Saudis bargain with Russia over Iran missile shield system deal

Saudis bargain with Russia over Iran missile deal
03 October, 2009, 16:40

Saudi Arabias proposal to buy an advanced missile system S-400 from Russia is aimed at aborting Moscows similar deal with Iran, say Gulf analysts and diplomats, AFP news agency reports.

The parties involved claim Moscow and Riyadh are close to sealing a deal on a multibillion-dollar weapons deal.

According to experts and diplomats, Saudi officials are concerned that Western pressure has failed to prevent Iran's development of nuclear know-how as Riyadh doesnt believe that Tehrans nuke program is peaceful.


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The S-400 is the newest version of the S-300 long-range surface to air missile system capable of detecting and simultaneously engaging six targets from a range of 400 kilometers to 3,500 kilometers at a speed of 4.5 kilometers per second.

The S-400 missile defense system could be a part of a much larger contract with Russia, which would include helicopters, tanks, and other military equipment.

The Financial Times newspaper reported on Wednesday that, as part of the deal, Saudi Arabia demanded guarantees from Russia that it wont sell S-300 systems to Iran.

The Saudis would rather this weapon system were not sold to Iran or [another possible buyer] Syria, Theodore Karasik, director of research at the Dubai-based Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis, told AFP.

Tehran wanted to purchase S-300 defense systems from Moscow and the deal was signed in 2005, but the equipment has not yet been delivered to Iran.

Heavy pressure from the West and Israel, and possibly a Saudi contract, have persuaded Moscow to put on hold that sale to Tehran, diplomats in the Gulf said on the condition of anonymity to AFP.

The pressure from the US is a stick and the huge weapons deal prepared by the Saudis is a carrot, Director of Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies Ruslan Pukhov told Interfax news agency. We all know Saudi Arabia buys weapons as a bribe to the worlds great powers in exchange for support, he added.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Saudi
• Arabia
• Iran
• Russia
• missle
• S-300
• S-400

[artbiz45]

I see all comment against Iran or Saudis but Is it perhaps The USA is not worry about Iran But some in charge privately are unplugging Israel and the Jewish Estates must go back to the drawing Bord or the trash can. in depth many fear Israel the most. Some how the road is ending to contain and block Israel to breath for now. Until then the hope is for getting along together, have peace and prosperity without these so called chosen people

[micheltariq]

@88Abraham88 yes osama bin laden is shia and and the 9/11 hijackers werent saudies they were shia...but good to know that saudi is fighting with israel it's nice to hear you admit it

[KyuuMayCry]

@88Abraham88

yeah right I know that. go fuck yourself.

[0098xxx]

@henrydervishi shut up man.. mind ur own bissniss ;)

[0098xxx]

FUCK SAUDI ARABS THEY ARE THE MOST DISCUSTING PPL ON THE PLANET..FUCK ISLAM FUCK ARABS FUCK MOHAMMAD .. NUKE ARABS

[stalkingalizee]

Saudi didn't end up buying any of that Russian junk.

[Sasukekillsitachi]

muslims should unite against the west, traitors like saudi arabia should get nuked!

[Sasukekillsitachi]

fuck Saudi arabia, they blow american dicks and defy other muslim nations for the zionist USA!

[Sasukekillsitachi]

Saudi Arabia is US dick sucker! Their leader are corrupt, defying their own people and other muslim countries.

[BiblesOnLine]

Arab leaders are so corrupt to the bone, they are willing to sell anyone for dollars, they are the new class of servants of the American order.

[abumaram200]

@8060163 lol xD