U.S. to Propose Multi-Billion Dollar Arms Deal with Saudi Arabia

Imminent Visit of President Trump

The United States is poised to present Saudi Arabia with a substantial arms deal exceeding $100 billion during President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the kingdom in May, according to sources familiar with the matter, as reported by Reuters. This deal is expected to involve major defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin, RTX (formerly Raytheon), Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics.

Key Highlights of the Arms Deal

At the center of the proposed agreement is a $20 billion contract for advanced MQ-9B SeaGuardian drstarts manufactured by General Atomics. Security experts have noted that the scale of this deal is comparable to a previous offering made by President Trump during his first visit to Saudi Arabia in 2017, which was valued at $110 billion. However, by 2018, only $14.5 billion of that deal was completed due to diplomatic tensions following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Discussion on Advanced Fighter Jets

Sources have indicated that the prospect of finalizing a deal for Lockheed Martin’s advanced F-35 fighter jets may also be discussed; a transaction the Saudi government has sought for years. Nevertheless, it is believed that the signing of this agreement is unlikely to occur during the forthcoming visit.

U.S. Commitment to Israel’s Security

The United States continues to assure Israel of advanced weapons systems, thereby maintaining what it refers to as a “qualitative military edge” over Arab nations.

This developing situation highlights the intricate balance of military and diplomatic relations in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. Further updates are expected as negotiations progress during President Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia next month