According to SPIEGEL information, the Federal Government once again approved several large arms exports in crisis regions. On Monday, the Ministry of Economic Affairs informed selected members of parliament that the secret Security Council had allowed weapons to be delivered to Algeria, India, Indonesia and Israel. For corresponding requests there had been "final approval decisions", wrote Minister Peter Altmaier.
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Algeria was therefore authorized to introduce 611 parts kits for military trucks from Daimler AG. In addition, the Federal Security Council approved the export of 160 electric drives for weapon stations to be installed in transport tanks of the "Fuchs" type. Exports to Algeria are controversial because of the human rights situation there. However, the Federal Government sees the state in North Africa as a strategic partner.
In addition, the federal government approved the export of 72 "Meteor" warheads and related engines to India. The air-to-air missiles are to be used there by the Luftwaffe. Release for the deal comes at a time when the Indian-Pakistani conflict over the Kashmir region has flared up again. Although both countries are practicing aggressive rhetoric, the request from India has now been answered positively.
"The revision of the arms export regulations is just waste"
According to the list, further deliveries will go to Indonesia, which will receive two mine-hunting boats, 20 mine-neutralization units and an exercise mine. Likewise, the Federal Security Council, which houses key Cabinet members, approved the delivery of thousands of missiles for a portable rocket launcher. The deal with the gunsmith Dynamit Nobel has a volume of around ten million euros.
The opposition harshly criticized the new permits. "The federal government has shown once again that the revision of the arms export guidelines is just waste," said green security politician Katja Keul. Above all, it complained about the rocket shipments to India. The delivery into the middle of a worsening conflict contradicts the principles of Germany not to deliver in crisis regions.
German arms shipments have been highly controversial for years. It is true that the government always claims to scrutinize every single export outside NATO or to other close allies. Time and again, however, Berlin had also approved deals by German industry with crisis states, since these are regarded as regional partners, for example in the fight against international terrorism.
