ALBAWABA – During US President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, the two countries announced the signing of an arms deal worth approximately $142 billion. As this agreement now ranks as the largest in history, this article will walk you through the details of the world’s top three arms deals, highlighting how this most recent one stands out and how it may influence the global geopolitical landscape.
US and Saudi signs a $142B arms deal
US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a new arms deal yesterday during Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia. The White House referred to the agreement as the “largest defense sales agreement in history,” noting that it will involve multiple US companies providing weapons, equipment, and services across several sectors, including air force advancement and space capabilities, air and missile defense, and border and maritime security.
Notably, this arms deal is part of a broader $600 billion investment agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia, covering various sectors. The package includes approximately $20 billion in investments for artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, $14.2 billion for gas turbines and other energy equipment, and $5 billion for the purchase of Boeing 737-8 jets.
"The sales that we intend to complete fall into five broad categories: air force advancement and space capabilities, air and missile defense, maritime and coastal security, border security and land forces modernization, and information and communication systems upgrades," the White House said in a statement.
This is not the first arms deal between the US and Saudi Arabia
It is worth mentioning that this is not the first arms deal between the United States (US) and Saudi Arabia. The two countries previously signed an arms deal in 2017 worth $110 billion (immediate) and $350 billion (over 10 years), as well as another deal in 2011 worth nearly $60 billion.
US-Saudi arms deal is part of a broader $600 billion investment agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia, covering various sectors. (AFP)
Both agreements included the sale of tanks, combat ships, missile defense systems, cybersecurity technology, advanced fighter jets, helicopters, and other military equipment.
US arms deals with other countries
Recently, the United States (US) approved a deal with Qatar for the sale of MQ-9B drones valued at nearly $2 billion. This deal is considered significant, as it aims to enhance Qatar’s military capabilities, particularly with its role as host to one of the largest US military bases in the Middle East.
Another recent arms deal was signed with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), involving the sale of CH-47F Chinook helicopters and related equipment at an estimated cost of $1.32 billion.
According to the White House, the UAE will use the helicopters for search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian support, and counterterrorism operations.
All these deals are part of Trump’s broader strategy to strengthen the United States' (US) position in the Middle East and Gulf region amid ongoing tensions with Russia, Iran, and China.
