The arms deliveries to Ukraine led to a new high in German arms exports in 2024. Last year, the federal government approved exports of war weapons and military equipment worth 13.33 billion euros – more than ever before. Well over half of this, 8.15 billion euros, went to Ukraine for the defensive fight against the Russian invaders. The figures come from a response from the Ministry of Economic Affairs to a request from BSW Bundestag member Sevim Dağdelen, which is available to the German Press Agency . The ministry had already published preliminary export figures for 2024 on December 18th, and the statistics are now available for the entire year. In 2023, export licenses for military equipment had already reached a high of 12.13 billion euros, which increased again by almost ten percent last year was exceeded. The proportion of war weapons was 61 percent. The second most important recipient country after Ukraine was Singapore with 1.21 billion euros. This is followed by Algeria (558.7 million euros), the USA (319.9 million euros) and Turkey (230.8 million euros). Deliveries to Turkey are at their highest level since 2006. Armament deliveries to NATO partner Turkey in particular are due to the The human rights situation there is also controversial because of the international actions of the government in Ankara. After Turkish troops invaded Syria in 2016, export permits were significantly reduced. Now, at almost 231 million euros, they are back at their highest level since 2006. The change in course became apparent at the end of September, when the Ministry of Economics of the Green politician Robert Habeck announced that torpedoes, guided missiles and components for submarines would again be available on a larger scale Scope for Turkey had been approved. Also among the ten most important recipient countries of the German arms industry in 2024 was Israel. The federal government justifies this by saying that Israel’s security is a reason of state for Germany because of its historical responsibility for the Holocaust. At 161.1 million euros, the export volume was halved compared to the previous year. In their coalition negotiations, the SPD, Greens and FDP had actually planned to curb arms exports and to introduce a control law for this purpose. Then came the U-turn in arms policy with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Germany became Ukraine’s second largest arms supplier.More on the topicThe BSW politician Dağdelen criticized the increase in overall arms deliveries. “With their arms exports at a new record level, the SPD and the Greens are fueling wars worldwide,” she explained. “With the excuse that it is only about Ukraine, the federal government is trying to deceive the public about this historic scandal.”
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