US, Saudi Arabia sign $142B defense sales agreement: White House

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed the "largest defense sales agreement in history" worth nearly $142 billion, the White House announced Tuesday.

"The United States and Saudi Arabia signed the largest defense sales agreement in history—nearly $142 billion, providing Saudi Arabia with state-of-the-art warfighting equipment and services from over a dozen US defense firms," the White House said in a statement.

The massive deal coincides with President Donald Trump's arrival in Riyadh, marking the beginning of his four-day Gulf tour.

According to the announcement, the intended sales fall into five categories: air force advancement and space capabilities; air and missile defense; maritime and coastal security; border security and land forces modernization; and information and communication systems upgrades.

The package also includes training programs aimed at building Saudi military capacity, including "enhancement of Saudi service academies and military medical services."

The defense agreement comes as Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih announced the kingdom plans to inject new investments worth $600 billion in the US over the next four years.

Trump's Gulf tour will continue with visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates - his first major international journey of his second term besides a brief visit to Italy for the pope's funeral.