Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Heads to Washington in Quest for U.S. Defence Pact and F-35 Jets
Crown Prince bin Salman’s first U.S. visit since 2018 centres on a proposed security guarantee, stealth aircraft acquisition and civil-nuclear cooperation under the Trump administration
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to visit the United States this month for his first trip to Washington since 2018, with the primary aim of securing a high-level defensive pact, negotiating the purchase of F-35 stealth fighters and advancing civil-nuclear technology cooperation.
The visit marks a key milestone in the kingdom’s effort to deepen strategic ties with Washington while retaining its leverage on the Palestinian issue and regional stability.
During the visit, the crown prince will meet U.S. President Donald J. Trump at the White House, where they are expected to discuss a mutual-defence agreement similar to the U.S.–Qatar deal earlier this year, which committed the United States to view an attack on Qatar as a direct threat to U.S. security.
Saudi officials are seeking a parallel arrangement that would guarantee U.S. military support for the kingdom in the event of aggression.
Alongside the defence discussions, Riyadh has long sought acquisition of Lockheed Martin F-35 jets, which would represent a significant upgrade for the Royal Saudi Air Force.
However, the sale remains subject to U.S. approval and the preservation of Israel’s qualitative military edge—a factor that has delayed progress.
The arms deal signed in May between the United States and Saudi Arabia, estimated at nearly US $142 billion, did not confirm F-35 delivery, underscoring the sensitivity of such a transaction.
Nuclear cooperation is also on the agenda.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright previously confirmed that Washington and Riyadh are on a “pathway” to a civil-nuclear agreement, which would include a so-called Section 123 arrangement under U.S. law.
The crown prince is reportedly seeking accelerated access to nuclear technology as part of his kingdom’s Vision 2030 diversification strategy.
Despite the high-stakes agenda, analysts caution that full normalisation of Saudi-Israeli relations—long viewed as linked to these U.S.–Saudi deals—is unlikely in the immediate term.
A senior Riyadh-linked analyst told The New York Times that unless Israel takes an “irreversible” step toward recognising a Palestinian state, scheduling the bilateral agreements this year would be “almost impossible.” Saudi Arabia has maintained that diplomatic ties with Israel hinge on such a development.
As the crown prince arrives in Washington, both countries are preparing to sign key trade, intelligence-sharing and military-cooperation documents.
The outcome of this mission may reshape U.S.–Gulf security architecture and signal a broader shift in Middle-East alliance dynamics under President Trump’s renewed engagement with the region.
The visit marks a key milestone in the kingdom’s effort to deepen strategic ties with Washington while retaining its leverage on the Palestinian issue and regional stability.
During the visit, the crown prince will meet U.S. President Donald J. Trump at the White House, where they are expected to discuss a mutual-defence agreement similar to the U.S.–Qatar deal earlier this year, which committed the United States to view an attack on Qatar as a direct threat to U.S. security.
Saudi officials are seeking a parallel arrangement that would guarantee U.S. military support for the kingdom in the event of aggression.
Alongside the defence discussions, Riyadh has long sought acquisition of Lockheed Martin F-35 jets, which would represent a significant upgrade for the Royal Saudi Air Force.
However, the sale remains subject to U.S. approval and the preservation of Israel’s qualitative military edge—a factor that has delayed progress.
The arms deal signed in May between the United States and Saudi Arabia, estimated at nearly US $142 billion, did not confirm F-35 delivery, underscoring the sensitivity of such a transaction.
Nuclear cooperation is also on the agenda.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright previously confirmed that Washington and Riyadh are on a “pathway” to a civil-nuclear agreement, which would include a so-called Section 123 arrangement under U.S. law.
The crown prince is reportedly seeking accelerated access to nuclear technology as part of his kingdom’s Vision 2030 diversification strategy.
Despite the high-stakes agenda, analysts caution that full normalisation of Saudi-Israeli relations—long viewed as linked to these U.S.–Saudi deals—is unlikely in the immediate term.
A senior Riyadh-linked analyst told The New York Times that unless Israel takes an “irreversible” step toward recognising a Palestinian state, scheduling the bilateral agreements this year would be “almost impossible.” Saudi Arabia has maintained that diplomatic ties with Israel hinge on such a development.
As the crown prince arrives in Washington, both countries are preparing to sign key trade, intelligence-sharing and military-cooperation documents.
The outcome of this mission may reshape U.S.–Gulf security architecture and signal a broader shift in Middle-East alliance dynamics under President Trump’s renewed engagement with the region.
