Russia, Saudi Arabia are in talks over terms of effecting S-400 contract - federal service

MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. Russia and Saudi Arabia are in talks over mutually acceptable terms of effecting an already concluded contract for the supply of air defense systems S-400 Triumf. The contract was signed back in May 2017, the federal service for military-technical cooperation told TASS on Tuesday. "Our specialists are continuing the discussion of mutually acceptable conditions on which the contract for the supply of S-400 systems to Saudi Arabia might take effect. As it has been repeatedly stated, the contract was concluded back in May 2017," the federal service said. Also, the service confirmed reports concerning the conclusion of contracts with Saudi Arabia for other military hardware without disclosing the items to be provided. "Yes, we can confirm that a number of contracts have been concluded with Saudi Arabia and that both parties are prepared for their implementation," the federal service said. The service pointed out there was no risk of a leak of critically important information about the weapons being supplied, because the parties’ liabilities are clearly described in the agreement. "It should be stated that the liabilities of either party are clearly stated in the corresponding contract documents and inter-governmental agreements concerned. It makes no use speculating about likely threats to Russia’s defense-industrial complex in connection with the development of military-technical cooperation with Saudi Arabia," the press-service said. In February 2018, Russian presidential aide for military-technical cooperation Vladimir Kozhin said that the documents for the supply of Russia’s air defense systems S-400 to Saudi Arabia had been signed. Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Russia Raid Khalid Krimli told TASS logistical matters were still being discussed. In November 2018, the CNBC television broadcaster quoted sources having access to US intelligence as saying that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Vietnam and Iraq had discussed the possibility of purchasing the S-400 systems. The broadcaster said several countries might give up the intention under diplomatic pressure. The air defense missile system S-400 Triumf is meant for intercepting all current and future air attack weapons, including strategic bombers and ballistic and cruise missiles and can be used against surface facilities. It is capable of locking targets up to 600 kilometers away and hitting them at distances of up to 400 kilometers and altitudes of up to 35 kilometers. Read more