France to study building nuclear reactors in Saudi

France announced yesterday that it will look into building two European pressurised reactors (EPR) in Saudi Arabia as part of a nearly $12 million deal signed with the Gulf state.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said that under the terms of one of the deals French Airbus will sell 23 H-145 multipurpose helicopters to Saudi Arabia for €500 million ($560 million) as well as launch a feasibility study into building the reactors.

The announcement came following the first Franco-Saudi Joint Committee headed by Fabius and Saudi Defence Minister Mohammed Bin Salman.

Fabius also announced that Saudi had committed to purchasing 30 patrol boats to enhance its navy.

“It represents the creation of many jobs and hundreds of millions of euros,” Fabius added.

The talks also dealt with solar energy, health, civil aviation and the transport sectors.