Showing posts with label arms export. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arms export. Show all posts

Saturday, September 19, 2026

White House approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia

That is huge! For example, Germany has only 35 of such aircraft, but Japan has 147.

"Key Points
  • The Trump administration has approved a $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, along with engines and other parts.
  • The deal comes as Iran-backed Houthis escalate attacks on Saudi Arabia and seek control of the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
  • Congress has 30 days to scrutinize deal, with lawmakers raising concerns over the potential transfer of sensitive U.S. military technology and Riyadh’s ties to China.
..."

Saturday, September 19, 2026 - Join The Flyover

Thursday, September 03, 2026

German defense exports to Israel soar in the first half of 2026

Good news!

"Germany approved defense exports to Israel worth nearly €800 million (about $930 million) in the first half of 2026, "Der Spiegel" reports, citing data from Germany’s Ministry of Economics and Energy in response to a query from a leftist opposition party.

This is such a significant jump that in the first half of 2026, total German defense exports to Israel were four times higher than in all of 2025 (€260 million). Some of the increase was due to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s partial [???] lifting of the Israel arms embargo, which ended last November.
Furthermore, €735.8 million of the amount (about 91.9%) was approved in the second quarter, with 67% of that for a "naval project" and 21% for licenses for joint projects carried out by German and Israeli companies together, serving the German military. ..."

German defense exports to Israel soar - Globes "Germany approved defense exports to Israel worth nearly €800 million in the first half of 2026, “Der Spiegel” reports, up from €260 million in all of 2025."

Monday, August 31, 2026

Israel signs biggest-ever defense deal with Greece

Good news!

"Ministry of Defense director general Gen. (res.) Amir Baram today signed an historic agreement with Greece in Tel Aviv for the sale of three air defense systems for €3.1 billion ($3.6 billion).
The deal will surpass the $3.5 billion paid by Germany for a single Arrow 3 long-range air defense system, not including a follow-on agreement for an additional system for $3.1 billion, which "Globes" revealed. ..."

Israel signs biggest-ever defense deal with Greece - Globes "The $3.6 billion deal for air defense systems, signed in Tel Aviv, comes as Turkey is acting more aggressively towards both Greece and Israel."

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Russia has continued to provide direct military support to Iran through weapons and weapons components transfers.

Serious stuff! How rogue state governments help each other!

Where are the coward European powers when you need them (as a minimum for minesweeping and to escort cargo ships)!

"... NBC News reported on August 18 that Russia has transferred drone components, ammunition, and TNT explosives to Iran via the Caspian Sea as of July 2026, citing a European government document that NBC obtained and an unspecified Western official verified. ...

Russia’s drone component transfers to Iran are indicative of the active military support that Russia has provided Iran and its drone program in recent months. Iran has reportedly used “Russian-enhanced versions” of Shahed drones and Russian targeting intelligence to attack US forces and assets during the war, according to US intelligence officials. ...

Iran and Russia have historically used the Caspian Sea to trade military and non-military goods.
Israel struck sites in Bandar Anzali, including facilities to disrupt Russian shipments of military equipment to Iran, earlier in the war.
Ukraine more recently struck several sanctioned cargo vessels in the Caspian Sea on July 25 that Russia reportedly used to transport military cargo between Russia and Iran. ..."

Iran Update Special Report, August 18, 2026 | Critical Threats

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Greece approves $4b Israel air defense procurement

Good news! Osman Sultan Erdogan is probably not very happy about that (hint: e.g. Cyprus)!

"Greece’s National Security Council (KYSEA) today approved an historic deal to procure a multi-layered air defense system from Israel for €3.5 billion ($4 billion). "Reuters" reports that the deal will also include unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Israeli air defense systems that Greece is procuring includes Rafael's David's Sling in the long range tier, Israel Aerospace Industries Barak MX in the medium range tier, and Rafael's Spyder in the short range tier. ..."

Greece approves $4b Israel air defense procurement - Globes "The deal for multi-layered air defense systems surpasses Israel’s previous record $3.5 billion sale of Arrow missiles to Germany in 2023."

Thursday, July 16, 2026

North Korea’s role in providing Russia with artillery for the war in Ukraine

Bad news!

"Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) confirmed North Korea’s role in providing Russia with artillery for the war in Ukraine, including an estimated 25-40 percent of current Russian artillery ammunition.
North Korea has supplied more than 600 artillery systems of different types and calibers to Russia, including M-1989 Koksan 170mm self-propelled guns, M-1991 240mm multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), 107mm Type 63 rocket launchers, self-propelled anti-tank missile systems, D-74 122mm towed guns, and Type 76 140mm mortars, anti-tank guided missiles, and artillery shells.
North Korea has also provided more than 100 KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missiles to Russia, which has used at least 80 of these missiles.

HUR frames these weapons deliveries as “systemic” in their scale and regularity, with North Korea occupying a “key position” among Russia’s foreign weapons and equipment suppliers. North Korean weapons provisions to Russia reportedly totaled over 9 million 12mm and 152mm artillery rounds by the end of 2024, 12 million 152mm artillery shells by July 2025, and an estimated 15 million 152mm artillery shells by March 2026. ..."

