On 9th<\/sup> March 2020 the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) of State for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions presented the United States Government’s sanctions policy and future sanctions enforcement posture at an event organised by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. The measures will impact the global maritime industry. (1) \u201cThe message from these actions is that the U.S. Government expects the maritime industry in its entirety to develop risk-based compliance programs designed to detect and mitigate risk of exposure to U.S.-sanctioned parties and jurisdictions.\u201d (2) The measures apply to U.S. and non-U.S. entities.<\/p>\n Under impetus of the United States Government the open shipping registries of Liberia, Panama and the Marshall Islands have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in regard of sharing information about, what the DAS called, bad actors. This Registry Information Sharing Compact will make it more difficult to re-register a vessel, after having been caught sanctions busting, under another flag of convenience: this Memorandum of Understanding \u201coffers collaboration between the \u2026 ship registries on sharing information when a flag registry deregisters or is in process of de registering, or when it denies registration of a vessel due to engagement in a sanctionable activity. Under the MoU all … registries will now promptly notify other flags to ensure questionable vessels are not registered in line with the UNSCR regulations\u201d. (3) The shipping registries of Comoros, Honduras, Palau and St. Kitts & Nevis have joined the Compact.<\/p>\n As previously stated a global maritime sanctions advisory from the U.S. Government is forthcoming. The U.S. Government is aiming for continuous and accurate AIS (Automatic Identification System<\/a>) information reporting. At present a master of a vessel can switch off AIS if the safety or security of the ship is compromised, for example piracy threats. Such action should always be recorded in the ship\u2019s logbook together with the reason for doing so. Moreover the AIS transponder should be restarted as soon as the source of danger has disappeared (IMO Resolution A.917(22) Guidelines for the On Board Operational Use of Shipborne Automatic Identification Systems: para 21<\/a>). The U.S. Government advises that shipping registries, insurance companies and financial institutions ask for AIS data from those that seek to register their vessels, seek insurance or credit. If the AIS has been switched off or tampered with, this may be a reason to deny services. Industry insiders see administrative difficulties arising for insurance companies and would rather prefer clauses to be included \u201cin insurance contracts that require compliance with law and exclude from insurance coverage illicit activity and sanctioned conduct\u201d (4).<\/p>\n Maritime service providers should also obtain the beneficial ownership information of vessel owners: required is not only information about the front company, but also the ultimate beneficial owner and the individual principals that own and control the vessel. Questions are being raised by industry insiders about accessibility to information about the different parties by the various maritime industry segments.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n More information to be found in this article: https:\/\/www.hellenicshippingnews.com\/the-registry-information-sharing-compact-is-a-major-step-forward-in-sanctions-enforcement\/<\/a><\/p>\n Peter Danssaert<\/p>\n (Update) The U.S.\u00a0Guidance to Address Illicit Shipping and Sanctions Evasion Practices<\/strong> (released 14 May 2020) can be downloaded here<\/a>\u00a0(pdf).<\/p>\n (1) Transcript at https:\/\/www.fdd.org\/events\/2020\/03\/09\/us-government-sanctions-priorities-and-approach-in-2020\/ Shipping: The Registry Information Sharing Compact is a major step forward in sanctions enforcement<\/a> | 26 April 2020 | MaltaWinds Male Rape Victims Confront the Bosnian War\u2019s Last Taboo<\/a> | 24 April 2020 | Balkan Insight UAE violates arms embargo on Libya, ships fuel to Haftar forces, report says<\/a> | 20 April 2020 | Daily Sabah Judge tosses California ammunition purchase law<\/a> | 24 April 2020 | The Washington Post Hybrid combat vehicle Humvee fitted with BMP-1 73mm turret used by Houthi militia in Yemen<\/a> | 19 April 2020 | ArmyRecognition Spain: Real Decreto 494\/2020, de 28 de abril, por el que se modifica el Real Decreto 679\/2014, de 1 de agosto, por el que se aprueba el Reglamento de control del comercio exterior de material de defensa, de otro material y de productos y tecnolog\u00edas de do<\/a> (pdf) | 29 April 2020 | Bolet\u00edn Oficial del Estado UNITED STATES SANCTIONS ENFORCEMENT POLICY On 9th March 2020 the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) of State for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions presented the United States Government’s sanctions policy and future sanctions enforcement posture at an event organised by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. The measures will impact the global maritime industry. (1) \u201cThe […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":15426,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"publication-author":[29],"publication-gis":[],"briefing-category":[7052],"publication-editor":[],"narrative":[],"class_list":["post-13913","weekly-briefing","type-weekly-briefing","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","publication-author-peter-danssaert","briefing-category-arms-trade-bulletin"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n(2) https:\/\/www.winston.com\/en\/global-trade-and-foreign-policy-insights\/us-government-to-increase-compliance-obligations-for-maritime-sector.html
\n(3) https:\/\/www.palaureg.com\/palau-on-board-with-liberia-marshal-islands-and-panama\/
\n(4) https:\/\/www.winston.com\/en\/global-trade-and-foreign-policy-insights\/us-government-to-increase-compliance-obligations-for-maritime-sector.html<\/p>\nGENERAL<\/strong><\/h1>\n
\nOn 21 February 2020 details were first published of an historic and unprecedented information-sharing agreement among the world\u2019s three biggest open shipping registries \u2013 Panama, Marshall Islands and Liberia. The Registry Information Sharing Compact (RISC) creates a process for flag states to notify each other if they de-register, or deny registration to, a merchant ship on suspicion that it is in breach of sanctions.
