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AsiaOne
26-04-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
Trump poised to offer Saudi Arabia over $130b arms package, sources say, World News
WASHINGTON/RIYADH — The United States is poised to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over US$100 billion (S$130 billion), six sources with direct knowledge of the issue told Reuters, saying the proposal was being lined up for announcement during US President Donald Trump's visit to the kingdom in May. The offered package comes after the administration of former President Joe Biden unsuccessfully tried to finalise a defence pact with Riyadh as part of a broad deal that envisioned Saudi Arabia normalising ties with Israel. The Biden proposal offered access to more advanced US weaponry in return for halting Chinese arms purchases and restricting Beijing's investment in the country. Reuters could not establish if the Trump administration's proposal includes similar requirements. The White House and Saudi government communications office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A US Defence official said: "Our defence relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is stronger than ever under President Trump's leadership. Maintaining our security co-operation remains an important component of this partnership and we will continue to work with Saudi Arabia to address their defence needs." In his first term, Trump celebrated weapons sales to Saudi Arabia as good for US jobs. Lockheed Martin Corp could supply a range of advanced weapons systems including C-130 transport aircraft, two of the sources said. One source said Lockheed would also supply missiles and radars. RTX Corp, formerly known as Raytheon Technologies, is also expected to play a significant role in the package, which will include supplies from other major US defence contractors such as Boeing Co, Northrop Grumman Corp and General Atomics, said four of the sources. All the sources declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. RTX, Northrop and General Atomics declined to comment. Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A Lockheed Martin spokesperson said foreign military sales are government-to-government transactions. Questions about sales to foreign governments are best addressed by the US government. Reuters could not immediately establish how many of the deals on offer were new. Many have been in the works for some time, two of the sources said. For example, the kingdom first requested information about General Atomics' drones in 2018, they said. Over the past 12 months, a deal for US$20 billion of General Atomics' MQ-9B SeaGuardian-style drones and other aircraft came into focus, according to one of the sources. Several executives from defence companies are considering travelling to the region as a part of the delegation, three of the sources said. The US has long supplied Saudi Arabia with weapons. In 2017, Trump proposed approximately US$110 billion of sales to the kingdom. As of 2018, only US$14.5 billion of sales had been initiated and Congress began to question the deals in light of the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In 2021, under Biden, Congress imposed a ban on sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia over the Khashoggi killing and to pressure the kingdom to wind down its Yemen war, which had inflicted heavy civilian casualties. Under US law, major international weapons deals must be reviewed by members of Congress before they are finalised. The Biden administration began to soften its stance on Saudi Arabia in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine impacted global oil supplies. The ban on offensive weapons sales was lifted in 2024, as Washington worked more closely with Riyadh in the aftermath of Hamas' Oct 7 attack to devise a plan for post-war Gaza. A potential deal for Lockheed's F-35 jets, which the kingdom has been reportedly interested in for years, is expected to be discussed, three of the sources said, while downplaying the chances for an F-35 deal being signed during the trip. The United States guarantees that its close ally Israel receives more advanced American weapons than Arab states, giving it what is labelled a Qualitative Military Edge (QME) over its neighbours. Israel has now owned F-35s for nine years, building multiple squadrons. ALSO READ: Saudi Arabia plans $810b in new US investment, trade over 4 years
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First Post
25-04-2025
- Business
- First Post
Ahead of May visit, Trump poised to offer Saudi Arabia over $100 billion arms package
The US is poised to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100 billion, according to a report, citing six sources with direct knowledge of the issue. The proposal was being lined up for announcement during President Trump's visit to the kingdom in May read more The United States is poised to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100 billion, six sources with direct knowledge of the issue told Reuters, saying the proposal was being lined up for announcement during US President Donald Trump's visit to the kingdom in May. The offered package comes after the administration of former President Joe Biden unsuccessfully tried to finalize a defense pact with Riyadh as part of a broad deal that envisioned Saudi Arabia normalising ties with Israel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Biden proposal offered access to more advanced U.S. weaponry