Concerns about ending up in the wrong hands Australia’s military technology has returned with moves to share more defense technology with the United States.
Australia wants to be the top 10 exporter of defense equipment. Critics have criticized the lack of transparency in Australia’s use of weapons, and those opportunities to export in civil war and human rights abuses.
The government announced earlier this year that it would partner with a US-led missile project.
Before leaving for the United States next week, Defense Secretary Peter Duton told a meeting of the US Chamber of Commerce that Australia and the United States should combine knowledge and resources to develop a variety of missile and cyber technology and drones. He can “herd” or work together.
According to Duten, China’s “compulsive behavior” Australia should be prepared for any eventuality, and governments and the defense industry should work to “reduce barriers to cooperation and integration.”
In response to questions about freedom of information, the defense said it had approved defense exports, including to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries.
Exports are divided into two parts. Part 1 includes military goods and non-military killer goods (such as non-military weapons), and Part 2 includes items designed for commercial purposes but “used as military components or used for development or production”. Military systems or weapons of mass destruction. ”
Australia granted 200 Part 1 licenses to Israel (charged with war crimes), and 43 Part 2 licenses to Israel within five years until March 31.
Save the Children Deputy CEO Matt Tinkler said Australia needs to increase protection and transparency in order to have a greater share of the export market.
“We are not in control of the device,” he said.
The Yemeni conflict, in which we granted licenses to the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia, is a good example of that. We know that the conflict has resulted in human rights abuses, children have been killed. That is a big problem if Australian weapons are used.
“Australia is not without our weapons,” he said.
“Weapons are being exchanged,” said Sue Warham, president of the Defense Council, and that Australia’s growing relationship with the United States was “very worrying.”
The United States says it has lost control of the Middle East and other weapons have changed hands in Yemen.
We guess: We can only control our own weapons at all times.
Warhams say armed drones are a special problem because people have been mistakenly identified and guaranteed.
According to Marcus Heller, defense analyst at Middle East Exports, the defense is hiding in “trade-confidence” because Australia refuses to disclose its arms exports.
“I’m sure the defense will follow the letter of the law,” he said.
But after he went abroad, he acknowledged that it was difficult to follow him. If they sell weapons to Saudi Arabia, it is difficult to see if they were used in Yemen. Defense does not have weapons inspectors in Yemen.
Australia publishes a shiny catalog listing what it sells (Australia’s military sales catalog), but not what we sell. The statements are incomplete and posted, and more clarity is needed, he said.
Greens Senator Jordon Stelle-John said Australia should work to ease tensions in the region instead of entering into military agreements with the United States and trade deals with China and engaging two nuclear powers.
He described the recent steps taken by China as a major trading partner, to the delight of the United States. When Greens became involved in diplomacy in the region, he wanted to be the top ten arms manufacturer and to allow US military operations on Australian soil.
Duten commented.
The Australian Declaration of Human Rights Compliance Australia’s Expenditure Control Regulatory Framework “will continue to support responsible export and supply protection and dual use of products and technologies that reflect international best practices.”