Spain is attempting to secure a 3 billion euro ($4.17 billion) arms deal with Saudi Arabia for US defence group General Dynamics Corp's Spanish affiliate, said a news report.

Spain hopes to finalise a deal for General Dynamics Santa Barbara to sell 200-270 models of its Leopard 2E tank when Saudi defence minister prince Khaled bin Sultan pays his official visit to the country in November, El Pais reported, without citing sources.

Saudi Arabia, a key US ally in the Middle East, is in the process of revamping its military hardware and is firming up a $60 billion military aircraft contract with the United States, which was announced last week.

General Dynamics, a supplier for the American army in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, acquired tank maker Santa Barbara from the Spanish government in 2001.

El Pais said Khaled bin Sultan is expected to meet Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and King Juan Carlos on his official visit.-Reuters