A Saudi Arabian technical military mission will visit France next month to examine available military hardware and to start negotiations for purchases, according to French officials. Sales to Saudi Arabia could amount to $10 billion over the next few years if the negotiations are successful.
The Saudis are reportedly interested in acquiring the Mirage F-I jet which is described by military experts as the equivalent of the sophisticated American-made F-15. The Saudis also want helicopters, tanks and electronic equipment. Naval equipment, including ships, will continue to be ordered in Britain, according to Arab sources here.
Although until now Saudi Arabia has relied on the United States for its military equipment, France has sold the Riyadh government nearly $1 billion worth of planes, helicopters, tanks and missiles. Most of the sales have been concluded during the last three years.
Last week, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal met with President Valery Giscard d’Estaing and other senior French officials in what was seen as a Saudi attempt to switch from the U.S. to France as its main arms supplier. The Saudi move, Arab officials here say, has been prompted by the King as a result of American reluctance to deliver the F-15 jets to Riyadh. Faisal, who was accompanied by a large military mission, said after his meeting with Giscard that “all aspects of Franco-Saudi relations have been studied.” Officials noted that this referred apparently to the availability of French arms, their rate of delivery and financial terms.
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