The Federal Government’s policy on exports of military equipment in 2022 Close partner countries and Ukraine were main focus of German exports of military equipment last year

According to preliminary figures for 2022, individual licences worth €8.36 billion were issued for the export of military equipment (of which €3.96 billion was for war weapons and €4.4 billion for other military equipment). In 2021 the sum totalled €9.35 billion.

The lion’s share of the total sum (€7.54 billion of €8.36 billion) were licences earmarked for close partner countries and for support to Ukraine defending itself against the war of aggression started by Russia in violation of international law. Over one fourth of all licences (around €2.24 billion) were earmarked for Ukraine. This means that Ukraine received the highest value of licences in 2022 (see below). The Federal Government has published further information about the support provided to Ukraine here.

A total of €5.1 billion was accounted for by licences for deliveries to EU/NATO and NATO-equivalent countries¹ of which €2.64 billion was for war weapons and €2.48 billion for other military equipment). Licences for EU, NATO and NATO-equivalent countries and the Republic of Korea and Ukraine together therefore account for 90% of the total value of all individual export licences issued. Apart from the licences for Ukraine and the Republic of Korea, licences worth only €825 million (9.9%) were earmarked for third countries².

State Secretary Giegold: "The balance sheet of the Federal Government in its first year in office shows the results of a values-driven policy on the export of military equipment in the face of changing times. Over 90% of arms exports went to close partner countries and to Ukraine for self-defence. The remaining third countries are treated restrictively in accordance with the Political Principles. It is also in line with our security interests that armaments do not end up in the hands of countries that systematically violate human rights. On this basis, the Federal Government is also committed to stronger cooperation in Europe and at the same time is continuing to advance work on the first military equipment export control act."

Based on the coalition agreement, the Federal Government is currently drafting a military equipment export control act under the leadership of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. For the first time in German history, the Act is intended to explicitly enshrine the Federal Government's military equipment export control in law. In order to prepare the legislative proposal, several expert discussions were conducted in a broad-based consultation process in 2022 including representatives from civil society, industry and academia. Work is currently taking place on the key principles for this legislation; the draft will be coordinated within the Federal Government in the near future. Further information can be found here.

More detailed information:

The following ten countries had the highest individual export licence values for military equipment in the period 1 January to 31 December 2022:

According to preliminary figures, the total value of licences for small arms and small arms parts amounted to €87.1 million in 2022 (2021: €43.9 million). A total of €86 million of these exports (99%) went to EU/NATO and NATO-equivalent countries. This means that almost all the licensed exports of small arms and small arms parts were destined for the privileged group of EU and NATO partners.

----
¹ Japan, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand

² Third countries including Ukraine and the Republic of Korea: approximately €3.24 billion, proportionately: €1.32 billion war weapons and €1.92 billion other military equipment. This figure includes export licences for developing countries (developing countries and developing territories pursuant to the list of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee, excluding upper middle income countries (column four of said list)) of €2.5 billion (consisting of €1.29 billion in war weapons and €1.2 billion in other military equipment, most of which was destined for Ukraine, which is also covered by this category).