US plans $100bn arms deal with Saudi Arabia ahead of Trump visit

Friday 25 April 2025 - 10:02

By: Zahouani Ilham

US plans $100bn arms deal with Saudi Arabia ahead of Trump visit

The United States is preparing to finalize a significant arms deal with Saudi Arabia, valued at over $100 billion, according to a Reuters report citing six informed sources. This move comes in anticipation of former President Donald Trump's upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates scheduled for next month.

Prominent American defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin, RTX Corp, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics, are reportedly involved in this extensive military package. Executives from these companies are expected to accompany Trump during his diplomatic mission to the region. The proposed agreement may include a variety of advanced weaponry, such as C-130 military transport aircraft, precision-guided missiles, and sophisticated radar systems.

Despite the scale of the deal, it appears unlikely that Saudi Arabia will be granted access to Lockheed Martin’s F-35 stealth fighter jets, which are typically reserved for key US allies like NATO member states, Japan, South Korea, and Australia.

During his term, President Joe Biden attempted to establish a new security pact with Saudi Arabia as part of a broader strategy to improve ties between Riyadh and Israel. That initiative also sought to curb Chinese investment in the kingdom and halt Saudi arms purchases from Beijing. However, it remains unclear whether Trump's proposal includes similar conditions.

Both the White House and Saudi authorities declined to comment on the reported deal, while a US defense official emphasized that defense cooperation continues to be a core element of the US-Saudi relationship. The defense firms mentioned in the report also did not respond to requests for comment.

Historically, Washington has been a major arms supplier to Riyadh, though sales significantly declined following the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In response to the killing and Saudi Arabia’s military involvement in Yemen, Congress imposed a ban on offensive arms sales in 2021. However, shifting geopolitical dynamics led the Biden administration to ease restrictions in 2022, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted global oil markets. The ban was officially lifted in 2024 as Saudi Arabia became a crucial US ally in the post-conflict rebuilding efforts in Gaza.