General Dynamics in talks to deliver M1A2 Abrams tanks to Saudi Arabia in place of Leopard 2 1507134

Posted On
a

Defence & Security News - Saudi Arabia
 
 
Monday, July 15, 2013 10:17 AM
 
General Dynamics in talks to deliver M1A2 Abrams tanks to Saudi Arabia in place of Leopard 2.
U.S. defence firm General Dynamics is in talks to deliver M1A2 Abrams mauin battle tanks to Saudi Arabia, beating out German rival Krauss-Maffei Wegmann with its Leopard 2 tank for the lucrative deal, a German newspaper reported.
     

More than 300 M1A2 Abrams are still in service in Saudia Arabia Armed Forces.
     

There has been speculation for months that Saudi Arabia could order more than 200 Leopard 2 tanks from Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, though the company has never confirmed such reports.

According to other unconfirmed media reports, Germany gave pre-approval for the export of 270 Leopard 2 tanks to Saudi Arabia in 2011.

Defence sources in Germany have said that the German government wanted to hold off making a decision until after federal elections in September, and Handelsblatt speculated on Friday that Saudi Arabia was no longer willing to wait.