Korean Peninsula Update, July 14, 2026 | AEI

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Canada to plug airspace surveillance gaps with Australia's over-the-horizon radar

Both countries are geographically over the horizon! 😊

"The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), operated by Canada and the United States, has gaping holes in its airspace radar coverage. Ottawa went some way to filling those gaps when it signed four related agreements in June for a new radar system sourced from Australia.

The system is called the Arctic Over-The-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR), and the deal is worth some US$1.75 billion to Australia. ..."

Canada to plug surveillance gaps with Aussie over-the-horizon radar


JORN, a network of three over-the-horizon radar facilities, is a strategic and early-warning asset for Australia. Canada is buying a similar system.


Saturday, July 04, 2026

Ukraine Says Chinese components are linked to Russian Weapons

How much has China become an arms supplier to the world? Could China possibly stop the Russo-Ukrainian War by cutting off military supplies to Russia?

When dictators like Xi Jinping and Putin the Terrible support each other!

Apparently, Russia also sources components from various Western countries (even Taiwan).

"China has shown no visible response for six months after Ukraine handed over detailed evidence that Chinese components were being used in Russian weapons, even as the share of such parts continues to grow, Ukraine’s presidential sanctions commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk said.

“Six months ago, they received files with exhaustive serial numbers, and in six months there has been realistically no response,” Vlasiuk told journalists on Friday.

Ukraine has been systematically collecting and cataloging foreign-made components found in Russian missiles and drones, including serial numbers that can help governments and law enforcement agencies trace how the parts reached Russia. ...

According to Vlasiuk, Chinese-made components are being found alongside parts from Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the US in Russia’s most frequently used weapons, including Kh-101 cruise missiles, Iskander ballistic missiles, and Shahed-type attack drones. ..."

Ukraine Says China Ignored Evidence Linking Its Components to Russian Weapons "In brief: Ukraine says China has yet to respond to detailed evidence, including serial numbers, that links Chinese-made components to Russian missiles and drones as foreign components continue to be found in Moscow's weapons."

Friday, June 05, 2026

Brazil plans to buy 20 more Swedish Gripen fighter aircraft

Good news for Sweden and the European defense industry!

"Brazilian Defense Minister José Múcio Monteiro Filho announced today that he wants to buy an additional 20 Gripen E jets, which would bring Brazil’s fleet to 56 fighters.

The announcement came during a press conference today, wrapping up the minister’s four-day visit to Sweden. ...

After Saab beat out the Boeing F/A-18 and Dassault Rafale in 2014, Brazil ordered a total of 36 Gripen fighters: 28 single-seat Gripen E models and eight two-seat Gripen F variants. Eleven aircraft have been delivered to date. ..."

Brazil plans to buy 20 more Gripen fighters - Breaking Defense "Gen. Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, the Brazilian air chief, told Breaking Defense that the need for extra jets was born from a serious look at Brazil’s air power."


Saab Gripen


Tuesday, June 02, 2026

Israel’s defense exports hit new record in 2025

Who does not like weapons tested in combat including Arab countries?

"... A geographical breakdown shows there was growth in deals with the Abraham Accords countries (the UAE, Morocco and Bahrain), which accounted for 15% of deals, compared with 12% in 2024.
Europe had seen a surge to 54% in 2024 due to the Arrow 3 sale to Germany for about $3.5 billion, and in 2025 this fell back to about 36%.
Asia-Pacific, an arena affected by the Chinese threat, rose from about 23% to about 32% of deals in 2025. ..."

Israel’s defense exports hit new record - Globes "Despite the ongoing war and growing needs to supply the Israeli military, defense exports grew 30% last year."

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Ukraine tackles an arms-export conundrum

How many arms to export when a country is in the midst of a war! How much do arms exports contribute to funding the defense efforts of the Ukraine?

It appears, the Ukraine even has extra capacity to produce arms significantly above and beyond what it needs for its defense operations.

"... The draft agreement would open a legal channel for Kyiv to sell its weapons to the U.S. for the first time since it effectively banned arms exports to maintain its own forces at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, CBS News first reported. ...

Over four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has built an arms industry that manufactures much of the hardware seen on the battlefield today, but that has struggled to scale up while capped by export bans, funding limitations and manufacturing challenges caused by the ongoing war. ...

Ukraine’s defense production capacity has grown 35 times since the invasion began, from $1 billion to $35 billion, but domestic contracts covered only about a third of that last year – a gap Kyiv’s National Security and Defense Council projects will widen, with capacity expected to hit $55 billion in 2026. ..."

Blacklists, corruption and frontline needs: Ukraine tackles an arms-export puzzle "A procurement memo with the United States, at least four signed contracts, new coalitions, and a flurry of other activity have marked Kyiv’s first real push to legalize foreign weapons sales since 2022."

Monday, May 04, 2026

Israeli Rafael close to buying VW plant in Germany to produce components for the Iron Dome

More news from the banana republic of Germany!

Is Germany becoming a contract supplier to third countries like Thailand! 😊

Caveat: I did not read the entire, long article.

