The strategic relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia has (US Alliance) dramatically overhauled following the high-stakes White House summit between President Donald Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on November 18, 2025. Consequently, the meeting resulted in two landmark security agreements: the formal designation of Saudi Arabia as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) and the approval of a massive defense sale package that includes the future delivery of F-35 stealth fighter jets. Indeed, these decisions signal a profound commitment by the US to the long-term defense of the Kingdom. US Alliance
The agreements, which have announced alongside a massive $1 trillion investment pledge by Saudi Arabia into the US economy, represent the culmination of years of rebuilding and deepening the bilateral partnership. Ultimately, this new axis of power aims to strengthen regional deterrence against adversaries like Iran while securing Riyadh’s position as Washington’s indispensable security partner in the Gulf.
The designation of Saudi Arabia as a Major Non-NATO Ally is a significant symbolic and practical elevation of the Kingdom’s defense relationship with the US.
The MNNA designation, which has granted by the US President, provides foreign partners with a host of military and financial advantages, though it stops short of providing the explicit mutual defense guarantee afforded to full NATO members. Specifically, MNNA status allows Saudi Arabia to:
The White House stated that this status will enhance regional security and affirm that Riyadh views the United States as its primary strategic partner. Therefore, the designation streamlines the flow of American defense support, making the alliance more resilient and responsive. Notably, Saudi Arabia joins other Middle Eastern nations like Israel, Egypt, and Jordan that have previously received this designation.
In addition to the MNNA status, the leaders signed a Strategic Defense Agreement (SDA). This SDA has designed to formalize and strengthen the security alliance. Crucially, it facilitates the operation of US defense firms within the Kingdom and secures new “burden-sharing funds” from Saudi Arabia. These funds have intended to help defray the costs of the US military presence in the region, aligning with the Trump administration’s “America First” agenda. US Alliance
The most consequential and controversial element of the defense package is the approval for the future sale of the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets. Riyadh has requested to purchase up to 48 of the advanced, fifth-generation aircraft. US Alliance
The F-35 sale marks a monumental shift in US foreign policy. Until this announcement, Israel had maintained exclusive access to the stealth fighter in the Middle East. This policy was based on the US legal commitment to preserve Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge (QME) over all regional Arab states. Therefore, providing the F-35 to Saudi Arabia—a major non-NATO ally and a regional power—fundamentally alters the decades-old security balance. US Alliance
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) immediately voiced strong opposition. The IDF submitted a formal paper to its political leadership, warning that the deal could “irreversibly erode” Israel’s air superiority. However, President Trump dismissed these concerns. He argued that both countries are close US partners and both deserve the “top of the line” planes, stating the sale will proceed. Consequently, the sale will likely trigger further security assistance or technological upgrades for Israel to maintain its QME, as required by US law. US Alliance
Another significant controversy revolves around the potential for technological compromise. Pentagon officials and intelligence agencies have expressed deep concern that the highly sensitive F-35 technology could fall into the hands of China. This fear has rooted in the rapidly growing defense and economic ties between Riyadh and Beijing. Indeed, China is currently Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner. Therefore, US officials worry that Chinese espionage or the security partnership between the two nations could allow Beijing to acquire critical intelligence about the F-35’s stealth and sensor systems. Despite these warnings, the Trump administration chose to move forward with the sale, emphasizing the strategic value of reinforcing the US-Saudi alliance.
The security agreements have powerfully complemented by massive economic commitments from the Kingdom, further intertwining the US and Saudi economies.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced a sharp increase in Saudi Arabia’s investment commitment to the United States. The new pledge stands at almost $1 trillion, significantly increasing the previous $600 billion commitment. This vast capital outflow has channeled through the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and has aimed at diversifying the Kingdom’s assets while bolstering key US sectors, including technology, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
Furthermore, the summit delivered key agreements on strategic technology access. The two sides signed an AI Memorandum of Understanding, which grants Saudi Arabia access to world-leading American AI systems. This is balanced by safeguards intended to protect US technology from foreign influence. They also established a Critical Minerals Framework, deepening cooperation on securing and diversifying supply chains for essential minerals. Consequently, these deals position the US as the crucial technological partner for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a program focused on modernization and economic diversification.
Despite the flood of defense and economic deals, two major issues remain unresolved, posing continuous challenges to the otherwise strong alliance.
The White House continues to push Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel. However, MBS reiterated the Kingdom’s firm stance: full normalization is strictly conditional upon securing a clear and credible path toward a two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state. Therefore, the US failed to use the F-35 sale as leverage to secure an immediate normalization deal, leaving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a political barrier to a fully integrated regional security structure.
The summit also renewed scrutiny on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, particularly the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. President Trump’s warm welcome and public defense of MBS—stating that “things happen” and that the Crown Prince “knew nothing about it”—drew immediate criticism from human rights advocates. They argued that the focus on arms sales and economic deals severely compromised the US commitment to global human rights and accountability. Thus, the political alignment is clearly based on strategic security and economic pragmatism, prioritizing the alliance over public condemnation. US Alliance
Ultimately, the US designation of Saudi Arabia as a Major Non-NATO Ally and the F-35 deal mark an indelible turning point. It confirms a robust, comprehensive partnership anchored by military and financial ties. Nevertheless, the deal’s implications for the regional military balance and the security of US technology ensure that this historic strategic shift will remain a source of intense debate and geopolitical tension for years to come.
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