Arms deliveries to Ukraine led to a new record level for German arms exports in 2024. Last year, the government approved the export of weapons and military equipment worth €13.33 billion – more than ever before!
More than half of this went to Ukraine, 8.15 billion euros, for defense against Russian invaders.
The figures come from a response from the Ministry of Economic Affairs to a request from BSW Bundestag member Sevim Dagdelen, which was submitted to the German Press Agency. The ministry had already published preliminary export figures for 2024 on December 18 and statistics for the entire year are now available.
Even surpassed the record value from 2023
During their coalition negotiations, the SPD, the Greens and the FDP had actually planned to restrict arms exports and introduce a control law to that end. Then came the reversal in arms policy with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Germany became Ukraine’s second largest arms supplier.
Already in 2023, export licenses for military equipment reached a peak of 12.13 billion euros, which was again exceeded by almost ten percent last year. The share of weapons of war was 61 percent. The second most important recipient country, after Ukraine, was Singapore with EUR 1.21 billion. This is followed by Algeria (558.7 million euros), the US (319.9 million euros) and Turkey (230.8 million euros).
Deliveries to Turkey at the highest level since 2006
Arms deliveries to NATO partner Türkiye are particularly controversial because of the human rights situation there, but also because of the international actions of the government in Ankara. After Turkish forces invaded Syria in 2016, export licenses were significantly reduced. Now, with almost 231 million euros, they are back at the highest level since 2006. The change of course became clear at the end of September, when the Minister of Economic Affairs of the Green politician Robert Habeck announced that torpedoes, guided missiles and parts because submarines will be would be available on a larger scale, the scope for Turkey was approved.
Israel was also among the top ten recipient countries for Germany’s defense industry in 2024. The export volume halved by 161.1 million euros compared to the previous year. Due to the Gaza war, in which a ceasefire is now in force, arms deliveries to Israel are even more controversial than those to Turkey. The federal government justifies this by saying that Israel’s security is a matter of state for Germany because of its historical responsibility for the Holocaust.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
