Arms deliveries - German arms exports are heading for a new record
After setting a record in weapons exports last year, export authorizations in the first half of 2024 have significantly increased due to continuing weapons deliveries to Ukraine. From January 1 to June 18, the German government authorized the export of military goods worth at least 7.48 billion Euro abroad. This represents a good 30% increase compared to the entire first half of 2023. Nearly two-thirds of the exports (65% or 4.88 billion Euro) are intended for Ukraine, which Germany is supporting in its defense against Russia.
Saudi Arabia among top customers again
Among the top five recipients, Saudi Arabia has returned as a significant customer with export authorizations worth 132.48 million Euro. For the kingdom ruled with an iron fist, there was a comprehensive weapons export stop due to its involvement in the Yemen war and the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, which lasted for several years. The Bundesregierung has now relaxed this embargo.
However, the Economic Ministry emphasizes in its response that the authorizations were exclusively for or in connection with joint projects with other EU or NATO partners. Among the top five recipients are also Singapore (1.21 billion Euro), India (153.75 million Euro), and Qatar (100.0 million Euro). In the case of India, the aim is also to reduce the country's dependence on Russian weapons deliveries.
SPD, Greens, and FDP had agreed in their coalition negotiations to curb arms exports and bring a control law into effect. Then came the Ukraine war, which brought about a turnaround in arms policy. The self-imposed ban on arms deliveries to an ongoing war was lifted by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in his "Zeitenwende" speech on February 27, 2022.
According to the official government statistics, weapons deliveries to Ukraine were authorized for 2.24 billion Euro in the first year of the war, including air defense systems and heavy artillery. In 2023, Leopard 2 battle tanks were added, which the German government finally agreed to provide after long hesitation. Export authorizations for Ukraine amounted to 4.4 billion Euro. This value has already been exceeded in the first six months of this year. Germany is the second largest arms supplier to Ukraine after the USA.
Dagdelen accuses the traffic light coalition of breaking election promises
Given that a reduction in arms deliveries to Ukraine is not foreseeable, the total volume of arms exports could reach a new record value at the end of the year. In the previous year, a record 12.2 billion Euro worth of military goods were exported. After only six months, more than 60% of this value has already been reached. Among the authorized exports are weapons worth 5.52 billion Euro and other military goods worth 1.96 billion Euro.
The BSW politician Dagdelen sharply criticized the continuing increase: "The massive increase in arms exports to war and crisis areas, not only in Ukraine, but also in countries like Saudi Arabia, is irresponsible and a new breach of election promises by the traffic light parties."
- Sevim Dagdelen, a prominent German politician, has openly criticized the traffic light coalition for their escalating arms exports.
- Despite the agreement between the SPD, Greens, and FDP to curb arms exports, Germany has significantly increased its weapon deliveries to Ukraine this year.
- The German Press Agency reported that Germany has set a new record in weapons exports, with a 30% increase compared to the first half of 2023.
- Over half of these exports are destined for Ukraine, as Germany aims to support the country's defense against Russia with a substantial amount of 4.88 billion Euro.
- Among the top five recipients of Germany's weapons exports, Saudi Arabia has returned as a significant customer, with authorizations worth 132.48 million Euro.
- The Federal Government has relaxed the embargo on weapons exports to Saudi Arabia, citing joint projects with other EU or NATO partners as justification.
- The ongoing conflict in Yemen and the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul are some of the reasons why Saudi Arabia was previously barred from receiving arms exports from Germany.
- BMWi, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, emphasized that the export authorizations were exclusively for joint projects with partner countries.
- In addition to Saudi Arabia, countries like Singapore, India, and Qatar also appear in the list of top five recipients of Germany's weapons exports.
- India's aim is to reduce its dependence on Russian weapons deliveries, as Germany is seeking to become a significant arms supplier to India to counterbalance Russia's influence in the defense industry.
