Weapons deal a sign of growing Russian power in Middle East
RUSSIA and Saudi Arabia struck a series of deals yesterday, including contracts for Russia to supply weapons.
Talks at the Kremlin between Saudi King Salman and Vladimir Putin mark a thaw in relations between the countries, which have been tense since the Cold War, when Saudi Arabia supported Afghan rebels fighting the Soviets.
Observers said Riyadh’s ties with Moscow reflect the growing influence of Russia in the Middle East after its military interventions in Syria. They said it also showed the Saudi interest in keeping Russia signed up to a global deal to limit oil production and push up the price of their exports.
Hosting the Saudi king in the ornate Kremlin interiors, Mr Putin hailed the visit a “landmark event” that would give a “strong impulse” to bilateral ties.
King Salman said he was looking to expand relations with this “friendly nation in the interests of peace, security and development of the world economy”. The Saudi monarch noted that the two nations agreed on many international and local issues and intended to continue shoring up global oil prices.
After the talks, Saudi Arabian Military Industries said it signed agreements with Russia’s state arms trader, Rosoboronexport, to buy Russian weapons, including long-range S-400 air defence missile systems. The deals envisage the transfer of technology for the Kornet-em anti-tank missiles, TOS1A rocket launchers and AGS-30 automatic grenade launchers and the new Kalashnikov assault rifle.
While the US is Saudi Arabia’s top weapons supplier and its key Western ally, the deals struck yesterday highlighted Riyadh’s intention to expand ties with Russia. The Saudis have also been eyeing Russian nuclear power technologies and appear ready to increase imports of food from Russia. Produce security is of major concern to Saudi Arabia, whose local production is dictated by the scarcity of water.
Analysts see the visit as a sign that Russia’s gamble in Syria has paid off. “Russia has made itself much more of a factor in key parts of the Middle East as the US has taken a step back, particularly in Syria,” said Brian Katulis, of the Centre for American Progress.