Why Are The Saudis Not Buying American?

The S-400 missile defence system could be a part of a much larger deal with Russia.

Saudis Eye Russian Air Defence System: Analysts -- AFP

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia is weighing buying an advanced Russian missile system to shore up its defence against a potentially nuclear Iran, Gulf analysts and diplomats said.

They said Moscow and Riyadh are close to sealing a deal on a multi-billion-dollar weapons package that could include Russia's advanced S-400 missile defence system.

It is the newest version of the S-300 long-range surface to air missile system that Moscow has been in discussion for several years to sell to Iran, which denies Western charges of aiming to become a nuclear power.

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My Comment: When I first heard about this sale, I wondered why they were not buying American (i.e. Patriot systems). The Saudis have always bought American for their more crucial military needs .... but what is even more surprising .... is that the Americans have been very quiet on this sale.

The hypothesis that this may be a means to buy off the Russians from selling advanced weapons systems to the Iranians has some merit. The Saudis have the resources and means to easily outspend the Iranians when it comes to arms purchases, and if I was to have a client, I would easily dump the Iranians and Syrians for the Saudis.