As part of a newly signed Strategic Defense Agreement between the US and Saudi Arabia, Washington has greenlit the sale of F-35 fighters and 300 Abrams tanks to the Middle East ally, the White House announced this evening.

“The SDA is a win for the America First agenda, making it easier for U.S. defense firms to operate in Saudi Arabia, securing new burden-sharing funds from the Saudi Arabia to defray U.S. costs, and affirming that the Kingdom views the United States as its primary strategic partner,” the White House wrote in a statement. 

As part of the deal, Riyadh will purchase an unspecified number of F-35 fighters — a long-sought commitment from the Kingdom and a major boost to the Lockheed Martin-produced jet. The kingdom will also purchase “nearly” 300 Abrams tanks “enabling Saudi Arabia to build up its own defense capabilities and safeguarding hundreds of American jobs,” the White House added.

Details on the F-35 will be closely scrutinized, as the US has pledged to maintain Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge — effectively, making sure Israel has better kit than its neighbors — in the region. The F-35I, which Israel has used operationally in recent years, is believed to have special sensors on board.

Asked about the QME, US President Donald Trump said in the Oval Office today that “When you look at the F-35, and you’re asking me is it the same, I think it’s going to be pretty similar, yeah.

While details from the ongoing visit and ensuing deals are still emerging, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman announced he is pushing a May pledge to invest $600 billion in various US industries towards the $1 trillion mark.

“Today and tomorrow, we will announce that we are going to increase that $600 billion to almost $1 trillion for investment, real investment and real opportunity, by details in many areas, and the agreement that we are signing today in many areas, in technology, AI, in materials, magnet, etc, that will create a lot of investment opportunities,” MBS said in the Oval Office.