Airbus considers legal action against Germany’s ban on Saudi arms sales

Airbus is considering suing the German government as its freeze on arms exports to Saudi Arabia means the company is unable to complete a border security system for the Gulf state, two people familiar with the matter said.

In October, Germany decided to reject future arms exports licences to Saudi Arabia over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and to freeze deliveries of already approved equipment – a move that infuriated allies and defence companies.

Airbus is looking at taking legal action against Berlin over the security system for the border between Saudi Arabia and Yemen – a contract worth some 3 billion euros ($3.36 billion), of which around 1 billion euros remains open, the sources said.