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Germany's arms exports to Türkiye reached €726 million ($854.5 million) in 2025, the highest level since 1999, according to data from the German Federal Ministry of Economics, with the Merz government's approval of Eurofighter sales marking a policy shift.
The figures were revealed in the ministry's response to a parliamentary question from Left Party lawmaker Ulrich Thoden.
Türkiye ranked second among recipient countries of German defense exports this year, behind only Norway (€1.31 billion) and ahead of Ukraine (€483 million).
The Friedrich Merz-led coalition government of the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD), which took office on May 6, 2025, approved €5.39 billion of the total €8.40 billion in arms export licenses issued this year.
The Merz government approved the €726 million ($854.5 million) in arms exports to Türkiye during its eight months in office — the highest amount since 1999.
In comparison, the previous Olaf Scholz government approved €230 million ($270.7 million) in defense exports to Türkiye throughout 2025.
The Merz government gave the green light for Eurofighter combat aircraft exports to Türkiye in July, fundamentally changing Germany's policy toward the NATO ally.
German media reports highlighted that the shift began under the Scholz government, which stated, "Türkiye is a NATO member and therefore we are making decisions that concrete deliveries will take place."
The Merz government's approval of the Eurofighter fighter jet accelerated this new direction.
Germany's overall arms exports declined significantly in 2025 after two consecutive record years driven by the Russia-Ukraine war.
The government approved €8.40 billion in arms and defense material exports from Jan. 1 to Dec. 8, 2025, compared to €13.33 billion in 2024 and €12.15 billion in 2023.
The decline was primarily due to reduced exports to Ukraine, which fell from €8.15 billion last year to €1.14 billion this year.
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