The value of German arms exports increased significantly again in the first half of 2024 due to increased shipments of weapons to Ukraine, after Germany achieved a record level of arms exports last year.
Between January 1 and June 18 this year, the German government issued permits to export military goods worth at least 7.48 billion euros abroad.
This information came in response to an inquiry from Sevim Dağdelen, a member of the German Parliament (Bundestag). The response indicated that compared to the entire first half of 2023, this represents an increase of about 30%.
The response also clarified that nearly two-thirds of the exports, approximately 65% or 4.88 billion euros worth, were directed to Ukraine, which enjoys Germany’s support in its defensive battle against Russia.
In a notable development, Saudi Arabia, for the first time in a long period, became one of the top five recipients of German arms exports, with a value of 132 million euros.
Other countries in the top five list include Singapore, which imported 1 billion euros worth of arms, India with 153 million euros, and Qatar with 100 million euros.
Dağdelen, who belongs to the Sara Wagenknecht Alliance party, criticized the continued expansion of arms shipments, expressing her dismay at the significant increase in arms exports to conflict and crisis areas, considering it a breach of the ruling parties’ electoral promises.
source: lualuatv
