SAUDIS VIGILANT OVER ARMS PRICE

ABU DHABI [MENL] -- Saudi Arabia has launched an effort to ensurecost-effectiveness in any major weapons deal with foreign suppliers. Industry sources said the Saudi Defense Ministry has been closelyexamining as well as questioning the prices of Western military platforms.They said the ministry has sought to ensure that such platforms reflectedthe global defense market, rather than simply accepting any price demandedby such allies as Britain, France and the United States.