You are here: Home / / German-Saudi tank deal twice as big as planned: report

German-Saudi tank deal twice as big as planned: report

By on Monday, June 18th, 2012

Saudi Arabia wants to buy 600-800 Leopard battle tanks from Germany, more than twice as many as originally envisaged, 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 euros ($12.6 billion), and one of the biggest-ever for the German defence industry, Bild am Sonntag reported.

While there is opposition to the deal in the Chancellery and the Foreign and Defence ministries, there was support for it within the Economy Ministry, it said.

A deal for a first tranche of 300 tanks is ready for signing and the Saudis want to the whole deal wrapped up by July 20, when the festival of Ramadan begins, the newspaper said.

Related Topic Tags

Related Defense, Military & Aerospace Forum Discussions

High quality medications buy prozac fluoxetine cheapest meds buy orlistat 120mg up to 75% discount buy avanafil 100 mg.
 
Interoperability with intelligence community paramount for DCGS-A http://t.co/PWVjhZQa34 #military #defense17 hours ago