\nLe monde opaque du commerce des armes : quelles sp\u00e9cificit\u00e9s ?<\/a> | 16 April 2020 | Areion24.News
\nLes armes produites ici tuent parfois des gens de l\u2019autre c\u00f4t\u00e9 du globe, en d\u00e9pit des r\u00e8gles du droit. S\u2019il est impossible de d\u00e9terminer pr\u00e9cis\u00e9ment le nombre d\u2019armes \u00e0 feu en circulation dans le monde, c\u2019est parce que le march\u00e9 des armes est un secteur opaque, o\u00f9 r\u00e8gne le culte du secret et o\u00f9 se m\u00ealent de nombreux int\u00e9r\u00eats.
\nWassenaar Nations Set New Export Controls<\/a> | April 2020 | Arms Control Today
\nTransfers of military-grade software and chip manufacturing technology will face increased scrutiny following an amendment to the Wassenaar Arrangement, an international export control regime.
\nU.S. Government to Increase Compliance Obligations for Maritime Sector<\/a> | 26 March 2020 | Winston & Strawn LLP
\nU.S. Government Sanctions Priorities and Approach in 2020<\/a> (transcript) | 9 March 2020 | Foundation for Defense of Democracies
\nThe U.S. State Department (State) previewed on 9 maart 2020, new U.S. Government economic sanctions compliance measures that will have a substantial effect on the worldwide maritime industry. The measures were set out by David Peyman, the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) of State for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions in an interview at the Foundation for Defense of Democracy. During the interview, DAS Peyman announced notable developments in several significant areas.
\nPalau, Liberia, Marshall Islands and Panama Unite on Sanctions<\/a> | 21 February 2020 | The Maritime Executive
\nVessels which violate the current United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) on trading with North Korea will not be registered with the Palau International Ship Registry (PISR). The announcement comes as the registry unites with Liberia, Marshall Islands and Panama on the issue.<\/p>\nINTERNATIONAL (HUMANITARIAN) LAW<\/strong><\/h1>\n
\nMen who were raped or sexually assaulted during the 1992-95 Bosnian war have long been reluctant to speak out for fear of stigmatisation, but now attempts are being made to ensure they get the same welfare benefits as other war victims.
\nThe Saudis\u2019 War in Yemen Is a Crime Against Humanity<\/a> | 18 April 2020 | The Globalist
\nFor Saudi Arabia, which leads the Sunni Muslim world, to act as brutally as it has in Yemen is a gross violation of Islam and constitutes crimes against humanity.
\nThe Group of Experts under the Istanbul Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and the ECtHR: Complementary or Contradictory Tools?<\/a> | 31 March 2020 | EJIL: Talk!
\nThe Istanbul Convention is a blueprint document in handling violence against women as the first legally binding treaty in Europe specifically devoted to the problem of violence against women. One aspect of the Istanbul Convention that deserves particular attention is the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO), which was established as the monitoring body of the implementation of the Convention by state parties.
\nUS government threatens families of Int\u2019l Criminal Court staff if they try Americans for war crimes<\/a> | 20 March 2020 | The Grayzone
\nThe International Criminal Court approved an investigation into US war crimes in Afghanistan. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo responded by threatening to punish family members of ICC staff.
\nThe US is complicit in Saudi atrocities in Yemen<\/a> | 19 March 2020 | Alex Preve | Al Jazeera
\nFive years after the start of the war, the US continues to support a Saudi-led coalition accused of war crimes.
\nR\u00fcstungsexporte – Beihilfe zu Kriegsverbrechen?<\/a> | 18 March 2020 | NDR
\nVor f\u00fcnf Jahren, in der Nacht auf den 26. M\u00e4rz 2015, begann die von Saudi-Arabien gef\u00fchrte Milit\u00e4rkoalition mit Luftangriffen auf den Jemen. Zuvor war der Konflikt zwischen Huthi-Rebellen und der international anerkannten Regierung unter Pr\u00e4sident Hadi eskaliert. Die Rebellen hatten die Hauptstadt Sanaa eingenommen. Der Pr\u00e4sident floh nach Saudi-Arabien und bat Riad um Unterst\u00fctzung. Seither tobt im Jemen ein B\u00fcrgerkrieg. Die Vereinten Nationen bezeichnen den Konflikt als die schlimmste humanit\u00e4re Krise der Welt.
\nInternational Criminal Court Allows Afghanistan War Crimes Probe<\/a> | 5 March 2020 | VoA News
\nThe International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled Thursday that an investigation can go ahead into war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed by the United States and other warring parties to the conflict in Afghanistan.
\nICC clears way for probe of alleged Afghanistan war crimes<\/a> | 5 March 2020 | Reuters
\nProsecutors at the International Criminal Court will investigate whether war crimes were committed in Afghanistan by the Taliban, Afghan military and U.S. forces after an appeals panel said on Thursday the \u201ctruth-seeking\u201d inquiry should go ahead.
