This map layer shows the recipient countries of German small arms exports licenses, grouped according to the maximum amount of the license in euro, into five categories for the years 2006 to 2016.
Small arms and light weapons are not only used in Germany, but they are also produced there. In German law, the law on the control of weapons of war ('Kriegswaffenkontrollgesetz') regulates the export of SALW. In EU law, the EU Common Position 2008/944/CFSP regulates the export of war materials. All member states must be informed of export licenses of war materials; these licenses ought to be granted in accordance with eight criteria. There are two reasons why German small arms are available in areas of conflict: The fact that the eight criteria of the Common Position are not legally binding, and that there are gaps in the existing control mechanisms. What started as a ‘legal’ export can easily end up in black or ‘grey’ markets.
German exports of small arms; top 5 in millions of euro
The figure shows the amount of German small arms export licenses for the years 2006 to 2016.
Sources: EU Arms Exports Reports 2008–2018
© picture-alliance / dpa
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