Germany's Arms Exports to Ukraine Dropped 86% But Real Story Is More Complex

Defence affairs - Def-Geopolitics

German weapons export licenses to Ukraine fell to €1.14B from €8.15B, but actual military aid reached €9B through new methods.

Arms exports from Germany to Ukraine dropped 86% in 2025 compared to last year, allegedly totaling €1.14 billion versus €8.15 billion last year. Thus, Norway became the largest buyer of German weapons.

These figures are cited in Euractiv referencing parliamentary data on arms export licenses issued this year. They note this doesn't reflect all military aid, which reached €9 billion in 2025.

Defense Express adds that although this looks quite strange, the material itself beyond the loud headline provides explanation. Some weapons transferred to Ukraine come from Bundeswehr stocks or through financing direct purchases from the U.S., like PURL.

Also worth mentioning: Germany began financing Ukrainian defense industry production. This includes both long-range strike drones and Bogdana wheeled SPHs on Zetros chassis.

Regarding German-manufactured weapons, they continue being supplied to Ukraine under export licenses issued in previous years. Worth mentioning are IRIS-T SLM systems delivered this year according to volumes announced in 2024.

So the Euractiv material means Germany's Ministry of Economics issued fewer permits for weapons or other military products exports in 2025. German government officials also clarify they're now concentrating on long-term aid projects that don't immediately appear in annual reports.

What long-term plans specifically isn't clarified, but possibly refers to supporting production in Ukraine, including localization. The Lynx IFV with its funding problems immediately comes to mind.

It turns out in 2025, Germany besides using its own defense industry and stockpiles began employing other military aid methods for Ukraine. However, tracking its volumes beyond official statements is very difficult, as data was classified with the new governments arrival, leaving only insider info plus photos and videos.