In 2025 the German federal government approved more arms exports than ever before, with preliminary figures indicating a total exceeding €13.11 billion. This data came from the government’s response to a parliamentary question from the Left party, which the “Rheinische Post” reported on Thursday. For context, the 2024 figure stood at €12.83 billion.
A substantial portion of these exports went to EU member states and to NATO or NATO‑equivalent countries, such as Switzerland. The largest recipient remained Ukraine, which received €2.27 billion in military goods last year. The other four top customers were Norway, Sweden, Turkey, and Singapore.
German arms also reached the Middle East: Israel obtained weapons and goods worth about €201 million, while Qatar received roughly €194 million.
Cansu Özdemir, the foreign‑policy spokesperson for the Left party, criticized the rising export numbers. “The government cannot claim a restrictive, human‑rights‑oriented policy-it simply acts as a permission machine for the weapons industry” she told the newspaper. Özdemir added that, amid escalating global conflicts, the defense sector is earning billions with political backing.
