Turkey in top 10 countries for German arms exports

Turkey has jumped into the top 10 in the rankings of destinations for German arms exports as Ankara responds to increased domestic security concerns resulting from a wave of refugees fleeing wars in the Middle East, according to a government report in the hands of dpa.

Ankara has moved up from number 25 in the first half of 2015 as a destination for German arms to number 8 in the first six months of 2016, with the volume of armaments shipped to Turkey totalling 76.4 million euros (83 million dollars), the report said.

Turkey's rise in the rankings has coincided with a stream of refugees entering the nation along with a deal with the European Union aimed at improving shelter for the migrants in the nation so as to discourage them from travelling to Europe.

With over three million refugees, Turkey is now home to the world's largest population of refugees.

Almost two-thirds of the German arms supplied to Turkey were parts for airplanes, unmanned aircraft, engines and ground equipment, the report said.

The arms export report is due to be presented to the German cabinet by the Minister for Economics Affairs Sigmar Gabriel.