In this file photo, US President Donald Trump (C) is welcomed by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud (3rd-R) upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. AFP
US President Donald Trump will be visiting the Middle East from 13 to 16 May, with Saudi Arabia being a key stop.
A US defense official told Reuters the relationship with Riyadh remained robust, “Our defence 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.”
Lockheed Martin could supply a range of advanced weapons systems including C-130 transport aircraft, as well as missiles and radars, two of the sources said. Other major US defense firms — RTX, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics — are also expected to play key roles in the proposed deal, according to four of the sources.
All sources spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
RTX, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics declined to comment.
Further, the White House and the Saudi government communications office also did not respond to requests for comment, Reuters reported.
A spokesperson for Lockheed Martin said foreign military sales were government-to-government transactions and referred inquiries to US authorities.
During his first term, Trump frequently touted arms sales to Saudi Arabia as a boon for American jobs.
Now serving his second term after succeeding Joe Biden in January 2025, Trump appears set to further strengthen US-Saudi ties amid shifting regional dynamics.
The offer comes after Biden’s administration failed to finalize a broader security agreement with Saudi Arabia, which had envisioned normalizing relations between Riyadh and Tel Aviv.
According to Reuters, the Biden-era proposal included access to more advanced US weaponry in exchange for Saudi Arabia halting Chinese arms purchases and limiting Beijing’s investments.
It also envisaged US security guarantees and cooperation on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
While negotiators under Biden came close to completing a bilateral security accord, the effort stalled as Israel’s war on Gaza intensified.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resistance to ending military operations and moving toward Palestinian statehood further complicated diplomacy, Reuters reported.
It was unclear whether the Trump administration’s proposed arms deal would include similar conditions on Chinese ties.
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