French defense minister visits Saudi Arabia next week

French Defense Minister Allen Richard has said he will be visiting Saudi Arabia next week to discuss selling 300 French heavy tanks of the Leclerc type to Saudi Arabia.

In a statement at the French Parliament on Wednesday, Richard added that Leclerc tanks, which are the most advanced French armored vehicles, meet Saudi Arabia defense priorities. France has been competing for years with the US and Britain to win a contract to sell French tanks to Saudi Arabia at an estimated cost of US $2-3 billion.