Saudi Arabia to buy F-35 jets and 300 Abrams tanks

Washington has approved the sale of F-35 fighter jets and nearly 300 M1 Abrams tanks to Riyadh.

1news.media informs according to the White House, the Strategic Defense Agreement (SDA) was signed by President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The agreement is described as strengthening the long-standing U.S.-Saudi defense partnership and reinforcing deterrence across the Middle East.

“The U.S.-Saudi Strategic Defense Agreement is a historic agreement that strengthens our more than 80-year defense partnership and fortifies deterrence across the Middle East,” the statement said.

The agreement includes future deliveries of the fifth-generation F-35 fighter, which had previously been under restriction for export to the Kingdom. In a statement, the White House said the sale “strengthens the U.S. defense industrial base and ensures Saudi Arabia continues to buy American.”

President Trump also approved the sale of approximately 300 M1 Abrams main battle tanks. The statement noted that this deal “enables Saudi Arabia to build up its own defense capabilities and safeguard hundreds of American jobs.”