Sources close to the matter said France and Saudi Arabia are to agree big aerospace contracts when French Prime Minister Manuel Valls visits the kingdom on Tuesday.
Valls is on a tour of several Middle Eastern countries which began on Saturday in Cairo with the signing of a deal with Egypt to sell two helicopter carriers.
One source said that important contracts would be agreed with Saudi Arabia and another source said that there would be a military contract with Airbus Helicopters.
Saudi Arabia has shown interest recently in purchasing flexible assault naval vessels like the Mistral helicopter carriers sold to Egypt as well as multi-purpose Fremm frigates. However, negotiations are so far not underway.
The country is also interested in spy satellites made by French defense group Thales, which has flagged hopes of winning a big contract with Riyadh.
France meanwhile hopes to sell Saudi Arabia two next-generation European pressurized reactors made by the state-controlled nuclear group Areva.

France agreed to sell the Mistral helicopter carriers to Egypt after cancelling a deal with Russia over Moscow`s role in the Ukraine crisis.
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in Cairo on Saturday that the Mistral deal with Egypt was worth about 950 million euros ($1.1 billion), including modifications and training. The two vessels are expected to be delivered in February and March.