DON'S DEAL - Reaper drones, Patriot missiles, and F-35 fighter jets…what is set to be in President Trump’s $142 Billion Saudi arms deal war chest
Historic $600 billion deal includes a massive arms package. Inside rumored US-SAUDI DEFENSE DEAL worth an incredible $142 billion reportedly wanted by the Saudis.
May 15, 2025
THE US and Saudi Arabia have signed a historic $600 billion deal between the two nations which includes a massive arms package.
Fighter jets, expert missile systems and reaper drones are all rumoured to make up part of the $142bn defence agreement signed by President Donald Trump and Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday.
Donald Trump and Mohammed bin Salman signed the historic deal with a handshake on Tuesday. Credit: EPA
The pair spoke at the Royal Palace in Riyadh before spending much of the day together. Credit: AP
F-35 Lightning II fighter jets are rumoured to be among the weapons included in the deal as they are reportedly wanted by the Saudis. Credit: Alamy
The bumper deal has been described as "historic and transformative" for both countries, according to the White House.
It also welcomes in a "new golden era of partnership" between Washington and Riyadh.
Part of the overall $600bn agreement includes the "largest defense sales agreement in history" with $142 billion focused on weapons.
Washington said it is made up of "state-of-the-art war fighting equipment" and dozens of services from US defense firms such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
Both parties have remained tight-lipped over what the deal actually encompasses in terms of the weapons being exchanged.
But several reports have now unveiled what is expected to be a part of the package arms deal.
The main focus of the strengthening partnership is to help enhance Riyadh’s air, missile, and naval defenses.
And ensuring "extensive training and support" is given to the Saudi armed forces, according to the White House.
President Trump is keen to help promote stability in the Gulf region amid looming threats from Iranian terror proxies such as the Houthis.
Lockheed C-130J military aircraft
A key component of the deal is said to be Washington's C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft from Lockheed Martin.
The giant planes are specially designed for desert operations as well as logistical support.
The C-130 design dates from the 1950s but has been constantly upgraded and improved and the latest Super Hercules version can carry up to 44,000 pounds of cargo or transport 90 troops.
They also boast a range of 2,000 miles and are made to operate on short runways to allow for a quick takeoff.
The C-130J military transport turboprop aircraft taking off in the US. Credit: Getty
Advanced avionic systems - including digital displays and enhanced navigation systems - also come with the C-130J planes which make them ideal for the Gulf's harsh environments.
Saudi Arabia has experience using earlier C-130 models as they helped to send supplies as part of humanitarian missions in Yemen in recent years.
Another key feature of the new military aircraft is their transferable data systems with NATO equipment.
This means Riyadh can exchange information with Western forces - such as the US - as part of its interoperability system.
THAAD anti-ballistic missile defense system
One of the major areas in which Saudi Arabia is set to benefit from the package deal is through its air and missile defense systems.
This means the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense [THAAD] system is believed to be among the items being sent to Riyadh.
Produced by Lockheed Martin, the THAAD is designed to intercept and destroy short and medium-range ballistic missiles during their "terminal" phase of flight when they are falling towards the target.
The $1billion system was developed by the Pentagon following problems with the Patriot air-defence missiles in shooting down Saddam Hussain's Scud missiles in the first Gulf war.
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) interceptor being launched
US forces test the THAAD interceptor in Alaska following rocket launches by North Korea
THAAD missiles are 20ft long, weigh nearly a ton and fly at up to 6,300mph - more than eight times the speed of sound.
They do not carry an explosive charge because it could detonate the warhead of the missile it is targeting which could contain a nuclear device.
Instead they rely on a "hit-to-kill" approach, using infrared sensors to track the incoming missile and blasting it head-on to destroy it.
A typical THAAD battery includes at least six launcher vehicles, each capable of firing eight missiles and can even intercept targets outside the earth's atmosphere.
Patriot PAC-3 missile system
The impressive Patriot PAC-3 is an evolution of the US Patriot system which can deploy advanced radar and interceptors to counter ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and many types of enemy aircraft.
It can track up to 100 targets at any one time and can be paired with the THAAD system for extra effectiveness.
Saudi Arabia already use a version of the Patriot systems which have been combat tested to intercept Houthi missiles and drones.
But the kingdom is in need of a more advanced version as they have faced challenges in intercepting all enemy strikes due to the volume and unpredictability of the terror attacks.
The US-made Patriot system is rumoured to be among the weapons Saudi Arabia wants most. Credit: AFP
President Trump signing a landmark deal with the Saudis. Credit: Sky News
MQ-9B Sea Guardian reaper drone
The MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aerial system is also said to be included in the deal due its military success in the past.
Manufactured by General Atomics, and valued at $20 billion, the weapon is a maritime-focused variant of the Reaper drone.
It has been designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, as well as launching precision strikes.
Boasting a wingspan of 79ft and a maximum range of over 30 hours, the SeaGuardian can carry up to 5,600 pounds.
An MQ-9 Reaper drone during a training mission at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada. Credit: Getty
The drone’s ability to reach altitudes up to 40,000ft makes them the ideal weapon for the Saudis monitoring the Persian Gulf. Credit: Alamy
It also features advanced sensors and munition systems.
A pair of expert tracking radars also come with the plane as one allows it to detect surface vessels over the ocean.
The second uses electro-optical and infrared sensors which provide high-resolution images which can be used for targeting enemies.
The drone’s ability to reach altitudes up to 40,000ft makes them the ideal weapon for the Saudis monitoring the Persian Gulf.
F-35 stealth fighter jets
There has been speculation over the inclusion of the F-35 stealth fighter jets since rumours of an arms deal were first announced.
There is yet to be any confirmation around the F-35s, known as Lightning IIs, but the impressive state-of-the-art warplanes have been desired by Riyadh for some time now.
Again developed by Lockheed Martin, the jets are a fifth-generation multi-role fighter which uses advanced stealth, sensor fusion, and network-enabled operations.
They also feature an AN/APG-81 radar and infrared sensors which allow it to detect and engage targets at long ranges.
Reports suggest any deal could include a F-35 stealth fighter jet. Credit: Getty
An F-35 Lightning II, left, alongside a US Air Force F-15 Eagle. Credit: Alamy
Saudi Arabia’s interest in the F-35 come from them wanting to match other military operations in the Middle East who have similar impressive fighter jets.
Israel have used F-35 jets to fight off Iran and their proxies across the past 18 months.
One potential issue with any war jets traded from the US to Riyadh is around long-term restrictions on exporting sensitive technologies out of Washington.
Reports suggest any deal could instead involve improving the Saudis existing fleet of fighter jets - most notably their F-15 Eagles and Eurofighter Typhoons.
President Trump is keen to help promote stability in the Gulf region amid looming threats from Iranian terror proxies such as the Houthis. Credit: Getty
US President Donald Trump is currently on a tour of the Middle East. Credit: Getty
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A Trump deal that trumps Iran and provides World protection without the UN, NATO, and especially the deep states New World Order!