U.S. and Saudi Arabia Set to Announce Major AI Investment Deal as White House Approves F-35 Sale to Riyadh

Senior U.S. administration officials say the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are expected to announce a multi-billion-dollar agreement on AI infrastructure investment, fulfilling part of Riyadh’s previously pledged $600 billion commitment, just one day after President Trump confirmed plans to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to the kingdom.

• Officials say the forthcoming deal will include dozens of targeted U.S. investments linked to Saudi Arabia’s multiyear pledge.
• Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is in Washington for a state-level visit that includes a White House dinner and a U.S.-Saudi investment summit.
• Trump confirmed Monday that the U.S. will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia; details of the delivery timeline were not released.
• The sale would make Saudi Arabia the only Middle Eastern country besides Israel to operate the F-35.
• Analysts and former officials say Congress is likely to scrutinize whether the sale affects Israel’s legally mandated qualitative military edge.
• Saudi priorities for the visit include access to advanced U.S. computer chips, civil nuclear cooperation, and broader security assurances.
• Human-rights groups criticized the administration for deepening engagement with Riyadh amid concerns over domestic repression.
• The two nations are also expected to begin talks on a civil nuclear cooperation framework; no enrichment terms have been disclosed.
• Any F-35 sale requires formal congressional notification, though Congress has never successfully blocked an arms sale via resolution.

Relevant Companies

• Lockheed Martin ($LMT): Manufacturer of the F-35 aircraft and the primary contractor affected by a major foreign military sale.

Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. This article may be updated as more details become available.