Arms exports from Germany have always been and still are a controversial, political issue. Every positive or negative decision on export applications for weapons of war and military commodities triggers indignation within the various camps.
This experience was being made by the current Federal Government as well since it has taken over the office in December 2013. With the announcement to treat future applications of arms exports more restrictive and to tighten the controls on precarious armament businesses, Minister for Economic Affairs Sigmar Gabriel has caused great concern. Simultaneously, he advertises a high degree of transparency in respect to the decision procedures and the latter’s results. Therewith he distances himself from his predecessors which disregarded these businesses and kept them in silence. It is not surprising that Gabriel’s approach has alerted the arms industries. But have these political impulses found their way into practice? Have there been actual changes? Where do limitations occur?
The lastest HSFK-Standpunkt 4/2015 “Wende mit begrenzter Wirkung. Die Rüstungsexportpolitik der Großen Koalition seit 2013”, written by Bernhard Moltmann, balances the status quo of the German arms export politics. Moreover, it highlights the organizational steps of the Federal Government towards a more restrictive arms export policy and examines, what trend in arms exports has occurred since the entering of the grand coalition into office.
The HSFK-Standpunkt is available as a free PDF download (German only).