Germany accounted for 5.7% of the global weapons trade between 2021 and 2025
Germany’s weapons exports reached a new record high in the first half of the year, according to numbers released on Wednesday by the Economy Ministry.
The German government approved €13.87 billion in weapons exports in the first six months of 2026 – surpassing the already record-breaking €13.1 billion tallied for the whole of 2025.
Ukraine is once again being listed as the largest recipient of weapons, with equipment worth €2.5 billion – up from €2 billion last year. It is followed by the US, which spent €1.6 billion on German-made systems, the Netherlands with €1.3 billion, and Czechia and Lithuania, which both spent €1.2 billion. Israel spent €800 million on German equipment, mainly linked to a large naval deal.
Berlin briefly halted weapon exports to Israel in 2025 in response to the country extending its military operation in Gaza. The ban was lifted three and a half months later.
