German Arms Exports in First Half of 2026 at 13.87 Billion Euros

The largest buyer is Ukraine: „Größter Abnehmer bleibt mit einem Genehmigungswert von 2,2 Milliarden Euro die Ukraine" – the source gives an approved value of 2.5 billion euros here. Ukraine is indeed „mit Geld und Waffenlieferungen unterstützt, um im Abwehrkampf gegen Russland bestehen zu können, zählt aber als sogenanntes Drittland." Second among recipient countries is the USA: „Auf Platz zwei der Empfängerländer stehen die USA mit aus Deutschland importierten Rüstungsgütern im Wert von 1,6 Milliarden Euro."

Behind the USA follow the Netherlands, Czechia and Lithuania: „Darauf folgen die Niederlande, Tschechien und Litauen", the dpa report continued. Latvia ranks behind Israel with a volume of around 500 million euros: „Dahinter liegt Lettland mit rund 500 Millionen Euro." After that come „mit jeweils eher geringem Abstand Norwegen, Estland und Slowenien" as further recipient countries.

Distribution Among EU, NATO and Third Countries

A substantial portion of deliveries goes to NATO and EU states. „Im ersten Halbjahr dieses Jahres gingen Rüstungsgüter im Wert von etwa 9 Milliarden Euro beziehungsweise mehr als 60 Prozent der Rüstungsgüter in EU- oder Nato-Staaten sowie an enge Partner." In the same period last year, however, the share was significantly higher at 83 percent: „im Vorjahreszeitraum war der Anteil mit 83 Prozent deutlich höher."

Deliveries to countries outside the EU, NATO and partner circle are reported separately: „Insgesamt wurden für Lieferungen an Drittländer Rüstungsexporte im Wert von 4,9 Milliarden Euro genehmigt." Ukraine is expressly counted among the third countries in this breakdown, even though it is being militarily supported.

Political Context and Assessment

The year-on-year increase, by a factor of four, is exceptionally strong. Industry observers have for months been pointing to growing demand from European partner states, which – after losses in their previous supply chains – are turning more heavily to German manufacturers. Orders placed under ring-swap models with third countries to the benefit of Ukraine are likewise reflected in the approved values.

Politically, the figures are part of an ongoing debate: The federal government points out that the export-control policy guidelines and the federal government's basic political paper continue to be applied. Approvals for third countries remain in principle more restrictive than for EU and NATO states – which is also reflected in the lower share of recently 60 percent compared with 83 percent in the same period last year.

Data Basis and Reporting Status

The final annual figures typically deviate from the preliminary half-year figures, since individual approvals can still be revoked, amended or newly issued. The Federal Ministry of Economics customarily publishes the complete arms export report for the past calendar year at the beginning of the following year.

The report is based on a dpa news channel report with reference number 260715-930-389743/1: „© dpa-infocom, dpa:260715-930-389743/1 Das ist eine Nachricht direkt aus dem dpa-Newskanal."