Saudi Arabia is in talks with General Atomics on a potentially record-setting package of up to 130 MQ‑9Bs and 200 collaborative combat aircraft (CCA).
“The deal is still in [the] works and there’s been a lot of effort since last time we talked,” David Alexander, the president of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, told the outlet Breaking Defense this week on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow.
On Tuesday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Washington, D.C., securing multibillion-dollar deals with President Donald Trump, who rolled out the red carpet and dismissed criticism of the kingdom’s human rights record.
Newsweek has contacted the Saudi Foreign Ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
The scale of the deal underscores growing U.S.-Gulf defense ties. In May, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia signed a $142 billion defense sales deal that the White House called the largest in history.
The Saudi ruler secured a non-NATO ally designation from Trump, a security agreement between their countries, and the U.S. president plans to approve sales of F-35 jets to the kingdom. Trump called Salman a “great ally,” downplayed Israeli concerns over its qualitative military edge and defended the crown prince over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which U.S. intelligence linked to Salman.
What To Know
Drones have been defining modern air warfare, and CCAs—semi-autonomous, unmanned combat aircraft designed to operate alongside manned fighters, also known as “loyal wingmen”—represent a low-cost advantage in air combat capacity.
The MQ‑9B is a next-generation, remotely piloted aircraft designed to fly safely in civilian airspace, controlled through satellite links. Its SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian variants descend from the RQ‑1 Predator and MQ‑9 Reaper. It features eight wing hardpoints and one centerline hardpoint, which can accommodate weapons, intelligence-gathering equipment or specialized sensors.
The May agreement, signed following Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, covers air force and space capabilities, missile defense, naval and coastal security, border and ground force modernization, and upgrades to information and communication systems. According to Dubai-based The National, the deal was expected to include MQ‑9B drones, though the White House did not confirm their inclusion.
Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest arms importers and has been investing heavily in expanding its domestic defense capabilities. China is emerging as a global competitor in niche sectors of the Middle Eastern arms market.
In March, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of eight MQ‑9B drones to Qatar for almost $2 billion, marking the first time this type of military equipment was sold to the region. Alexander said there could be talks with the United Arab Emirates over acquiring MQ‑9B drones, which it has long expressed interest in.
What People Are Saying
David Alexander, the president of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, told Breaking Defense on Monday: “The deal is still in [the] works and there’s been a lot of effort since last time we talked, and it includes MQ-9 Bravo short takeoff and landing, and it includes a collaborative combat Gambit series.”
Ali Awadh Asseri, a former Saudi ambassador to Pakistan and Lebanon, wrote in Arab News on Wednesday: “The U.S. has now approved the first transfer of F-35 stealth fighters to an Arab country, along with advanced missile defense systems and nearly 300 modern tanks. These capabilities dramatically enhance the Kingdom’s capacity to neutralize missile and drone threats, safeguard its airspace and protect its territory—long-standing Saudi priorities now finally addressed.”
What Happens Next
Alexander said that if the final deal includes CCAs, the program could also feature local manufacturing in Saudi Arabia.