By the beginning of November this year, Germany had approved significantly more arms exports to Israel than in the previous year. The value of the goods rose from 32 to 303 million euros. The majority was approved since the beginning of the war.
According to information from the Federal Ministry of Economics, German arms exports to Israel have increased almost tenfold this year compared to 2022. Last year, permits were issued for the export of military equipment worth around 32 million euros, and this year up to and including November 2nd it was already around 303 million euros, it was learned ARD capital studio from the ministry.
Most approved since the beginning of the war
Following the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, the Federal Government would give priority to processing and granting decisions on applications for the export of military equipment to Israel due to the current situation. Since October 7th, 185 permit applications have been finally processed. A total of 218 individual permits have been issued so far this year.
As the dpa news agency reports, war weapons with a value of almost 19 million euros only make up around six percent of the total volume. The lion’s share of almost 284 million euros goes to other military equipment. This category includes, for example, armored vehicles, safety glass or military trucks. The federal government generally does not provide details about deliveries, also so that the German companies involved cannot be identified. Last year, war weapons accounted for just over two percent of the total volume of permits for delivery to Israel.
Long Armaments cooperation
Germany and Israel have been cooperating closely in the armaments sector for a long time. During Netanyahu’s visit to Berlin in March, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to further expand this cooperation. For example, Germany purchases the Arrow 3 air defense system from Israel for a European missile defense shield and drones.
In the past, Germany has mainly delivered submarines to Israel and also promoted exports with tax money. The background is that Germany declared the security of Israel to be a reason of state in view of the murder of six million Jews by Nazi Germany.
USA biggest supporter
After Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel, Scholz promised the country that he would provide all the military help that was requested. However, as far as is publicly known, the inquiries were initially very limited. The country receives military support primarily from the USA. So far, drones of the Israeli type Heron TP, which can also be armed, have been promised. There was also originally a request for ammunition for warships. In the meantime, however, it was said that it had been withdrawn again.
The Federal Ministry of Economics decides on the approval of arms exports, with the participation of the Foreign Office and the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control. In particularly sensitive cases, the Federal Security Council, which includes Chancellor Scholz and other ministers, usually decides.