The United States has given preliminary approval for a $3.5 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, which includes air-to-air missiles designed for the kingdom’s fleet of fighter jets. The proposed sale comes ahead of former President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the region later this month, signaling a renewed focus on U.S.-Saudi defense ties.
The deal involves 1,000 AIM-120C-8 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, guidance systems, and related technical support. RTX Corp, based in Tucson, Arizona, will manufacture the missiles.
This agreement is expected to be one of several major announcements during Trump’s visit to the kingdom. Saudi officials have expressed interest in investing up to $600 billion in the United States over the next four years, possibly as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations. Trump’s planned trip follows his previous high-profile visit to Saudi Arabia in 2017, which broke from the traditional practice of U.S. presidents beginning foreign visits in Canada, Mexico, or the UK.
Trump’s 2017 visit highlighted the administration’s strong alignment with Gulf state leaders, many of whom have had long-standing business relationships with his real estate ventures across the region.
According to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the missile sale will “support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that contributes to political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region.”
The proposed sale must now undergo congressional review. Lawmakers have the authority to scrutinize or block arms sales, especially those involving nations with controversial human rights records.
Saudi Arabia has drawn ongoing criticism from Congress, particularly for its military campaign in Yemen since 2015, which has led to civilian casualties, and for the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the operation, though the Saudi government denies his involvement.
In addition to the Saudi deal, Trump’s second administration has also greenlit a separate $2 billion arms sale to Qatar, allowing the Gulf nation to purchase eight armed MQ-9B Reaper drones for its military.
