The German government will not agree to a deal that reportedly will sell up to 800 battle tanks to Saudi Arabia , a German newspaper said on Sunday , citing government sources .
Sales tanks Leopard - 2 has been considered as one of the greatest deal for the German armaments industry , Bild reported , AFP reported .
But Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel , a Social Democrat in a " grand coalition " left - right has " positioned itself on the delivery of tanks to the autocratic royal assembly " , he said , citing government sources .
" Without approval of the deal economy minister does not have a chance , " said Bild .
The report said the deal has not been sent to the National Security Council Germany , with Chancellor Angela Merkel among its members , for approval .
In 2012 , Bild am Sonntag reported that Saudi Arabia wants to buy 600-800 Leopard battle tanks from Germany , more than twice as much as originally envisaged .
Recent reports said Sunday , Saudi Arabia has pursued the German tanks over the years and has budgeted nearly 18 billion euros ( 25 billion dollars ) for the tanks .
Tanks Leopard - 2 , Germany's main battle tank , also produced berdasarkn license in Spain .
For decades Germany refused to sell heavy weapons to Saudi Arabia because of concerns over human rights and fears for the security of Israel .
Contacted by AFP , an economics ministry spokesman said the government did not provide information about the " possibility of individual procedural ammunition for export approval . "
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