The German government approved approximately 800 million euros ($913 million) in arms export licenses to Israel during the first five months of 2026, a figure that exceeds the total for the previous 20 months combined. The information was disclosed in a government response to a parliamentary inquiry from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, with most of the approvals occurring in April and May.
According to the government’s response, over 60% of the licenses’ value is designated for a single “major maritime project.” While the project was not officially named, media reports have identified it as a Dolphin II-class submarine, the INS Drakon, built by German manufacturer ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). German media outlets reported the submarine, valued at an estimated 480 million euros, was officially handed over to the Israeli Navy in July 2026.
Some reports have indicated the submarine could be equipped with a vertical launching system (VLS). During its sea trials, the submarine’s conning tower was reportedly covered. In May, TKMS and Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense contractor, signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue future collaboration. The German Foreign Office and Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy declined to provide comment on the specific project.
Max Mutschler, a senior researcher at the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies, addressed the lack of official detail. “The fact that the federal government does not explicitly mention this is also typical of the lack of transparency surrounding arms exports,” he said.
The approval of the new licenses follows adjustments in Germany’s arms export policy toward Israel. In August of the previous year, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Germany would not issue further licenses for certain types of military equipment. In November, the government lifted those restrictions and returned to reviewing export applications on a case-by-case basis. Deliveries of previously approved arms continued during that period.
The data on exports to Israel is part of a wider context of German arms licensing. According to a Ministry of Economics report published in mid-July, Germany granted licenses for arms exports totaling 13.87 billion euros in the first half of 2026. Ukraine was the primary recipient of German arms exports during this period.
Pieter D. Wezeman, a senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, commented on a general trend in the region. “The demand for arms in Europe has increased dramatically over the past few years,” he stated.
