DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)
A Czech company whose small jet engine is believed to have been used in a cruise missile that attacked a key Saudi Arabian oil installation says it was a low-quality copy, not their genuine product.
Marek Fiala, marketing director PBS Velka Bites, a unit of the PBS Group, said: "We have nothing to do with this case and we feel damaged by the fact that we are linked to it," in a statement sent Wednesday to The Associated Press.
The Czech company says that it believes the engine in the missile "is not a product made in Velka Bites," the Czech town where the PBS TJ100 engines are manufactured.
Fiala says his assertion is based on the analysis of the photos taken by Saudi Arabian authorities.
Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed Saturday's drone and missile attack was in response to the yearslong Saudi-led war there, but Saudi Arabia has alleged that the attack was "unquestionably sponsored by Iran."
Iran denies being involved.
Fiala says the engine is exported to more than 10 countries but that, "We have never in the past delivered our engines to Yemen, Iran or their allies."