Germany's 2024 Arms Exports Hit Record €13.33B, Amid Controversy Over Ukraine and Turkey Deals

January 22, 2025
Germany's 2024 Arms Exports Hit Record €13.33B, Amid Controversy Over Ukraine and Turkey Deals
  • Arms deliveries to Turkey have surged to their highest level since 2006, totaling approximately 231 million euros, despite ongoing concerns regarding human rights in the country.

  • Other notable recipients of German arms included Algeria, receiving 558.7 million euros, and the USA with 319.9 million euros, alongside Turkey.

  • Israel was also among the top ten recipients of German arms, with exports amounting to 161.1 million euros in 2024, a 50% decrease from the previous year due to the ongoing Gaza conflict.

  • The German government defends its arms exports to Israel by citing historical responsibilities stemming from the Holocaust and the necessity of ensuring Israel's security.

  • These figures were revealed by the German Ministry of Economic Affairs in response to an inquiry from Bundestag member Sevim Dagdelen, confirming earlier preliminary statistics.

  • Significant shipments of torpedoes, guided missiles, and submarine components to Turkey were approved by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, led by Robert Habeck, marking a resumption of arms exports after restrictions imposed post-2016.

  • In 2024, German arms exports reached a record high of 13.33 billion euros, with over half of this amount, specifically 8.15 billion euros, allocated to Ukraine to bolster its defense against Russian aggression.

  • This increase in Turkish arms exports follows a policy shift noted in September 2024, which allowed for the approval of various military technologies for export.

  • Sevim Dagdelen criticized the government's arms export policy, labeling it a 'historical scandal' and accusing the coalition of misleading the public by framing the exports as solely for Ukraine.

  • Initially, the coalition government of SPD, Greens, and FDP aimed to limit arms exports, but the Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted a significant policy reversal, making Germany the second largest supplier of weapons to Ukraine.

Summary based on 7 sources


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