Germany's arms exports total 8.35 billion euros in 2022

Germany's arms exports reached 8.35 billion euros (8.9 billion dollars) in 2022, according to official figures released on Tuesday.

Ukraine has become the biggest recipient of German weapons this year, the government confirmed in a written response to a parliamentary question.

The government approved the shipment of arms worth 2.24 billion euros (2.4 billion euros) to Ukraine, which has been fighting a war launched by Russia since February, including 30 Geppard tanks, 14 self-moving objects and air defence systems Iris-T, according to figures.

Germany is currently the fifth largest arms exporter in the world, after the US, Russia, France and China.

Although the government insists it is pursuing a peaceful foreign policy and promoting global disarmament, continued arms exports are drawing criticism from opposition parties.

Last year, Germany's arms exports reached a record of 9.35 billion euros ($9.9 billion). /kp