Explainer | Why is Saudi Arabia looking to China to buy weapons after years of arms deals with the US?

Chinese media reported Saudi Arabia bought US$4 billion weapons after the Zhuhai Air Show in November, a much bigger sale than previous deals

The Yemen war, journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder and the Opec+ decision to cut oil output by 2 million barrels a day have affected US-Saudi defence deals

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China’s CH-4 drone was reportedly the most sold item to Saudi Arabia during the Zhuhai Air Show, although neither party has confirmed a deal. They have been used in major battlefields in the Yemen war. Photo: Simon Song

Published: 12:00pm, 8 Dec 2022

As the world’s largest defence spender, Saudi Arabia has sourced weapons from a variety of countries and in the past has imported mostly from the US.

But amid increased tension with Washington in recent years following the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 and in light of the recent Opec+ oil dispute, Riyadh is actively looking to diversify its weapon sources, with China now considered a top alternative.

Chinese media recently reported that Saudi Arabia bought US$4 billion worth of weapons after the Zhuhai Air Show in November, a sale much larger than their previous arms deal, according to observers.

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Chinese drones among new military aircraft highlighted at Zhuhai Airshow

The arms trade between China and Saudi Arabia dates back to the late 1980s, after the two countries held their first official meetings in 1985. They officially established ties in 1990.

Explainer | Why is Saudi Arabia looking to China to buy weapons after years of arms deals with the US?

Chinese media reported Saudi Arabia bought US$4 billion weapons after the Zhuhai Air Show in November, a much bigger sale than previous deals The Yemen war, journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder and the Opec+ decision to cut oil output by 2 million barrels a day have affected US-Saudi defence deals