Germany revokes permit to deliver exercise simulator to Russia, nixing deal already put on ice

The German government has revoked permission for a company to deliver a field exercise simulator to the Russian military — permanently blocking a deal it had already put on ice.

The Economy Ministry said Monday that it had withdrawn defense and auto parts company Rheinmetall AG's export permit for the facility. The government put the deal on hold when Russia annexed Crimea in March.

The move goes beyond an arms embargo approved by the European Union last week that doesn't apply to existing contracts. German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel has been critical of France's insistence on going ahead with the delivery of two warships to Russia.

Germany's government said in April that it wasn't authorizing any exports of military goods to Russia and 69 export applications were on hold.