Full Breakdown
Germany Approves €800 Million in Arms Licences for Israel Amid Public Criticism
7/29/2026, 5:29:28 AM
Core Event
In the first five months of 2026, Germany authorized licences worth roughly €799 million ($909 million) for military exports to Israel, according to a Federal Foreign Office response to a parliamentary inquiry by the Alternative for Germany (AfD). More than 60 % of this value is linked to a single “major maritime project,” identified by analysts as the INS Drakon, a Dolphin II-class submarine built by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). The submarine, valued at about €480 million, can support a sea-based second-strike capability and may carry a vertical launching system for cruise or ballistic missiles.
Background & Context
Germany’s arms export relationship with Israel has long been contentious. While Berlin publicly voiced concern over Israel’s actions in Gaza, it has maintained a robust export pipeline. In 2025, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a suspension of licences for equipment that could be used in Gaza; the pause was lifted by November 2025 and replaced with case-by-case reviews. During the suspension, previously approved deliveries, including a €794,000 consignment that arrived at Ben-Gurion Airport, continued.
Data & Statistics
- €799 million in licences to Israel (first five months 2026) – sixth-largest recipient of German military equipment in the period.
- Over €13.87 billion in total German arms licences approved Jan-Jun 2026, more than four times the amount approved in the same half-year of 2025.
- Ukraine remains the primary recipient; Israel ranks among the top destinations.
- The INS Drakon alone accounts for roughly €480 million of the Israeli licences.
Official Statements & Responses
Chancellor Merz has said the “German government remains deeply concerned about the ongoing suffering of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.” The German Foreign Office and the Ministry for Economic Affairs declined to comment on the specific licences or the maritime project, citing standard limited-disclosure policy.
Criticism & Opposition
Ruth Rohde of Shadow World Investigations warned that German-built naval platforms are being used in Israeli operations, stating: “Israel has used German ships to fire at Gaza, to blockade and starve Gaza, and is using submarines to station nuclear weapons.” Amnesty International called the November lifting of the export suspension “reckless,” arguing that deliveries ignore civilian suffering and potential violations of international humanitarian law.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- In 2025, TKMS indicated that the submarine licence had been approved, while the German government denied any approval at the time, creating contradictory accounts.
- Official statements provide no detail on the specific equipment covered by the licences, and the “major maritime project” remains unnamed in government communications.
- Public data on the composition of the remaining €320 million of Israeli licences (non-maritime items) is unavailable, limiting oversight.
Why It Matters
The surge in licences highlights a gap between Germany’s diplomatic rhetoric and its arms-export practices. The financial commitment to a submarine capable of nuclear deterrence raises questions about Germany’s role in regional security and its adherence to export-control norms that consider human-rights impacts. As the German defence industry expands amid heightened global demand, the balance between economic interests and humanitarian concerns remains a focal point of domestic and international scrutiny.
