Germany in €10-billion tank deal with Saudis
Published: 17 Jun, 2012 CET.
Updated: Sun 17 Jun 2012 14:25 CET
Saudi Arabia wants to buy 600-800 Leopard battle tanks from Germany, more than twice as many as originally planned, the Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag reported, quoting government sources.
Thus far, reports had said the Saudis wanted to purchase around 300 Leopard-2 tanks, Germany's main battle tank which is also produced under licence in Spain.
With up to 800 tanks, the deal would be worth €10 billion, making it one of the biggest-ever for the German defence industry, the Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported.
While there is opposition to the deal in the chancellery and the Foreign and Defence ministries, the Economy Ministry apparently supports the deal.
A deal for a first tranche of 300 tanks is ready for signing and the Saudis want the whole deal wrapped up by July 20, when the festival of Ramadan begins, the newspaper said.
AFP/jlb
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Thus far, reports had said the Saudis wanted to purchase around 300 Leopard-2 tanks, Germany's main battle tank which is also produced under licence in Spain.
With up to 800 tanks, the deal would be worth €10 billion, making it one of the biggest-ever for the German defence industry, the Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported.
While there is opposition to the deal in the chancellery and the Foreign and Defence ministries, the Economy Ministry apparently supports the deal.
A deal for a first tranche of 300 tanks is ready for signing and the Saudis want the whole deal wrapped up by July 20, when the festival of Ramadan begins, the newspaper said.
AFP/jlb
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