The United States is expected to offer Saudi Arabia a weapons package exceeding $100 billion, according to a report by Reuters. The official announcement is expected to be made during President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the kingdom in May.
Major U.S. defense contractors expected to take part
The deal is considered a direct continuation of Trump’s policy during his first term, when he promoted arms sales to Saudi Arabia as a major contributor to job creation in the U.S. According to the report, several of America’s leading defense companies are expected to be involved in the agreement, including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon (now RTX), Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics.
Sources say the deal will include transport aircraft, missiles, radar systems, control and intelligence systems, and a broad range of advanced military equipment. Some of the items have already been discussed in previous talks—for example, the MQ-9B drone deal with General Atomics, which has reached advanced stages and is estimated at around $20 billion.
Trump’s track record from his first term
The administration is pursuing this deal after the Biden administration failed in its attempt to reach a comprehensive defense agreement with Saudi Arabia. That proposed deal would have granted Riyadh access to advanced weaponry in exchange for reducing its military ties with China. According to Reuters, it is not yet clear whether the new agreement includes similar conditions.
Back in 2017, Trump proposed a $110 billion arms deal to Saudi Arabia—but by 2018, only a small portion had been implemented, amid mounting opposition in Congress following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