in return for halting Chinese arms purchases and restricting Beijing's investment in the country. Reuters could not establish if the Trump administration's proposal includes similar requirements. The White House and Saudi government communications office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A U.S. Defense official said: 'Our defense relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is stronger than ever under President Trump's leadership. Maintaining our security cooperation remains an important component of this partnership and we will continue to work with Saudi Arabia to address their defense needs.' In his first term, Trump celebrated weapons sales to Saudi Arabia as good for U.S. jobs. Lockheed Martin Corp could supply a range of advanced weapons systems including C-130 transport aircraft, two of the sources said. One source said Lockheed would also supply missiles and radars. RTX Corp, formerly known as Raytheon Technologies, is also expected to play a significant role in the package, which will include supplies from other major U.S. defense contractors such as Boeing Co, Northrop Grumman Corp and General Atomics, said four of the sources. All the sources declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD RTX, Northrop and General Atomics declined to comment. Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A Lockheed Martin spokesperson said foreign military sales are government-to-government transactions. Questions about sales to foreign governments are best addressed by the US government. Reuters could not immediately establish how many of the deals on offer were new. Many have been in the works for some time, two of the sources said. For example, the kingdom first requested information about General Atomics' drones in 2018, they said. Over the past 12 months, a deal for $20 billion of General Atomics' MQ-9B SeaGuardian-style drones and other aircraft came into focus, according to one of the sources. Several executives from defense companies are considering traveling to the region as a part of the delegation, three of the sources said. The U.S. has long supplied Saudi Arabia with weapons. In 2017, Trump proposed approximately $110 billion of sales to the kingdom. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As of 2018, only $14.5 billion of sales had been initiated and Congress began to question the deals in light of the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In 2021, under Biden, Congress imposed a ban on sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia over the Khashoggi killing and to pressure the kingdom to wind down its Yemen war, which had inflicted heavy civilian casualties. Under U.S. law, major international weapons deals must be reviewed by members of Congress before they are finalised. The Biden administration began to soften its stance on Saudi Arabia in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine impacted global oil supplies. The ban on offensive weapons sales was lifted in 2024, as Washington worked more closely with Riyadh in the aftermath of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack to devise a plan for post-war Gaza. A potential deal for Lockheed's F-35 jets, which the kingdom has been reportedly interested in for years, is expected to be discussed, three of the sources said, while downplaying the chances for an F-35 deal being signed during the trip. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The United States guarantees that its close ally Israel receives more advanced American weapons than Arab states, giving it what is labeled a 'Qualitative Military Edge' (QME) over its neighbors. Israel has now owned F-35s for nine years, building multiple squadrons.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Donald Trump plans $100 billion Saudi Arabia arms deal, months after Joe Biden's failed defence pact with Riyadh; Here's what we know
The United States is planning a new arms deal with Saudi Arabia, valued at over $100 billion. According to sources cited by Reuters, this announcement could be made during US President Donald Trump's visit to the kingdom in May. If finalised, it would mark a return to Trump's earlier approach to arms sales, especially to one of Washington's most critical defence allies in the Middle East. The deal comes after former President Joe Biden's administration failed to secure a defence agreement with Riyadh. Biden's efforts were part of a broader diplomatic push to normalise Saudi-Israel ties. Biden's proposal vs Trump's comeback plan Biden's earlier proposal had attempted to steer Saudi Arabia away from Chinese defence investments. In return for limiting arms purchases from China and reducing Beijing's presence in the kingdom, Washington had offered access to more advanced US military technology. However, the Biden administration's plan did not materialise. It remains unclear whether Trump's proposed deal comes with similar conditions or if it will follow a more open-ended arrangement. A US Defence official told Reuters that the security relationship with Saudi Arabia had grown stronger under Trump's leadership and said defence cooperation would continue as a priority. Defence giants set to benefit Several major US defence contractors are expected to be involved in the potential deal. Lockheed Martin may provide C-130 transport aircraft, missiles, and radar systems. RTX Corp, formerly known as Raytheon Technologies, is also likely to play a key role, along with Boeing Co, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics. These