(MENAFN) In a significant policy shift, Germany has abandoned its longstanding opposition to the sale of nearly 50 Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes to Saudi Arabia, as announced by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Sunday. The decision marks a departure from Germany's arms embargo on Saudi Arabia, which was implemented in 2018 in response to Riyadh's involvement in the Yemeni conflict and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Baerbock's Green party, known for its historical stance on pacifism, has gradually shifted its position in the aftermath of the heightened conflict in Ukraine since February 2022. The embargo had left 48 Typhoons ordered by Saudi Arabia in indefinite limbo, despite the Kingdom having received 72 Typhoons before the arms sales halt.
Speaking in Israel on Sunday, Baerbock justified the policy change by stating that the world, particularly in the Middle East, has undergone a substantial transformation since Hamas initiated an attack on Israel in October. She argued that providing Saudi Arabia with the Eurofighter jets would play a "key contribution" to Israel's security, potentially deterring not only Saudi Arabia but also addressing concerns related to Israel's primary geopolitical rival, Iran.
Baerbock further asserted that the Typhoon deal could contribute to preventing a regional conflagration, emphasizing that the German government does not oppose British considerations for additional Eurofighters for Saudi Arabia. The Eurofighter project, a collaborative effort involving France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, allows any partner to veto the sale of the aircraft to foreign customers. In this case, the 72 Typhoons already delivered to Riyadh, along with the 48 pending, would all be sold by the United Kingdom.
The decision reflects a complex balancing act between geopolitical considerations, regional security dynamics, and Germany's evolving stance on arms exports, raising questions about the potential ramifications for the wider Eurofighter project and the dynamics of arms sales within the European Union.
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