Germany approves weapons exports to Saudi Arabia

[Hindustani78]

Germany approves weapons exports to Saudi Arabia | News | DW.DE | 04.02.2015
Date 04.02.2015

After a few weeks of uncertainty, Berlin has approved the delivery of military equipment to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Egypt. Opposition politicians have accused the ruling coalition of putting profit before human rights.


Germany's Federal Security Council approved the export of shooting simulation systems, target display devices and border security technology to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, putting an end to weeks of confusion over whether the federal government was putting a freeze on all arms exports to the Kingdom.

While the Council stressed that no heavy weapons would be sent to the Saudis, they did authorize the delivery of 12 tanks to Kuwait. Also included among the deals green-lighted on Wednesday was a consignment of 240 two-way radios to Egypt.

Sharp critique for the federal government

The opposition Greens and Left parties were extremely critical of the ruling coalition allowing German firms to do business with nations holding dubious human rights records.

"Angela Merkel remains true to herself: Human rights count less to the federal government than arms exports," said Left party foreign policy spokesman Jan Van Aken.

Van Aken demanded that all weapons exports to Saudi Arabia should be "stopped completely" and Greens party spokesperson for security policy Agnieszka Brugger decried the government for "providing…weapons and other military equipment to third-party countries where human rights are systematically violated."

"This includes Egypt as well as Saudi Arabia," Brugger added, "where 183 death sentences were handed down only two days ago."

Both Van Aken and Brugger referenced the case of blogger Raif Badawi being sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for "insulting Islam," which Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also called a "cruel" punishment.

Amnesty International called for a protest outside the Saudi embassy in Berlin on Thursday to call attention to Raif's case.

 

[Pak-Americanos]

That is why bureaucracy and Liberals are destroying Governments.

 

[That Guy]

That is why bureaucracy and Liberals are destroying Governments.

After World War 2 occurred, can you really blame the Germans from being picky about the military and human rights? This isn't about leftists and liberals, as any conservative opposition would do the same with a liberal party in power.

 

[Luffy 500]

Why r germans whining abt some KSA judicial system sentencing some blogger? Is it really difficult for them to understand that the world doesn't share western hedonistic values and parameters of judging right & wrong?

And if one talks abt human rights, how come 3 state ofthe art german submarines were literally gifted to zionazi terror state of israel?

 

[Hindustani78]

That is why bureaucracy and Liberals are destroying Governments.

Germany has worked alot for the EU foundation and intregation. Greece crisis was severe but now things are even changing there.

Lets see when the delivery of these weapons will take place.

 

[al-Hasani]

The Zionist rats have the Germans by the balls. Europe should remove Zionist influence altogether.

If the deal with Krauss-Maffei is not going to go through ultimately then they or the German state will have to pay for the costs to KSA as a Leopard 2 production facility is ready to operate in Al-Kharj and Krauss-Maffei even took part in the inauguration ceremony last year.

This ridiculous behavior will have consequences for Germany in terms of trade and investments.

 

[Penguin]

The Zionist rats have the Germans by the balls. Europe should remove Zionist influence altogether.

If the deal with Krauss-Maffei is not going to go through ultimately then they or the German state will have to pay for the costs to KSA as a Leopard 2 production facility is ready to operate in Al-Kharj and Krauss-Maffei even took part in the inauguration ceremony last year.

This ridiculous behavior will have consequences for Germany in terms of trade and investments.

Leo 2 production has ceased a long time ago. All that is traded now is refitted ex-Germanand ex-Dutch army Leo 2's....

 

[OTTOMAN]

Leo 2 production has ceased a long time ago. All that is traded now is refitted ex-Germanand ex-Dutch army Leo 2's....

whatever.... I like to extend my sympathies to the sadists.

 

[Penguin]

whatever.... I like to extend my sympathies to the sadists.

Nothing outside Germany controls German military export policy..

 

[OTTOMAN]

Nothing outside Germany controls German military export policy..

Now we know it.... thanks but no thanks.

 

[syedali73]

Leo 2 production has ceased a long time ago. All that is traded now is refitted ex-Germanand ex-Dutch army Leo 2's....

This does not make sense that Saudis would go for 2nd hand Leopards. You have any link or something for this news?

 

[Penguin]

Krauss-Maffei Wegman introduced the Leopard 2A7 at Eurosatory 2010, as an evolution of the Leopard 2A6 PSO (Peace Support Operations) main battle tank. Like the American M1 TUSK, the Leopard 2A7 is optimized for urban operations, with optional explosive reactive armor, a (KMW FLW-200) remote-controlled weapon station and sensor array, and improved mine protection. Upgraded suspension, drive system, brakes and tracks are also part of the package, as are improved power generation system to handle its advanced electronics and 3rd generation thermal imagers.
Those changes are normal for current generation tank upgrades, but the Leopard 2A7 also has a couple of innovations that set it apart. Its longer 55-caliber Rheinmetall L55 120mm smoothbore tank gun produces greater velocity than the L44 gun found on American M1s and earlier-model Leopard 2s, and can be combined with programmable fuze shells to kill infantry behind and within buildings.
Its most significant additions, however, may be its combat engineering attachments. In Israel, large armored bulldozers have been the IDF’s most valuable weapons in major urban fights. American operations in Iraq’s urban centers have featured heavy use of combat engineering prior to major city battles, and Canadian Leopard 1A5 and Leopard 2A6M tanks in Afghanistan have benefited greatly from attachments like dozer blades and mine ploughs. The Leopard 2A7 has learned from all of these experiences, and comes to the urban fight with new levels of flexibility for a tank.
An initial upgrade of 50 German Leopard-2 tanks to the 2A7+ standard is set to begin production of the type. If the reported Saudi sale goes through, Saudi Arabia would become the type’s first export customer.
That sale would represent both a market breakthrough, and a significant financial opportunity for German firms.

Desert Leopards: Germany Selling Heavy Armor to the Saudis?