Germany issued licenses for arms exports worth around 7.6 billion euros in the first half of the year
Germany granted approvals for arms exports worth around 7.6 billion Euro in the first half of the year, most of which went to Ukraine with approximately 4.9 billion Euro in approved exports, accounting for 64%. In total, 91% of the approvals were for exports to EU-, NATO- and NATO-equivalent countries, including Ukraine.
According to the report published by the Federal Ministry of Economics on Friday, out of the total volume of approximately 7.6 billion Euro, 5.5 billion Euro went towards military weapons and 2.1 billion Euro towards other military goods. State Secretary Sven Giegold emphasized: "The composition of the approval values illustrates what is significant for us: supporting Ukraine and other partner countries, defending our peace order, and securing human rights."
In the entire year 2023, German arms exports amounted to around 12.2 billion Euro, setting a new record high. In the previous year, Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia in February 2022, was the largest recipient of German arms exports with a total of approximately 4.4 billion Euro.
- The arms export policy report for the half year revealed that Germany issued permits for exports valued at over 7.6 billion Euro, with a significant portion going to Ukraine.
- The total value of arms exports permits in the first half of the year was nearly 5.5 billion Euro for military weapons and around 2.1 billion Euro for other military goods, as stated in the report.
- Despite criticisms, Germany's arms export policy continues to prioritize exports to EU-, NATO-, and NATO-equivalent countries, including Ukraine, with approvals worth around a billion Euro more than the previous half year.
