The United States is ready to offer Saudi Arabia a pack of weapons worth more than $ 100 billion, six sources with immediate knowledge of the issue told Reuters, saying the proposal was lined up for a statement during US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Basil.
The package offered comes after the administration of former President Joe Biden, unsuccessfully attempted to complete a defense agreement with Riyadh as part of a wide agreement envisioned by Saudi Arabia that normalizes ties with Israel.
Biden’s proposal offered access to more advanced US weapons in return to stop Chinese weapon markets and limit Beijing’s investment in the country. Reuters could not see if Trump’s proposal includes similar requirements.
One US defense official said: “Our defensive relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is stronger than ever under the leadership of President Trump.
The US has long been granted Saudi Arabia with weapons. In 2017, Trump proposed about $ 110 billion in the kingdom. Since 2018, only $ 14.5 billion had begun sales and Congress began to challenge the agreements in the light of the murder of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
In 2021, according to Biden, Congress imposed a ban on the sales of offensive weapons in Saudi Arabia during the Khashoggi assassination and to push the kingdom to end the Yemeni war, which had caused heavy civilians.
Under the US Law, major international arms agreements must be revised by members of Congress before they are finalized. Biden’s administration began to soften its stance on Saudi Arabia in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine influenced world oil supplies.
The ban on aggressive weapons sales was overthrown in 2024, as Washington worked more closely with Riyadh after Hamas’ attack on October 7 to design a plan for post -war Gaza.
A possible agreement on Lockheed’s F-35 Jets, which is expected to be discussed for years for years, is expected to be discussed by three sources, while downgrading the chances of a F-35 agreement to be signed during the trip.
The United States guarantees that Israel’s narrow ally is receiving more advanced US weapons than the Arab states, giving it what is described as a “quality military end” (QME) above its neighbors.
Israel now has the F-35s for nine years, creating multiple degrees.
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