US expressed concern over Saudi Arabia’s plan to buy S-400 systems from Russia
Washington is "concerned" about the interest of "a number of American allies" in buying the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system, as stated by Pentagon spokesman Michelle Baldanza in her commentary to TASS.
"We are concerned about the purchase of S-400 system," she said, adding that the United States has “repeatedly stressed the importance of maintaining operational compatibility with the weapon systems of the US and other countries in the region in the implementation of major military procurement programs… This compatibility is necessary to address common threats.” Baldanza emphasized.
According to her, the United States and Saudi Arabia "have a strong relationship in the field of military procurement."
On October 5, Al-Arabiya TV channel, citing unidentified sources, reported that during his visit to Moscow, King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud agreed with the Russian authorities on the purchase of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems by Riyadh. This information was confirmed to RBC news agency by a source in the concern Almaz-Antey, which produces these air defense systems.
According to the source of Kommersant newspaper familiar with the course of negotiations, the Saudi defense officials plan to purchase from Russia "not less than four divisions" of the S-400 for about $2 billion.
Prior to that, in July, Russia signed an agreement with Turkey on the delivery of S-400. In the US, as stated by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Armed Forces, General Joseph Dunford, this was called "a cause for concern."