\nWar crimes committed by almost all sides in Syria, report says<\/a> | 2 March 2020 | AP | The Star
\nInvestigators for the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council said on Monday that they had found evidence of war crimes in Syria committed by nearly all sides in the conflict during the second half of last year and into January.<\/p>\nAFRICA<\/strong><\/h1>\n
\nThe United Arab Emirates continues to violate the arms embargo on Libya by providing jet fuel to the forces loyal to putschist Gen. Khalifa Haftar, the Financial Times (FT) reported Monday.
\nFlux d\u2019armes de Libye vers le Mali : Une source de r\u00e9armement pour les groupes arm\u00e9s<\/a> | 16 April 2020 | Malijet.com
\nUn Institut sp\u00e9cialis\u00e9 en armement a examin\u00e9 les armes r\u00e9cup\u00e9r\u00e9es \u00e0 Gao, S\u00e9var\u00e9 et Tombouctou ainsi que des donn\u00e9es dont la v\u00e9racit\u00e9 a \u00e9t\u00e9 v\u00e9rifi\u00e9e sur les saisies d\u2019armes effectu\u00e9es dans les r\u00e9gions de Gao (M\u00e9naka et Touzzek), Kidal (Kidal et Tessalit), Mopti (Dialloub\u00e9) et Sikasso (Miss\u00e9ni). Ces donn\u00e9es combin\u00e9es fournissent un aper\u00e7u des armes et engins explosifs improvis\u00e9s (EEI) utilis\u00e9s par les groupes arm\u00e9s pro-gouvernementaux, s\u00e9paratistes et islamistes dans la r\u00e9gion du sud du Mali, frontali\u00e8re avec la C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, et dans les r\u00e9gions septentrionale et orientale, frontali\u00e8res avec le Burkina Faso voisin.
\nRussia sells assault boats to sub-Saharan African country<\/a> | 16 April 2020 | DefenceWeb
\nRussia\u2019s Kalashnikov has sold a number of BK-10 assault boats to a sub-Saharan African country in the first such naval sale in 20 years, defence holding company Rosoboronexport has announced.
\nNigerian Army receives Chinese weapon systems<\/a> | 16 April 2020 | Jane’s Defence Weekly
\nThe Nigerian Army has received a consignment of Chinese armoured vehicles and artillery systems that included Norinco VT4 main battle tanks (MBT), ST1 tank destroyers, and self-propelled howitzers.
\nArrestation en Mauritanie d\u2019une bande de trafiquants d\u2019armes et de drogue<\/a> | 12 April 2020 | Maroc diplomatique
\nL\u2019arm\u00e9e mauritanienne a annonc\u00e9 avoir intercept\u00e9, vendredi, une bande de trafiquants d\u2019armes et de drogue qui se d\u00e9pla\u00e7ait sur la fronti\u00e8re avec le Mali.
\nMilitary in US$90m murky weapons deals<\/a> | 10 April 2020 | The Independent (Zimbabwe)
\nZimbabwe’s military splurged vast amounts of money, exceeding US$90 million, on undeclared and opaque transactions to acquire new and refurbished armaments from 2000 to 2016 at a time the country was gripped by a debilitating economic crisis and political turmoil, Zimbabwe Independent can reveal.
\nSahel: d\u2019o\u00f9 viennent les armes et les munitions?<\/a> | 9 April 2020 | RFI
\nQu\u2019il s\u2019agisse de terrorisme, d\u2019insurrections ou de banditisme, l’Afrique de l’Ouest et le Sahel en particulier sont confront\u00e9s \u00e0 la pr\u00e9sence de nombreuses armes et munitions en circulation qui menacent la s\u00e9curit\u00e9. D\u2019o\u00f9 viennent ces armes ? Comment les groupes arm\u00e9s, qui ne font pas partie des forces nationales et internationales, se dotent en armements et en munitions dans le contexte actuel ? R\u00e9ponses avec le chercheur Georges Berghezan.
\nNigeria receives VT4 main battle tanks from China<\/a> | 9 April 2020 | Defence-Blog.com
\nThe Nigerian Army has taken delivery of a shipment of military vehicles from the China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO).
\nTrait\u00e9 sur le commerce des armes : Des experts renforcent les connaissances des journalistes et communicateurs<\/a> | 7 April 2020 | LeFaso.net
\nLe secr\u00e9tariat permanent de la Haute autorit\u00e9 de contr\u00f4le des importations d\u2019armes et de leur utilisation (HACIAU) et son partenaire Expertise France ont organis\u00e9, \u00e0 l\u2019intention des journalistes et communicateurs, les 25 et 26 f\u00e9vrier 2020 \u00e0 Ouagadougou, un atelier de sensibilisation sur le Trait\u00e9 sur le commerce des armes(TCA).
\nNigerian Army fields locally-fabricated mine-resistant vehicles<\/a> | 3 April 2020 | ArmyRecognition
\nThe Nigerian Army has inducted locally fabricated Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles into the ongoing war against Boko Haram terrorist group in the Northeast of the country. The MRAPs, which were built by the engineers at the military counter-insurgency operation in the Northeast (Operation Lafiya Dole) were commissioned by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai.
\nIvory Coast to receive trucks from South Korea<\/a> | 2 April 2020 | DefenceWeb
\nTowards the end of this year Ivory Coast\u2019s military will take delivery of 100 trucks from South Korea\u2019s KIA to replace its French-made ACMAT vehicles.
