After a record arms export last year, export licenses increased again significantly in the first half of 2024 due to increasing arms deliveries to Ukraine. From January 1st to June 18th, the federal government allowed the delivery of military goods worth at least 7.48 billion euros abroad. Compared to the entire first half of 2023, this means an increase of a good 30 percent. Almost two thirds of exports (65 percent or 4.88 billion euros) are destined for Ukraine, which is supported by Germany in its defensive battle against Russia. This emerges from a response from the Ministry of Economic Affairs to a request from Bundestag member Sevim Dagdelen from the Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), which is available to the German Press Agency.Saudi Arabia is back among the most important customersFor the first time in a long time, Saudi Arabia is back among the five most important recipient countries. Arabia with export permits worth 132.48 million euros. Because of its involvement in the Yemen war and the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate General in Istanbul, the kingdom, which is run with a hard hand, was subject to a broad arms export ban for several years, which the federal government has now relaxed. Even the blockade on the delivery of Eurofighter fighter jets by Great Britain was lifted. In its response, however, the Ministry of Economic Affairs points out that the approvals were granted exclusively for or in connection with joint projects with other EU or NATO partners. Also among the top 5 recipient countries are Singapore (1.21 billion euros), India (153.75 million euros) and Qatar (100.0 million euros). In the case of India, it is also about reducing the country’s dependence on Russian arms supplies. Turning point: U-turn in arms export policy The SPD, Greens and FDP had actually planned in their coalition negotiations to curb arms exports and to introduce a control law for this purpose. Then came the U-turn in arms policy with the Ukraine war. The self-imposed ban on arms deliveries to an ongoing war was withdrawn by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in his “turning point” speech on February 27, 2022. In the first year of the war, 2022, according to official government statistics, arms deliveries were worth 2.24 billion euros for the Ukraine approved, including anti-aircraft systems and heavy artillery. In 2023, Leopard 2 main battle tanks were added, which the federal government made available after much hesitation. Export permits for Ukraine rose to 4.4 billion euros. This value was exceeded again in the first six months of this year. Germany is the second largest arms supplier to Ukraine after the USA.More on the subjectDagdelen accuses Ampel of breaking election promisesSince there is no foreseeable reduction in arms deliveries to Ukraine, the total volume of arms exports could reach a record level again at the end of the year. Last year, more military equipment was exported than ever before, at 12.2 billion euros. After less than six months, more than 60 percent of this value has already been reached. The approved exports include war weapons worth 5.52 billion euros and other military equipment worth 1.96 billion euros. BSW politician Dagdelen sharply criticized the ongoing increase: “The massive increase in arms exports to war and crisis areas, not just in Ukraine, but also in countries like Saudi Arabia, is irresponsible and another breach of election promises by the traffic light parties.”
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