A new era of U.S.-Saudi defense cooperation has been ushered in with the announcement that Saudi Arabia will acquire advanced American weaponry, including the highly sought-after F-35 stealth fighter jets. President Donald Trump revealed the impending sales at the US-Saudi Investment Forum, highlighting the deepening strategic partnership and designating the Kingdom as a ‘major non-NATO ally.’ The President declared that the U.S. would be selling ‘the greatest military equipment ever built,’ encompassing hundreds of tanks and sophisticated aircraft.
Trump linked this enhanced military provisioning to the success of a recent U.S. operation that neutralized Iran’s nuclear program. He presented this action as a catalyst for a stronger U.S.-Saudi bond and suggested it has prompted Iran to consider diplomatic engagement. The President described the precision of an earlier classified strike, involving B-2 bombers, as a demonstration of overwhelming capability.
Alongside defense pacts, numerous economic and technological agreements were finalized, covering civil nuclear energy, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence. Saudi Arabia’s commitment to investing in the U.S. economy was underscored by a fresh pledge of $1 trillion, building on earlier commitments and expected to generate substantial jobs for Americans.
The Crown Prince’s visit to the White House was marked by high-level diplomatic engagement and ceremonial honors. During their talks, the Crown Prince expressed Saudi Arabia’s desire to contribute to regional peace, specifically by supporting a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians. The approval for F-35 sales to Saudi Arabia signifies a notable adjustment in U.S. regional defense strategy, which has traditionally preserved Israel’s exclusive access to such advanced platforms, though reassurances about maintaining Israel’s military advantage have been provided.