By Bahattin Gonultas and Mucahithan Avcioglu
BERLIN / ISTANBUL (AA) - Exports of arms and military equipment from Germany fell to €1.5 billion ($1.66 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to data released Thursday.
The arms exports fell about 71% in the first quarter compared to the same period of the previous year, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs data said.
In the first quarter of this year, Germany's largest arms sale was to Ukraine, a country at war with Russia. Berlin authorized the sale of €573 million worth of arms and equipment to Kyiv.
Ukraine was followed by Qatar with €166.6 million, Estonia with €112 million, and Slovakia with €66.7 million.
Meanwhile, Israel ranked 11th among the countries to which Germany sold arms and military equipment in the first quarter with around €28 million.
Germany's arms and military equipment sales to Tel Aviv amounted to €161.1 million in 2024.
On the other hand, there is no statement on Germany's arms exports to Israel through third countries.
Last year, the German government authorized the export of arms and military equipment worth approximately €13.33 billion, setting a record for arms and military equipment sales in 2024.
The Berlin administration's total sales of arms and military equipment in 2023 were €12.13 billion.