Germany Greenlights Eurofighter Typhoon Sale to Saudi Arabia

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The German government has decided not to obstruct Britain’s efforts to sell more Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, according to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

As reported by the DPA news agency, she stated that the decision to permit the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia is based on the Arab country’s contribution to maintaining the security of Israel.

Saudi Arabia is perceived to enhance Israel’s security as Riyadh’s air defense system has successfully intercepted guided missiles and kamikaze drones launched by the Houthi armed group against Israel.

Minister Baerbock emphasized that the German government will not impede Britain’s proposal to sell more Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia and highlighted Riyadh’s significant role in Israel’s security and its contribution to preventing broader conflicts in the region.

According to Baerbock, the Arab nation has long been aware of the threats posed by the Houthi armed group to regional security.

Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit reported Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s agreement with the decision not to hinder Britain’s efforts to sell Eurofighter fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.

The Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets are jointly produced by a consortium of four European countries, namely Britain, Germany, Spain, and Italy.

Any sale of these fighter jets requires approval from all four nations.

The proposed sale of 48 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Riyadh faced challenges after the German government suspended arms sales to Saudi Arabia in 2018 following the kidnapping and murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The arms export transaction faced further complications when a British court in 2019 banned any weapon exports to Saudi Arabia due to its military actions in Yemen.

However, due to the ceasefire in Yemen, Britain now seeks to resume the sale of 48 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.

London is pressuring Germany to agree to the continuation of the sale, arguing that Germany no longer has a reason to impede it, especially since the United Nations (UN) last year brokered a ceasefire agreement between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Five years ago, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Intent regarding the Arab nation’s desire to purchase 48 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to complement its existing fleet.

However, Saudi Arabia is still awaiting confirmation on whether its intent to acquire these fighter jets will be realized.

If the acquisition proceeds, it would bring Saudi Arabia’s total Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet count to 120, considering Riyadh already possesses 48 of these advanced generation aircraft. — DSA

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