For many years, arms exports to NATO partner Türkiye were only approved sporadically. Now there seems to be a change of course.
After years of reluctance, the federal government is once again allowing arms exports to Turkey on a larger scale. This year, as of October 13, 69 permits worth 103 million have already been issued. These included war weapons worth 840,000 euros. This emerges from a response from the Ministry of Economic Affairs to a request from BSW MP Sevim Dagdelen, which was submitted to the German Press Agency.
This means that the value of exports approved for Turkey is in the three-digit million range for the first time since 2011. Exports for joint projects with other countries account for 101.1 million euros.
28 torpedoes and 101 guided missiles approved
A number of exports about which Economics Minister Robert Habeck informed the Bundestag Economic Committee on September 30th have apparently not yet been included in the statistics. In a letter to MPs, he announced that the Federal Security Council had approved the companies Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Atlas Elektronik to export 28 Seahake torpedoes, including accessories and spare parts, for 156 million euros. In addition, the committee, which meets in secret under the leadership of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), gave the green light for the delivery of 101 guided missiles from the manufacturer MBDA, the value of which was not mentioned.
Türkiye also wants Eurofighter fighter jets
In the afternoon, Scholz will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul. The topic of arms exports is likely to play a role in their conversation. During his visit to Berlin a year ago, Erdogan made it clear that he would like to see greater cooperation in the armaments sector again. “Our NATO ally Germany must of course also take decisive steps when we talk about, for example, military equipment, industry and exports. This must be possible without hindrance,” he said.
Among other things, Turkey wants to buy 40 Eurofighter fighter jets, which Germany is co-producing. The federal government must give its consent for this. A decision has not yet been made. At the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, Chancellor Scholz expressed his agreement with Great Britain negotiating such a deal with Turkey. “But this is very early on, and that’s why we said: Negotiate once,” he said.
In 2016, exports were reduced significantly
Until the failed military coup in Turkey in 2016, the federal government had approved large-scale arms exports to the country, including the delivery of components for six submarines, which was heavily criticized by Greece.
After the attempted coup and the invasion of Turkish troops in Syria, export permits were significantly reduced and in recent years have only been in the low double-digit or even single-digit million range. In 2021, the federal government approved exports worth 11.1 million euros, in 2022 it was 4.5 million euros and in 2023 it was 1.2 million euros by December 3rd. The Ministry of Economic Affairs has not yet published a total number for 2023.
BSW politician Dagdelen: “Political bankruptcy declaration”
BSW politician Dagdelen sharply criticized the increase in export permits. “The traffic light government has given up all restraint on arms exports to war and tension areas,” she said. “The massive arms exports to Turkish President Erdogan are a declaration of moral and political bankruptcy.”
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
