The United States is preparing to announce an arms deal with Saudi Arabia worth more than $100 billion. The official announcement is expected during President Donald Trump’s visit to the country next month, according to six unnamed officials cited by Reuters.
A U.S. defense official stated that under President Trump, the relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia has strengthened. Maintaining security cooperation is seen as a crucial part of this partnership, and the U.S. remains committed to meeting Saudi Arabia’s defense needs.
During former President Joe Biden’s term, efforts were made to finalize a major defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, but it was unsuccessful. Biden’s administration had proposed conditions such as halting arms purchases from China and restricting Chinese investments, in exchange for advanced American weapons. It remains unclear whether Trump’s proposal includes similar conditions.
Neither the White House nor Saudi Arabia’s communications office responded to Reuters’ request for comment on the deal.
The U.S. has long been a supplier of arms to Saudi Arabia. In 2017, the Trump administration also proposed an arms deal worth approximately $110 billion.
However, the U.S. maintains Israel’s “Qualitative Military Edge” in the Middle East, ensuring it receives more advanced weaponry than other regional nations. As a result, Israel has been operating F-35 fighter jets for nine years and has established multiple squadrons.
Notably, any major arms deal by the U.S. must be reviewed by Congress before finalization.