In 2021, Germany's approved arms exports reached a new record high of 9.35 billion euros, more than 63 percent of which went to so-called third countries that do not belong to NATO, the EU or equivalent countries. This is reported in the new GKKE arms export report, which was presented at the Federal Press Conference on Tuesday.
Among the recipient countries of German arms exports is, for example, Saudi Arabia, for which the previous government already imposed an export ban, and which the current government of SPD, Bündnis 90/Grüne and FDP has extended. Nevertheless, there were exceptions for licenses for joint productions such as the Eurofighter, which was also used in the Yemen war. It is therefore all the more important that an Arms Export Control Act is introduced that closes key loopholes. For example, the criteria for arms export control, which exist equally for all member states at EU level, must be enshrined in law and made legally verifiable.
On the German side, for example, this requires a right of action for associations. “However, it is already becoming apparent that this right of associations to sue will not exist any more than the regulation of foreign affairs,” says Dr habil Simone Wisotzki, acting chair of GKKE's specialist group on arms exports.
In this context, the main issue should be to prevent German arms companies from producing and exporting problematic arms equipment, technology and know-how abroad via subsidiaries.