Germany lifts block on Eurofighter Typhoon sale to Saudi Arabia: Reports

BELFAST — The German government reportedly has lifted a hold on the potential sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fourth generation fighter to Saudi Arabia, meaning a long-delayed second tranche aircraft order could finally proceed.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock publicized the decision to drop the hold on Sunday during a trip to Israel and said the new policy was motivated by changes to the Middle East after Hamas launched its devastating Oct. 7 attack, according to Politico.

Baerbock referenced Saudi Arabia shooting down missiles launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen, meant for Israel, as a sign that Riyadh is protecting Israeli security interests and helping to stop the spread of a regional conflict, reported the Financial Times.

Germany’s Ministry of Defence referred Breaking Defense to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action about Berlin’s change of stance, though it has not yet responded to a request for comment. The German Press Agency DPA quoted a spokesperson for Chancellor Olaf Scholz responding to Baerbock’s comment saying, “Yes, the Federal Chancellor shares this assessment.”

“The Saudi Arabian air force, also using Eurofighters, shot down Houthi missiles (from Yemen) that were on their way to Israel. And it is in the light of all these developments that the German government’s position on the Eurofighter must be seen. And this is closely coordinated within the German government,” the spokesperson reportedly said.

The UK government and British manufacturer BAE Systems lead the campaign to secure the second order for 48 aircraft, which has been on hold for more than 5 years, largely because of Germany’s refusal to issue arms export licenses to Saudi Arabia for its role in the Yemen war and the murder of US-Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Saudi Arabia already has a fleet of 72 Eurofighters after a first sale with BAE was agreed in 2007, but the failure to achieve a second order has long frustrated London, with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak previously lobbying Scholz to drop the arms embargo.

Sunak’s press office referred Breaking Defense to the UK Ministry of Defence for comment about a possible Eurofighter Typhoon sale to Saudi Arabia.

“We continue to address current and potential new requirements as part of long standing agreements between the UK Government and Saudi Arabia,” said a BAE Systems spokesperson in a statement. “We are supporting the UK Government in discussions with Saudi Arabia.”

The Typhoon deal looked to be in real doubt only months ago when Sebastien Lecornu, France’s defense minister, revealed to reporters that “discussions” with Riyadh were underway regarding a rival order for Dassault-made Rafale fighter jets.

Despite Berlin lifting the Eurofighter hold, there is no deal in place for a new order, a German government spokesperson told Politico.

Should an order come to pass, the four Eurofighter nations of Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK would each contribute to building the planes, with final assembly taking place at BAE Systems production facility in Warton, northern England.

Other Middle East Eurofighter Typhoon operators include Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.