“U.S. Approves $3.5 Billion Arms Agreement with Saudi Arabia Before Trump’s Visit”

The United States has provisionally approved a potential $3.5 billion deal for air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia, an arms arrangement revealed ahead of President Donald Trump’s imminent visit to the area later this month.

The proposed deal comprises 1,000 AIM-120C-8 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, along with guidance systems and technical support. RTX Corp, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, is set to produce these missiles. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated that this transaction enhances U.S. international relations and national security by bolstering the defense of a partner contributing to regional stability and economic prosperity.

This envisioned arrangement is anticipated to be one of several highlighted during Trump’s trip to the kingdom. Previously, Saudi Arabia expressed intentions to invest $600 billion in the U.S. over four years, viewed by some as a strategy to encourage Trump to choose Saudi Arabia as his main overseas stop as president again. Trump’s 2017 visit to Saudi Arabia represented a deviation from tradition, where new U.S. presidents typically first visited Canada, Mexico, or the United Kingdom, showcasing his administration’s robust relationships with Gulf states, a region where his real estate business has also sought opportunities.

The suggested sale is now awaiting scrutiny by the U.S. Congress, which possesses the authority to block such agreements. Saudi Arabia has faced considerable Congressional examination in recent years. This includes criticism regarding its 2015 military intervention in Yemen against Houthi rebels, leading to civilian casualties from airstrikes, and the 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul by a Saudi assassination squad. U.S. intelligence has determined that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, expected to meet Trump during his visit and who has previously interacted with President Joe Biden, orchestrated the operation against Khashoggi, although the kingdom vehemently denies the prince’s involvement.

Trump has maintained strong relations with Gulf countries since leaving office. His administration has also recently granted provisional approval for Qatar to obtain eight armed MQ-9B Reaper drones, a deal estimated to be nearly $2 billion.