Saudi In Talks With Russia To Buy Iskander Missiles

Saudi Arabia is in talks with Russia to procure Iskander tactical missile systems and other range of armaments.

"Saudi Arabia is set to intensify relations with Russia in all the spheres, including in the military field," Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir was quoted as saying by Sputnik. Adel met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday in Moscow.

"Military delegations from both the nations involving specialists are discussing on a range of intended types of armaments including Iskander missile systems from Russia," he said.

“Saudi Arabia at the moment has its own DF-21 solid-fuel, medium-range ballistic missiles, which they purchased from China,” the website quoted Theodore Karasik, a Middle East defense analyst.

Riyadh would actually buy any Iskanders in the nearest future, Karasik added.

Votkinsk Plant developed Iskander tactical ballistic missile systems can be used as anti-missiles and also to destroy multiple launch rocket systems, long-range artillery guns, aircraft and helicopters at aerodromes, command posts and communications centres.

The missile system includes a launcher, a loader-transporter, a routine maintenance vehicle, a command post vehicle, an information post, an ammunition equipment set and training aids.