Algeria is the largest importer of Germany’s weapons

Algeria was ranked first in the list of German arms importers in January-June 2016, according to a German website.

The website said Algeria imported a frigate from Germany at a million euros. German exports increased by 15 percent and reached 4.029 billion euros.

UAE were ranked seven and its German imported arms increased to 85 million euros from 46 million euros.

Last year, Germany was ranked third following the US and Russia in the list of arms exporters in the world.

An annual report about arms showed that German sold $4.78 billion of arms equipment in 2015 without including small weapons and ammunition.

It also said 29 percent of those arms were sold to the Middle East and North Africa. It expected that the figure will reach 40 percent by 2018.

The most important countries in the region which imported German arms last year are: Saudi Arabia followed by Algeria, Egypt and Qatar.

The number of German’s exported light weapons decreased in January-June 2016 compared to last year while their ammunition volume increased during the same time by ten times.

According to a German governmental report, Iraq is the first Arab importer of German light weapons. Germany supports Kurds in northern Iraq in fighting ISIS.

Saudi Arabia was ranked third among German arms buyers, according to the same report.

The report added that Saudi Arabia is still the third buyer of Germany’s arms and its bought arms increased to 484 million euros in January-June 2015 compared to 179 million euros. 

UAE also increased their German imported arms to 85 million euros from 46 million euros.