Germany increases arms exports by 30% in year's first half, with two-thirds going to Ukraine

The volume of export licences for military equipment issued by the German government in the first half of 2024 amounted to at least €7.48 billion, the vast majority of which were intended for Ukraine.

Source: a response from Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action to a request from Sevim Dağdelen, a member of the Bundestag from the far-left party Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW or Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance), as reported by European Pravda, citing German news agency DPA

Details: Based on official data, the German government has authorised the export of military goods totalling at least €7.48 billion from 1 January to 18 June. Weapons accounted for €5.52 billion of this amount, followed by €1.96 billion for other military equipment.

The total figure is 30% higher than the value of arms exported in the first half of 2023. At the same time, almost two-thirds of exports – 65%, or €4.88 billion – were destined for Ukraine.

The five largest recipients of German arms also include Singapore (€1.21 billion), India (€153.75 million), Saudi Arabia (€132.48 million – for the first time in a long time) and Qatar (€100 million).

Background: Last year, German arms exports reached a historic high of €12.2 billion, including €4.4 billion in arms sales to Ukraine.

In the first three months of 2024, Germany approved arms exports to Ukraine worth €3.54 billion.

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