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Article - Export Controls for Military Equipment

A restrictive, responsible policy on the export of military equipment

Introduction

Exports of military equipment are not an instrument of economic policy, and are different from other exports. For this reason, the German government has imposed particularly strict rules on itself in this sensitive area and pursues an extremely restrictive licensing policy.

All exports of military equipment are subject to a licence, which is only issued following detailed scrutiny of each case. The German government pays particular attention to ensuring that the goods will not be misused to commit human rights violations or to exacerbate a crisis. Decisions on licences for exports of military equipment are primarily based on foreign and security policy considerations, and not on commercial or labour-market interests.

For exports of military equipment, there are no simple solutions, and certainly no “black and white” decisions. Instead, it makes sense to look at the precise circumstances. For example, Germany delivers military equipment to other countries, e.g. to protect coastal waters or to combat terrorism. Also, Germany is integrated into international security structures and has entered into Alliance commitments. Legitimate security policy and Alliance policy interests can therefore justify the export of military equipment and war weapons.

The German government has always pursued a highly responsible export control policy for “dual use goods”, i.e. goods which can be used both for civilian and military purposes; there is a basic cross-party political consensus on this. The same applies to the export of surveillance technology, which can be misused to violate human rights. In response to an initiative of the Economic Affairs Ministry, the German government has introduced additional national controls extending beyond the Wassenaar Agreement.

Four statistics on military equipment exports

4.82
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billion euros
was the total value individual licences issued for exports of military equipment in 2018

47.2
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per cent
of individual export licences in 2018 were for exports to EU, NATO and NATO-equivalent countries

135
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states
have signed the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)

13
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collective export licences
were issued in 2018

Report on military equipment exports

Federal Government presents 2018 Military Equipment Export Report

With a view to providing information about exporting military equipment, the Economic Affairs Ministry regularly publishes a detailed report on export licences for military equipment.

The current Military Equipment Export Report (in German) shows that the Federal Government continued its responsible and restrictive policy to exports of military equipment throughout 2018. In 2018, single-transaction export licences worth a total of €4.82 billion were issued (2017: €6.24 billion).

For a well-grounded consideration of exports of military equipment, it is also vital to make distinctions in terms of the nature of the exported good, the ways it can be used, and the specific country of destination. For example, a large proportion – 47.2% – went to licences for exports to EU/NATO and NATO-equivalent countries – countries to which, according to the Federal Government’s “Political Principles”, the export of military equipment is not normally subject to restriction.

Glossary

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From the Foreign Trade and Payments Act to the advance inquiry: the glossary explains key terms used in the field of export control policy for military equipment.

Overview

Principles and procedures

Every application is scrutinised

Decisions on exports of military equipment are always taken on a case-by-case basis. Germany has strict rules for this. Not least, licences can only be issued if there is no danger that the military equipment will be used in connection with peace-disturbing acts.

The Federal Government decides on such exports on the basis of the Basic Law, the War Weapons Control Act (in German), the Foreign Trade and Payments Act, the Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance, the “Political Principles Adopted by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for the Export of War Weapons and Other Military Equipment” of 26 June 2019 (“Political Principles”) (in German) (PDF, 194 KB), the EU Council Common Position defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment of 8 December 2008 and the Arms Trade Treaty. In some respects, the German government applies stricter criteria than those imposed in the EU Council Common Position, particularly regarding the control of small arms.

A particularly strict regime for exports to third countries

The German government examines the export applications very thoroughly on the basis of these rules. The examination attaches especially great significance to the preservation of peace, security and stability, and the upholding of human rights. The criteria for the examination differentiate between the EU, NATO and NATO-equivalent countries (Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland) on the one hand and “third countries” on the other.

The Federal Government adheres to very strict principles in the case of exports of military equipment to “third countries” - i.e. those outside the EU, NATO and NATO-equivalent countries: the export of war weapons is not licensed unless special foreign or security policy interests argue in favour of a licence in an individual case. The manufacture, trade, brokering and export of war weapons are subject to the strict provisions of the War Weapons Control Act. This Act states explicitly that no-one enjoys an entitlement to the granting of an export licence.

The export of “other military equipment” (military equipment which is not war weapons) is governed by the Foreign Trade and Payments Act and Ordinance. The Foreign Trade and Payments Act lays down the principle that foreign trade and investment is not generally subject to restrictions. For this reason, the applicant is basically entitled to receive an export licence unless essential security or foreign policy interests of the Federal Republic of Germany or other reasons (Section 4 of the Act) argue against this. Pursuant to Section 4 of the Foreign Trade and Payments Act, a licence can be refused if the security interests of Germany are endangered, the peaceful co-existence of nations is disrupted, or a substantial disturbance to Germany’s foreign relations is likely.

