Posted on 07/12/2013 4:37:28 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
General Dynamics to beat out Germany for Saudi tank deal-report
(Reuters) - U.S. defence firm General Dynamics is in talks to deliver battle tanks to Saudi Arabia, beating out German rival Krauss-Maffei Wegmann for the lucrative deal, a German newspaper reported.
Handelsblatt daily cited industry sources as saying on Friday that a deal for Saudi Arabia to buy M1 Abrams tanks from General Dynamics was already in sight.
General Dynamics and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann were not immediately available for comment.
There has been speculation for months that Saudi Arabia could order more than 200 Leopard 2 tanks from Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, though the company has never confirmed such reports.
According to other unconfirmed media reports, Germany gave pre-approval for the export of 270 Leopard 2 tanks to Saudi Arabia in 2011.
Defence sources in Germany have said that the German government wanted to hold off making a decision until after federal elections in September, and Handelsblatt speculated on Friday that Saudi Arabia was no longer willing to wait.
Arms exports are a sensitive issue in Germany given its Nazi past as well as the role arms makers such as Krupp played in feeding 19th and 20th century wars with exports to both sides of conflicts.
Peer Steinbrueck, a leader of the opposition Social Democrats running against German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the election, has criticised her government for letting arms exports surge.
After World War Two, successive West German and later united German governments placed tight restrictions
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
its great to be arming our future enemies
I thought they shut down the M-1 line.
surprised Russia doesn’t have this contract
I was happier when all the Arabs had were clapped out T-72’s only fit for target practice.
When money is no object, people, even muzzies tend to opt for the best.
Right now there are a number of top tier MBTs out there, but none with the proven track record of the Abrams. The Challenger probably comes in second.
Saudis have had M-1s for decades.
Because they’re our steadfast allies.... :P
Yep yep yep. I’ve often wondered who maintains all the hardware the Saudis buy and use. You think Saudi men are going to do it? I don’t.
Actually I like having the Kingdom Of Saud on the end of OUR spare parts chain. :)
Another move on the big chessboard that is the Middle East.
>>>>Right now there are a number of top tier MBTs out there, but none with the proven track record of the Abrams. The Challenger probably comes in second.<<<<<
Oh, c’mon. Give USMC T-72s and Arabs M1A1s and both Gulf Wars won’t be any different. It wasn’t all about tanks.
Abrams has numerous obvious cons and Leo2 seems to be a much more refined platform.
Challenger?? Please...
I remember how everyone loved Merkava. It was undisputed “best tank” right before it met any competent terrorist armed with 1970s Soviet technology, instead of 1940s.
Arms exports are a sensitive issue in Germany given its Nazi past as well as the role arms makers such as Krupp played in feeding 19th and 20th century wars with exports to both sides of conflicts. Peer Steinbrueck, a leader of the opposition Social Democrats running against German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the election, has criticised her government for letting arms exports surge.Gotta love Krupp's non-judgmental, all-inclusive approach, doncha?
Both the French AMX-56 Leclerc and ROK K2 for example, may actually outperform an Abrams or a Challenger in certain regards. Neither has the battle record. the Leopard 2 has seen limited use in Kosovo and Afghanistan, but nothing like the engagements fought by the Challenger and Abrams in both Desert Storm (Challenger 1 / M1A1) or the Gulf War (Challenger 2 / M1A2).
Yes thanks. Only Challenger ever taken out. Friendly fire by... another Challenger.
I think the only people the Saudis will be using these against will be other Saudis.
>>>Challenger?? Please...
Yes thanks. Only Challenger ever taken out. Friendly fire by... another Challenger.<<<
Irrelevant. It haven’t seen any real hot battle.
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