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 defence systems, a Western diplomat said Saturday.
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.
The source said Moscow had also offered to supply machine guns and other weapons to Saudi counter-terror units and other security forces. 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.
Although Saudi Arabia has traditionally bought Western weapons systems, it has recently been looking to diversify its sources of weaponry. During a visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao to Riyadh in April, the two sides were reported to have inked a "contract on defence systems." No details on the contract were released. Saudi Arabia purchased Chinese Eastwind missiles in the 1980s.