Rafael close to buying VW plant - Globes "“Globes” reveals details of the deal, which would see Volkswagen’s Osnabruck factory converted to produce components for Iron Dome."

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Japan loosens arms exports rules in major shift

Good news! Bravo! More signs that Japan is giving up it's strict pacifism since 1945 under the new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi!

Margaret Thatcher is smiling!

"... “In an increasingly severe security environment, no single country can now protect its own peace and security alone, and partner countries that support each other in terms of defense equipment are necessary,” Takaichi wrote on her X account today. “Meeting such needs and carrying out transfers of defense equipment will contribute to enhancing the defense capabilities of these countries and, ultimately, to preventing the outbreak of conflicts, thereby contributing to Japan’s security.”

Today’s announcement by the Cabinet Secretariat means Japan will now be able to export lethal equipment to 17 countries that it has signed defense equipment and technology transfer agreements with, including the US, United Kingdom, Australia, and India. ..."

Japan loosens arms exports rules in major shift "Tokyo's shift clears the way for arms exports to partners and allies."

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Self defense, pacifist Japan begins its biggest arms export opening since WW II

Good news! Bravo! Coming out of the shadows of WW II!

"Japan’s imminent easing of arms export rules has sparked strong interest from Warsaw to Manila, Reuters reporting found, as President Donald Trump wavers on security commitments to allies and the wars in Iran and Ukraine strain U.S. weapons supplies.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s ruling party approved the changes this week as she tries to invigorate the pacifist country’s military industrial base. Her government will formally adopt the new rules as soon as this month, three Japanese government officials told Reuters. ..."

Rattled by Trump, US allies eye Japan’s biggest arms opening since WWII

Germany gets a front-row seat to German weapons’ performance in Ukraine

Good news!

"Germany is formalizing a system under which its defense industry will receive unprecedented access to combat performance data from its own weapons fighting in Ukraine, as part of a sweeping €4 billion ($4.72 billion) defense package signed in Berlin on Tuesday.

The battlefield data memorandum, described by Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov as the first agreement of its kind for Ukraine, covers performance data from the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer, the RCH 155 wheeled artillery system and the IRIS-T air defense launcher. Ukraine also provides Germany access to its real-time DELTA battlefield management system and other digital platforms for developing AI models and analytical tools. ..."

Berlin gets a front-row seat to German weapons’ performance in Ukraine


A Ukrainian serviceman of the 43rd Artillery Brigade sits inside a 155mm self-propelled howitzer Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000), towards Russian positions at a front line near Bakhmut, Donetsk region on June 15, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.


Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Taiwan and Europe's Expanding Defense Technology Collaboration

Good news, but EU member countries were cowards in the past!

"In stark contrast to the discourse in the United States, there have been very few open conversations between Europe and Taiwan regarding defense spending or arms acquisitions. While the United States is actively exerting pressure on Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan ... to pass a national defense budget that will incorporate a USD 11.1 billion arms package, European countries have retained a cautious, low-profile stance on the matter. This is likely due to the diplomatic and economic pressure that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has historically exerted on Europe’s middle powers.
For example, in the 1980s, the PRC downgraded diplomatic relations with the Netherlands in response to the latter’s decision to sell two submarines to Taiwan. Reluctant to disrupt relations with such a large trading partner, the Dutch government solemnly agreed that it would refrain from further arms sales to Taiwan in the future.
In 1991 and 1992, France sold six naval frigates and 60 Mirage jets to Taiwan. In retaliation, Beijing closed the French Consulate-General in Guangzhou and publicly urged France to withdraw from the sale. France has not sold Taipei any other major weapons systems since.

As a result of Beijing’s coercion, three decades have passed since Europe supplied Taipei with any big-ticket defense items." (Source [I can not reach this Taiwanese web page from within China. Presumably, blocked by the Chinese Great Firewall.])

Monday, February 16, 2026

Dutch Defence Minister: Can Jaibreak F-35 Software Like An iPhone

Some highly unusual news! If confirmed, then this is quite serious!

(191) Dutch Defence Minister: Can Jaibreak F-35 Software Like An iPhone | WION - YouTube



India agrees arms deals with Israel worth $8.6b - report

Good news! Two of the countries with some of the most diverse societies in the world!

"... India has been Israel's biggest defense customer for years, with 34% of total sales between 2020 and 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Figures from the Ministry of Defense International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) show that total arms sales by Israel to India during this period amounted to about $20.5 billion. But now it seems that Israeli arms sales to India are only increasing. ..."

India agrees arms deals with Israel worth $8.6b - report - Globes "The deals include SPICE 1000 precision guidance bombs, Rampage air-to-surface missiles, Air Lora air-launched ballistic missiles, and the Ice Breaker missile system, “Forbes India” reports."

Estonians in Saudi Arabia for 'first steps' in potential defense procurement team-up

Good news!

Estonians in Saudi Arabia for 'first steps' in potential defense procurement team-up: Official - Breaking Defense "The two nations are exploring closer cooperation, Siim Sukles told Breaking Defense, "because when it comes to procurement, it's a global market.""