Germany's coalition government is currently facing internal disagreements regarding whether to yield to British pressure and approve the production of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets for Saudi Arabia, according to an anonymous report by Welt Am Sonntag on Saturday.

The deal, originally struck between Riyadh and BAE Systems five years ago, which involved the supply of 48 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, had been put on hold due to the ongoing war in Yemen. The conflict began in 2015 when Saudi-led Arab forces intervened in the country. Approximately one-third of the components for the jets are sourced from Germany, as confirmed by industry sources cited by Reuters at the time.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz, representing the left-leaning Social Democrats (SPD), and Finance Minister Christian Lindner, are reportedly inclined to support the export of the fighter jets. However, the Green Party, along with certain factions within the SPD, strongly opposes the move, as mentioned in the Welt am Sonntag report.

In 2018, Germany implemented a strict halt on arms sales to Riyadh following the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The German government adopted a more stringent stance compared to its major allies such as the United States, France, and Britain. A governing agreement in March 2018 between then-Chancellor Angela Merkel and the SPD prohibited arms sales to any parties involved in the Yemen war, except for specific pre-approved items and those that would remain within the purchasing country.

The British have argued that Germany should not impede the export of Eurofighter jets to third parties, following the recent rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The potential reconciliation between the two countries could potentially lead to an end to their proxy war in Yemen.

Welt am Sonntag reached out to the Chancellery for comment, but a spokesperson declined to provide any statements on the matter.

The diverging views within the German coalition government regarding the export of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Saudi Arabia highlight the ongoing debate surrounding arms sales and the country's stance on the conflict in Yemen. As the coalition seeks to navigate these differing opinions, the decision reached will have significant implications for Germany's foreign policy and its relationship with key international partners.