Germany accelerates weapons export with streamlined approval process
The German Ministry of Economic Affairs has significantly expedited the process of issuing weapon export permits, cutting through bureaucratic red tape. According to Handelsblatt, orders are now being processed within 30 days.
Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reveals that Germany has risen to become the sixth-largest arms exporter globally. Nonetheless, procedural delays and a sluggish administration had previously hampered the industry's efficiency. It took two years following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine for Germany to enhance its arms production processes and simplify supply chains.
Handelsblatt reports that these improvements have enabled Germany to resume as a reliable arms supplier to international partners. The paper notes that the Federal Ministry of Economy's efforts to speed up export approvals have proven successful.
Data from the department headed by Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck confirms the positive impact of these changes. Now, 90 to 95 percent of all applications are processed within 30 business days, with half of these requests bypassing the approval stage for shipments to allied nations.
