United States is preparing to offer Saudi Arabia an arms deal valued at over $100 billion, according to six individuals familiar with the discussions.
The agreement is being finalized ahead of an expected visit by former US President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates next month.
Major American defense companies—including Lockheed Martin, RTX Corp, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics—are said to be involved in the deal, providing a range of advanced military systems. Several executives from these firms are expected to accompany Trump on his trip.
The package could include C-130 transport planes, missile systems, and radar technology. However, it is unlikely that Saudi Arabia will be granted access to Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jets, which are sold only to close US allies such as NATO members, Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
Former President Joe Biden had previously sought a new security agreement with Saudi Arabia aimed at advancing ties between Riyadh and Israel. Biden’s proposal also urged Saudi Arabia to curb Chinese investment and limit arms purchases from China. It is unclear if similar conditions would apply to the new deal Trump is pursuing.
Neither Saudi authorities nor the White House provided immediate responses to requests for comment. A US defense official said that “security cooperation remains a vital element” of the US-Saudi partnership. The defense contractors mentioned did not respond to media inquiries.
Although the US has historically sold weapons to Saudi Arabia, such transactions declined after the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In 2021, Congress banned the sale of offensive weapons to Riyadh due to the murder and Saudi Arabia’s role in the Yemen conflict.
The Biden administration began easing restrictions in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which disrupted global oil supplies. By 2024, the ban on offensive arms sales was lifted as Saudi Arabia became a crucial partner for the US in the reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
