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The United States plans to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth more than $100 billion. The official announcement is expected to take place during President Donald Trump’s visit to the Kingdom in May 2025, Reuters reports.
The agreement provides for the supply of modern weapon systems from leading US defence companies, including Lockheed Martin, RTX Corp (formerly Raytheon Technologies), Boeing, Northrop Grumman and General Atomics. In particular, Lockheed Martin could provide C-130 transport aircraft, missiles and radars. A $20 billion contract with General Atomics for MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones is also under consideration.
The move is a continuation of Trump’s policy of strengthening the economy through defence exports. In 2017, he had already offered Saudi Arabia a $110 billion deal, of which only $14.5 billion was implemented due to congressional concerns over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the conflict in Yemen.
Although Saudi Arabia is interested in Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jets, a deal is unlikely to be concluded during this visit due to US policy of maintaining Israel’s military superiority in the region.
The agreement is expected to strengthen the defence partnership between the US and Saudi Arabia, especially against the backdrop of geopolitical changes, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Hamas attack in 2024.
