“US Greenlights $3.5 Billion Missile Deal with Saudi Arabia Ahead of Trump’s Upcoming Visit”
The United States has granted preliminary authorization for a potential $3.5 billion transaction of air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia, an armament agreement unveiled prior to President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the region later this month.
The anticipated transaction encompasses 1,000 AIM-120C-8 sophisticated medium-range air-to-air missiles, alongside guidance components and technical assistance. RTX Corp, based in Tucson, Arizona, will manufacture the missiles. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency indicated that this sale bolsters U.S. foreign relations and national defense by improving the security of a partner aiding in regional stability and economic advancement.
This potential agreement is projected to be among several emphasized during Trump’s journey to the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has earlier expressed plans to invest $600 billion in the U.S. over four years, perceived by some as a strategy to persuade Trump to select Saudi Arabia as his primary overseas destination as president once more. Trump’s 2017 excursion to Saudi Arabia marked a shift from the norm where new U.S. presidents first traveled to Canada, Mexico, or the United Kingdom, highlighting his administration’s strong connections with Gulf nations, a region where his real estate enterprise has also sought opportunities.
The proposed sale is now subject to examination by the U.S. Congress, which holds the power to impede such agreements. Saudi Arabia has undergone significant Congressional scrutiny in recent years. This includes backlash regarding its 2015 intervention in Yemen against Houthi insurgents, resulting in civilian fatalities due to airstrikes, and the 2018 assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul by a Saudi killing squad. U.S. intelligence has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is anticipated to meet Trump during his visit and has previously engaged with President Joe Biden, commanded the operation against Khashoggi, although the kingdom disputes the prince’s involvement.
Trump has sustained strong ties with Gulf nations since exiting office. His administration has also recently granted preliminary endorsement for Qatar to acquire eight armed MQ-9B Reaper drones, a deal projected to be nearly $2 billion.
