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bananas

(27,509 posts) Wed Jun 24, 2015, 11:33 PM Jun 2015

Saudi Arabia, France finalizing $12 billion in deals for ships, helicopters, nuclear reactors

Source: Associated Press

Saudi and French officials are finalizing negotiations on contracts for patrol ships, border guard helicopters, planes and two possible nuclear reactors worth more than $12 billion.

The announcement comes during a high-level Saudi visit to France on Wednesday, as Saudi Arabia is leading a military campaign against extremists in neighbouring Yemen.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Wednesday that the two have agreed to sell French patrol boats "to enhance the capability of the Saudi Coast Guard, which is today facing growing threats."

A French government statement says the two countries are finalizing contracts for 23 helicopters for the Saudi Interior Ministry, 50 Airbus jets, and a study for two new-generation nuclear reactors, and nuclear waste and nuclear safety training.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Saudi+Arabia+France+finalizing+billion+deals+ships+helicopters/11162663/story.html

Saudi Arabia said they would match Iran's nuclear weapons capabilities, and now they're creating the infrastructure to do that.

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Saudi Arabia, France finalizing $12 billion in deals for ships, helicopters, nuclear reactors (Original Post) bananas Jun 2015 OP

Gulf states get more assertive as Iran closes in on nuclear deal bananas Jun 2015 #1

I'm not sure that it's a good idea to supply all that weaponry to one of the most undemocratic Little Tich Jun 2015 #2

If they don't get them from France or the US, China & Russia will sell them. EX500rider Jun 2015 #5

well, they have to protect their oil hibbing Jun 2015 #3

Par For The Course! cynzke Jun 2015 #4

Ah, the sheds some light on France's hard-line stance against Iran in the nuke talks. Comrade Grumpy Jun 2015 #6

Sounds good to me. What could go wrong? closeupready Jun 2015 #7

bananas

(27,509 posts)

1. Gulf states get more assertive as Iran closes in on nuclear deal

Reply to bananas (Original post)

Wed Jun 24, 2015, 11:38 PM

Jun 2015

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/06/25/uk-iran-nuclear-gulf-idUKKBN0P40RU20150625

Thu Jun 25, 2015 2:04am BST

Gulf states get more assertive as Iran closes in on nuclear deal

DUBAI/RIYADH | By Noah Browning and Angus McDowell

Gulf Arab states have long feared a sanctions-free Iran and as a nuclear agreement edges closer they have become more aggressive in preparing for a resurgence of their main regional foe.

<snip>

They are also concerned that U.S. President Barack Obama's push for a nuclear deal in return for sanctions relief shows their strongest ally may no longer help restrain Iran.

"The deal is inevitable is their calculation. It could be delayed a week or two, or a month. But everybody in the region has prepared themselves for the reality that the deal is a done thing," said Mustafa Alani, a security analyst close to the Saudi Interior Ministry.

<snip>

"Obama is going to be remembered as the U.S. president who restored relations with Iran. But he may also be remembered as the U.S. president who lost his traditional allies in the region," said Sami al-Faraj, a Kuwaiti security adviser to the GCC.

<snip>