The German government is no longer concerned over a proposed sale of 48 Eurofighter Typhoons jets to Saudi Arabia. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday backed up Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s overture, citing a statement to that effect from government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit. Baerbock had broached the Eurofighter blockade during a visit to Israel, saying Germany would no longer object to a U.K. sale of the aircraft.
Germany, as a co-producer of the jets along with the U.K., Spain, and Italy, can veto Eurofigher sales to countries outside of the core user group. The aircraft are made by a consortium of Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo. Saudi Arabia already operates a fleet of more than 70 Eurofighters. Speaking in Jerusalem, Baerbock specifically mentioned Ryadh’s use of its Eurofighters in intercepting Houthi missiles and drones aimed at Israel.
“The country has long held a critical view on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, but British pressure on Germany to lift its export objections appears to have altered the current government’s stance on the matter.”
According to Richard Aboulafia, a managing director with AeroDynamic Advisory who has tracked aircraft programs for more than 30 years, “Given what’s at stake, there’s a good chance of a German policy change here. Germany’s credibility as an arms program partner is very much in doubt without a change.”
The move would also invigorate the industrial complex behind the Eurofighter, argued Douglas Barrie, a senior fellow for military aerospace at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank.
Sebastian Sprenger reported from Cologne, Germany. Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo reported from Milan, Italy.
