, the president of Yemen’s Supreme Political Council, who was killed in a targeted Saudi airstrike in Hodeida in April 2018.

 

Iran unveils new Raad MRAP|14 August 2019 |Jane’s Defence Weekly

Iran has unveiled what appears to be its first indigenously developed mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle (MRAP) on 13 August.

 

UN: Israel sold arms to known human rights abusers in Myanmar|8 August 2019 |The Jerusalem Post

UN Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar exposes military business ties, calls for targeted sanctions and arms embargoes|5 August 2019 |OHCHR

Israel was among seven countries that sold arms to Myanmar’s military at a time when they should have known that “they would be used in the commission of serious crimes under international law.”

 

Remote Weapons System not used in the Yemen war, Australian defence company EOS says|6 August 2019 |ABC (Australia)

Fighting Yemen’s dirty war, an Arab military is buying a weapons system made in Canberra|25 July 2019 |ABC (Australia)

The Australian defence company behind hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of sales of a next-generation weapons system to two Arab nations has told the Australian Stock Exchange its weapons are not being used in the increasingly controversial Yemen war.

 

Indian Army Seizes US-Made Sniper Rifles From Kashmir Militants| 2 August 2019 | SputnikNews

The Indian Army has seized a cache of US-made M-24 sniper rifles, along with telescopes and landmines, from militants who allegedly wanted to attack Hindu pilgrims heading to undertake an annual pilgrimage in the Kashmir Valley.

 

Jordan receives M119 howitzers|1 August 2019 |Jane’s Defence Weekly

The United States has donated 12 howitzers and 24 Humvees to the Jordan Armed forces (JAF), the US embassy in Jordan announced on 31 July.

 

Australian weapons maker EOS insists none of its products used in Yemen|30 July 2019 |The Guardian

The Australian manufacturer of weapons systems being sold to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has maintained none of its products have ever been used in Yemen.

 

Australian weapons shipped to Saudi and UAE as war rages in Yemen|25 July 2019 |The Guardian

In the same week UK courts declared British arms exports to Saudi Arabia to be unlawful, a large shipment of Australian-built remote weapons systems left Sydney airport.

 

From crafts to Kalashnikovs: arms souk thrives in Yemen’s Taez|15 July 2019 |AFP |Bangkok Post

Once overflowing with handicrafts, the old Al-Shinayni market in Yemen’s third city of Taez is now bursting with Kalashnikovs and bullets as traders scramble to scratch out a living in the war-wracked country.

 

Israel arms company signs $100m missile deal with India army|12 July 2019 |Middle East Monitor

An Israeli arms company has signed a $100 million deal with the Indian army and air force, under which 1,000 missile kits will be transferred to the South Asian state.

 

How Iraqi-Iranian militias’ arms trafficking networks bypass US sanctions|4 July 2019 |al Arabiya

The recent US sanctions on the Iraqi-based South Wealth Resources Company (SWRC) have shined a light on how Iranian-backed militias are continuing to receive arms legally despite sanctions. The SWRC, which was sanctioned for smuggling arms worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Iraqi militias linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), is just one of many Iraq-based companies circumventing US sanctions using legal cover.

 

Former General Seeks Israeli Officials’ Aid Against Illegal Arms Trade Allegations|1 July 2019 |Calcalist

Retired Israeli Maj. Gen. Israel Ziv has attempted to recruit the Israeli administration to assist him in lifting financial sanctions imposed on him by the U.S. in December. Ziv is alleged to have supplied weapons and ammunition to both sides fighting in the civil war in South Sudan.

 

EUROPE

 

Italian Company IVECO will deliver 1,275 LMV Light Multirole Vehicles to Netherlands|22 August 2019 |Armyrecognition.com

According to a Tweet published on the Twitter account of StrataNL on August 15, 2019, the army of Netherlands has selected the LMV Light Multirole Vehicle, designed and manufactured by the Italian Company IVECO for the new multirole armored vehicle fo the Dutch Army.

 

Russian defense firm to start serial production of anti-tank missiles  | 20 August 2019 | TASS

The Tula Arms Plant (part of Precision Systems Group within the state hi-tech corporation Rostec) is set to launch the serial production of missiles with the thermobaric high-explosive warhead for anti-tank systems, the enterprise said in its quarterly report on Tuesday.