Who decides whether a licence should be issued?

Apart from the fields of the Bundeswehr, the customs frontier service and the agencies responsible for maintaining public security, the responsibility for issuing licences for war weapons exports has been transferred to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. It decides on applications to export war weapons in agreement with the Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry of Defence. The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) is responsible for issuing licences for exports of other military equipment.

Decisions on projects to export military equipment are taken following a careful weighing up, including input from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the Federal Foreign Office, of the respective arguments in terms of foreign, security and human rights policy. Where there are differing views between the ministries involved in the decision-making process, or the cases are especially significant, the Federal Security Council usually decides on the issuance or denial of export licences.

Establishing a uniform policy on military equipment exports in the EU

The Member States are responsible for policy on military equipment exports. However, the EU Member States are guided by the legally binding Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment, which was adopted in December 2008. Beyond this, the Federal Government is working towards a situation in which a similar approach is taken within the EU to decisions on exports of military equipment. For example, the Federal Government is calling at European and international level for rules which correspond to what currently is a stand-alone approach in the EU: Germany’s small arms and post-shipment principles.

Frequently asked questions on exports of military equipment

Are exports of military equipment a tool of economic policy?

See answer Open detail view

What controls exist for the export of goods which can be used both for civilian and for military purposes (“dual-use goods”)?

See answer Open detail view

Will the current Federal Government take a more restrictive approach to licences for the export of military equipment?

See answer Open detail view

Stricter rules

Small arms principles / better end-use controls

Particularly strict controls are required for the export of small arms,‪ since they cause the largest number of casualties in many conflicts and can end up more easily in the wrong hands. In response, the Economic Affairs Ministry has introduced “post-shipment controls” which help to prevent military equipment from being passed on without permission.‬

Greater regulation of small arms

In order to improve the control of small arms and light weapons (particularly machine guns, submachine guns and assault rifles), the German government adopted the “Small Arms Principles” (Principles on the issue of licences for the export of small and light weapons, related ammunition and corresponding manufacturing equipment to third countries) in March 2015.

They supplement the strict criteria of the existing Political Principles. The new Small Arms Principles provide not least that in principle no licences to export components and technology to third countries (e.g. in the context of the granting of licences to manufacture) will be granted where such exports would lead to the establishment of a new manufacturing line for small arms or the relevant ammunition. The basic principle is “new for old”. If the recipient wishes to obtain small arms, he needs to discard and destroy old small arms. The aim is to prevent the proliferation of small arms. In cases in which the new purchase covers a credible need on the part of the recipient for more equipment, and old weapons do not need to be destroyed, the recipient has to make a binding promise to destroy the new weapons when they are discarded (the “alternative” principle of “New, destroy when discarded”). Also, recipients in third countries will in future require the agreement of the German government before they hand small arms on to other recipients in the country of destination than those covered by the export licence.

Introduction of post-shipment controls

In order to improve the controls of the end-use of war weapons and other military equipment, the German government introduce “post-shipment controls” on a pilot basis in third countries in 2015. What this means is that, before the export licence is issued, state recipients of small arms in third countries have to agree to actual controls of the cited end-use of the military equipment in the country of destination. In other words, following the export, it is possible to inspect whether the small arms are still in the possession of the end-user in the country of destination. This can prevent small arms from being passed on to others without permission. This improves end-use verification for military equipment exported from Germany.

The German government created the basis for this in July 2015 in its key principles on the introduction of post-shipment controls and in changes made to the Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance in March 2016. Germany has thus introduced a system where controls for exports of military equipment do not end with the granting of an export licence. Germany is a pioneer in this approach, alongside just a few other countries, at European and international level.

In a pilot phase, initial experience is being gathered with on-the-spot controls of the end-use of small arms. The on-the-spot controls can of course not be carried out until weapons have been produced and exported subject to post-shipment controls. In 2017, the first post-shipment controls to verify the actual final destination of small arms were carried out. The on-the-spot controls at state recipients in India and the United Arab Emirates revealed no problems.

Dual use goods and surveillance technology

Dual use goods are not military equipment. They are goods that can be used both for civilian and for military purposes, such as machine tools, testing and measuring equipment, materials, valves, electronics and a host of other industrial products. Their export is regulated at European level by the Dual-Use Regulation.

Greater transparency

Providing information about exports of military equipment more fully and more quickly

Defence-related goods are not like “normal” exports, and so the German government attaches particular value to greater transparency. This includes providing the public and the Bundestag with information more fully and more quickly.

