Saudi Arabia nears $100 bln arm deal with US

The United States is about to close a number of arms deals with Saudi Arabia totaling more than $100 billion, Reuters reported, citing a White House official familiar with the matter.

The arm deals could end up exceeding $300 billion over ten years to boost Saudi Arabia’s defense capabilities, while still maintaining U.S. ally Israel’s qualitative military edge over the region, a source said one week ahead of President Donald Trump's planned visit to Riyadh.

The package includes American arms and maintenance, ships, air missile defense and maritime security, the official said.

Trump is expected to attend three major events in Riyadh during his visit, including a series of meeting with Saudi officials, a separate session with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and a lunch with Arab and Muslim leaders to discuss combating extremism and cracking down on illicit financing.

He would also discuss the war in Yemen, Iran’s warships in the Strait of Horuz, the Syrian war and the recent “de-escalation-zones.”

The US has been the main supplier for most Saudi military needs, from F-15 fighter jets to command and control systems worth tens of billions of dollars in recent years. Trump has vowed to stimulate the US economy by boosting manufacturing jobs.