Reuters: Trump readies massive $100 billion arms deal for Saudi Arabia ahead of visit

The United States is preparing to unveil a sweeping arms package for Saudi Arabia exceeding $100 billion, according to six sources familiar with the matter, quoted by Reuters, with the announcement expected during former President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the kingdom in May.

The proposed package, described as one of the most expansive in years, marks a significant pivot from the Biden administration’s earlier efforts to secure a comprehensive defence and normalisation deal involving Saudi Arabia and Israel—an effort that ultimately fell short. Biden’s initiative had tied access to advanced US weaponry to curbing Chinese defence ties and limiting Beijing’s investment footprint in the kingdom. It remains unclear whether the Trump administration’s offer includes similar provisions.

Neither the White House nor the Saudi government’s communications office responded to requests for comment.

A US defence official emphasised the depth of current ties, stating, “Our defence relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is stronger than ever under President Trump's leadership. Maintaining our security cooperation remains an important component of this partnership, and we will continue to work with Saudi Arabia to address their defence needs.”

Trump, during his first term, lauded US arms exports to Riyadh as a boost to American jobs, notably proposing a $110 billion weapons deal in 2017. However, by 2018, only about $14.5 billion worth of deals had been initiated. The remaining sales were scrutinised by Congress, particularly after the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Following the incident, Congress, under President Biden, imposed a ban in 2021 on offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia. That ban was lifted in 2024 as the US sought closer strategic coordination with the kingdom after Hamas’ October 7 attacks and in response to global oil pressures following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The new deal reportedly includes a wide array of advanced defence systems, with major contractors like Lockheed Martin, RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies), Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics expected to play central roles. Two sources revealed that Lockheed Martin would likely supply C-130 transport aircraft, radar systems, and missiles. General Atomics’ drone deal alone—featuring MQ-9B SeaGuardian aircraft—could be worth up to $20 billion, after years of preliminary discussions dating back to 2018.

Executives from several US defence firms are considering travelling to the Gulf as part of the official delegation, three sources confirmed.

A potential sale of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 stealth fighter jets, long desired by Saudi Arabia, may also be discussed during the visit. However, sources cautioned that a deal on the F-35 is unlikely to be finalised at this stage.

Under US law, all major arms sales must undergo congressional review before being finalised. Moreover, Washington maintains a policy of preserving Israel’s “Qualitative Military Edge” (QME), ensuring that its key regional ally retains superior American military technology. Israel, which has operated F-35s since 2016, now fields multiple squadrons of the fifth-generation aircraft.

By Tamilla Hasanova