Timely information for parliament on export licences

As part of its transparency campaign, in June 2014 the cabinet adopted changes to the rules of procedure of the Federal Security Council (in German) so that for the first time the parliament could be informed about final decisions on licences for the export of military equipment. In this way, the German government is going beyond the demands made by the Federal Constitutional Court: it is informing the parliament not only when requested to do so, but proactively after each session of the Federal Security Council. The government answers questions in parliament about a wide range of aspects of military equipment export policy; the answers can be found (in German) here.

The German government has disclosed all the final decisions on licences for the export of military equipment taken by the Federal Security Council since 2002.

The Federal Security Council only handles politically sensitive exports of military equipment – and particularly those of war weapons to third countries. The German government has now disclosed all the final decisions on licences taken by this body since 2002: in its answer to a question in parliament (BT-Drucksache 18/3002 (PDF: 8,6 MB; in German), the government has stated in detail which exports have been approved by the Federal Security Council since 2002. The German government has thus provided transparency for decisions from previous years, matching the level of transparency for current decisions. A new feature is that the companies exporting the equipment are named.

Consultation process on the future of export controls for military equipment

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action has held a consultation process on the future of export controls for military equipment; in it, various ways to develop the system of controls were discussed and weighed up with representatives of the business and scientific communities, research institutes and civil society. The results of the consultation process are now being systematically processed and will form the basis for the next steps. The aim of the process is to take an overall look at the system of export controls for military equipment in Germany in order to explore ways to modernise and improve it.

War weapons control

War weapons control by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action

The War Weapons Control Act (KrWaffKontrG) provides that all activities in connection with war weapons (production, acquisition and transfer of actual control, every type of transport or foreign transaction) require prior licensing by the Federal Government. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is the licensing agency for commercial transactions; the Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community, and Federal Ministry of Defence, whose portfolios include the handling of war weapons, are responsible for the respective approvals pursuant to the War Weapons Control Act falling within their scope of competence.

Please note that as per section 6 War Weapons Control Act, applicants have no legal entitlement to the issuance of a licence. Licences must be denied where there is a danger that the war weapons will be used in connection with peace-disturbing acts, that the obligations of the Federal Republic of Germany under international law will be impaired, or where the applicant does not possess the necessary reliability for the action. In principle, licences will not be issued to private individuals wishing to use war weapons for private purposes (e.g. for collecting or for playing sports). A successful application must furnish proof that the desired handling of war weapons is in the best interest of the public/state.

Other key requirements in connection with application procedures under the War Weapons Control Act are set out in the Second Ordinance implementing the War Weapons Control Act. The Ordinance on General Licences pursuant to the War Weapons Control Act establishes specific cases in which general licences are issued, so that no individual licences are required.

Fees will be charged for the processing of applications or inquiries in the area of war weapons control that are submitted to the BMWK or addressed to the BMWK as of 1.1.2024 in accordance with the Special Fees Ordinance of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection for individually attributable public services in its area of responsibility and that of the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control for War Weapons Control, Export Control and Investment Control (BMWKBGebKAIV).

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action has published several guidance papers and additional information on the subject of war weapons control and related application procedures. You can find these here.

You will also find the special data protection statement applying for approval procedures under the War Weapons Control Act and other inquiries on war weapons control; this applies in addition to the Ministry’s general data protection statement.

Furthermore, you will find explanations regarding the War Weapons List here.

For any questions on war weapons control, please contact Division EC6: buero-ec6@bmwk.bund.de.

Licence holders under the War Weapons Control Act are subject to specific obligations, notably that of keeping a war weapons’ log. The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control is the surveillance authority responsible for war weapons control, which means that it will monitor compliance with the licensing requirements, e.g. by conducting inspections on company premises. For further information on the surveillance responsibilities of the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control and for their guidance papers, please click here:
https://www.bafa.de/DE/Aussenwirtschaft/Kriegswaffenkontrolle/kriegswaffenkontrolle_node.html

War weapons rendered unusable/demilitarisation

The handling of war weapons rendered unusable for military purposes and the procedure used to achieve this condition is governed by the Ordinance on rendering war weapons unusable and on the handling of war weapons rendered unusable (Kriegswaffenunbrauchbarmachungs- und -umgangsverordnung – KrWaffUnbrUmgV ).

Upon application, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action can declare that a product has lost the characteristics of a war weapon and can be referred to as unusable.

For all cases for which the KrWaffUnbrUmgV stipulates that the handling of war weapons rendered unusable is dependent on permits or special licences, the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control is the competent licensing authority. Further information can be found here.

Further information

Güterbahnhof zum Thema Rüstungsexportkontrolle

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