The United States is preparing a new large sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia for an approximate value of 100,000 million dollarsaccording to the Reuters agency. This announcement could be formalized during the president’s next official visit Donald Trump A Riad, scheduled for May 2025. It would be a gesture of continuity regarding the foreign policy that Trump applied during his first term (2017-2021), when he reinforced the strategic links with the Saudi kingdom.
The approach between Washington and Riad seeks to revitalize a relationship that was tensed during the presidency of Joe Bidenwho imposed restrictions on arms sales in response to Saudi military operations in Yemen and the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Under Biden, the United States limited the export of military equipment that could be used in offensive actions, authorizing only defensive armament such as missiles AIM-120C AMRAAM and the systems Patriot.
The situation changed with the global energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, which led to the administration bid to make its position more flexible to protect US energy and strategic interests. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, had explored other military options, including negotiations with France, South Korea and China.
Trump wants to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia
Now, back in the White House, Trump intends to resume his policy of close military cooperation with Saudi Arabia. According to Reuters, contracts under discussion would include the sale of transport aircraft C-130J Hercules manufactured by Lockheed-Martin and drones MQ-9B Skyguardian either Seguardian produced by General Atomicsin an estimated agreement in 20,000 million dollars only for unmanned vehicles.
As for combat airplanes, Boeing has proposed the modern F-15EX EAGLE II to the Royal Saudi Air Force. However, rumors also circulate about a possible discussion about the sale of fighters F-35a To Riad. Although this would be a great advance, there are doubts about its viability in the short term due to the United States policy to guarantee Israel A “qualitative military advantage” in the region, which limits the export of state -of -the -art military technology to other Middle East states.
This weapon package seeks not only to strengthen the strategic alliance between Washington and Riad, but also stop the growing influence of China In the kingdom, since Saudi Arabia has been interested in diversifying its defense suppliers in recent years.
The new round of arms agreements underlines how energy geopolitics, power balances in the Middle East and competition with China influence the foreign policy of the United States.