France, Saudi Arabia ink defence deal http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?slug=France%2C+Saudi+Arabia+ink+defence+deal&id=90477
Saturday, July 22, 2006 (Paris):
France and Saudi Arabia signed two defence deals that could pave way for purchase of French helicopters, submarines, tanks and possibly Rafale fighter jets.
The deals were reached during Saudi Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud's visit to Paris on Friday.
"These accords will reinforce the link of partnership for development and security between the two countries. It is testimony to the friendship and confidence that mark our relations," President Jacques Chirac said after their meeting, according to his office.
No details of the deals were released. But a French official said that the accords could lead in the near future to programmes involving Saudi purchases of French helicopters or tank aircraft.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of defence transactions.
Technical addendum
One agreement was signed by Chirac and Saudi Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
The prince, who is the Saudi Defence Minister, and French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie also signed a technical addendum to an earlier defence cooperation agreement that was signed in October 1982.
Chirac, who has long courted the Arab world and has friendly relations with the Saudi prince, paid a visit to Saudi Arabia earlier this year aimed partly at winning business contracts for French companies.
The Rafale fighter programme has had trouble finding buyers abroad, and France has been courting Saudi Arabia as a possible client. (AP)