US signs $142 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia
During his Saudi visit, US President Donald Trump has confirmed a huge arms sale. The US has signed a $142 billion (14,200 crore) arms deal with Saudi Arabia. Trump and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman signed the deal in Riyadh on Tuesday (May 13).
The White House has called it the largest defense deal ever signed by a country with the US. Under this deal, more than a dozen American defense contractors will supply Saudi Arabia with various types of weapons, including air defense systems and missiles.
The $600 billion investment deal was signed at the Saudi-US Investment Forum. After that, Saudi Crown Prince bin Salman said that the two friendly countries have strong commercial relations. Saudi investment in the United States will increase to $1 trillion (one lakh crore) in the coming months.
The White House statement said that there are a total of five sectors under the $142 billion arms sale deal. They are the modernization of the Saudi Air Force and space capabilities, air defense systems and missiles, maritime and coastal security, border security and modernization of the ground forces, and modernization of information and communication systems.
The statement also said that under the agreement, training will be provided to the country’s soldiers to increase the capabilities of the Saudi Arabian armed forces. In addition, work will be done to develop Saudi Arabia’s military educational institutions and military medical services.
In addition to the arms deal, the two countries have signed agreements on various issues including artificial intelligence, gas turbines, and aircraft. The agreement also includes a partnership between the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Interior and the US intelligence agency FBI.
After signing the agreement, Trump called Mohammed bin Salman an “extraordinary man.” He said, “Saudi Arabia is a wonderful place. Wonderful people live here. There is no one like him (bin Salman).”
