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Enhancing Saudi Defense Capabilities... Washington Approves Sale of Advanced Weapons Systems
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The Riyadh-Washington partnership in the military field is strengthening with successive arms deals, reflecting the United States' commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia's defensive capabilities
The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of advanced and precision-guided weapons systems to Saudi Arabia, as announced by the U.S. Department of Defense "Pentagon," in a new step reflecting the continued military cooperation between the two countries.
Washington previously approved a deal in July that included logistics systems, joint planning programs, and advanced equipment to support Saudi Air Force aircraft, valued at $2.8 billion.
According to an official State Department memorandum addressed to the Security Defense Cooperation Agency, this deal aims to enhance the Kingdom's military capabilities by providing sustainability and specialized training for C-130 transport aircraft, E-3 surveillance aircraft, and Bell helicopters.
In a related context, the Saudi General Authority for Military Industries announced that the Kingdom's military spending has seen an annual growth of 4.5% since 1960, reaching $75.8 billion in 2024, making it the fifth largest country in the world, and the first in the Arab world, in terms of military spending volume.
The Authority explained that Saudi defense spending represents 3.1% of the total global military spending of $2.44 trillion, indicating the allocation of $78 billion for the military sector in the 2025 budget, equivalent to 21% of total government spending and 7.1% of the Kingdom's GDP.
These deals confirm Saudi Arabia's continued reliance on American technology and armament to enhance its national security, amid regional and international transformations that reinforce the importance of maintaining its military superiority.
