Germany is speaking out on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius. Foreign Minister Olaf Scholz has indicated that Germany will not deliver Eurofighter combat aircraft to Saudi Arabia during this legislature, that is, until autumn 2025.
The country that supplies a third of the plane’s components has the ability to block any exports much to the chagrin of the British. Let’s remember that the fighter plane, assembled in England, is a joint program with Germany, Italy and Spain.
recollection of facts Since the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Berlin has halted all arms sales to Saudi Arabia. In addition, the war waged by Riyadh in Yemen came to block this position.
A contract for 48 Eurofighters
A position that is part of the 2021 coalition contract between the SPD, the Greens and the FDP. ‘They are directly involved in the war in Yemen.’
This situation irritates Britain, in fact BAE Systems concluded an agreement 5 years ago to sell 48 Eurofighters to Saudi Arabia. Especially since the situation in Yemen has calmed down. Between April and October 2022, with the help of the United Nations, a formal ceasefire was reached.
But as the Americans sometimes do with ITAR regulations, Germany can block any export of the fighter jet since it has a hand in manufacturing it.
Such a decision would be considered a bad sign at a time when the head of the Eurofighter consortium estimates the sales potential of 200 aircraft in the next two years.
Another concern, this decision at the same time puts in doubt the exports of the combat aircraft of the future, the SCAF, a project that brings together France, Germany, Spain and Belgium, as an observer member. What would happen if Berlin or another country blocked its export?
In the meantime, this situation could well do business for Dassault. Saudi Arabia is very interested in the Rafale and could, according to some sources, acquire between 100 and 200 aircraft.
Source: BFM TV
