Saudi Arabia to buy Russian tanks and helicopters in $2 billion weapons deal

[Reddy]

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05:40 GMT, September 1, 2009 defpro.com | Saudi Arabia is close to buy Russian arms and military equipment worth some $2 billion (€1.4 billion), a Russian defence industry source was quoted by Interfax on Saturday. The news agency reported that the unnamed source said that “work is nearly completed on a set of contracts on the delivery of Russian arms and military technology to Saudi Arabia.”

The major weapon deal with Rosoboronexport State Corporation, Russia's state-owned arms export monopoly, may include up to 30 Mi-35 attack helicopters and up to 120 Mi-171B, the export version of the Mi-17 Hip multi-purpose helicopter, which is in service in some 80 countries. As defpro.com already reported earlier this month, Russia concluded talks with Saudi Arabia on the helicopter contract.

Russian tracked vehicles and tanks on Saudi Arabia’s shopping list

Beside the helicopters, the deal also compromises some 150 T-90S main battle tanks (MBTs) and around 250 BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). Furthermore, several sets of Russian state-of-the-art S-400 Triumf air defence systems are part of the multi-billion contract.

The advanced S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler) allegedly has no equivalent in the West, and is said to have outflanked the US MIM-104 Patriot. The system is designed to intercept and destroy airborne targets at distances of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles), twice the range of the Patriot. Defence experts believe that the system may be able to encounter cruise missiles and ballistic missiles as well as most stealth aircraft. The Interfax source said that Saudi Arabia is interested in “several dozen” S-400 systems, each including at least eight launchers with 32 missiles and a mobile command post. Besides Saudi Arabia also Turkey, Egypt and Iran have shown strong interest in the Russian air defence system.

With this deal, the Russian Federation’s T-90 – including India’s licenced T-90S production programme – should be the most successful tank in terms of new selling numbers showing once again that the days of US and European domination over new production are long gone in the international market for main battle tanks.

The BMP-3, nicknamed “Troyka” and one of the most heavily armed infantry fighting vehicles in service, is already an old model, having been first built in 1987. However, it found its way back in the market as several nations are looking again at heavier armour and protection as well as more effective state-of-the-art weapon systems. A dozen countries have already integrated this vehicle into their armed forces, among them Saudi Arabia’s neighbours Kuwait as well as the United Arab Emirates. Greece is also preparing a possible purchase of 420 of these tracked fighting vehicles.

According to Interfax, Riyadh may sign contracts for the tanks and helicopters as early as this year. In a number of the contracts which are part of this major deal, both sides have already agreed on the key technical and financial details while other contracts are still being negotiated, according to the quoted source.


Saudi Arabia taking the lead in Middle East defence spending

Riyadh traditionally bought exclusively Western, mainly US-made, military equipment. However, in 2008 Saudi Arabia and Russia signed a “framework agreement for military cooperation” that opened the way for Saudi Arabia to buy Russian arms. In July 2008, as Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal visited Moscow, a Russian newspaper reported that several deals, including the procurement of military equipment, has been discussed with a total worth of some $4 billion. Finally, this year Saudi King Abdullah received a delegation that included a top Kremlin advisor and an official from Rosoboronexport.

The new orientation of Riyadh towards a new principal weapons supplier may result from difficulties which the Arab countries experienced in recent attempts to buy military equipment from the West since 11 September 2001.

Saudi Arabia's defence budget currently exceeds $33 billion and is expected to reach $44 billion in 2010. In a recently published report Frost & Sullivan predicts that defence expenditures in the Middle East will cross the $100 billion mark in the coming five years. The fear that Iran’s nuclear programme may destabilise the entire region is suggested as one of the key reasons for the recent push on the Arabian Peninsula.

The bulk of spending in the region is to come from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Israel. In terms of spending, Saudi Arabia is taking the lead in the region with Israel in second place, the latter being expected to disburse some $13 billion by the end of 2009, according to the report.

[Reddy]

Saudis may have finally decided to drop the thoughts of Al-Khalid MBT.

[viper`in`style]

what ever but we are happy they are gearing up against Iran and Israel plus they manage to shift their old lords and the best thing in this deal is S-400 yes Saudi arabia going to buy S-400 batteries from Russia

[HK-47]

Is this their first major shift away from western suppliers?Can't blame them though after those downgraded Eagles.

[Skywalker]

what ever but we are happy they are gearing up against Iran and Israel plus they manage to shift their old lords and the best thing in this deal is S-400 yes Saudi arabia going to buy S-400 batteries from Russia

Sorry mate the one of the worst comments I have ever came across, its not we are happy it might be only you is happy that two muslim country confront with each other, what a stupid comments you have just passed.

[naseebkhanniazi]

i agree with skywalker this is not good that two muslim countryes are prepring against to each other it is very importent that we post the positive thing to finish the bad thing and thoughts from the muslims we are brothers not enemy we live togather and i request to all plz post the positive postes becaus we are going to celebrate eid we respect and to each other and all of humanite

[fhassan]

What will these Saudi Khusray do with these tanks?

what ever but we are happy they are gearing up against Iran and israel

What has Iran ever done to you?

Do you fools not realise that "gearing up" for Iran is what Israel actually wants?

Saudi Arabia and Israel "gearing up" for Iran would be more accurate.

[Join]

What will these Saudi Khusray do with these tanks?

The same thing u do with al khalid ...

[IceCold]

Is it because the saudis in their last attempt may try to force the russians to hault any assistance to Iran in terms of its nuclear program. Saudis did offered to billions of worth russian hardware only if they stop supporting the iranians. Maybe this is the first step towards this development.

[Righteous_Fire]

What will these Saudis do with these tanks?

The same thing u do with al khalid ...

But India is more than two thousand miles away from Saudi Arabia !!

[IceCold]

The same thing u do with al khalid ...

There is a hell of a difference between what we do and what they will do. We fight, they well i dont need to say it out loud.

[Join]

But India is more than two thousand miles away from Saudi Arabia !!

why do they need to fear India like you do?

[ARSENAL6]

What will these Saudi Khusray do with these tanks?



What has Iran ever done to you?

Do you fools not realise that "gearing up" for Iran is what Israel actually wants?

Saudi Arabia and Israel "gearing up" for Iran would be more accurate.

Theres alot to be said about Iran, Yes it is wrong to go against your Muslim brothers but what does Iran think about being the only Shi'te dominated country
Least we forget some Iranians have their agenda to follow.
I think this issue of Politics-RELIGION and I stress this immensely, messes people up, We are one Ummer we should act as one. Problem doesn't rely not only on Saudi but Iran as well by segregating themselves.

What I'm saying is that we should make efforts to help one another, and resolve our problems instead of fighting each other for Political and wordly gain. The Split in Muslim society has always been the weak point and its this destruction that all Muslim around the world face hardship and suffering.

[naseebkhanniazi]

first it is not good that any muslim cuuntry becom dangerous for any other muslim countery saudi and iran may be have conflicts but at this time muslim counterys need unity thats why i say that we post the positive things and dont to be emotional

[warlock21]

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I think saudi arab will be last country who come in fight against Iran.... and Iran will not escalate tension in the region.. they have from last few years have defensive posture.....Even if Iran try to do anything against Saudi Arabia...then there is a Huge US military is there in Saudi, in kuwait.in persian gulf, in Afganistan.... they can deter any challange from Iran to Saudi......

rather I give weigtage to the opinion as some body has said tht Saudi may want to distract Russia from Iran.... two billion dollar deal is not big for saudis .. they can do such deal Every year.... So I think it is more of a Diplomatic and startegic move from saudis.