The U.S. is set to offer Saudi Arabia a weapons deal worth over $100B during Trump’s visit in May. The package includes advanced systems like drones and C-130 planes, with discussions on F-35 jets. The deal follows Biden’s failed defense pact negotiations.
The U.S. is preparing to offer Saudi Arabia a weapons deal exceeding $100 billion, according to six sources familiar with the matter. The package is expected to be announced during President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to the kingdom in May.
This comes after the Biden administration's unsuccessful attempt to negotiate a defense pact with Saudi Arabia, which had included advanced U.S. weapon access in exchange for cutting Chinese military ties and investments. It's unclear whether Trump’s deal includes similar conditions.
While the White House and Saudi officials haven't commented, a U.S. defense official emphasized that the U.S.-Saudi defense partnership is strong under Trump’s leadership and that cooperation on security remains a priority.
During his first term, Trump promoted weapons sales to the kingdom as beneficial for U.S. jobs. Companies like Lockheed Martin, RTX (formerly Raytheon), Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics are expected to contribute significantly to the package. The deal may include C-130 transport planes, radars, missiles, and potentially MQ-9B drones. Discussions may also involve Lockheed’s F-35 jets, though no agreement on those is likely during the visit.
Several deals have been in discussion for years, including Saudi Arabia's interest in General Atomics’ drones since 2018. Over the past year, a $20 billion drone deal gained momentum.
Executives from U.S. defense firms are considering joining the trip as part of the delegation. While Trump proposed $110 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia in 2017, only $14.5 billion had moved forward by 2018, prompting congressional scrutiny after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
In 2021, Congress banned offensive arms sales to Riyadh due to Khashoggi’s killing and Saudi involvement in Yemen. That ban was lifted in 2024 amid shifting U.S. priorities following the Ukraine war and Gaza conflict.
U.S. law requires Congress to review major international arms deals before finalization. Although Saudi Arabia is interested in acquiring F-35 jets, U.S. law ensures Israel retains a military advantage, including exclusive access to the most advanced systems like the F-35.
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