Germany approves €800 million in arms exports to Israel

arms exports military licenses INS Drakon defense industry German-Israeli relations

Germany has approved approximately €800 million ($930 million) in military export licenses to Israel for the first half of 2026. This figure represents a significant increase, being more than four times the total amount approved for the entire year of 2025.

A substantial portion of these approvals is tied to large-scale defense projects. Approximately 67 percent of the licenses approved in the second quarter of 2026 relate to a maritime project, specifically the INS Drakon, a Dolphin II-class submarine built by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in Kiel. Additionally, about 21 percent of the licenses cover joint defense industry projects between German and Israeli companies that also benefit the German Armed Forces.

The remaining approved exports include items not classified as weapons of war, such as small arms, ammunition, explosives, and drones. This surge in exports follows the lifting of a temporary suspension on arms deliveries to Israel that had been implemented by Chancellor Friedrich Merz in August 2025.

The increase has drawn criticism from the opposition Left Party (Die Linke), which accused the government of 'boundless double standards' regarding its military support for Israel.

Entities

Die Linke · Friedrich Merz · Germany · Israel · The Left Party · ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 7 SOURCES] Approximately 67 percent of the second quarter's €735.8 million in approved exports is related to a maritime project. www.turkgun.com · ekonomi.haber7.com · eldiarionica.com · anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · www.lantidiplomatico.it · +2 more
[● 5 SOURCES] The Left Party accused the German government of 'boundless double standards' regarding the arms deals. www.rt.com · eldiarionica.com · www.turkgun.com · www.lantidiplomatico.it · ekonomi.haber7.com
[● 7 SOURCES] The export value for the first six months of 2026 is four times higher than the total approved for all of 2025. www.turkgun.com · www.moncloa.com · www.rt.com · ekonomi.haber7.com · eldiarionica.com · +2 more
[DISPUTED] Germany approved approximately €800 million ($930 million) in arms exports to Israel between January and June 2026. www.turkgun.com · www.moncloa.com · www.rt.com · ekonomi.haber7.com · eldiarionica.com · +2 more
[DISPUTED] Chancellor Friedrich Merz suspended arms exports to Israel on August 8, 2025, following the expansion of attacks in Gaza. www.turkgun.com · ekonomi.haber7.com · www.lantidiplomatico.it · www.rt.com
[● 7 SOURCES] Remaining export approvals include small arms, ammunition, explosives, and drones. www.turkgun.com · www.moncloa.com · www.rt.com · ekonomi.haber7.com · eldiarionica.com · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] About 21 percent of the export licenses cover joint projects between German and Israeli companies for the benefit of the German Armed Forces. www.turkgun.com · www.moncloa.com · www.rt.com · ekonomi.haber7.com · eldiarionica.com · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The INS Drakon, a Dolphin II-class submarine, has departed the Kiel shipyard for Israel. www.turkgun.com · www.moncloa.com · www.rt.com · ekonomi.haber7.com · eldiarionica.com · +2 more