Berlin. The scope for export licenses for light weapons and parts decreased in 2020 compared to the previous year. This emerges from the answer of the Federal Ministry of Economics to a small request from the left-wing parliamentary group in the Bundestag, which the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) has received.
According to this, the federal government approved the export of light weapons and ammunition to the value of approx. 37.9 million euros in 2020. In 2019 there were approvals in the amount of 41.5 million euros, in 2018 of 33.6 million euros. The share of light weapons in total arms export licenses increased in 2020 compared to 2019.
Above all, the value of permits to third countries outside the EU or to NATO partners has risen. From 13 million euros in 2019 to almost 21 million euros in the past year. That is more than half of all export licenses for light weapons – 54 percent.
According to the Federal Ministry of Economics, two countries have received appropriate permits. The main recipient country was Singapore with 19.9 million euros. The emirate of Qatar received supplies worth EUR 760,000. Both countries received anti-tank weapons. Singapore also has grenade pistols and parts for them.
The left’s disarmament policy spokeswoman in the Bundestag, Sevim Dagdelen, criticizes the permits as tricks. “The fact that third countries such as Singapore and Qatar, which experts say is supposed to promote international terror, are being equipped with anti-tank weapons and grenade pistols has nothing to do with the federal government’s reluctant arms export policy,” said Dagdelen.
“It is a very lousy sleight of hand when the federal government treats exports of light weapons differently than those of small arms.”
Germany has been one of Singapore’s most important arms suppliers for years. Between 2007 and 2012, Singapore received 158 German Leopard tanks. Between 2016 and 2018, 43 more Leopard tanks were exported to the island nation. In addition, Singapore ordered two German Type 218 submarines in 2013 and 2017.
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