Germany reported a record high value for arms exports in 2023 reaching 11.71 billion euros, marking a 40 percent increase from the previous year. The Ministry of Economy confirmed this figure through official channels, and the information reflects the latest update on Germany’s armaments trade.
In 2023 more than a third of the total shipments, about 4.15 billion euros, were directed to Ukraine. Following Ukraine, the next largest importers of German weapons included Norway, Hungary, the United Kingdom, the United States and Poland.
There was a notable rise in arms exports to Israel as well, with export value reaching 323.2 million euros in 2023, an amount roughly ten times higher than in 2022.
Earlier, Germany published a report covering arms procurement for 2022. The document indicated that licenses for arms exports totaled 8.362 billion euros that year, with a substantial share allocated to Kiev.
Beyond these reports, regional tensions have influenced discourse about defense supplies. Russia has previously issued formal protest notes to NATO members regarding gunship shipments to Kiev, and the Russian foreign ministry warned that weapons shipments would be treated as legitimate targets by Moscow. The broader message emphasized that NATO countries may be perceived as taking a risky path by continuing such transfers.
Looking ahead, discussions in the region include potential consultations on defense systems such as Patriot surface to air missiles and related transfers to allied states in the near term.
Historical notes on arms transfers periodically surface as part of broader security and export policy debates, underscoring the constant evaluation of international weapon trade and its implications for regional stability.