MADRID - Saudi Arabia's deputy defense minister will visit Spain this week, officials said Oct. 29, and he is reportedly considering the purchase of 200 to 270 used Leopard 2E tanks.

Prince Khaled bin Sultan, Saudi deputy minister of defense and aviation, will meet King Juan Carlos and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on Monday and Tuesday this week according to official sources.

Spain's leading El Pais daily last week said the Saudi minister may conclude the purchase of 200 to 270 Leopard 2E tanks for up to three billion euros (4.1 billion dollars).

Spanish officials have not confirmed the report.

"There is still no contract. There is the possibility of an acquisition of combat tanks," said Raul Alvarez, spokesman for the defense sector of the major union Comisiones Obreras.

Alvarez said the contract could involve about 200 tanks.