\nIvory Coast receives second hand Mi-8Ps<\/a> | 1 April 2020 | DefenceWeb
\nThe Ivory Coast Air Force has taken delivery of two second hand Mi-8P transport helicopters, which it plans to use to assist with coronavirus mitigation efforts.
\nDerri\u00e8re le proc\u00e8s de Bouak\u00e9, l\u2019ombre pesante des marchands d\u2019armes en Afrique (6)<\/a> | 21 March 2020 | Centpapiers
\nDerri\u00e8re le proc\u00e8s de Bouak\u00e9, l\u2019ombre pesante des marchands d\u2019armes en Afrique (5)<\/a> | 18 March 2020 | Centpapiers
\nDerri\u00e8re le proc\u00e8s de Bouak\u00e9, l\u2019ombre pesante des marchands d\u2019armes en Afrique (3)<\/a> | 13 March 2020 | Centpapiers
\nDepuis le d\u00e9but de cette s\u00e9rie, nous plongeons dans l\u2019univers glauque des marchands s\u2019armes, pour expliquer comment on en a pu arriver \u00e0 cette sombre affaire de Bouak\u00e9. On est entr\u00e9 aussi dans l\u2019univers de David Tokoph, marchand d\u2019armes am\u00e9ricain aujourd\u2019hui ad patres mais dont le legs m\u00e9rite toute notre attention. On l\u2019a retrouv\u00e9 \u00e0 la fin de sa vie agissant en effet en Afrique du Sud, mais il est pass\u00e9 aussi par la Belgique, o\u00f9 il a laiss\u00e9 pas mal de souvenirs\u2026 et pas mal d\u2019avions. Pas mal d\u2019entre eux ayant fricot\u00e9 avec la CIA ! Accrochez vos ceintures, car c\u2019est un dossier complexe !!!
\nHigh Court to hear application to have Dutch arms dealer Kouwenhoven deported<\/a> | 19 March 2020 | The Citizen
\nAugustinus Petrus Kouwenhoven is wanted in the Netherlands, where he faces a 19-year jail sentence for crimes against humanity and for selling firearms to former Liberian president Charles Taylor.
\nLibya’s state oil firm says jet fuel illegally shipped to east<\/a> | 16 March 2020 | Reuters
\nA shipment of jet fuel has been imported into eastern Libya from the United Arab Emirates in breach of an arms embargo and other international agreements, Libya’s NOC state oil company said on Monday.
\nUN too scared to stop breaches of arms ban, says Libyan minister<\/a> | 13 March 2020 | The Guardian
\nA fear among key members of the UN security council of taking on the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Egypt has allowed the three countries to carry out a wholesale breach of the UN weapons embargo to Libya, one of Libya\u2019s most senior ministers has warned.
\nSuspected military supplies pour into Libya as UN flounders<\/a> | 11 March 2020 | The Guardian
\nInternational powers are increasing deliveries of suspected military supplies to factions in Libya\u2019s civil war, ignoring a poorly enforced UN embargo as the shattered country braces for a new round of fighting.
\n‘Crime against humanity’: UN expert calls on Australia to stop selling weapons to war-torn Mali<\/a> | 11 March 2020 | The Guardian
\nAustralia sold weapons to Mali as UN warned violence creating ‘humanitarian disaster’<\/a> | 10 March 2020 | The Guardian
\nThe independent United Nations human rights expert in Mali has called on Australia to cease selling arms to the war-torn country and urged the international community to do more to stop nations \u201cactively producing and selling weapons\u201d in conflict zones.
\nLibye : la menace terroriste<\/a> | 10 March 2020 | Investig’Action
\nLa pr\u00e9paration de la Turquie \u00e0 un nouveau cycle de confrontation en Libye n\u2019est pas de bon augure non seulement pour ce pays, mais aussi pour l\u2019Europe. Tout d\u2019abord, cela promet de nouveaux flux de r\u00e9fugi\u00e9s arrivant par la mer M\u00e9diterran\u00e9e. Deuxi\u00e8mement, et contrairement \u00e0 la Syrie, les islamistes transf\u00e9r\u00e9s par la Turquie en Libye se trouvent \u00e0 port\u00e9e directe de l\u2019Europe \u2013 \u00e0 quelques centaines de kilom\u00e8tres seulement des c\u00f4tes italiennes.
\nAustralia sold weapons to Mali as UN warned violence creating ‘humanitarian disaster’<\/a> | 10 March 2020 | The Guardian
\nThe Australian government approved a large volume of weapons sales to war-torn Mali in the same year the United Nations warned escalating violence was creating an \u201cunprecedented humanitarian disaster\u201d in the West African nation.
\nSchweizer Kanonen waren auf dem Weg nach Libyen<\/a> | 4 March 2020 | Blick
\nIm B\u00fcrgerkriegsland Libyen sollen Schweizer Waffen aufgetaucht sein. F\u00fcr Kritiker zeigt das, wie problematisch Kriegsmaterialexporte sind.
\nMorocco cleared to buy American-made 70\u2013ton armored beasts<\/a> | 4 March 2020 | Defence Blog
\nMorocco has been cleared to buy the 70-tons M88A2 HERCULES recovery vehicles for an estimated value of $239.35 million.
