German arms supplies to Ukraine plunge in 2025

(MENAFN) Germany’s arms shipments to Ukraine have dropped sharply this year, reflecting a significant reduction in export licenses issued to weapons manufacturers, according to data from the country’s Economy Ministry.

In response to a parliamentary inquiry, the ministry reported that from January 1 to December 8, 2025, Berlin approved arms and military equipment exports to Kiev worth €1.14 billion ($1.34 billion). This represents nearly an eightfold decline from last year’s €8.15 billion ($8.8 billion).

Since the February 2022 escalation of the Ukraine conflict, Germany has been the second-largest weapons supplier to Ukraine, trailing only the United States.

The ministry’s figures indicate that Germany has approved €8.4 billion in total arms and military exports so far this year. This is a substantial drop from 2024 and 2023, when exports totaled €13.33 billion ($14.39 billion) and €12.15 billion ($13.12 billion), respectively.

Reports have also highlighted Germany’s plans for a €377 billion ($407.2 billion) expansion of its armed forces over the coming years, covering land, air, naval, space, and cyber capabilities. This move is part of a broader trend toward militarization across much of the European Union.

Speaking in May, Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated his goal to transform the German military into the “strongest conventional army in Europe.” Berlin aims for the Bundeswehr to reach full combat readiness by 2029, citing an alleged threat from Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed these claims earlier this month, calling the alleged threat “a lie” and “pure nonsense.” Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described Germany’s militarization efforts and aggressive rhetoric as “clear signs of re-Nazification” of the country.

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