Berlin’s freeze on the sale of Eurofigher fighter jets to Saudi Arabia is “damaging to Germany’s reputation,” Airbus president Guillaume Faury said Wednesday, claiming it tarnishes its “credibility” with its partners.
Germany has frozen arms sales to Riyadh since the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the end of 2018, attributed in particular to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman by the US intelligence services, thus blocking a new order for 48 Eurofighter Typhoons, signed in London during a visit. by the Saudi prince.
In recent weeks, Riyadh has asked its main competitor, the French Dassault Aviation, to present a budget for the acquisition of 54 Rafale fighter jets. The Eurofighter is a program led by the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain that brings together Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo.
Question of trust and credibility
For Guillaume Faury, who spoke during a conference call on the occasion of the publication of Airbus results, Berlin’s position is “detrimental to Germany’s reputation as an exporting country.”
“This creates a very difficult situation with the Eurofighter partner countries that clearly have the intention of being able to export it,” said the president of Airbus, who is preparing to hand over the operational reins of the commercial aircraft branch to “focus on Airbus.” strategic, global and transformative agenda.”
If he says he perceives a “positive trend towards an easing of the situation”, this “is not going at the pace we need, at least the one we consider necessary at Airbus,” he added, calling for “clear and visible decisions on this issue to allow exports of Eurofighter to Saudi Arabia.
Source: BFM TV