\nUS provides patrol boats to Djibouti<\/a> | 3 March 2020 | DefenceWeb
\nThe United States has delivered four Defender patrol boats to Djibouti\u2019s military, weeks after delivering Humvee vehicles to the Horn of Africa nation.
\nSwiss traders conducting business with Libyan militias<\/a> | 2 March 2020 | Al Jazeera
\nAn international criminal network with connections in Switzerland has been smuggling Libyan oil between 2014 and 2015, an investigative report revealed on Monday.<\/p>\nAMERICAS<\/strong><\/h1>\n
\nA federal judge on Thursday blocked a California law requiring background checks for people buying ammunition, issuing a sharply worded rebuke of \u201conerous and convoluted\u201d regulations that violate the constitutional right to bear arms.
\nTrudeau is talking about more gun control \u2014 but he hasn’t enacted the last round of firearms changes<\/a> | 24 April 2020 | CBC
\nPrime Minister Justin Trudeau promised Wednesday to pursue more stringent gun control measures in the aftermath of the Nova Scotia massacre \u2014 but his government still hasn’t enacted amendments to the Firearms Act that were passed by Parliament last year.
\nCanada extends Turkey arms sales ban ‘until further notice’<\/a> | 23 April 2020 | Middle East Eye
\nCanada has extended a ban on arms exports to Turkey following Ankara’s decision last year to deploy troops to northern Syria
\nGun killings in U.S. cities: The scourge not even a pandemic lockdown can stop<\/a> | 23 April 2020 | CBC
\nHomicide figures are similar, even higher, in some American cities despite stay-at-home orders.
\nPolitical violence, state incapacity and post-peace agreement Colombia<\/a> | 23 April 2020 | The Global Americans
\nThe last few days have fueled significant friction between United Nations human rights representatives in Colombia and the government of President Iv\u00e1n Duque, given the results of a report whose main conclusion was: Colombia had the highest number of murders of social activists and human rights defenders in Latin America in 2019.
\nAPC9K from Brugger and Thomet of Switzerland new 9mm submachine gun of US Army<\/a> | 18 April 2020 | ArmyRecognition
\nIn April 2019, the APC9K from Swiss firearms manufacturer Brugger & Thomet (B&T) was selected by the U.S. Army as the new 9mm standard submachine gun. According to U.S. military sources the delivery of the first batch of 350 weapons will take place this year, with additional options to buy up to 1,000 of the guns in total.
\nGun sales rose to record levels in March, as COVID-19 fears climbed<\/a> | 15 April 2020 | Cronkite News | The Sun Times (Fairfield)
\nArizona processed a record 82,771 background checks on would-be gun buyers in March, as fears of the coronavirus drove people to gun shops in what one shop owner called \u201cpanic time.\u201d
\nCOVID-19, gun sales and guns in homes<\/a> | 11 April 2020 | Griffin Dix | The Hill
\nIn March an astounding 3,740,688 background checks took place, according to the FBI. While this does not correlate exactly with gun sales, it is close and tells us that more guns were sold than any time since the background check system began in 1998.
\nWeapons sales to Saudi Arabia reveal that Canada is willing to trade jobs for its principles<\/a> | 10 April 2020 | The Washington Post
\nAs the coronavirus pandemic continues to hold the world\u2019s attention, Canada has decided to resume selling weapons to the butcher regime in Saudi Arabia. An April 9 release from Global Affairs Canada entitled \u201cCanada improves terms of light armored vehicles contract, putting in place a new robust permits review process\u201d stretches the limits of feel-good government double-talk, effectively stating that the country is willing to trade jobs for its principles, albeit with a bit more transparency and an \u201carms-length advisory panel of experts who will review best practices regarding arms exports.\u201d
\nSaudi Arabian-Canadian arms deal improved, more transparent<\/a> | 9 April 2020 | BNN Bloomberg
\nThe federal government says it has improved a controversial contract to sell light-armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia by making its details more transparent to the Canadian public.
\nCanada to resume approving military-goods exports to Saudi Arabia<\/a> | 8 April 2020 | The Globe & Mail
\nThe Canadian government is lifting a moratorium on approving new permits for military exports to Saudi Arabia after renegotiating some terms of a controversial $14-billion deal to sell light-armoured vehicles to Riyadh.
\nArmy asks Northrop Grumman to build add-on kits to convert artillery shells into GPS-guided <\/a>smart munitions<\/a> | 8 April 2020 | Military Aerospace
\nNorthrop Grumman\u2019s PGK kit transforms existing 155-millimeter high-explosive artillery projectiles into affordable satellite-guided precision weapons.
\nPreventing Train and Defeat in Future Conflicts<\/a> | 8 April 2020 | POGO
\nThe war and nation building effort in Afghanistan cost the United States an estimated $975 billion between 2001 and 2019, with an average annual cost of over $54 billion. When indirect costs including veterans care, Homeland Security spending, and debt interest are added, the Afghanistan campaign will cost taxpayers an estimated $2.5 trillion, including approximately $12.5 billion annually for the next 40 years as we continue to pay for veteran disability and care. And it was a failure.
