2016德国军事装备出口报告（英文版）_86页_556kb

2016 Military Equipment Export Report Summary

Core Content

The 2016 Military Equipment Export Report by the German Federal Government provides a comprehensive overview of Germany's export policy for conventional military equipment. It highlights the legal and political frameworks that govern these exports, the licensing process, and the rationale behind export decisions, emphasizing transparency, responsibility, and human rights considerations.

Main Policy Frameworks

Germany's export control system is based on the following legal and political instruments:

• Basic Law (Constitution of Germany)
• War Weapons Control Act (1990, amended in 2017)
• Foreign Trade and Payments Act (2013, amended in 2017)
• Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance (2013, amended in 2017)
• Political Principles (adopted in 2000, updated in 2016)
• EU Common Position (2008)
• Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) (entered into force in 2014)

These frameworks guide the licensing and export of both war weapons and other military equipment, ensuring alignment with international obligations and national security interests.

Key Policy Principles

1. Restrictive and Transparent Policy

• Export decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
• Human rights are a central consideration. Licences are typically denied if there is sufficient suspicion that the equipment will be used for internal repression or systematic human rights violations.
• Germany adheres to its Alliance commitments and international security responsibilities, supporting allies and partners in crisis management and border security.

2. Small Arms and Light Weapons

• Small arms are a major cause of civilian casualties in conflicts.
• Germany applies particularly strict licensing criteria for small arms exports to third countries.
• The Small Arms Principles (tightened in 2015) aim to reduce the spread of small arms.

3. Post-Shipment Controls

• Germany has introduced on-the-spot controls to monitor the actual use of exported military equipment.
• These controls are especially focused on small arms.
• The first post-shipment controls were planned to be conducted before the end of 2017.

Licensing Figures for 2016

Individual Export Licences

• Total value of individual export licences: €6.85 billion (down from €7.86 billion in 2015).
• 46.4% of the value went to EU/NATO and NATO-equivalent countries.
• €3.67 billion was allocated to third countries, with a few large contracts driving the figures:
  • A frigate for Algeria (over 25% of third-country value).
  • Civilian helicopters for Saudi Arabia (including military use).
  • Submarine for Egypt.

Small Arms Licences

• Total value of small arms licences: €46.9 million (up by €15 million from 2015).
• €2.8 million was allocated to Iraq for IS-related operations.

Collective Export Licences

• Total value: €58.7 million (a sharp drop from €4.96 billion in 2015).
• Used for EU/NATO defence cooperation and industrial collaboration.
• Not directly equivalent to individual licences or actual exports due to multiple movements and reimport possibilities.

International Context

Germany participates in several international arms control mechanisms:

• Wassenaar Arrangement: Germany has converted its Munitions List into national law.
• UN Register of Conventional Arms: Germany reports its exports to this register.
• Arms Trade Treaty (ATT): Germany is a signatory and early ratifier. The treaty sets international minimum standards for arms exports.
• EU Common Foreign and Security Policy: Provides common rules for military equipment export control.

Transparency and Public Engagement

• The government emphasizes transparency and public debate.
• The Enable & Enhance Initiative supports crisis prevention and management for partner countries.
• The Federal Government regularly publishes reports and interim updates, including the 2016 report and a mid-year interim report.
• Public consultations were held with various stakeholders (churches, civil society, industry, etc.), and written submissions were published on the Federal Ministry's website.

Statistical Notes

• Global military equipment exports increased by 8.4% from 2007–2011 to 2012–2016.
• Germany's share of global exports dropped from 9.4% to 5.6%.
• Small arms exports to third countries remain relatively low but are subject to strict scrutiny.
• Collective licences are not a reliable indicator of actual exports due to long-term projects and flexible usage.

Conclusion

Germany's military equipment export policy in 2016 reflects a responsible and restrictive approach, guided by legal frameworks and international agreements. The government prioritizes human rights, security cooperation, and transparency, while also emphasizing the need for international harmonization of arms control policies. The Enable & Enhance Initiative and post-shipment controls are key components of this strategy, aimed at promoting regional stability and accountability in the arms trade.