Germany has granted approval for weapons supplies amounting to a record 11.7 billion euros in 2023, as reported by DPA news agency, citing a document. This figure surpasses the previous record set in 2021 when arms supplies were approved for 9.35 billion euros. The current year’s record reflects an increase of almost 25%, with a 40% rise compared to the previous year.
According to the German Economics Ministry’s statement addressed to Bundestag member Sevim Dagdelen, approximately one-third of the approved exports, worth 4.15 billion euros, is intended for Ukraine. The statement reveals that of the total sum, 6.15 billion euros are allocated for weapons supplies, while the remaining 5.67 billion euros are for other defense products. Nearly 90% of these supplies are destined for EU countries, NATO, Ukraine, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and other nations with arms export controls similar to NATO allies.
Sevim Dagdelen criticized the high defense export figures, suggesting that the government coalition should prioritize investing in necessary infrastructure and education within Germany.
The document also indicates that other recipients of German weapons exports include Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, receiving around 1.76 billion euros worth of weapons.
Germany’s 2024 budget includes 8 billion euros allocated for additional weapons supplies to Ukraine. Since February 2022, Berlin has provided humanitarian, financial, and military assistance to Ukraine totaling over 25 billion euros.
