Navy: UK aid

This file concerns the development of the Royal Saudi Navy (RSN). It contains correspondence on:

• Policy of adding a frigate, four fast patrol boats, hovercraft and other assets to the strength of the Saudi Navy; the development of a main base at Al Jubail; and radar facilities
• Further visits of Commander R G Gaunt of the Ministry of Defence to Saudi Arabia; his reports outlining the present composition of the navy, the projected build-up and the wider military and diplomatic considerations
• Meeting between commercial representatives and the Head of Defence Sales at the Ministry of Defence R F Brown in London on 13 March 1968
• Record of a meeting between Brown and Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud in Jeddah on 19 March 1968
• Draft record of a meeting in Jeddah on 23 March involving the Saudi Chief of Staff General Abdulla Mutlaq and General Makki Tunisi of the Special Committee to study the expansion of the RSN; and British representatives Commander Gaunt, W H Fullerton of the Foreign Office and E Norton of Yarrow-Admiralty Research Division (YARD)
• Record of a meeting held in Riyadh on 23 March
• Visit to the UK by Prince Sultan; a dinner meeting and letter exchange with the Defence Secretary Denis Healey
• Differences arising over naval policy between the RSN and Defence staff
• Possible sale to Saudi Arabia of a type-RN41 frigate originally ordered by Ghana
• Potential cooperation between Pakistan and the UK in assisting Saudi naval build-up; a visit by the Director of Navy Sales at the Ministry of Defence L Solomon to Pakistan; Indian reaction
• Order for six US F-86 Sabre aircraft
• Saudi request for US advice on naval policy
• Consultation between HMG and the US over Saudi arms sales
• French, German and American competition for Saudi orders
• The need for specific approval of arms sale to Israel and Arab countries following the Six-Day War
• Relations with Iran; and advice to the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Saudi intentions with regard the development of their navy