A significant arms agreement is set to be finalized during an official visit to Washington by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The centerpiece of the deal is the anticipated sale of advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets, marking a major step in military cooperation between the two nations.
The Crown Prince’s arrival marks his first official White House visit in several years, a period during which bilateral relations faced significant strain. The visit is expected to conclude with a formal dinner hosted by the First Lady.
In remarks ahead of the meeting, the U.S. President emphasized the strategic partnership, stating the Saudis have been a “great ally” and confirming the planned F-35 transaction. A senior administration official indicated the visit would involve substantial Saudi investment in U.S. defense and technology sectors.
The potential sale of the F-35s is notable as it would represent the first provision of this specific advanced aircraft to any Middle Eastern nation other than a key U.S. ally in the region. For decades, U.S. policy has maintained a deliberate military technological advantage for that ally over neighboring states. The evolving security landscape, however, with a shared focus on countering Iranian influence, is cited as a driver for this policy shift.
Some lawmakers remain cautious, expressing concern about preserving the established military balance in the region. The deal follows broader diplomatic efforts in recent years to normalize relations between several Arab states and Israel, with Saudi Arabia engaging in unofficial cooperation though not yet a formal signatory to those agreements.
Beyond defense, the visit is also expected to yield a multibillion-dollar Saudi investment in U.S.-based artificial intelligence infrastructure, part of the Kingdom’s broader economic diversification strategy.
The visit has drawn criticism from human rights advocates, who point to unresolved issues, including the 2018 killing of a journalist. The journalist’s family has publicly appealed for justice and for human rights considerations to factor into the bilateral relationship. Saudi authorities have denied any high-level involvement in the case.