Germany Approves Release of Eurofighters for Saudi Arabia
The German government has announced its openness to the delivery of additional Eurofighter jets to Saudi Arabia. According to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Saudi Arabia’s fight against the Houthi militia in Yemen also benefits Israel. However, this decision has faced harsh criticism from the Green Party.
During her visit to Jerusalem, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that the German government is no longer unwilling to hinder the delivery of more Eurofighter jets to Saudi Arabia. She highlighted the fact that the Saudi Air Force intercepts rockets from the Houthi militia in Yemen that are aimed at Israel.
Baerbock, a Green Party politician, emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s actions significantly contribute to Israel’s security and help prevent a regional escalation. After discussions with Israel’s President Izchak Herzog and the new Foreign Minister Israel Katz, she stated, “For these reasons, we do not oppose the British considerations of providing additional Eurofighters to Saudi Arabia as the German federal government.”
Germany has veto power
Arms exports to Saudi Arabia have sparked controversy due to the kingdom’s human rights situation and its involvement in regional conflicts as an emerging military power. In July, the German government decided to halt the delivery of Eurofighters to the wealthy Gulf state until the end of the current legislative period in Autumn 2025.
The Eurofighter jets are a European joint project in which Germany is involved, giving it veto power over export decisions. The aircraft are manufactured in the UK, which reportedly is willing to supply them to Saudi Arabia. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the deal involves 48 jets.
Green Party criticizes the planned approval
The potential reversal by the Ampel coalition government regarding the delivery of Eurofighters to Saudi Arabia has led to criticism and confusion within Annalena Baerbock’s own party.
Green Party co-leader Ricarda Lang expressed her clear opposition to the delivery of Eurofighters to Saudi Arabia, stating, “Considering the human rights situation and the internal conditions in Saudi Arabia, I still believe that delivering Eurofighters is wrong. I think it is the right decision to maintain our position of not delivering Eurofighters to Saudi Arabia.”
Sara Nanni, defense policy spokesperson for the Green Party in the Bundestag, expressed her surprise during an interview with “Spiegel”. She stated, “This news is unexpected. The German government had previously committed to not delivering Eurofighters to Saudi Arabia.” This decision was made with good reason, as she added, “It has not been five years since the Saudi-led alliance extensively bombarded Yemen.”
The Green Party’s youth organization shares a similar view, as co-chair Svenja Appuhn stated to “Spiegel”, “Equipping this autocracy with combat aircraft would not lead to increased security in the region but rather be a capitulation to one of the world’s most horrific regimes.”
Baerbock’s efforts towards a better future
Baerbock stated that Saudi Arabia has been aware of the threat posed by the Houthi militia to regional security for some time now. “I believe it is an open secret that the Saudi Air Force also employs Eurofighters,” she added. Furthermore, she noted that the Saudi government is demonstrating efforts towards a better future in the region.
The minister highlighted the noteworthy fact that Israel and Saudi Arabia have not abandoned their normalization course following the terrorist attacks by the Hamas on October 7. “The fact that Saudi Arabia is now intercepting rockets and drones fired by the Houthi towards Israel underscores this, and we are grateful for that,” Baerbock said.