Saudi in talks with Russia over weapons sales: Diplomat

The Peninsula - 10 September, 2006

Source :AFP

RIYADH -  Saudi Arabia is in talks with Russia over the possible purchase of

Russian weapons for the first time by the oil-rich kingdom, which has

traditionally used Western defense systems, a Western diplomat said

yesterday.

A team of Russian military experts visited Saudi Arabia in late August to

discuss with Saudi military committees the possible sale to Riyadh of T-95

main battle tanks and Mi-17 helicopters, he told AFP, requesting anonymity.

"The visit was not the first. It was preceded by several visits by experts"

from the Russian state arms export monopoly Rosoboronexport, according to

the source.

Saudi arms experts have also visited Moscow to discuss Russian offers of

weapons, and tests were carried out on the T-95 in

Saudi Arabia to determine the tank's suitability to harsh desert conditions,

the diplomat added.

The Saudi armed forces' needs in terms of battle tanks are estimated at

around 300. Saudi military experts had conducted tests on French Leclerc

tanks more than two years ago.

According to French officials, Leclerc tanks are among weapons systems

Riyadh is expected to buy from France under two military accords signed by

the two countries in July.