Germany eases arms exports to Ukraine and Persian Gulf countries
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Germany’s
federal government has temporarily eased export procedures for air and naval
defense military equipment, the Economy Ministry announced on March 20.
Katherina Reiche, who heads the ministry, said Iran’s indiscriminate attacks on countries in the Persian Gulf have created an urgent need for weapons there, primarily for air defense.
“At the same time, Ukraine’s need for military support, including in air defense, remains unchanged,” Reiche said.
“With the new, time-limited AGG 48 [general permit for arms exports] we are adapting our export-control procedures to supply these urgently needed weapons under the new conditions.”
Under the new program, exporters may ship military equipment without obtaining prior approval for each individual application from the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control. The authorization covers deliveries for air and naval defense, including measures to counter sea mines.
Countries covered by the new mechanism are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Ukraine. Exporting companies must register, which is allowed within 30 days after the first shipment, and must submit monthly export reports. The authorization is valid through Sept. 15, 2026.
On March 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a new batch of PAC-3 interceptors for Patriot air defense systems had already arrived from Germany, after allies agreed to supply them at the most recent Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting.
On March 10, German magazine Spiegel reported that
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius had arranged for about 35 Patriot PAC-3s to be
sent to Ukraine “in the coming weeks” from European and German stockpiles.
Spiegel said Pistorius secured roughly 30 PAC-3 missiles from several European
partners; together with a small number from Bundeswehr stocks, about 35
interceptors are expected.
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