\nFirearms Export Changes Partially Blocked<\/a> | April 2020 | Arms Control Today
\nDespite opposition from some members of Congress and a wide range of civil society groups, Trump administration changes to its oversight of certain firearms exports took effect in March. A federal district judge, however, issued a temporary injunction on portions of the rules that deal with 3D gun-printing plans.
\nNew Trump Arms Rules Loosen Oversight of Foreign Gun Sales<\/a> | 10 March 2020 | The Trace
\nThe new rules, which went into effect on March 9, shift oversight of small arms exports from the State Department to the Commerce Department. The arrangement dramatically reduces restrictions on who can sell weapons internationally and guts oversight of where guns end up. It also eliminates a requirement to notify Congress of gun deals totaling more than $1 million.
\nReport on U.S. Hypersonic Weapon Development<\/a> | 7 March 2020 | Congressional Research Service | USNI News
\nThe United States has actively pursued the development of hypersonic weapons\u2014maneuvering weapons that fly at speeds of at least Mach 5\u2014as a part of its conventional prompt global strike program since the early 2000s. In recent years, the United States has focused such efforts on developing hypersonic glide vehicles, which are launched from a rocket before gliding to a target, and hypersonic cruise missiles, which are powered by high-speed, air-breathing engines during flight.
\nFirearm purchaser licensing laws linked to fewer fatal mass shootings<\/a> | 2 March 2020 | Johns Hopkins University
\nFirearm purchaser licensing laws that require an in-person application or fingerprinting are associated with an estimated 56% fewer fatal mass shootings in states that have them, according to a new study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.<\/p>\nASIA<\/strong><\/h1>\n
\nHouthi militia in Yemen continues to manufacture hybrid combat vehicles as an American-made HMMWV (Humvee) High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle fitted with a Soviet-made BMP-1 73mm turret mounted on the roof of the vehicle. The conflicts in Syria or Libya saw also rebel forces using captured military equipment to make combat vehicles offering more mobility and firepower.
\nRussian Military Says 27 Militants, Trained By US Forces, Surrender To Syrian Army<\/a> | 16 April 2020 | UrduPoint
\nSurrendered US-backed rebels admit to receiving training to destroy Syrian oil sites<\/a> | 16 April 2020 | AMN
\nTwenty-seven militants who surrendered to the Syrian military said they had been trained at the US military base, and the US forces provided them with weapons and vehicles, Rear Adm. Oleg Zhuravlev, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry’s center for the Syrian reconciliation, said during a briefing on Wednesday.
\nOver 3 million rounds of munitions handed over to Afghan forces<\/a> | 16 April 2020 | Khaama Press
\nThe international allies of Afghanistan handed over more than 3 million rounds of munitions to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.
\nAzerbaijan keeps producing military hardware to address national and international demand<\/a> | 14 April 2020 | ArmyRecognition
\nAzerbaijan recorded a 5.6 % year-over-year increase in military production in 2019 as the country’s defense output exceeded $150 million, Ilham Karimli reports. The overall value of defensive output last year stood at $153.9 million compared to $145.8 million in 2018, according to government data published by Interfax Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan exports locally-made ammunition, modern small arms, UAVs, and armored vehicles to more than 10 countries, and the country’s defense enterprises produce more than 700 items and their components.
\nJordan army receives MRAP armored personnel carriers Nomad and Thunder from Qatar<\/a> | 11 April 2020 | ArmyRecognition
\nChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti on Tuesday attended a ceremony organized on 7th April by the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) to receive eight armored personnel carriers donated by Qatar including Nomad and Thunder MRAP vehicles, which are part of a total of 44 carriers that the Gulf country is extending to Jordan, the Jordan Times reports.
\nChinese missiles for Myanmar<\/a> | 10 April 2020 | Northeast Now
\nMyanmar is all set to receive the first batch of Chinese-made SY-400 short-range ballistic missiles very soon. This follows several years of intense negotiations.
\nIraqi army BMP-3 Russian-made IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle tracked armored<\/a> | 9 April 2020 | ArmyRecognition
\nIn September 2015, the Russian defense industry had announced that Iraq had a plan to acquire 500 BMP-3 tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) from Russia. According to the SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) Arms Transfers Database, Iraq has ordered 300 BMP-3 IFVs in 2015 that were delivered in 2018-2019.
\nHJ-12: What Is Known About China’s 3rd Gen Anti-Tank Missile System?<\/a> | 7 April 2020 | Sputnik News
\nChinese arms exporter Norinco has announced the first export shipment of China’s third-generation HJ-12 anti-tank missile system (ATCM). The corporation does not disclose any further details about the deal, including the name of the buyer, the number of goods purchased and its value.
\nUAE-based company Streit Group armored vehicles manufacturer continues to increase its business<\/a> | 6 April 2020 | ArmyRecognition
\nArmy Recognition editorial team had the chance to visit one more time the production facility of Streit Group in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). During an exclusive interview, Caroline Cresp, the new managing director has presented the results of Streit Group as well as new projects of the Company for 2019 -2021.
\nChina\u2019s Norinco announces first export of HJ-12E ATGW system<\/a> | 31 March 2020 | Jane’s Defence Weekly
\nThe China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) announced on 25 March that it has completed deliveries of its Red Arrow 12E (‘Hongjian-12E’, or HJ-12E) man-portable anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) system to a foreign customer.
