Saudis Demand Huge Offsets For Arms Deals (Our "Friends"? Yeah, right!)

Geostrategy Direct.com ^ | 28 Nov 02 | Geostrategy Direct

[11B3]

SAUDIS DEMAND HUGE OFFSETS FOR ARMS DEALS:

Saudi Arabia has linked future weapons deals to huge offset packages that would ensure the transfer of technology to and training in the kingdom.

Gulf defense sources said Riyad has insisted that foreign companies competing for major contracts present proposals for offsets. These offsets must be a minimum of 30 percent and include the transfer of technology, production lines and the establishment of training facilities, according to the sources.

The kingdom has raised the prospect of barter deals instead of cash for weapons, including sale of Saudi oil for military systems, according to the sources.

"Saudi Arabia no longer sees weapons deals as a matter of prestige or even that of bolstering the military," one defense source said. "The Saudis want to justify defense purchases as part of economic development, particularly the employment of nationals."

Gulf sources said some of the Saudi demands were raised during negotiations with France over a proposed multi-billion dollar purchase of the Leclerc tank. France has been trying to win Saudi agreement to buy at least 150 main battle tanks.

But Saudi Defense Ministry officials were said to have submitted a long list of benefits as part of a Leclerc offset package. They included agreement that Riyad can pay in crude oil shipments rather than in cash for a portion of the project.

Another Gulf defense source said Riyad will not conclude any major purchase of weapons until after a U.S.-led war against Iraq. The source said the kingdom wants to review its defense posture after the fall of the regime of President Saddam Hussein.

[11B3]

Once again, the Saudis show their true colors. Sell them some weapons - plus have to give them a kickback, and transfer the technology on top of it. I don't think anyone is going to be selling these ingrates a damn thing in the future. Certainly no US company is going to transfer the tech to them as well.

[per loin]

I'd not be so sure. Sounds like the same sort of deals that many "American" corporations made with the Chicoms.

[leadhead]

I got a technology transfer for you Abdul Aziz;here, catch my nuke!

[SR71A]

I'd not be so sure. Sounds like the same sort of deals that many "American" corporations made with the Chicoms.

We also have a deal with the Egyptians where they assemble M1 battle tanks for themselves.

I'm no admirer of the Saudis, but they have their reasons. A lot of their citizens need meaningful employment instead of oil money handouts. It's probably a good idea, since if they have a job, they're less conducive to radical Islamic b---s--t.

[Bernard]

If we provide training, we should require that a certain percentage of the training slots be made available to women and oppressed minorities in their country - in other words, make them act like us, instead of like congress.

[sheik yerbouty]

Kus$ emeq(@$%^%#@!!) to them! Kick their ass and take the gas!

[Dustbunny]

We need to stop screwing around and start drilling for oil.

[Uncle Miltie]

I don't mind selling them tanks, planes or other equipment. It just has to come with the secret remote "off" switch that can be activated 1600 Pennsylvania.