Arms deliveries - Record arms exports of around 12.2 billion euros in 2023
With arms export licenses worth around 12.2 billion euros in 2023, the German government has set a new record. This is according to a statement published in Berlin by the Federal Ministry of Economics. The main recipient country is Ukraine with 4.44 billion euros. 6.44 billion of the approvals were for war weapons and 5.76 billion euros for other military equipment - this category includes armored vehicles, for example.
The new high was already announced in December, but was based on provisional figures that did not include the second half of December. The previous high of 9.35 billion euros was reached in 2021, the new record is 30 percent higher.
"The continuous German support for Ukraine in its self-defense against the Russian war of aggression, which violates international law, serves to secure the global peace order," explained State Secretary Sven Giegold (Greens). Norway accounted for the second-highest number of permits. This shows that the German government is sticking to its restrictive basic policy, according to which the issue of human rights is of particular importance. "The record demand for German armaments from our democratic partner countries is an expression of an increased need for military security, for which Russia's aggression bears the overwhelming responsibility."
Around 89 percent of the approved export value, or 10.84 billion euros, relates to EU and NATO states or countries that are equivalent to NATO members - this group includes Japan, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand - as well as South Korea, Singapore and Ukraine.
Read also:
- Year of climate records: extreme is the new normal
- Precautionary arrests show Islamist terror threat
- UN vote urges Israel to ceasefire
- SPD rules out budget resolution before the end of the year
- Despite the record-breaking arms exports of 12.2 billion euros in 2023, Germany's defense industry maintains its restrictive policy, prioritizing human rights, as demonstrated by the second-highest number of permits going to Norway.
- The Federal Ministry of Economics in Berlin reported that the majority of the approved export value, around 89%, was destined for EU, NATO, and equivalent countries, such as Japan, Switzerland, and Ukraine, reflecting Germany's commitment to military security.
- In 2023, Germany granted approximately 12.2 billion euros worth of arms export licenses, marking a significant increase of 30% compared to the previous high in 2021, with Ukraine being the principal recipient.
- The German government has continued to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia's aggression yesterday, granting 4.44 billion euros worth of licenses for war weapons and other military equipment, including armored vehicles.
- As Germany continues to deliver weapons to Ukraine, it contributes to securing the global peace order by demonstrating its stance against Russian violations of international law, which has resulted in increased demand for German armaments from democratic partner countries.
Source: www.stern.de
