The global arms trade has a central player, and a particularly enthusiastic customer: Saudi Arabia. A recent visit signaled a potential surge in U.S. weaponry flowing to the kingdom, a continuation of a long-standing and complex relationship.
President Trump indicated a likely agreement to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. These jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, represent the pinnacle of American military technology and are highly coveted worldwide.
Saudi Arabia’s monarchy is a critical strategic partner for the U.S. in the Middle East, and a consistently reliable purchaser of American defense systems. This partnership delivers substantial revenue to the U.S. defense industry and secures a key ally in a volatile region.
For Saudi Arabia, access to advanced military technology isn’t merely about defense; it’s a statement of ambition. The kingdom seeks to project power and align itself with the world’s leading military forces in a region fraught with instability.
Data reveals the scale of this relationship. Between 2020 and 2024, Saudi Arabia was the top recipient of U.S. arms, accounting for 12% of all American weapons exports. The U.S. supplied a staggering 74% of all Saudi Arabia’s arms imports during the same period.
This immense spending reflects Saudi Arabia’s regional military goals, but it also underscores the United States’ dominant position in the global arms market. The U.S. consistently outpaces all other nations in both defense spending and arms exports.
In 2024 alone, U.S. defense spending reached $997 billion – more than triple that of China, the world’s second-largest military spender. Globally, the U.S. is responsible for nearly half of all major weapons sold.
While 162 nations participate in the arms trade, a small group of importers drives a significant portion of the demand. Ukraine, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan collectively account for 35% of all global arms imports, demonstrating the concentrated nature of the market.
At the heart of Saudi Arabia’s strategy is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of the kingdom. He manages the day-to-day affairs of state and represents Saudi Arabia on the world stage.
His recent visit to the White House marked his first in over seven years, a continuation of a relationship solidified during Trump’s earlier state visit to Riyadh. That visit was a display of opulence, featuring fighter jet escorts, ceremonial guards, and a parade of Arabian horses.
The spectacle captured the essence of the U.S.-Saudi alliance: a partnership built on strategic interests and mutual benefit, as lavish as it is enduring, and vital to the ambitions of both nations.
