Trump, in line to propose Saudi Arabia a military deal valued over $100 billion, according to multiple sources.
The Lowdown on the Mega Arms Deal
Get ready to hear some big numbers because the US is all set to offer a whopping arms package to Saudi Arabia, worth over $100 billion, according to sixwell-informed sources. This blockbuster deal could be revealed during President Donny T's trip to Saudi Arabia in May.
But wait, haven't we heard this tune before? Remember when the peeps from the Biden camp tried to seal a defense pact with Saudi Arabia? That was part of a broad deal that aimed to normalize relations with Israel. Their proposal promised access to more advanced US weaponry if the Saudis would put the brakes on Chinese arms purchases and limit Beijing's investments. We're not sure if the Trump team's offer includes similar stipulations.
Needless to say, the White House, the Pentagon, and the Saudi PR squad weren't too quick to provide comment on the juicy details. ol' Donny loved to tout weapons sales to Saudi Arabia as a boost for US employment during his first term.
We're talking some high-tech weaponry here. Lockheed Martin Corp might supply C-130 transport aircraft, missiles, and radars, says a couple of sources. And get this – RTX Corp (formerly Raytheon) could play a leading role in the package. Boeing Co, Northrop Grumman Corp, and General Atomics are also expected to chips in with their goods.
It's all hush-hush, so the sources preferred to remain anonymous. Lockheed, RTX, Northrop, and General Atomics kept mum about the alleged deal, as did Boeing. We couldn't immediately verify how many of these proposed deals are fresh, but two sources indicated that many have been in the works for quite some time. For instance, the kingdom asked General Atomics about drones way back in 2018.
Several defense company honchos are reportedly thinking about hopping on a plane to the Middle East as part of a delegation, says three sources. The US has a history of supplying weapons to Saudi Arabia. In 2017, old Donny proposed around $110 billion in sales to the kingdom.
However, only $14.5 billion of sales had actually taken place as of 2018, and Congress started to question the deals in light of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In 2021, under Bidey, Congress slapped a ban on sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia because of the Khashoggi killing and to pressure the kingdom to dial back its Yemen war, which led to heavy civilian casualties.
Things started to thaw under Bidey in 2022 when the invasion of Ukraine disrupted global oil supplies. As a result, the ban on offensive weapons sales was lifted in 2024, and Washington and Saudi Arabia worked closer together in the aftermath of a Hamas attack to form a plan for post-war Gaza.
If all goes to plan, discussions about Lockheed's F-35 jets, which Saudi Arabia has been eyeing for years, will take place. There's even a chance for a F-35 deal to be inked during the visit, but the sources downplayed those expectations.
One interesting thing to note – the US ensures that Israel, its close ally, receives more advanced American weapons than other Arab states. Israel has been flying the F-35 for nine years now and has built several squadrons.
- Despite past attempts by the Biden camp, the current administration is reportedly planning to offer a $100 billion arms package to Saudi Arabia, possibly including advanced weapons like those provided to Israel, such as Lockheed Martin's F-35 jets.
- To seal this deal, the US might impose certain requirements, like limiting Beijing's investments and reducing Chinese arms purchases, similar to what was proposed during the Biden administration's attempts.
- Several defense companies, including Lockheed Martin Corp, RTX Corp (formerly Raytheon), Northrop Grumman Corp, Boeing Co, and General Atomics, are believed to be involved in the agreement, supplying goods like C-130 transport aircraft, missiles, radars, and drones.
- The current proposed deal, if approved, would come after a history of arms sales to Saudi Arabia, with past deals being met with controversy due to war-and-conflicts, politics, andgeneral news events like the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