 

Russian arms manufacturer to launch production of AGS-30 grenade launchers in 2020| 20 August 2019 | TASS

The Tula Arms Plant (part of Precision Systems Company within the state hi-tech corporation Rostec) is set to start the production of AGS-30 automatic grenade launchers in 2020, the Tula Arms Plant said in its quarterly report obtained by TASS on Tuesday.

 

Syria condemns Turkey’s military aid to militants in Idlib| 19 August 2019 | TASS

Damascus considers Ankara’s military assistance provided to terrorists from the Jabhat al-Nusra group (outlawed in Russia) besieged by government forces in the city of Khan Shaykhun as undisguised interference in in the country’s domestic affairs, SANA news agency quotes the Syrian Foreign Ministry as saying.

 

Jacques Monsieur in Portugese gevangenis|18 August 2019 |Willy Van Damme blog

Toen de Belgische wapenhandelaar Jacques Monsieur zich op 6 september voor de 12de kamer van het Brusselse hof van beroep moest verantwoorden in de zaak van zijn serie illegale wapenhandels beloofde Jacques Monsieur aan de rechters dat hij zijn Franse eigendom bij de stad Tarascon ging verkopen en naar België verhuizen. Dat blijkt dus nu een van de zovele leugens te zijn die de man aan de buitenwereld poogde wijs te maken.

 

Russia to feature export version of 5th-generation Su-57 fighter at MAKS air show | 16 August 2019 | TASS

Russia will demonstrate the export versions of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet and the Il-112V military transport aircraft at the MAKS-2019 international air show, the state arms seller Rosoboronexport said in a statement on Friday.

 

UK receives report documenting Saudi cover-up of unlawful Yemen airstrikes|15 August 2019 |The Guardian

An international law group has submitted new evidence to the UK government alleging that the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has covered up evidence of its unlawful airstrikes on civilian targets.

 

Hungary defends decision to allow transit of Russian military shipment|31 July 2019 |Politico

The Hungarian government on Wednesday defended its decision allow the transit of Russian military vehicles through its airspace in spite of EU sanctions. Russia has delivered 10 armored patrol vehicles to a military base in Serbia, part of a broader military assistance package for the Balkan country, with the plane transporting the cargo passing through Hungarian airspace after Romania blocked the shipment.

 

UK reclaims place as world’s second largest arms exporter|30 July 2019 |The Guardian

British defence exports rose to a record £14bn in 2018, with sales to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and other countries in the Middle East accounting for nearly 80% of that figure, official figures reveal.

 

Le débat sur les exportations d’armes est sur le point d’éclore à l’échelle européenne|25 July 2019 |RTBF

En Belgique, l’épineuse question de l’exportation d’armes par nos industries fait actuellement débat. En mai dernier, nous apprenions que l’Arabie saoudite faisait usage d’armes belges au Yémen. Étrangement, aucune réflexion n’avait encore eu lieu à l’échelle européenne.

 

Russia Moves Toward Military Cooperation Deal With China|23 July 2019 |The Moscow Times

The Russian government has taken steps to start military cooperation deal negotiations with China as the countries step up their arms trade.

 

Anger at UK spy tech sales to Hong Kong|20 July 2019 |The Guardian

The government approved the export of spying equipment to Hong Kong authorities just weeks before they launched a crackdown against activists, the Observer can reveal.

 

Un Tessinois est accusé d’avoir participé à une vente illégale d’armes de guerre|19 July 2019 |Tribune de Genève

Le Tessinois A. M. est accusé d’avoir participé à un trafic d’armes de guerre dans le nord de l’Italie. Selon les autorités, il faisait partie d’un groupe de terroristes d’extrême droite qui possédait un arsenal d’armes de guerre lourdes et légères. Les photos du séquestre d’un missile air-air Matra Super 530, qui appartenait au Qatar, ont fait le tour du monde.

