Trump Names Saudi Arabia a Major Non-NATO Ally, Announces Major Defence Deals During Crown Prince’s US Visit:

In a significant move marking a new phase in US–Saudi relations, President Donald Trump has officially designated Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally of the United States. The announcement came during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s high-profile visit to Washington, DC, where the two leaders finalized a wide range of agreements spanning defence, nuclear cooperation, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals. Trump revealed the designation during a formal black-tie dinner at the White House on Tuesday evening, describing it as a step that would take “military cooperation to even greater heights.” Calling it “something very important” to the Saudi leadership, Trump said he had held back the news specifically for the evening’s event. The new status grants Saudi Arabia privileged access to American military and economic support, though it stops short of guaranteeing any direct US security commitments. Alongside the announcement, Trump also confirmed that the two nations had signed a “historic strategic defence agreement”, which the White House said would strengthen deterrence across the Middle East and streamline operations for US defence companies working in Saudi Arabia. The deal also includes new Saudi financial contributions intended to offset American defence costs. One of the most significant outcomes of the visit was Trump’s approval for the future delivery of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a move that could reshape the military balance in the region. Until now, Israel has been the only Middle Eastern nation with access to the advanced fifth-generation aircraft. Saudi Arabia has reportedly expressed interest in acquiring 48 planes as part of a broader defence investment package. The White House confirmed that Riyadh will also purchase 300 American-made tanks, and that Prince Mohammed’s broader investment commitments in the US—worth nearly $1 trillion—include $142 billion dedicated to the F-35 program. The sale has drawn scrutiny because US law requires that Israel maintain a “qualitative military edge” over its regional neighbours. When asked about concerns from Israel, Trump acknowledged that Israel would prefer that Saudi Arabia receive fighter jets of “reduced calibre,” but argued that both nations deserve access to top-tier defence technology. “As far as I’m concerned, I think they are both at a level where they should get top of the line,” he said, addressing both allies. Reports indicate that Israeli officials and lobbying groups had attempted to block the sale but were ultimately unsuccessful. Some Israeli leaders have since signaled openness to the idea—on the condition that Saudi Arabia agrees to normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords. The future of such normalization, however, remains tied to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Prince Mohammed reiterated that Saudi Arabia is willing to join the Abraham Accords, but only if there is a credible, guaranteed path toward a two-state solution. “We want to be part of the Abraham Accords,” he said, “but we also want to be sure that we secure a clear path to a two-state solution.” In addition to defence agreements, the two countries signed a joint declaration completing negotiations on civil nuclear energy cooperation, laying the groundwork for a long-term US–Saudi nuclear partnership. As both governments framed the visit, the deals reached this week signal not just economic and defence collaboration but also a potential political realignment that could reshape the Middle East in the years ahead.

NEWS