Now they're even talking about only partially activating the S-400 since they badly need spare parts for the F-16's, drones and their tank project is stuck in the mud without vital foreign components. The S-400, they still don't even have the algorithms from the Russians. Their nuclear program, the Russians will build them several reactors in a 5 years or so however all the fissile material will be handled by Russian technicians/experts.
Talk is cheap, real progress is extremely difficult and can only be achieved through extensive, focused effort, which naturally requires trial and error. Look at the North Koreans. How many times did their missile tests fail ? They were laughed at repeatedly. Now they're a nuclear armed nation that can hit any city in the contenental US. Or like the UAE, with enough money you can buy whatever you want and just put a stamp on it. It's the difference between buying a chocolate bar or buying cocoa seeds.
Saudi's have the 5th largest military budget on earth, just below Russia. When the war in Yemen started a 5+ years ago they were ranting about victory within just a few weeks. Now look at them. They've basically lost against a lightly armed, but highly motivated Yemeni militia.
