Media: German arms exports to Türkiye tops $240 million in 2024 Highest Since 2006

The German government has already approved arms exports to Türkiye amounting to €230.8 million ($241.49 million) in 2024, marking the highest figure since 2006.

This information was disclosed by the German Ministry of Economic Affairs in response to an inquiry from Bundestag MP Sevim Dağdelen, a representative of "The Wagenknecht Alliance for Reason and Justice," Caliber.Az reports via DPA.

According to the report, the exports include €79.7 million ($83.39 million) worth of weapons and €151.1 million ($158.1 million) of other military equipment. In recent years, Germany significantly reduced its arms exports to Türkiye.

For the entirety of 2023, only 17 small-scale projects were approved, with a total value of €1.22 million ($1.28 million). The newly published figures, DPA notes, reflect a shift in government policy in recent months.

To recap, under German law, defence contractors are required to secure government approval before selling domestically developed weapons and military equipment to foreign buyers. The German government assesses these applications based on international law and prevailing political conditions, with arms sales to NATO member states typically fast-tracked.

In recent years, Berlin had significantly curtailed arms exports to Türkiye due to strained relations arising from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s domestic policies against critics and military operations targeting Kurdish groups in Syria and Iraq.

Türkiye had previously criticized Germany’s approach as a “veiled embargo,” citing restrictions on arms sales. However, the German government began easing these restrictions in October.

During a visit to Istanbul, Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended the arms deliveries. “Türkiye is a NATO member, which is why we repeatedly make decisions that facilitate specific deliveries. That is self-evident,” he remarked following discussions with Turkish President Erdoğan. Scholz also signalled openness to the potential delivery of Eurofighter jets, referencing ongoing negotiations between the UK and Türkiye.

This decision coincides with reports of a potential agreement between Germany and Türkiye regarding the deportation of Turkish nationals whose asylum applications in Germany have been rejected. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev