Berlin (Germany), January 19: The German government approved the export of military equipment worth 9.35 billion euros (10.7 billion U.S. dollars) in 2021, up 60.6 percent from the previous year, the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action said on Tuesday.
"The high value is largely attributable to decisions taken by the previous government, which also bears responsibility for the licenses it issued," the ministry noted, adding that the new government would "envisage a restrictive approach to arms exports."
Egypt was the largest importer of German military equipment, accounting for 4.34 billion euros (4.95 billion dollars), mainly for the maritime sector and air defense, according to the ministry.
Since the new German government took office in December, export licenses for military equipment worth 309 million euros (352 million dollars) were issued, mainly destined for member countries of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the ministry said.
Source: Xinhua
