The report is prepared by the EEAS based on data provided by EU Member States.

Over 33 700 licences were issued by Member States for a combined value of over € 298 176 billion, a slight increase in numbers (from over 31.000) and significant increase in value (from € 176 billion) when compared to 2022. With that, the EU remains over the years an important exporter of military equipment and technology, sharing about a quarter of global international trade in arms. 

Military weapons have an indispensable role in the preservation of security, freedom and peace, including in the prevention of armed conflicts, provided they are employed in accordance with International Law, including Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law, and provided they are traded in a responsible manner. The EU’s legal framework, including the Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, EU and UN arms embargoes, together with the Arms Trade Treaty to which all EU Member States are parties, is designed to pursue such goals. 

Decisions on issuing export licences for military equipment remain a national competence, following an assessment against the eight criteria of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP. In 2023, Member States denied 79 licence applications (as compared to 123 in 2022). The most frequent reasons for denying were, in order of frequency: risk of diversion; respect for international obligations and commitments of Member States, in particular sanctions adopted by the UN or the EU; internal situation in the country of final destination; preservation of regional peace security and stability, and respect for human rights and IHL.

For the third consecutive time, the report includes information on assistance measures under the European Peace Facility, adopted and implemented in 2023.

The report is available on the Council of the EU website, and also covers activities undertaken by the EU in the framework of outreach to third countries. 

The EEAS included the 2023 data in its searchable online database, which offers various graphic representations and analysis tools to all those interested in further details.