Chinese arms for Egypt and Saudi Arabia?

Beijing is reportedly in talks with Egypt and Saudi Arabia over potentially major arms deals, according to the Beirut-based defense news website Tactical Report.

The site reported that Cairo wants to buy up to 12 Chengdu J-10C multirole fighter jets with AESA radars. Egyptian Air Force officials are expected to meet representatives from the Chengdu Group in Malaysia at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition next week over the talks, which reportedly began late last year.

Tactical Report reported also that Saudi Arabia is in talks with China’s state-owned Norinco to purchase CR500, Sky Saker FX-80 and Cruise Dragon UAVs, in addition to the HQ-17AE short-range air defense system. Those talks, which are expected to continue at least until the end of this year, have reached an “advanced stage,” the outlet quoted anonymous sources as saying.

The reports have not been independently confirmed.

GSPI