Germany approved weapons exports worth 13.87 billion euros ($15.1 billion) in the first half of 2026, more than quadrupling the figure from the same period last year, government data showed Tuesday.
Ukraine was the largest recipient at 2.5 billion euros, followed by the United States at 1.6 billion euros, with EU and NATO allies accounting for roughly 84 percent of total approvals. War weapons made up approximately 9.6 billion euros of the total, with Israel receiving about 800 million euros largely for a naval project and defence cooperation.
The surge has prompted Austrian Economy Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer to call for faster approval procedures and a revision of the neutrality clause in the criminal code, seeking clarity on what is legally permissible without undermining the country's neutral status.