Germany approves €800 million in arms licences to Israel, largely for submarine project

Germany has authorized almost €800 million ($913 m) in arms export licences to Israel during the first five months of 2026, exceeding the total value granted in the previous 20 months. Nearly all licences were cleared in April and May, and more than 60 % of the value is linked to a single, unnamed "major maritime project".

Analysts identify the project as a submarine built by German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) – the INS Drakon, a Dolphin II‑class vessel with an estimated worth of €480 million. The submarine may feature a vertical launching system capable of carrying nuclear‑tipped cruise or ballistic missiles, potentially giving Israel a sea‑based second‑strike capability. In May, TKMS signed a memorandum of understanding with Israel’s defence contractor Elbit Systems for future collaboration. German officials declined to comment on the licences. Max Mutschler of the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies said, “Unfortunately, the fact that the federal government does not explicitly mention this is also typical of the lack of transparency surrounding arms exports.”