Washington and Riyadh Sign Sweeping Strategic Defense Agreement, Major Arms Package, and Nuclear Deal During MBS Visit
WASHINGTON D.C:The United States and Saudi Arabia have announced a dramatic strengthening of their strategic partnership, finalizing a comprehensive set of agreements that go well beyond the previously anticipated sale of F-35 fighter jets. During a high-profile visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) to the White House, the two nations signed a Strategic Defense Agreement (SDA), approved a major defense sales package that includes nearly 300 American tanks, and formally designated the Kingdom as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA).
U.S. President Donald Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman presided over the signing ceremony, which was accompanied by the Crown Prince’s pledge to increase Saudi investment commitments in the United States to nearly $1 trillion.
The centerpiece of the defense cooperation is the new Strategic Defense Agreement (SDA). The White House described the SDA as a mechanism to bolster deterrence across the Middle East, affirming the Kingdom’s view of the United States as its primary strategic partner.
Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) Status: This designation, granted by the President, provides Saudi Arabia with certain privileges in defense trade and security cooperation, although it does not confer a binding mutual security commitment like a NATO treaty. The move is viewed as a major elevation of Riyadh’s standing within the U.S. security architecture.
F-35 Fighter Jets: The long-anticipated, and controversial, sale of the advanced F-35 stealth aircraft was formally approved as part of a “major defense sale package.” The approval ends Israel’s exclusive access to the aircraft in the Middle East and is expected to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base.
Armored Systems: The package also includes an agreement for Saudi Arabia to purchase nearly 300 American-made tanks, a procurement aimed at building up the Kingdom’s conventional ground defense capabilities.
The agreements spanned critical sectors beyond defense, cementing a broad, decades-long partnership focused on technology and economic diversification.
A Joint Declaration on the Completion of Negotiations on Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation was signed, establishing a framework for a multi-billion-dollar partnership. The agreement positions U.S. companies as the preferred partners for Saudi nuclear projects while adhering to strong non-proliferation standards.
A landmark AI Memorandum of Understanding will grant Saudi Arabia access to advanced American AI systems, balanced by provisions designed to protect U.S. technology from foreign influence.
Economic Cooperation: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced a substantial increase in Saudi investment commitments in the U.S. to approximately $1 trillion, up from the previously pledged $600 billion.
The suite of deals signals a decisive move to solidify the U.S.-Saudi relationship, expanding the partnership beyond the traditional “oil-for-security” framework and establishing a deeper alignment across military, technological, and financial spheres.