US and Saudi Arabia Seal Historic $142 Billion Arms and Tech Pact During Trump’s Riyadh Visit [2025]
A golden sun poured over Riyadh as President Trump’s plane touched down in May 2025, marking the start of a visit packed with spectacle and ambition. Red carpets lined the tarmac, shimmering beneath the desert sky, while royal guards and world media stood poised for history.
Within hours, American and Saudi officials signed a $142 billion arms deal, the largest military agreement ever struck between the two countries. Lavish banquets, military displays, and the hum of business leaders framed every handshake and signature.
This visit wasn't just about signing contracts. It sent a clear message: the US and Saudi Arabia are entering a new era. Modern warplanes, missile systems, and high-tech investments fuse together with promises of deeper cooperation—reshaping security and trade across two continents.
Breaking Down the $142 Billion Arms Deal
The $142 billion deal between the US and Saudi Arabia isn't just a transaction—it is a massive handover of advanced military power, technology, and expertise. This agreement stands as the largest arms sale in US history, reshaping the balance of power across the Middle East. To understand its real impact, let's look at what kind of military equipment is in play, which US giants are involved, and how support goes far beyond handing over hardware.
The Military Equipment at the Heart of the Deal
Photo by Engin Akyurt
The agreement isn't just about tanks or fighter jets. It's a whole network of modern systems that touch every part of the battlefield—air, sea, and land. Here’s what the Saudis are getting:
- Air Defense Systems: Advanced missile shields like THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) will cover Saudi skies, protecting against threats with state-of-the-art sensors and interceptors.
- Combat Aircraft: Brand new fleets of F-15 fighter jets put the Saudi air force on par with Western powers. These planes carry the latest radar and weapons technology.
- Tanks and Armored Vehicles: Hundreds of M1 Abrams tanks and next-generation armored vehicles give Saudi ground forces a clear edge.
- Warships and Patrol Boats: Naval upgrades modernize the fleet with vessels capable of missile strikes and coastal defense.
- Communications and Surveillance: Giant leaps in secure digital radio, satellite links, and radar networks help Saudi forces detect threats faster and coordinate in real time.
- Services and Cybersecurity: The deal also covers cybersecurity defense and command centers designed to manage all these new systems efficiently.
For a full breakdown of these systems and what makes them so powerful, this article on the biggest US–Saudi arms deals gives a detailed list.
Major US Defense Contractors Involved
This record-breaking sale brings together the country’s largest defense firms, each with a unique role in the deal.
- Lockheed Martin: Provides the backbone for missile defense, especially with the THAAD system. Their expertise in air and missile technology is unmatched.
- Raytheon: Key supplier of advanced missile, radar, and surveillance tech. Raytheon's tools fill critical gaps in Saudi’s layered defense.
- Boeing: Responsible for the new jets and pilot training, Boeing’s involvement keeps Saudi air power at the leading edge.
- General Atomics: Focuses on aerial drones, sharpening Saudi intelligence and reconnaissance abilities.
These big players aren’t just selling equipment; they’re also building lasting relationships for training, upgrades, and supply chains. To see how these companies fit into the larger picture, read about the windfall for defense contractors in the $100 Billion U.S.-Saudi Arms Deal.
Training and Support: More Than Hardware
A weapons deal of this scale runs on much more than machines. Imagine the delivery: miles of crates, rows of jets, and entire teams flown in. But once the dust settles, the real work begins—training the Saudi forces to master these new tools.
- Extensive Training Programs: US experts work side by side with Saudi personnel, running simulations, drills, and flight hours until skills match the tech.
- Long-Term Maintenance: The deal includes years of hands-on support and spare parts, keeping everything running under desert heat and stress.
- Ongoing Military Cooperation: Frequent exchanges, joint exercises, and command center upgrades mean both sides are speaking the same language on the battlefield.
The partnership runs deep, blending hardware with know-how. Technology is only as strong as the people who use it. This deal builds a bridge—training, communication, and trust—connecting two military cultures for the coming decade.
For more background on how military partnership shapes outcomes, explore how the U.S. uses arms sales to influence Saudi military standards.
Beyond Defense: Multi-Sector Investment and Tech Partnerships
Saudi Arabia's $600 billion investment strategy isn't just about weapons and security. The new agreements open the door to bold projects across technology, infrastructure, and energy. The US and Saudi Arabia are forging a partnership that reaches far beyond fighter jets—powering new industries, big data, and innovation.
Supercharging Saudi Arabia’s Economy Under Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan is all about moving the country away from its near-exclusive dependence on oil. The latest investment deals are a cornerstone. They pour billions into digital infrastructure, robotics, artificial intelligence, and green energy.
Picture gleaming high-speed trains, smart city neighborhoods with automated traffic and solar panels, and data centers stretching across the desert. With major funds lined up—like the $600 billion US-Saudi investment plan—Saudi leaders aim to foster jobs in tech, boost local research, and build a robust digital economy.
Key areas covered by these deals:
- AI and Cloud Computing: New data hubs and research campuses attract top engineers. For example, $20 billion is reserved solely for AI research centers and automation.
- Renewable Energy Initiatives: Heavy investments support solar farms, hydrogen production, and advanced battery tech to help meet Saudi Arabia’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2060.
- Next-Gen Infrastructure: Major highways, high-speed rail, and urban developments all integrate smart systems for efficiency and sustainability.
For Saudi Arabia, it’s not just about new industries—it's about setting the stage so future generations can prosper without relying on crude oil.
US Companies at the Core of Growth
Photo by Mizuno K
Major US tech firms are taking center stage as this growth unfolds. Their tools, knowledge, and capital shape each new venture. Here are some of the most visible partnerships and projects:
- Google: Leading in cloud, AI, and infrastructure solutions, Google’s tech is key to new Saudi data centers and smart city rollouts.
- Oracle: Deepening ties through high-security cloud services, Oracle will help Saudi firms store and process data locally, meeting strict privacy goals.
- Salesforce: Helping transform the customer experience in government, finance, and retail industries via automation and analytics.
- Global AI and Humain: Global AI, an American tech leader, will work with the Saudi venture Humain to build “AI factories of the future.” NVIDIA is backing this effort with massive GPU cloud computing support.
Key data center ventures also feature:
- US-Saudi joint data centers: Boosting storage and computing power for government and private industries, giving Saudi Arabia the backbone for digital progress.
- Energy sector collaborations: American firms bring expertise in grid modernization and clean tech, which supports Saudi energy diversification.
This partnership is more than big numbers or flashy headlines. It’s about setting up networks, knowledge exchanges, and systems that last. For Saudis, young and old, the message is clear: the future calls for coders, engineers, and entrepreneurs alongside oil workers and soldiers. This new chapter blends military power with data, innovation, and a vision for decades to come.
