Washington [US], May 14: Under the deal, Saudi Arabia will spend nearly $142 billion to purchase modern defense equipment and services from US companies.
Reuters news agency on the evening of May 13 quoted the White House as saying that the US and Saudi Arabia have just signed a defense agreement worth nearly $142 billion, under which Riyadh will purchase modern equipment and services from US companies.
The deal is part of Saudi Arabia's $600 billion investment commitment to the U.S. It also includes exports of General Electric gas turbines and energy solutions worth $14.2 billion, along with Boeing 737-8 passenger aircraft worth $4.8 billion.
The agreements were signed during US President Donald Trump 's visit to Saudi Arabia .
The two sides have also discussed the possibility of Saudi Arabia buying F-35 fighter jets from the US, according to sources familiar with the matter. However, one source said it was unclear whether the US would accept the sale to Saudi Arabia, as it would provide Riyadh with an advanced weapon already in use by Israel, a close US ally.
Israel has owned the F-35s for nine years and has built several squadrons. Gulf states have long pursued the fighter, which is built with stealth technology that allows it to avoid detection by enemy radar. If the US approves the transfer, Saudi Arabia would become the second Middle Eastern country after Israel to own the F-35.
During the visit, President Trump signed a strategic economic agreement with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, covering energy, defense, mining and other sectors.
"I really believe we like each other very much," Mr Trump said during the meeting in Riyadh. He called Prince Mohammed a friend and said they had a good relationship.
He recalled his visit to Saudi Arabia in 2017, saying that the country's investments would create jobs in the United States. He also joked that the amount of money Saudi Arabia promised to invest could be $1,000 billion.
In addition to President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed, billionaire Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also attended the reception in Riyadh on May 13.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper