Saudi Arabia, an ally of the United States (US) in the Arab World, signed a preliminary agreement to buy an air defense system or S-400 missile, and will receive the latest "technological help" from Russia.
The statement was conveyed by Saudi Arabia's military industry company related to the visit of King Salman to Moscow, the capital of Russia, as reported AFP, Friday (6/10/2017).
The agreement was announced when King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in the Kremlin on Thursday (5/10/2017).
Salman made his first official trip as a king of Saudi Arabia to Russia.
Under the deal, Saudi Arabia is ready to buy S-400 air defense systems, anti-tank missile systems and some rocket launchers.
The agreement "is expected to play an important role in the growth and development of military and military industries in Saudi Arabia," said Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), the military industrial corporation of the royal state.
"Memorandum of understanding (MoU) includes technology transfer for local production," from the Kornet anti-tank missile system, some advanced rocket launchers, and automatic grenade launchers.
"In addition, the parties will work together in establishing plans to localize the assembly and maintenance of parts of the S-400 air defense system," SAMI said.
Both countries also agreed on the production of Kalashnikov automatic rifles and ammunition in Saudi Arabia, as well as education and training programs for local residents.
"This agreement is expected to have a real economic contribution and create hundreds of jobs directly," the company said.
They "will also divert the cutting edge technology that will serve as a catalyst to reduce 50 percent of the military's military spending."
Rosoboronexport, the Russian arms exporter, did not immediately comment on the deal.
In 2014, while still the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Salman on Wednesday (14/05/2014), called for stronger military cooperation between the United States and Gulf states that he is under threat of security.
Prince Salman's statement was made in a meeting between US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and defense ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
