Germany to export 150 Iris-T missiles to Saudi Arabia

The German government has authorized the export of 150 Iris-T air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit confirmed on Wednesday, reported dpa.

The authorization emerged from a statement from the German Economy Ministry to parliament's Economic Affairs Committee, according to a report in news magazine Der Spiegel.

According to the report, the Federal Security Council authorized the export of the missiles at the end of last year. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and several ministers are members of the Federal Security Council.

The news comes shortly after statements from the German government that Saudi Arabia can hope for a green light from the German government for the delivery of Eurofighter jets due to its apparent rapprochement with Israel.

Statements to this effect by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock have the backing of Olaf Scholz.

However, Baerbock's comments were less well received in parts of her own party due to the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia.