Russia, Saudi Arabia Finalize a Multi-Billion Arms Deal

Saudi Arabia and Russia have finalized an agreement to supply more than 150 Russian-made Mi-35 Hind and Mi-17 Hip helicopters to Saudi Arabia.

The deal, expected to be worth over $2.2 billion. Riyad favored the Russian offer over French proposals to supply 148 helicopters to the kingdom - reports the French based Defense Aerospace publication.

According to the magazine, the deal signed last month in Riyad, reflects the shift of power from Saudi Arabia’s decision to retain Russia as a major arms supplier is the result of recent policy decisions made by King Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, particularly his decision to take direct control of major arms purchases, which were previously largely the domain of the defense and aviation ministry headed by Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Crown Prince and deputy prime minister who is also Abdallah’s half-brother.

Source : Defense Aerospace