Trump set to propose over $100 billion arms deal to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump, at the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, PHOTO:REUTERS
The United States is preparing to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package exceeding $100 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The proposal is expected to be announced during President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to the kingdom in May.
The deal would involve major US defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin, RTX Corp, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics.
Potential sales may encompass advanced weaponry such as C-130 transport aircraft, missiles, radars, and drones. Discussions may also include Lockheed's F-35 jets, though US policy maintaining Israel's Qualitative Military Edge could limit such sales.
This proposed package follows a similar $110 billion arms deal announced by Trump in 2017, of which only a fraction was executed due to Congressional concerns after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
A ban on offensive weapons sales imposed in 2021 was lifted in 2024 amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The forthcoming agreement aims to reinforce the US-Saudi defense partnership and may influence regional security dynamics.
However, it remains unclear whether the new proposal includes conditions similar to those in previous negotiations, such as halting Chinese arms purchases or normalizing ties with Israel.