companies have either declined to comment or deferred queries to the US government, citing the sensitive nature of foreign military sales. Lockheed Martin clarified that such deals are handled directly between governments. Some of the agreements included in the $100 billion deal have reportedly been under discussion for years. General Atomics' drones, for instance, were first requested by Saudi Arabia in 2018. A $20 billion deal involving MQ-9B SeaGuardian-style drones has gained traction over the last year, according to sources. Past deals and Congressional scrutiny The US has a long history of supplying weapons to Saudi Arabia. In 2017, Trump proposed a $110 billion arms package. But by 2018, only about $14.5 billion worth of those deals had been initiated. The slow progress and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi led to criticism and restrictions. The US has a In 2021, the Biden administration, with support from Congress, banned the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia. The decision was linked to concerns over civilian casualties in Yemen and the fallout from Khashoggi's death. That ban was lifted in 2024, after shifting geopolitical circumstances — including the war in Ukraine and the October 7 Hamas attack — led to improved US-Saudi cooperation, particularly over future plans for Gaza. What lies ahead While many aspects of the current arms deal remain under wraps, defence company executives are reportedly considering travel to the region as part of the negotiations. The outcome of this deal could shape the next phase of US-Saudi military relations, reopening a chapter that was paused during the Biden era and reaffirming Trump's focus on defence sales as a tool of diplomacy and job creation. Under US law, large foreign arms deals must still go through Congressional review. As of now, whether this deal gains political traction or stirs fresh debate remains to be seen.
Zawya
25-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Trump poised to offer Saudi Arabia over $100bln arms package, sources say
WASHINGTON/RIYADH: The United States is poised to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100 billion, six sources with direct knowledge of the issue told Reuters, saying the proposal was being lined up for announcement during U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to the kingdom in May. The offered package comes after the administration of former President Joe Biden unsuccessfully tried to finalize a defense pact with Riyadh as part of a broad deal that envisioned Saudi Arabia normalizing ties with Israel. The Biden proposal offered access to more advanced U.S. weaponry in return for halting Chinese arms purchases and restricting Beijing's investment in the country. Reuters could not establish if the Trump administration's proposal includes similar requirements. The White House and Saudi government communications office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A U.S. Defense official said: "Our defense relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is stronger than ever under President Trump's leadership. Maintaining our security cooperation remains an important component of this partnership and we will continue to work with Saudi Arabia to address their defense needs." In his first term, Trump celebrated weapons sales to Saudi Arabia as good for U.S. jobs. Lockheed Martin Corp could supply a range of advanced weapons systems including C-130 transport aircraft, two of the sources said. One source said Lockheed would also supply missiles and radars. RTX Corp, formerly known as Raytheon Technologies, is also expected to play a significant role in the package, which will include supplies from other major U.S. defense contractors such as Boeing Co, Northrop Grumman Corp and General Atomics, said four of the sources. All the sources declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. RTX, Northrop and General Atomics declined to comment. Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A Lockheed Martin spokesperson said foreign military sales are government-to-government transactions. Questions about sales to foreign governments are best addressed by the U.S. government. Reuters could not immediately establish how many of the deals on offer were new. Many have been in the works for some time, two of the sources said. For example, the kingdom first requested information about General Atomics' drones in 2018, they said. Over the past 12 months, a deal for $20 billion of General Atomics' MQ-9B SeaGuardian-style drones and other aircraft came into focus, according to one of the sources. Several executives from defense companies are considering traveling to the region as a part of the delegation, three of the sources said. The U.S. has long supplied Saudi Arabia with weapons. In 2017, Trump proposed approximately $110 billion of sales to the kingdom. As of 2018, only $14.5 billion of sales had been initiated and Congress began to question the deals in light of the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In 2021, under Biden, Congress imposed a ban on sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia over the Khashoggi killing and to pressure the kingdom to wind down its Yemen war, which had inflicted heavy civilian casualties. Under U.S. law, major international weapons deals must be reviewed by members of Congress before they are finalised. The Biden administration began to soften its stance on Saudi Arabia in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine