Not again! Another claim of Saudis to buy from Russia

[drg]

Sheesh, will the Russians ever give up...
For those who think its possible:
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080513/107248860.html

 

[Feanor]

It's possible. A Russo-Saudi helicopter deal hit everyone out of the blue a little while ago. That being said; is it likely? I think not.

 

[IrishHitman]

The US-Saudi love affair will continue while the Saudis have oil.
The minute it dries up, the US will be less friendly.

But for now, rumours of massive Russian arms deals with the Saudis are to be taken with a pinch of salt. The West still has a massively larger market share in Saudi Arabia.

 

[eaf-f16]

I think it's possible.

I really don't understand why everyone thinks it's so unlikely. The T-90 was in Saudi Arabia undergoing tests a year ago or something.

I doubt the Saudis will buy the quantity of arms listed in the article, but I find the T-90, Buk M2E and Mi-35 to have good chances in the Saudi market. It's not like they'd be selling them bad equipment. These items are supposed to be top-tier stuff.

 

[Feanor]

The Mi-35 has already been delievered to Saudis, so it would make sense. What makes much less sense is the T-90 and Buk M2E buys. The Tor M2E is practically ready (production for the RuA is to start in 2009) and the T-90 isn't a particularly good tank design in the first place. What would seem more likely is S-300/400 class systems where Russia can offer on par or even ahead of Western competitors, and possibly BMP-3's which have already been delievered to other states in the region. Time will show what comes of this. Meanwhile here's the article about the earlier heli. purchase.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cg...81482.JKPFhH8AAAEAAAWBOW8AAAAH&modele=feature

 

[Actual]

The Mi-35 has already been delievered to Saudis

Do you have any details to confirm this?

In the meantime, here is another story claiming a deal is imminent.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\05\19\story_19-5-2008_pg1_4

 

[Feanor]

My link confirms it. Oh snap. Down for maintenance. Here's more info.

http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=36613

http://rfdesign.com/military_defense_electronics/news/150_russion_helicopters_1114/

 

[Actual]

My link confirms it. Oh snap. Down for maintenance. quote]

Thanks Feanor, but do we have any data on Mi-35s being in actual confirmed Saudi service?

 

[Feanor]

Hmm thanks for the correction. No I don't. Maybe deliveries have not yet begun. What I should have written earlier was that the Saudi's already purchased the Mi-35. It's unclear whether or not it has already been delievered (at least I've not seem any definite confirmation). Well lets wait until August, and if nothing appears in the press by then, maybe the next issue of MDB will have something to say on the matter.