Forum on the Arms Trade’s Post

This is funny, but not funny haha. I didn’t know it was standard practice for two #chinese fighter jets and a helicopter to approach (read, encircle) #foreign forces unsafely while operating in international waters and airspace, especially since they were there to support a #un mission. #netherlands #china #maritime #maritimesecurity #safety #internationalwaters #approach #eastchinasea https://lnkd.in/eb3xEaMG

China ‘Disrupts’ U.S. Drone Supply Chain In Ukraine; Beijing’s Sanctions, Russian EW Sends Skydio In A Tizzy In a major blow to the US drone manufacturing sector, Skydio, the country’s largest drone manufacturer and a key supplier to Ukraine’s military, is grappling with a critical supply chain crisis following recent sanctions by Beijing. The Chinese sanctions, imposed on October 11, prohibit Chinese entities from supplying vital components, including batteries. This development has...

Last week, OFAC announced designations targeting the Iranian UAV program. These designations are the latest in the US government's effort to address Iran's development of its UAV program and provision of support to Russia. What does this mean? From an academic perspective, it will be interesting to see how OFAC (and the US government on a broader scale) will mix and match its tools to craft creative solutions. Almost one year ago (last June!), a quad-seal guidance was published on Iran's UAV-related activities and included a reference to the KleptoCapture Task Force. As the Russia-related sanctions programs continue to evolve, I think we will see more of these cross-program moves. From a business perspective, this is a reminder that companies should be carefully examining their sanctions compliance processes and procedures. This space is very active and a compliance program that is not able to adapt could result in under or over-compliance. #internationaltrade #sanctions #exportcontrols #IranSanctions #RussiaSanctions #UAVs

Another bloom joining my "#sanctions work, just not as intended" bouquet... ☺️ Intel Corporation components which happen to be "compatible with Su-35S and Su-34 fighter jets, Korsar drones, and Kalibr missiles" along with a variety of other #microchips find their way to fix #Russia's "#military hardware" says the new report by Belarusian Investigative Center. ... But I was told that the "#Russian military is taking #chips from dishwashers and refrigerators to fix their military #hardware because there are no #semiconductors anymore" -> https://lnkd.in/eZEsZ56s I am confused...🥹 #cocorico #DivinaCommedia 🤭😉 __ #semiconductormanufacturing #semiconductorindustry #geotech #geopoliticalrisk #internationalrelations #techwar #policy #policymaking #internationalrelations #internationalaffairs #businessintelligence

The sanctions have not yet affected the intensity of flights of the Russian airlines. But looking at Iran, we can say that sanctions against the aviation industry begin to have an effect only after 10-15 years. Thus, in total there are 335 passenger aircraft in Iran, but only 175 of them, i.e. half are exploited. And of these 175 airliners, a third are undergoing lengthy repairs, hampered by sanctions and for spare parts for aircraft. Russian civilian planes slowly begin to have certain issues, but in following years there will be more worries regarding the flight safety. The worst part is that these civil aviation sanctions have no impact on the war and Russian military capabilities, but only make flights unsafe. #Russia #sanctions #aviation #Iran #planes

😶 DW [excerpt]: Chinese air force jets circled a Dutch frigate and approached a Dutch helicopter in the #EastChinaSea in a way that created a "potentially unsafe situation," the Dutch Defense Ministry has said. In a statement on Friday, the ministry said the HNLMS Tromp was circled several times by two Chinese fighter jets as it patrolled Friday in support of the multinational #UN coalition overseeing the enforcement of maritime #sanctions against #NorthKorea. In addition, the ship's NH90 #maritime attack helicopter was approached by two Chinese fighter jets and a Chinese helicopter during a patrol. The ministry posted the photos of the helicopter and the jet on X, formerly Twitter. "This created a potentially unsafe situation. The incident took place in international airspace," the ministry said. According to the statement, HNLMS Tromp continues its journey as part of "Pacific Archer 24" naval exercises as planned and is now on its way to #Japan. Tensions in East China Sea The Dutch ship incident comes as tensions rise in the East China Sea. Japan protested on Friday after four Chinese ships, presumably armed, sailed near disputed islands controlled by Japan in the East China Sea. The incident was "the first time four [Chinese] ships carrying what appear to be cannons entered Japanese territorial waters" around the Senkaku islands, Japanese government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters. The islands are also claimed by #China, which calls them the Diaoyus, and the territorial dispute has long been a sore point between the neighbors. #News #geopolitics #Netherlands #Europe #EU

On 10 and 11 September 2024, the US, UK and France and Germany took coordinated action in response to Iran’s support for Russia’s war effort and, in particular, the supply of ballistic missiles by Iran to Russia for use in Ukraine. The measures announced include restrictions on Iran’s national airline, Iran Air, travel bans and asset freezes on Iranian individuals and organisations involved in ballistic missile and drone supply chains, and new Russian shipping sector sanctions. Read our latest post authored by Julian Godfray, Ben Smith and Paul Amberg to learn more about these new measures.

Amid the new US sanctions on Iran’s UAV program were designations on several Iranian steel entities. Designations reflect their role in this part of Irans military industrial base, but also likely an attempt to reduce Iranian steel exports and associated non-oil exports. Not as globally relevant as the other steel news this week (301 tariff review on chinese steel) but interesting sign of focus on steel at a time of rising production. https://lnkd.in/dmPiu6jh

SANCTIONING RUSSIA'S WAR LIFELINE - European Council sanctions firms for aiding Putin’s war against Ukraine - The European Union has sanctioned Russian and Iranian shipping companies involved in delivering Iranian weapons used by Russia in its war against Ukraine. - The European Union has sanctioned Iran’s national maritime carrier, IRISL, and three Russian shipping firms — MG Fleet, VTS Broker, and Arapax — for transporting Iranian-made weapons, including drones, to support Russia's war in Ukraine, the European Council announced. - - IRISL has long been linked to transporting drones for Iran's Revolutionary Guard, while Russian firms have moved Iranian arms across the Caspian Sea to resupply Russian forces. https://lnkd.in/epYGUv8z

The U.S. Treasury has imposed sanctions on Chinese entities for the first time for their direct involvement in developing and producing drones used by Russia in Ukraine. These sanctions target companies like Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine Co. Ltd. and Redlepus Vector Industry Shenzhen Co. Ltd., which collaborate with Russian defense firms to supply long-range attack UAVs. This marks a significant step in cutting off foreign technological support for Russia’s military campaign and is a significant step in the US government's plan to limit Chinese-made drone companies. #ukrainewar #chinesedrone #chinasanctions #counterdrone