The EU has published its 24th Annual Report on exports of military technology and equipment in 2021
The report covers data on granted and denied licences and exports of conventional arms from EU Member States during calendar year 2021. It also covers activities undertaken by the EU and its Member States in the framework of the implementation of Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP during the same year.
The report is compiled by the European External Action Service (EEAS), based on data provided by Member States on their arms exports in 2021. In addition, the report contains non-exhaustive information on intra-EU transfers of defence-related products.
The following third countries have officially aligned themselves with the criteria and principles of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, as reviewed in 2019: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, North Macedonia, Georgia, Iceland, Montenegro and Norway. An information exchange system between the EU and Norway has been in place since 2012.
The Working Party on Conventional Arms Exports (COARM) that handles work concerning export controls for conventional arms, is starting preparations for the review of Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, which will be finalised in 2024 . In the rapidly changing EU defence environment, the aim is to ensure arms export policies continue to fit well into the broader EU security and defence landscape.
Focussing on Luxembourg, the following figures are resulting from the report:
Exports from Luxembourg (2021):
worldwide 28 licenses total value 35.495.520 EUR
Luxembourg is transferring military equipment to 2 other EU countries: Denmark (18 licenses, value 2.065.268 EUR) and France (8 licenses, value 1.307.320 EUR).
Exports also take place to the US (2 licenses, 2.284.919 EUR), the United Kingdom (9 licenses, 744.053 EUR) and Norway (1 license, 29.093.960 EUR).
By far the most important destination is Norway (82 %), followed by the US and Denmark (both 6 %).
The military equipment mostly at stake are forgings, castings and other unfinished products, specially designed for defence-related products, and here in particular for military aircraft.
Transfers to Luxembourg from EU countries:
145 licenses total value 246.841.072 EUR
By way of intra-EU transfer, Luxembourg was provided defence-related products by providers in 14 different EU countries. The total value of licenses granted in 2021 was more than 246 million EUR.
France is by far the most important country of origin (78 %), having supplied in particular:
products of category ML10 (aircraft, UAVs, aero-engines and aircraft equipment, related equipment, and components, specially designed or modified for military use), with a value of 115 million EUR;
products of category ML4 (Bombs, torpedoes, rockets, missiles, other explosive devices and charges and related equipment and accessories, and specially designed components therefor), with a value of 71 million EUR
products of category ML22 (technology, for the use in military equipment), with a value of 4,5 million EUR