Germany reportedly approved sale of 23 Airbus H145 helicopters to Saudi Arabia

"The German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel has vowed to be much more cautious in licensing arms exports, unnerving Germany's sizeable defense industry and signaling a change in policy from the previous coalition government under which sales rose," said Reuters.

The Gulf state announced on June 23rd 2015 it will purchase 23 Airbus H145 helicopters worth $500 million. Saudi Arabia planned then to order the 23 Airbus H145s as part of a series of deals worth USD12 billion, French foreign minister Laurent Fabius told reporters on 24 June 2015.

The H145, previously known as the EC145, is a light twin-engined helicopter typically used for emergency services or border patrols, though a military version is used by the US Army.