Trump set to propose $100bn arms deal with Saudi Arabia: sources

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The United States is ready to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth more than $ 100 billion, six sources directly aware of the issue told Reuters, saying that US President Donald Trump’s visit to the kingdom in May is being made to announce the proposal.

The package presented has come when the former president Joe Biden’s administration tried unsuccessfully to finalize the defense agreement with Riyadh as part of a broad agreement, which was considered to be normalized by Israel with Israel.

Biden’s proposal offered access to more advanced US weapons in exchange for preventing the purchase of Chinese weapons and banning Beijing’s investment in the country. Reuters could not establish if the Trump administration’s proposal included similar needs.

The White House and the Saudi government’s Communications Office did not immediately respond to the comments requests.

The US defense official said: “Our defense relations with Saudi Arabia’s kingdom are stronger under President Trump’s leadership. Maintaining our security cooperation is an important part of this partnership and we will continue to work with Saudi Arabia to meet their defense needs.”

In his first term, Trump celebrated Saudi Arabia’s weapons sales.

Lockheed Martin Corporation C -130 can supply a number of modern weapons systems, including C -130 transport aircraft, two sources said. One source said the lock head would also provide missiles and radar.

The RTX Corporation, previously known as Ritheven Technologies, is also expected to play an important role in the package, which will include the supply of other major US defense contractors such as the Boeing Company, Northrop Groundman Corporation and General Atmix.

Due to the sensitivity of the matter, all sources refused to name it.

RTX, Northup and General Atmix refused to comment. Boeing did not immediately respond to a request to comment. A spokesman for Lockheed Martin said that foreign military sales are official transactions with the government. Questions about sale to foreign governments are best resolved by the US government.

Reuters could not immediately establish how many deals were new to the offer. Two sources said that many people have been working for some time. For example, the king first requested information about General Atmix drone in 2018, he said. According to a source, during the last 12 months, the MQ -9BC Guardian -style drone and other aircraft’s $ 20 billion contract was focused.

Three sources said that several executive delegations from defense companies are considering traveling to the region as part of a delegation.

The United States has long provided weapons to Saudi Arabia. In 2017, Trump proposed a sale of about $ 110 billion to the kingdom.

By 2018, only $ 14.5 billion was started and the Congress started questioning these deals. In 2021, under Biden, the Congress banned the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia.

Under US law, Congress members should review the deals of major international weapons before finalizing.

The Biden administration began to soften its stance on Saudi Arabia in 2022, when Russia’s attack on Ukraine affected global oil supply. The ban on the sale of aggressive weapons was lifted in 2024, as Washington worked closely with Riyadh after the October 7 attack.

A potential contract for Lockheed’s F -35 jets, which has been allegedly interested for years, will be discussed, three sources said, reducing the chances of signing the F35 agreement during the journey.

The United States guarantees that its nearest ally Israel receives more modern American weapons than the Arab states, calling it the “Qualtot Military Age” (QME) on its neighbors.

Israel has now owned F35s for nine years, which has created several squadrons.