Ukraine and Israel are among the largest recipients of arms from Germany in 2026

Ukraine and Israel ranked among the largest destinations for German military exports in the first half of 2026. Ukraine took first place with supply permits worth more than 2.5 billion euros, while Israel ranked sixth with nearly 800 million euros.

On July 15, 2026, the German government published preliminary statistics on export permits issued from January to June. The total value of weapons and other military products that German companies were allowed to supply to foreign customers reached 13.87 billion euros.

This is a record figure: in six months, Germany approved more military exports than it had in some full years. Of the total amount, about 9.6 billion euros is directly related to weapons of war — combat vehicles, artillery, ammunition, and other systems subject to the strictest state control. Another approximately 4.3 billion euros accounted for other military products, including transport, electronics, optical systems, components, and support equipment.

Ukraine retains first place

The main individual destination for German military exports was once again Ukraine.

In the first half of 2026, German authorities approved export permits for Ukraine worth about 2.52 billion euros. This is approximately 18% of the total value of all permits issued by Germany for the half-year.

In Berlin, these decisions are directly linked to supporting Ukraine’s right to self-defense against Russian aggression. Ukraine remains the only country outside NATO to receive such a large share of German export permits.

After Ukraine, the largest recipients are:

Next are Latvia, Norway, Estonia, and Slovenia.

The list shows that a significant part of German military exports is related to strengthening European security and NATO’s eastern flank. However, Ukraine occupies a special place in this system: it not only purchases German products but directly uses them to defend against the Russian invasion.

Germany supplies Ukraine with air defense systems, artillery, combat and armored vehicles, ammunition, small arms, medical equipment, and personal protective equipment. In addition to supplies from Bundeswehr stocks, Berlin finances the production of equipment by German enterprises and orders from companies in other countries. Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, Germany has provided or reserved about 55.5 billion euros in military support for Ukraine. Another approximately 41 billion euros is for civilian aid.

As noted by NAnews — Israel News, these amounts cannot be mechanically added to the export permit figures. They refer to different forms of support and different calculation methods.

Israel received permits worth almost 800 million euros

Israel ranked sixth among individual countries, receiving permits for German military exports totaling 799.34 million euros.

For Israel, which in recent years has faced restrictions and political disputes over European arms supplies, this amount seems significant. However, the published data does not mean that Germany allowed the transfer of nearly 800 million euros worth of bombs, missiles, or artillery ammunition to Israel.

More than 60% of the Israeli volume is related to one major naval defense project. This is at least 480 million euros. The German government has not officially named the system or vessel for which the permit was issued.

Earlier, German media linked large permits for naval military products with the supply of a new submarine INS Drakon to Israel, built by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. However, the project name is not disclosed in the government-published statistics, so it cannot yet be claimed that the entire amount relates specifically to this submarine.

Another almost 20% of permits issued for the Israeli direction is related to cooperation between German and Israeli defense enterprises in the interests of the Bundeswehr itself. In other words, part of the products may formally be sent to Israel for development, processing, or integration, and then used by the German armed forces.

The remaining amount relates to military products that, under German law, are not classified as directly ‘weapons of war.’ This may involve components, electronics, transport systems, surveillance, communication, and other equipment.

This is an important clarification for the Israeli reader. The figure of 799 million euros does not indicate how much weaponry Germany has already physically transferred to the IDF and where it may be used.

An export permit does not yet mean delivery

The main mistake of many headlines is that an export permit is presented as already delivered weapons.

In reality, a license means that the German government has allowed a German company to enter into a contract and export certain products. Months or even years may pass between the issuance of a permit and the actual delivery.

Some of the permitted equipment still needs to be produced. Large naval projects, air defense systems, and armored vehicles are usually delivered in stages. Some contracts may be executed in several batches, and their cost is fully included in the statistics at the time of permit issuance.

Moreover, export data does not show who exactly pays for the delivery. It could be the government of the recipient country, the German federal budget, an international coalition, or a third state.

Therefore, it is more accurate to say that Ukraine and Israel became some of the largest recipients of German arms and military product export permits, rather than having received all this weaponry in the first six months of 2026.

For Ukraine, part of the assistance may not be reflected in German export statistics at all. Germany finances the production of weapons directly at Ukrainian enterprises, purchases products from third-country companies, pays for the training of military personnel, and ensures the repair of already transferred systems.

Since the start of the full-scale war, almost 26,000 Ukrainian military personnel have been trained in Germany. These expenses are also part of military support but do not relate to arms exports.

Two different directions of German policy

The position of Ukraine and Israel in the same ranking does not mean that Germany pursues the same policy towards the two states.

The Ukrainian direction is primarily associated with the attempt to stop Russian aggression and protect the European security system. For Berlin, Ukraine’s defeat would mean an increased threat from Russia to the entire continent.

Germany’s relations with Israel are based on Germany’s historical responsibility for the Holocaust, security cooperation, and long-standing joint defense projects. At the same time, supplies to Israel remain a subject of political and legal disputes within Germany.

Meanwhile, military-industrial cooperation between the two countries is bilateral. Germany not only supplies military products to Israel but also purchases Israeli systems. One of the most famous examples was the Arrow 3 missile defense system acquired by Berlin from Israel.

For NAnews — Israel News, it is especially important to distinguish between political statements, export licenses, actual deliveries, and total military aid amounts. Otherwise, large figures create the impression that all permitted weapons have already been transferred to recipients and are in service.

Germany is becoming one of the main military centers of Europe

The record figures for the first half of 2026 indicate a significant change in German defense policy.

After decades of caution, Germany is increasing its own military spending, expanding the production of ammunition, equipment, and air defense systems, while simultaneously supplying allies and partners.

Ukraine remains the main individual recipient of permits — 2.52 billion euros. Israel, with a figure of about 799 million euros, ranks sixth, although a significant part of this amount is related to a naval project and industrial cooperation in Germany’s interests.

Thus, the new ranking reflects not only the volumes of arms trade. It shows two strategic directions of German policy: support for Ukraine in the war against Russian aggression and the preservation of military-technical partnership with Israel.