\nYemen war: Why supporting MBS is driving UK’s unethical foreign policy<\/a> | 19 March 2020 | Emily Thornberry | Middle East Eye
\nTories have failed to take action to bring the Saudi-led war in Yemen to an end, instead fuelling it through weapons exports.
\nUAE orders more Seekers from Denel <\/a>| 19 March 2020 | DefenceWeb
\nThe United Arab Emirates has ordered further Seeker unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Denel Dynamics, worth more than R100 million.
\nAustralian Department of Defence releases its Sales Catalogue for 2020<\/a> | 19 March 2020 | Navy Recognition
\nMinister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP today released the fourth edition of the Australian Military Sales Catalogue, now titled Australian Defence Sales Catalogue.
\nLong awaited procurement of 16000 Light Machine Guns from Israel approved finally<\/a> | 19 March 2020 | The New Indian Express
\nBoosting the fire power of Indian infantry units, Ministry of Defence (MoD) has finally approved the long-pending requirement of a modern state-of-the-art Light Machine Gun (LMG).
\nLa France toujours l’un des plus gros fournisseurs de l’Arabie Saoudite<\/a> | 12 March 2020 | Amnesty International France
\nLa France reste 3\u00e8me exportateur d\u2019armes au monde. Le “pays des droits de l\u2019Homme” est l\u2019un des plus gros fournisseurs de l\u2019Arabie saoudite et des \u00c9mirats arabes unis.
\nPT Pindad opens new weapons facility<\/a> | 3 March 2020 | Jane’s Defence Weekly
\nIndonesia’s land systems specialist PT Pindad has opened a new facility to produce weapons systems, the company has said.<\/p>\nEUROPE<\/strong><\/h1>\n
\nUkraine to disband UkrOboronProm, create six defense production clusters<\/a> | 23 April 2020 | KyivPost
\nThe top management of UkrOboronProm will move to eliminate the state-run defense production giant and transform it into at least six industrial branches.
\nLa France parmi les grands marchands d’armes<\/a> | 21 April 2020 | La Tribune
\nL’industrie de l’armement fran\u00e7aise surfe sur le niveau record des ventes d’armes mondiales.
\nRussian T-14 Armata tanks tested in Syria and to be inducted in 2021<\/a> | 20 April 2020 | ArmyRecognition
\nT-14 Armata main battle tanks have been tested in Syria, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said on Sunday, April 19: “They [Armata tanks] were used in Syria,” he said in an interview with the Deistvuyushchiye Litsa (Political Actors) with Nailya Asker-zade program on the Rossiya-1 television channel answering a corresponding question. “They were used in field conditions, in Syria, so, we took into account all the nuances.”
\nRussia completes 2S7M Malka 203mm self-propelled howitzer upgrade<\/a> | 14 April 2020 | ArmyRecognition
\nRussia has completed the upgrade of the most powerful 2S7M Malka self-propelled gun in the world. One shot of the 203mm weapon can fully destroy a building used as a stronghold, Gazeta.ru online publication said. 2S7M is an upgrade of Pion created in 1970s.
\nUkraine receives additional BMP-1s<\/a> | 14 April 2020 | Jane’s Defence Weekly
\nThe Ukrainian armed forces have received 37 BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) from the state-owned entity Ukrspetsexport, UkrOboronProm (UOP) announced on its website on 7 April. This was achieved despite the countries of origin and transit imposing restrictions due to Covid-19 and ahead of schedule, according to UOP.
\nUK arms deals with Egypt condemned after report reveals regime\u2019s child torture<\/a> | 5 April 2020 | The Ferret
\nThe UK government and arms firms based in Scotland have been condemned over deals with Egypt after a new report revealed the regime tortures children by waterboarding and electrocution.
\nUkrOboronProm presents BM-21UM Berest 122 mm MRL<\/a> | 3 April 2020 | Jane’s Defence Weekly
\nNew Ukrainian-made BM-21UM Berest 122mm MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System<\/a> | 5 April 2020 | ArmyRecognition
\nUkraine’s state-owned Shepetivka Repair Plant (ShRP) has completed factory testing of and is ready to accept domestic and foreign orders for its new BM-21UM Berest 122 mm multiple rocket launcher (MRL), the UkrOboronProm defence conglomerate to which ShRP belongs announced on its website on 1 April.
\nRussian armed forces will receive 40,000 AK-12 assault rifles in 2020<\/a> | 3 April 2020 | ArmyRecognition
\nRussian Army infantry and reconnaissance units continue receiving AK-12 assault rifles, the Russian Defense Ministry\u2019s press office said, on 3 april 2020. In accordance with the state defense order, the defense contractor will hand over 40,000 AK-12 assault rifles to the Russian armed forces in 2020.
\nGermany sells arms to members of Saudi-led Yemen coalition<\/a> | 2 April 2020 | DW
\nSince 2019, Germany’s government has approved arms exports worth over \u20ac1 billion to members of the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen. Critics says this exacerbates the fighting.
\nSig Sauer soll Waffen illegal nach Mexiko verkauft haben<\/a> | 1 April 2020 | Spiegel
\nDrei Ex-Manager des Waffenherstellers Sig Sauer sind bereits wegen illegaler R\u00fcstungsexporte zu Bew\u00e4hrungsstrafen verurteilt worden. Die Staatsanwaltschaft Kiel pr\u00fcft nach einem Medienbericht nun neue Vorw\u00fcrfe.
