US approves sale of precision-guided weapons to Saudi Arabia
The US State Department has approved the sale of precision-guided weapon systems to Saudi Arabia, according to the Pentagon, marking the latest US-Saudi arms deal under President Donald Trump.
In July, the State Department also approved a separate deal worth approximately $2.8 billion, under which the US agreed to provide Saudi Arabia with logistics systems, joint planning programs, and equipment related to American-made aircraft.
At the time, the State Department noted in a memorandum to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency that the deal would help Saudi Arabia strengthen both its current and future military capabilities. It also highlighted the support and training provided for the Royal Saudi Air Force, particularly for its existing platforms, including C-130 transport aircraft, E-3 surveillance planes, and Bell helicopters.
Saudi Arabia among the world's top military spenders
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) reported that the kingdom's military spending has grown at an annual rate of 4.5 percent since 1960, reaching $75.8 billion in 2024. This makes Saudi Arabia the fifth-largest military spender globally and the top spender in the Arab world.
The authority also stated that Saudi Arabia's defense budget for 2025 is set at $78 billion, accounting for 21 percent of total government spending and 7.1 percent of the country's GDP. The kingdom's defense expenditures represent 3.1 percent of global military spending, which stands at $2.44 trillion.
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