Germany authorized arms exports totaling €12.83 billion in 2024, marking a record high according to a report detailed in the “Industrie und Handel” newsletter by Politico. This represents an increase from the €12.13 billion in arms exports approved in 2023.
The largest category of exports consisted of military vehicles – tracked and wheeled – valued at €4.4 billion. This was followed by bombs, torpedoes and missiles (€2.9 billion) and warships (€1.5 billion).
Ukraine was the primary recipient of German arms exports, receiving goods valued at €8.15 billion. Exports to countries within the European Union, NATO and nations considered equivalent to NATO members reached €1.58 billion, a decrease from the €6 billion recorded in the previous year. Exports to EU nations specifically totaled €736 million, lower than the €817 million seen a decade prior. These partner nations now represent only 12 percent of total exports, compared to 50 percent in 2023.
Conversely, exports to third countries – those outside the EU and NATO alliance – rose significantly, reaching €11.26 billion – nearly double the amount from the previous year. This category includes Ukraine and constitutes approximately 88 percent of all German arms exports.
The government approved a total of 5,052 individual export requests. Deliveries to Ukraine included 306 armored fighting vehicles, 316 rockets and rocket systems, 78 battle tanks and 11 large-caliber artillery systems. Significant orders were also fulfilled for Singapore, including 33 Leopard 2 tanks and a Type 218 submarine.
The government rejected 62 export applications, an increase of 17 compared to the previous year. Pakistan, Thailand and Malaysia were among the countries most frequently subject to rejections.