US-Saudi Defense Deal May Include F-35s, Drones, Tanks

Washington and Riyadh are working on a Strategic Defense Agreement that could reshape regional capabilities.
The package under discussion reportedly would include F-35 sales and armored vehicles, alongside a significant unmanned component: General Atomics officials say Saudi purchases could encompass MQ-9s and up to 200 CCA Gambit drones.
The deal surfaces amid busy diplomacy and industry activity at the Dubai Airshow, where Western, Russian and Chinese platforms attracted international attention.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon and Congress are advancing complementary technology and force initiatives. The Defense Innovation Unit’s Janus effort pairs the Army and DOE to field commercial microreactors at domestic bases, and lawmakers are being urged to fund a new quantum technology initiative and bolster Space Force resources to counter China.
Operational updates include an expanded role for AI in command-and-control: Next Gen C2 prototypes now feature AI-aided target recognition, and the Army is scaling helicopter flight training and balloon assets for the SWARMS demo with NORAD participation.
Industry shifts continue too: Embraer abandoned plans for a Saudi C-390 final assembly center and is pivoting toward the UAE for completion work.