German arms exports rise to record level of billions
Germany has never exported more military equipment in its history. Half of the exports went to Ukraine - the countries behind this are sometimes surprising.
Arms deliveries to Ukraine have led to a new record for German arms exports in 2024. Last year, the German government approved exports of weapons of war and military equipment worth 13.33 billion euros - more than ever before. At 8.15 billion euros, well over half of this went to Ukraine for the defensive fight against the Russian invaders.
The figures are based on an answer from the Ministry of Economics to a question from BSW member of parliament Sevim Dagdelen, which is available to the German Press Agency. The ministry had already published preliminary export figures for 2024 on 18 December, and the statistics for the entire year are now available.
In their coalition negotiations, the SPD, Greens and FDP had actually resolved to curb arms exports and introduce a control law to this end. Then the Russian invasion of Ukraine led to a U-turn in arms policy. Germany became Ukraine's second largest arms supplier.
By 2023, export licenses for military equipment had already reached a high of 12.13 billion euros, which was exceeded by almost ten percent last year. The share of war weapons was 61 percent. The second most important recipient country after Ukraine was Singapore with 1.21 billion euros. It was followed by Algeria (558.7 million euros), the USA (319.9 million euros) and Turkey (230.8 million euros).
