US President Donald Trump with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 13, 2025. CROWN PRINCE COURT

The United States has signed a historic arms deal with Saudi Arabia worth nearly $142 billion, marking the largest defense cooperation agreement in American history, the White House confirmed. The massive arms package is part of a broader $600 billion Saudi investment commitment to the United States and comes during US President Donald Trump's visit to Riyadh on Tuesday (May 13), the first stop in his three-nation Gulf tour. The agreement spans contracts with more than a dozen American defense companies, covering areas such as air and missile defense, space advancement, maritime security, and military communications. "The package signed today, the largest defense cooperation deal in US history, is a clear demonstration of our commitment to strengthening our partnership," the White House stated. While the fact sheet did not detail the full list of arms, it did not include any mention of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jets, a sophisticated stealth aircraft that Saudi Arabia has reportedly been seeking for years. According to sources briefed on the matter, the two countries have discussed Riyadh’s interest in acquiring the aircraft. However, it remains unclear whether Washington will approve the sale, especially given Israel’s longstanding opposition to the transfer of such advanced technology to regional neighbors. Currently, Israel is the only country in the Middle East authorized to operate the F-35, and approving a Saudi purchase could alter the regional power balance. Gulf nations have long pursued the aircraft for its advanced stealth capabilities. Saudi Arabia remains the largest buyer of US arms, and this landmark agreement further cements its status as a key strategic partner in the region. ICA/Expat Media
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