Special to WorldTribune.com

LONDON — Germany was expected to reject a request by Saudi Arabia for hundreds of main battle tanks.

A leading German newspaper said the Berlin government would not approve a Saudi request for up to 800 Leopard-2A7 MBTs.

The newspaper, Bild, said the deal was opposed by leading members of the government of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, particularly Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel.

“Without agreement from the economy minister, the deal has no chance,” Bild said.

If correct, the newspaper report could signal the end of Berlin’s plans to become a leading military supplier to the Arab world. Many in parliament have questioned German arms sales to Saudi Arabia, deemed a leading violator of human rights.

“He [Gabriel] has positioned himself against a tanks delivery to the autocratic royal house,” Bild said in a report on April 13.

The Saudi MBT procurement was estimated at up to $25 billion. Over the last year, Riyad, disappointed with the U.S. rapproachment with Iran, has sought to diversify military suppliers.

Bild said the opposition to the sale has stopped Ms. Merkel from
submitting the proposal to the National Security Council. Ms. Merkel has led
efforts to expand German arms exports, particularly to the GCC.

The government has refused to respond to the Bild report. Germany was
also preparing to deliver MBTs and other armored vehicles to Saudi’s chief
rival in the GCC, Qatar.

“We have to be clear what this means for the German arms industry,”
Michael Fuchs, a leading parliamentarian, said. “If the German arms firms
can no longer export outside the NATO alliance, there will be no arms
industry in Germany anymore.”

  Angela Merkel, Leopard-2A7, Report: Germany to turn down $25 billion tank deal with Saudis, Sigmar Gabriel