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China said to be negotiating arms deals with Saudi Arabia and Egypt
- The Middle Eastern countries seek to diversify weapons supply amid Ukraine war and tensions with Washington, according to intelligence service
- Riyadh eyes air defence systems and drones as part of possible yuan-based deal while Cairo plans to buy J-10C fighter jets, report says
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Jane Caiin Beijing
China is reportedly in talks with Saudi Arabia and Egypt for major arms deals as the countries seek to diversify their weapons supplies to become less reliant on the United States and Russia.
Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) is currently in talks with China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco), a state-owned defence company, to buy weapons ranging from reconnaissance drones to air defence systems, according to Tactical Report, a Beirut-based intelligence service focused on the Middle East.
Weapons involved in the potential deal include the Sky Saker FX80 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the CR500 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV, the Cruise Dragon 5 and 10 – two types of loitering munitions, better known as suicide drones – and the HQ-17AE short-range air defence (SHORAD) system, the service reported last week.
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The HQ-17AE SHORAD is the latest addition to the deal, which has been in negotiations for about a year, and talks have “reached an advanced stage”, Tactical Report said, quoting unnamed sources close to the situation.
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Negotiations are expected to continue until the end of this year or the beginning of next year, the report said, adding there were rumours that the entire deal would be financed in the Chinese yuan.
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