German Arms Exports to Türkiye Reach Two-Decade High

Germany has sanctioned arms exports to Türkiye valued at 230.8 million euros ($242.5 million) for the current year, marking the highest level since 2006, according to the Economy Ministry in Berlin.

These exports, which include 79.7 million euros worth of war weapons and 151.1 million euros of other military gear, were detailed in response to an inquiry by a member of the populist Reason and Justice (BSW) party and made available to Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa).

Arms shipments from Germany to Türkiye, a NATO ally, had notably declined after a failed 2016 coup in Türkiye and subsequent Turkish counterterrorism actions in northern Syria.

Historically, Germany was a key arms supplier to Türkiye, but in recent years, exports had dwindled to single-digit millions.

The latest figures indicate a possible policy shift. In September, the Economy Ministry, led by Green party member Robert Habeck, approved deliveries of torpedoes, guided missiles, and submarine components to Türkiye in larger volumes.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, from the Social Democratic Party, justified the exports during an Istanbul visit with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, emphasizing Türkiye’s NATO membership as a basis for such decisions.

Scholz seemed amenable to potential sales of Eurofighter jets to Türkiye, noting ongoing discussions between the UK and Türkiye regarding the fighter jets.

Ankara expressed interest in purchasing 40 Typhoons from Eurofighter consortium members Britain and Spain last year, though Germany initially opposed the idea.

Momentum has recently increased for Eurofighter sales, as Germany’s procurement authority now studies the feasibility of the jet sales, according to a Defense Ministry source last month.

Türkiye’s focus on Eurofighters followed delays in acquiring F-16 warplanes from the U.S.

Sevim Dağdelen, a BSW politician, criticized the growing export approvals, describing them as a “fatal signal” given Ankara’s operations in Iraq and Syria. These operations are part of Türkiye’s broader counterterrorism strategy against the PKK.

The PKK’s 40-year campaign against Türkiye has claimed over 40,000 lives, including women, children, and the elderly.

The BSW, or Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, is a new party launched earlier this year. It reflects a blend of pro-Russian, anti-immigration, and Green politics skepticism, stemming from a splinter group from The Left (Die Linke).

Last Update: December 12, 2024, 13:50