Germany Israel arms export licences jump amid submarine focus
Berlin approved nearly 800 million euros in licences for Israel in five months, with most value tied to a maritime project.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Germany Israel arms exports rose sharply in the first five months of 2026, with Berlin approving nearly 800 million euros ($913m) in licences for Israel, according to a German government reply reported by Al Jazeera. The total was higher than the previous 20 months combined, putting renewed scrutiny on Germany’s military support for Israel during the war in Gaza.
The Federal Foreign Office disclosed the figures in response to a parliamentary question from the far-right Alternative for Germany party, Al Jazeera reported. Nearly all of the approvals came in April and May, according to the government reply.
Why did Germany approve more arms exports to Israel?
The German government said more than 60 percent of the value was connected to one unnamed “major maritime project,” according to Al Jazeera. Analysts cited by the outlet said the most likely project was a submarine built by the German shipbuilder TKMS.
The vessel drawing attention is the INS Drakon, a Dolphin II-class submarine. German media reports cited by Al Jazeera said it was formally handed over to the Israeli Navy last week after its maiden voyage last year at a Kiel shipyard on the Baltic Sea.
Al Jazeera reported the submarine’s estimated value at 480 million euros ($548m). The German Foreign Office and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, which oversees arms export licensing, declined to comment to Al Jazeera on the matter.
What is the submarine issue?
Several reports cited by Al Jazeera said the Drakon could include a vertical launch system, which could allow it to fire cruise or ballistic missiles. Such a system on a modern conventionally powered submarine with air-independent propulsion would make Israel only the second navy known to field that configuration after South Korea, according to the report.
A submarine of that type could support a sea-based second-strike capability. That means a state would retain the ability to respond with nuclear weapons after suffering a nuclear attack.
Max Mutschler, a senior researcher at the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies, told Al Jazeera that the government’s refusal to identify the project reflected a wider lack of openness around German arms exports.
How has Germany handled Israel arms licences?
Germany has changed course more than once on weapons sales to Israel, Al Jazeera reported. Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced in early August that Germany would stop issuing new licences for military equipment that could be used by Israel in Gaza, but the government later returned to reviewing applications individually.
Previously approved deliveries continued during the suspension, according to Al Jazeera. The outlet reported that a German weapons consignment worth $794,000 arrived at Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv in September.
Mutschler told Al Jazeera that some officials considered certain exports to Israel problematic because of credible reports of Israeli war crimes during military operations in Gaza. He said those concerns did not produce a broadly restrictive policy toward Israel.
Ruth Rohde of Shadow World Investigations told Al Jazeera that German ships had been used by Israel to fire at Gaza and enforce the blockade, and said a submarine export would add to Israel’s arsenal. Her comments reflected criticism from arms trade monitors and rights advocates, while Berlin has continued to treat export applications through its licensing system.
Germany’s wider arms export boom
Germany remains one of the world’s leading arms exporters. In the first half of 2026, the Ministry of Economics’ Arms Export Report said Berlin approved 13.87 billion euros ($15.8bn) in arms licences, more than four times the level in the same period of 2025, with Ukraine the top recipient.
Pieter D Wezeman, a senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, told Al Jazeera that demand for weapons in Europe had risen sharply in recent years, while demand elsewhere had not clearly declined. He said Germany’s arms industry is now central to Europe’s military production base as Berlin raises defence spending.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.