 

How Dockworkers Are Fighting the Arms Trade|16 July 2019 |The Nation

After President Trump pledged an $8 billion deal to provide Saudi Arabia with weapons last month, the Senate passed three rare bipartisan resolutions intended to prevent the sale from going through. The very same day, the High Court in the United Kingdom—Saudi Arabia’s second-largest arms dealer after the United States—delivered a landmark ruling declaring arms sales to Saudi Arabia illegal on the basis of the Saudi government’s war crimes in Yemen.

 

Swiss arms trade is booming|16 July 2019 |Swissinfo.ch

Swiss companies exported nearly CHF273 million ($276 million) worth of war materiel in the first half of 2019. This compares with $205 million for the same period last year.

 

Munitionserzeuger Hirtenberger will friedlich werden|15 July 2019 |Der Standard

Es soll die größte Umstrukturierung der Unternehmensgeschichte werden – und die ist recht lang. Vor 159 Jahren wurde Hirtenberger gegründet; ein aus Schwaben zugewanderter Drechsler eröffnete eine kleine metallverarbeitende Werkstatt im niederösterreichischen Hirtenberg, die alsbald als “Patronenfabrik” bekannt werden sollte.

 

La discrète visite au Caire de la mission parlementaire sur les exportations d’armement|12 July 2019 |Le Point

C’est une première dans l’histoire du timide contrôle parlementaire des exportations d’armement français. Le député de La République en marche (LREM) Jacques Maire, accompagné d’un administrateur de l’Assemblée nationale, a passé deux jours, les 10 et 11 juillet, au Caire à rencontrer des industriels français présents en Égypte, des ONG locales, des responsables militaires français et des parlementaires égyptiens.

 

Ventes d’armes, la transparence jusqu’où ?|10 July 2019 |La Croix

La ministre des armées Florence Parly doit être auditionnée, mercredi 10 juillet à l’Assemblée nationale, sur les exportations d’armement de la France. Alors que le contrôle du Parlement sur les ventes d’armes est quasi inexistant dans l’Hexagone, des députés demandent de nouvelles prérogatives.

 

Bei KMWs milliardenschweren Panzerdeal floss womöglich auch Geld an Katars Herrscherfamilie|9 July 2019 |Handelsblatt

Der Rüstungskonzern KMW hat 2012 Kriegsgerät für 1,9 Milliarden Euro an Katar verkauft. Über einen Nebenvertrag könnte die Herrscherfamilie mitverdient haben.

 

UK ministers challenge court ruling on Saudi Arabia arms sales|8 July 2019 |The Guardian

Ministers have asked the courts to set aside a landmark ruling that British arms sales to Saudi Arabia are unlawful, a legal manoeuvre that prompted Jeremy Corbyn to accuse the Conservatives of prioritising military exports over civilian lives.

 

Saudi Arabia arms: Opposition leaders call on next PM to launch inquiry|5 July 2019 |BBC

In a letter to the two Tory contenders – Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt – the leaders accused the pair of a “lack of moral leadership” on the issue. It is signed by Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn, the SNP’s Ian Blackford, Lib Dem Sir Vince Cable, Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville Roberts and Green MP Caroline Lucas.

 

Saudi Arms Case – Government told to ask the right questions, and answer them|25 June 2019 |Kieran Laird |Gowling WLG

The Court of Appeal’s decision in R (on the application of Campaign Against Arms Trade) v Secretary of State for International Trade presents a rare example of a successful challenge on rationality grounds. The case concerned the Secretary of State’s refusal to suspend export licences for the sale of arms and military equipment to Saudi Arabia, some of which was used in the conflict in Yemen. CAAT was supported by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Rights Watch UK and Oxfam1 all of whom acted as interveners.

 

Bericht der Bundesregierung über ihre Exportpolitik für konventionelle Rüstungsgüter im Jahre 2018| 18 June 2019 |Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie

Mit dem Rüstungsexportbericht informiert die Bundesregierung den Deutschen Bundestag und die Öffentlichkeit über die erteilten Genehmigungen zur Ausfuhr von konventionellen Rüstungsgütern im zurückliegenden Berichtsjahr. Die periodisch veröffentlichten Rüstungsexportberichte leisten einen wichtigen Beitrag für eine sachliche und fundierte Auseinandersetzung mit dem Thema Rüstungsexporte.