Germany Approves $930 Million in Arms Exports to Israel Amid Gaza War
Germany approved nearly €800 million ($930 million) in military equipment exports to Israel during the first half of 2026, according to figures released by the Economy and Energy Ministry.
The data, disclosed in response to a parliamentary inquiry by the opposition Left Party, shows that export licenses issued between January and June were more than four times the total value approved for Israel during all of 2025.
The sharp increase followed the German government’s decision to lift partial restrictions on arms exports to Israel in November 2025. Chancellor Friedrich Merz had previously suspended weapons exports that could be used in Gaza after Israel announced plans to expand its military operations.
Large defence projects accounted for much of the increase. About 67% of the €735.8 million in export permits approved during the second quarter was linked to a naval project.
The report highlighted the INS Drakon, an air-independent propulsion submarine built by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, which recently departed Germany for Israel.
Another 21% of the approvals involved joint German-Israeli projects considered strategically important to Germany’s armed forces. Other licenses covered small arms, ammunition, explosives and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Germany’s renewed military support has drawn criticism from the Left Party, which accused Berlin of applying “double standards” by condemning inflammatory Israeli statements while continuing to expand arms cooperation.
The party has called for an immediate halt to German arms exports to Israel. Berlin, however, remains one of Israel’s strongest European supporters, frequently citing Germany’s historical responsibility following the Nazi era and Holocaust.