impacted global oil supplies. The ban on offensive weapons sales was lifted in 2024, as Washington worked more closely with Riyadh in the aftermath of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack to devise a plan for post-war Gaza. A potential deal for Lockheed's F-35 jets, which the kingdom has been reportedly interested in for years, is expected to be discussed, three of the sources said, while downplaying the chances for an F-35 deal being signed during the trip. The United States guarantees that its close ally Israel receives more advanced American weapons than Arab states, giving it what is labeled a "Qualitative Military Edge" (QME) over its neighbors. Israel has now owned F-35s for nine years, building multiple squadrons. (Reporting by Pesha Magid in Riyadh and Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Michael Perry)
Business Recorder
25-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Trump poised to offer Saudi Arabia over $100 billion arms package, sources say
WASHINGTON/RIYADH: The United States is poised to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100 billion, six sources with direct knowledge of the issue told Reuters, saying the proposal was being lined up for announcement during U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to the kingdom in May. The offered package comes after the administration of former President Joe Biden unsuccessfully tried to finalize a defense pact with Riyadh as part of a broad deal that envisioned Saudi Arabia normalizing ties with Israel. The Biden proposal offered access to more advanced U.S. weaponry in return for halting Chinese arms purchases and restricting Beijing's investment in the country. Reuters could not establish if the Trump administration's proposal includes similar requirements. The White House and Saudi government communications office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Saudi Arabia plans $600 billion in new US investment, trade over four years A U.S. Defence official said: 'Our defense relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is stronger than ever under President Trump's leadership. Maintaining our security cooperation remains an important component of this partnership and we will continue to work with Saudi Arabia to address their defense needs.' In his first term, Trump celebrated weapons sales to Saudi Arabia as good for U.S. jobs. Lockheed Martin Corp could supply a range of advanced weapons systems including C-130 transport aircraft, two of the sources said. One source said Lockheed would also supply missiles and radars. RTX Corp, formerly known as Raytheon Technologies, is also expected to play a significant role in the package, which will include supplies from other major U.S. defense contractors such as Boeing Co, Northrop Grumman Corp and General Atomics, said four of the sources. All the sources declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. RTX, Northrop and General Atomics declined to comment. Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Saudi prince's investment firm would be keen on TikTok if Musk or others buy it, CEO says A Lockheed Martin spokesperson said foreign military sales are government-to-government transactions. Questions about sales to foreign governments are best addressed by the U.S. government. Reuters could not immediately establish how many of the deals on offer were new. Many have been in the works for some time, two of the sources said. For example, the kingdom first requested information about General Atomics' drones in 2018, they said. Over the past 12 months, a deal for $20 billion of General Atomics' MQ-9B SeaGuardian-style drones and other aircraft came into focus, according to one of the sources. Several executives from defense companies are considering traveling to the region as a part of the delegation, three of the sources said. The U.S. has long supplied Saudi Arabia with weapons. In 2017, Trump proposed approximately $110 billion of sales to the kingdom. White House praises Saudi-Boeing deal, says it will support US jobs As of 2018, only $14.5 billion of sales had been initiated and Congress began to question the deals in light of the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In 2021, under Biden, Congress imposed a ban on sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia over the Khashoggi killing and to pressure the kingdom to wind down its Yemen war, which had inflicted heavy civilian casualties. Under U.S. law, major international weapons deals must be reviewed by members of Congress before they are finalised. The Biden administration began to soften its stance on Saudi Arabia in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine impacted global oil supplies. Saudi bourse gains amid volatile US trade policy The ban on offensive weapons sales was lifted in 2024, as Washington worked more closely with Riyadh in the aftermath of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack to devise a plan for post-war Gaza. A potential deal for Lockheed's F-35 jets, which the kingdom has been reportedly interested in for years, is expected to be discussed, three of the sources said, while downplaying the chances for an F-35 deal being signed during the trip. The United States guarantees that its close ally Israel receives more advanced American weapons than Arab states, giving it what is labeled a 'Qualitative Military Edge' (QME) over its neighbors. Israel has now owned F-35s for nine years, building multiple squadrons.
