Arms trade

Saudi Arabia Military Weapons Deal: Spain's Royal Family Provides Billions In Warships, Causing Human Rights Concerns

Spain's King Felipe VI is set to visit his royal counterpart in Saudi Arabia on Saturday as the two countries near finalizing a $2.1 billion deal that will see Spain send warships to Riyadh, despite human rights concerns, Agence France Press reported.

Felipe, whose father and predecessor Juan Carlos was close to the Saudi royal family, was personally invited last year by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud. The trip had been postponed twice before due to a new Spanish government being formed and the death of Saudi defense minister Turki bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, according to Kuwait News Agency. Felipe is scheduled to meet with top royal family members and other political officials during the monarch's three-day visit, which Spanish media has associated with the multi-billion-dollar military deal for Avante warships made by Spanish ship maker Navantia.