The United States and Saudi Arabia signed the largest arms deal in history on May 13, 2025, worth about $142 billion, which will strengthen Riyadh's defense capabilities with modern American technology. This was announced by the White House, emphasizing that the deal was part of a large package of investment and economic agreements totaling more than $600 billion. The contracts, signed during US President Donald Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, cover not only the military sphere, but also energy, aviation and healthcare, marking a new era in US-Saudi relations.

The defense contract will provide Riyadh with advanced weapons systems, including air and missile defense upgrades, as well as training and technical support for the Saudi armed forces, the White House said in a statement. According to Reuters, the deal includes air defense systems, armored vehicles and coast guard ships, which will strengthen Saudi Arabia's position in the Persian Gulf region amid ongoing threats from Iran. In addition, the agreement will provide American companies such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon with long-term contracts to service the equipment, which the White House said will create thousands of jobs in the United States.

The defense deal is part of a broader investment package announced by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in January 2025, pledging to inject up to $600 billion into the U.S. economy over four years. As part of the deal, GE’s Vernova will supply $14,2 billion worth of gas turbines and power equipment to Saudi Arabia, while Boeing has signed a $48 billion contract to supply 737 8-4,8 passenger jets to Saudi Arabia’s AviLease. In the healthcare sector, a $5,8 billion project to build a medical solutions plant in Michigan stands out, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the partnership.

Trump’s visit to Riyadh, which began on May 13, was the first in a Middle East tour that also includes Qatar and the UAE. According to Al Jazeera, Saudi Arabia has welcomed the president with unprecedented fanfare, in contrast to the cooler reception given to his predecessor Joe Biden in 2022. As The Wall Street Journal notes, Trump is using the visit to advance US economic interests while seeking to strengthen a strategic alliance with Riyadh against the influence of China and Russia.