USA ready to offer Saudi Arabia over $100 billion weapons package

The United States is poised to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth more than $100 billion, the Reuters news agency reports, citing six sources familiar with the matter.

The deal is reportedly in the works in advance of a planned trip by US President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates next month, Reuters reported on Thursday.

Top defence contractors such as Lockheed Martin, RTX Corp, Boeing, Northrop Grumman and General Atomics are reported to be involved in the supply of advanced weapons systems. Several executives from the companies are expected to join Trump’s delegation for the visit.

The sources say the contractor could see Riyadh supplied with a range of weapons including C-130 transport aircraft, missiles and radar systems.

It is unlikely, however, that Saudi Arabia will gain access to Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jet. Only a select number of countries can buy F-35s from the US, such as NATO allies, Japan, South Korea and Australia.

Trump’s predecessor, President Joe Biden, tried unsuccessfully to sign a new defence pact with Saudi Arabia with the broader aim of normalising relations with Israel. 

Biden’s pact also called for Riyadh to restrict Chinese investment and halt arms purchases from Beijing, but Reuters said it could not establish whether Trump’s proposed deal would call for similar restrictions.

Inputs taken from Reuters