U.S. and Saudi Arabia, the Trump administration is preparing to unveil an arms deal with the Kingdom that could exceed $100 billion in value.
The agreement, one of the largest of its kind in U.S. history, is expected to be announced during President Donald Trump‘s imminent visit to Riyadh, marking his first foreign trip since taking office. The massive arms package, which includes advanced weaponry, missile defense systems, and high-tech military aircraft, signals a significant reinforcement of the longstanding military alliance between the two nations.
The anticipated deal is the result of months of negotiations between American defense contractors, the U.S. government, and Saudi officials. With potential extensions, the package could reach a total value of over $350 billion over the next decade. Sources familiar with the matter suggest that the agreement encompasses a wide array of military equipment, including tanks, artillery, radar systems, cybersecurity technology, and a fleet of cutting-edge fighter jets, such as the F-15. The deal is designed not only to bolster Saudi Arabia’s military capabilities but also to act as a counterbalance to Iranian influence in the region.
President Trump’s decision to make Saudi Arabia his first foreign destination highlights the importance his administration places on U.S. alliances in the Middle East. The Trump administration has signaled a stark departure from the more cautious approach of its predecessor, aiming instead to rebuild trust and deepen cooperation with Gulf allies. Saudi Arabia, which has long viewed Iran as a regional adversary, sees the arms deal as a crucial step toward modernizing its defense forces amid ongoing conflicts in the region, including the protracted war in Yemen and rising instability in neighboring countries.
For the United States, the deal carries significant economic and strategic implications. Economically, it provides a major boost to the American defense industry, with companies like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Boeing poised to benefit from lucrative contracts. The administration has framed the deal as a job-creating measure, with President Trump expected to tout the agreement as evidence of his commitment to revitalizing American manufacturing and increasing exports. Strategically, the deal reaffirms the United States’ commitment to its Gulf allies and aims to foster closer military coordination in combating terrorism and containing Iran’s ambitions across the region.
Critics, however, have raised concerns over the ethical and humanitarian implications of such a large-scale arms transfer. Human rights organizations have long condemned Saudi Arabia’s military campaign in Yemen, which has led to a humanitarian crisis marked by widespread civilian casualties and severe food shortages. The use of American-made weapons in the conflict has drawn international criticism and prompted calls for stricter oversight on arms sales to the Kingdom. Lawmakers and advocacy groups warn that providing Saudi Arabia with more advanced weaponry could further exacerbate the conflict and undermine efforts to reach a peaceful resolution.
Despite these concerns, the Trump administration has maintained that strengthening Saudi Arabia’s defense is vital to regional stability. Officials argue that a well-armed Saudi Arabia can serve as a bulwark against extremism and a key partner in combating the Islamic State and other militant groups. The U.S. deal is also seen as part of a broader strategy to encourage Arab states to take greater responsibility for their own security, thereby reducing the burden on U.S. military forces stationed overseas.
The timing of the announcement is particularly significant. President Trump’s visit to Riyadh is expected to include a series of high-profile meetings with Saudi King Salman and other senior officials, as well as a broader summit with leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council. The visit will focus on themes of counterterrorism, economic cooperation, and religious tolerance, with the arms deal serving as a cornerstone of the trip’s agenda. The administration hopes that the visit and the agreement will reset relations with the Muslim world, which were strained under the previous administration due to disagreements over Iran and U.S. policy in Syria.
