US President Donald Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, kicking off his Middle East tour. He met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the royal palace in Riyadh. The two leaders signed several agreements, including a massive arms deal worth nearly $142 billion.
The deal is being called the largest in US history. It includes advanced military equipment and services from over a dozen US companies. The package covers five areas:
- air force and space capabilities
- air and missile defense
- maritime and coastal security
- border security and army modernization
- communications and information systems development
The agreement also includes extensive training and support to boost the Saudi military’s capabilities. This involves upgrading the country’s military training schools and medical services.
The arms deal is part of a broader investment commitment from Saudi Arabia. The kingdom pledged to invest over $600 billion in the US. This includes $20 billion in AI data centers across America. Several US tech companies will also invest $80 billion in “transformative technology” – cutting-edge hardware and software that can positively impact human experience.
Other key agreements include:
- US exports of gas turbine engines and energy services worth $14.2 billion
- Sale of Boeing 737-8 aircraft valued at $4.8 billion
- Collaboration on energy and mining projects
These deals mark a significant strengthening of US-Saudi ties under Trump’s administration. The investments are expected to create jobs and boost economic growth in both countries.