UK’s BAE Systems in talks with Saudi over arms deal

British defense, aerospace and electronics giant BAE Systems is in talks with Saudi Arabia over a multibillion-dollar arms contract, the weapons manufacturer said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange.

The UK has been among the top suppliers of military equipment to the kingdom over the past 40 years. However, arms sales to Saudi Arabia have come under public scrutiny in light of the ongoing war in Yemen.

“Discussions between BAE Systems, the UK government and the Saudi Arabian government are progressing to define the scope and terms of the next five-year Saudi British Defense Co-operation Program,” BAE said.

Last month, the United States senate approved the sale of $1.15 billion worth of tanks and other military equipment to Saudi Arabia, by blocking a bill to stop legislation against the deal.

Republican senator Rand Paul and Democratic senator Chris Murphy were seeking to block the transaction, citing concerns that included Saudi Arabia’s role in the war in Yemen, and that the sale might fuel an ongoing regional arms race.

US President Barack Obama’s administration has offered over $115 billion in weapons, military equipment and training to Saudi Arabia since 2009, according to a recent report by the Washington, DC-based Center for International Policy.