Germany Approves $930 Million in Arms Sales to Israel in First Half of 2026

Germany has authorized arms sales to Israel totaling $930 million between January and June 2026, according to Der Spiegel. This amount, nearly 800 million euros, represents four times the total value of arms exports Berlin approved in 2025. The data was disclosed in response to a parliamentary inquiry, though the figures include a mix of lethal materials, defense cooperation agreements, and equipment not classified as weapons of war.

Approximately one fifth of the approved exports is tied to joint programs between the German and Israeli defense industries, benefiting the German Armed Forces. Over two-thirds of the authorized value is allocated to the INS Drakon, a Class Dolphin II submarine built for Israel. The vessel, nearly 70 meters long and capable of remaining submerged for weeks, departed from the port of Kiel on Tuesday en route to Israel. Its builder, TKMS, is a naval group that competes with Spanish shipyards in the global conventional submarine market.

The remaining portion of the authorized amount corresponds to equipment not classified as “war weapons,” including short-range weapons, ammunition, explosives, and drones. This figure significantly exceeds the margin Germany typically uses to justify such sales and has sparked political controversy following statements by Israeli Minister of Homeland Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Germany has shifted from pausing arms exports to quadrupling them within six months, without the legal basis for the previous pause having been resolved. From the party Die Linke, there is criticism of a “double standard without limits.” Deputy Lea Reisner has accused the government of Friedrich Merz of maintaining cooperation with Israel despite ongoing concerns.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)