The United States, under President Donald Trump, is preparing to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package exceeding $100 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. The deal, expected to be finalized and publicly announced during Trump’s upcoming visit to the kingdom in May, marks a significant renewal of U.S.-Saudi defense ties.
The proposed package includes a vast array of advanced military equipment, including C-130 transport aircraft, missiles, radars, and potentially unmanned aerial systems such as the MQ-9B SeaGuardian from General Atomics. Discussions are also reportedly underway regarding the sale of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jets, although any such sale would need to comply with U.S. policy aimed at preserving Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge in the region.
The arms deal will involve major American defense contractors including Lockheed Martin, RTX Corporation, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics. These companies are likely to see significant financial gains if the deal proceeds. Their shares have already responded positively to the news, with companies like Boeing and RTX posting gains following the announcement.
This move revives a similar initiative by the Trump administration in 2017, which declared a $110 billion arms agreement with Saudi Arabia. However, only a fraction of that earlier deal—around $14.5 billion—was implemented, largely due to Congressional opposition following the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In 2021, Congress imposed a ban on the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia, a policy that was reversed in 2024 in response to shifting geopolitical circumstances, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the renewed conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Strategically, the arms package reflects a renewed U.S. effort to solidify alliances in the Middle East and counter the growing influence of China in the region. During the Biden administration, a defense pact with Saudi Arabia was under negotiation but stalled due to Washington's demand that Riyadh curtail its military and technological ties with Beijing.
This proposed arms sale is expected to generate intense debate in Washington and beyond. While it signals a deepening of strategic cooperation with Saudi Arabia, critics are likely to raise concerns about human rights issues and the potential use of U.S. weaponry in regional conflicts.
Further details are expected to emerge during President Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, where both governments may unveil new defense and economic agreements aimed at reinforcing their long-standing partnership.