\nRussia demonstrates 2S19 MSTA-S 155mm self-propelled howitzer to Mideast customers<\/a> | 29 March 2020 | ArmyRecognition
\nRussian State Company Rosoboronexport arms trader and Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) for the first time demonstrated combat capabilities of the 155mm self-propelled howitzer 2S19 MSTA-S artillery gun. The demonstration for Mideast customers was held at a range of Staratel in Nizhny Tagil, Rosoboronexport said.
\n\u00a31bn of taxpayers’ cash to help foreign countries buy British arms<\/a> | 28 March 2020 | The Guardian
\nThe government has quietly drawn up proposals to lend other countries \u00a31bn of public money so that they can buy British-made bombs and surveillance technology.
\nRussia\u2019s New Weapon Against Armed Pickups: Gun Trucks<\/a> | 28 March 2020 | National Interest
\nArmed pickup trucks, or \u201ctechnicals,\u201d have become the poor man\u2019s tank. Across Africa and Central Asia, insurgents and warlords have found that a Toyota pickup can become a formidable weapon when armed with a machine gun, cannon or rocket launcher. They\u2019re fast and nimble to swarm a bigger opponent like a tank, and far, far cheaper to buy and maintain than an armored vehicle. Fearing attacks by technicals in Central Asia, Russia is deploying a weapon to stop them: armed trucks.
\nGermany Extends Arms Embargo on Saudi Arabia<\/a> | 24 March 2020 | Defense & Security Monitor
\nGerman media outlet DW reported on Monday that the German government had approved an extension of the arms embargo on Saudi Arabia, which will now last until 31 december 2020.
\nWaffenexportstopp f\u00fcr den Jemen \u2013 Offener Brief an die Mitglieder des Bundessicherheitsrates<\/a> | 18 March 2020 | Die Freiheitsliebe
\nIm Folgenden ver\u00f6ffentlicht Die Freiheitsliebe einen offenen Brief eines B\u00fcndnisses aus 33 friedensbewegten deutschen und internationalen Organisationen an die Mitglieder des Bundessicherheitsrats, jenem Gremium also, in dem in Deutschland R\u00fcstungsexporte beschlossen werden.
\nMat\u00e9riel de guerre: un d\u00e9bat explosif au parlement<\/a> | 10 March 2020 | Le Temps (CH)
\nLes caisses de pension et la BNS ne devraient plus pouvoir investir dans du mat\u00e9riel de guerre, pr\u00f4ne une initiative. Malgr\u00e9 l\u2019opposition du Conseil f\u00e9d\u00e9ral, les experts jugent cette proposition raisonnable.
\nLe Conseil d\u2019Etat suspend 17 licences d\u2019exportation d\u2019armes vers l\u2019Arabie saoudite<\/a> | 9 March 2020 | Le Soir
\nLicences d’exportation d’armes et de mat\u00e9riel li\u00e9 \u00e0 la d\u00e9fense vers l’Arabie saoudite: d\u00e9cisions<\/a> (pdf) | 9 March 2020 | Conseil d’Etat
\nSi\u00e9geant en extr\u00eame-urgence, le Conseil d\u2019Etat vient de donner raison aux ONG Ligue des droits humains, CNAPD (Coordination nationale pour la paix et la d\u00e9mocratie) et Vredesactie : avec l\u2019appui d\u2019Amnesty International, elles avaient plaid\u00e9 pour une suspension de toute exportation d\u2019armes vers l\u2019Arabie saoudite. Elles ont ce lundi obtenu gain de cause puisque dans un arr\u00eat de 32 pages, le Conseil d\u2019Etat suspend 17 licences qui avaient \u00e9t\u00e9 accord\u00e9es au mois de d\u00e9cembre dernier \u00e0 la FN Herstal, \u00e0 CMI et \u00e0 Mecar.
\nExportwert \u00fcber Hamburger Hafen 20-fach gestiegen<\/a> | 7 March 2020 | Der Tagesspiegel
\nDie Exporte von Kleinwaffen \u00fcber den Hamburger Hafen sind in den vergangenen Jahren stark gestiegen. 2017 wurden \u00fcber diesen Weg Revolver und Pistolen im Wert von 500.000 Euro exportiert, 2018 im Wert von f\u00fcnf Millionen und 2019 von mindestens 11,5 Millionen.
\nCargolux transporte des armes avec l\u2019aval du gouvernement<\/a> | 4 March 2020 | Paperjam
\nLes ministres de la Mobilit\u00e9 et des Affaires \u00e9trang\u00e8res confirment que la compagnie de fret, qui f\u00eate ce mercredi ses 50 ans, peut charger des armes, sous conditions.
\nUnangenehm f\u00fcr Bundesrat: 43 Prozent mehr Waffenexporte<\/a> | 4 March 2020 | Tages Anzeiger
\nDie Schweiz hat im Jahr 2019 R\u00fcstungsg\u00fcter im Wert von 728 Millionen Franken exportiert. Hauptabnehmer waren D\u00e4nemark, Rum\u00e4nien und Bangladesh.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"