US 'close to completing' $100 billion Saudi arms deal

US officials are reportedly preparing a multi-billion dollar arms package for Saudi Arabia a week ahead of President Donald Trump's trip to the Middle Eastern kingdom.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

13 May, 2017

The arms package between Washington and Riyadh could surpass $300 billion over a decade [Getty]

The United States is set to complete a series of arms deals worth over $100 billion for Saudi Arabia, an unnamed senior White House Official told Reuters on Friday.

According to the official, the US could boost the kingdom's defence capabilities with a package that may surpass $300 billion over a decade.

The US will still however ensure that Israel maintains its qualitative edge over its neighbours, the official added.

"We are in the final stages of a series of deals," the official said.

The multi-billion dollar arms package is being prepared ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to Riyadh on May 19.

Washington is Riyadh's main supplier of arms and military equipment, with the ultra-conservative kingdom having purchased tens of billions of dollars in fighter jets and command and control systems in recent years.

While rights groups have criticised the US for supplying Saudi Arabia with arms as it continues its brutal war in Yemen, the lucrative deals come as Trump attempts to fulfil his campaign pledge of stimulating the US economy through manufacturing.

"It's good for the American economy but it will also be good in terms of building a capability that is appropriate for the challenges of the region," the anonymous official said.

On his maiden foreign trip as US president, Trump is expected to discuss the fight against the Islamic State group, the war in Yemen and threats to maritime shipping in the Red Sea with Gulf leaders.

Discussions about safe havens for Syrian refugees, or 'de-escalation zones', will also be feature prominently during the president's trip.

As well as visiting Saudi Arabia, Trump's trip will include stops to Israel, Brussels, the Vatican and Sicily for a NATO Group of Seven summit.