Germany approves €80 million in arms exports to Israel
Friedrich Merz and Benjamin Netanyahu – Reuters
From January to June this year, the German government approved arms exports to Israel worth nearly €80 million (approximately $93 million).
It was reported by the German magazine Der Spiegel, citing a response to a parliamentary query. The figure for the first six months of this year is already four times the total amount Berlin approved for the entire previous year.
The German government said that about one-fifth of the approved exports are related to cooperation between the German and Israeli defence industries, from which the German armed forces will also benefit. Just over two-thirds of the total value of approved exports are connected to the Israeli Navy's INS Drakon. This Dolphin-class submarine, approximately 70 metres long, was built for Israel by the German shipbuilder thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). The submarine, capable of remaining submerged for several weeks, left the port of Kiel on Tuesday and is reportedly en route to Israel.
According to the Der Spiegel report, the remaining consignment includes equipment not classified as "weapons of war." This includes small arms, ammunition, explosives, and drones.
Regarding these deals, the left-wing party Die Linke (The Left Party) has accused Berlin of pursuing a "boundless double standard."
Party MP Leah Reisner said, "Although [Chancellor] Friedrich Merz claims to be outraged by the inhumane statements of [Israeli National Security Minister Itamar] Ben-Gvir, his federal government is advancing cooperation with a government and military that face genocide charges at the International Criminal Court. At the same time, it is supporting settler violence in the West Bank and the continued occupation of southern Lebanon."
The controversial Israeli minister said last month that he considers that territory "ours." He also called on the Israeli Defence Forces to carry out dozens of "targeted assassinations" there every night, claiming that some residents of the Palestinian territory are "not human."
Under Germany's War Weapons Control Act, arms export licences "must always be rejected" if there is a risk that the weapons will be used in "activities that disturb peace" or if Germany's obligations under international law are likely to be compromised.
In August 2025, Berlin temporarily halted arms exports to Israel due to West Jerusalem's plans to occupy Gaza City. However, after a US-mediated ceasefire with Hamas in November, the restrictions were lifted. Even so, Israeli forces continue their operations in Gaza and against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Some parts of southern Lebanon are still occupied by Israel.
Meanwhile, Germany is further expanding military cooperation with Israel. On Wednesday, the German Navy announced that it had successfully tested an Israeli ballistic missile in the North Atlantic. The missile has a range of up to 500 kilometres. Germany itself does not possess any ballistic missiles; its longest-range missile system is the Taurus cruise missile.
Israel is facing genocide allegations at the International Court of Justice in a case brought by South Africa. Amid this, Germany's unwavering support for Israel is believed to have reduced Berlin's standing in the international arena. In the meantime, in June, Germany failed to secure a seat on the UN Security Council.
Source: RT
