Donald Trump signs huge £107bn arms deal with Saudi Arabia - 'biggest in history'

Donald Trump signed a multi-billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia on his first day part of a tour of the Middle East. The deal, signed on Tuesday afternoon, was hailed the "largest defence sales agreement in history" by the White House.

The White House said in a statement: "Underscoring our commitment to strengthening our defense and security partnership, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed the largest defense sales agreement in history-nearly $142 billion, providing Saudi Arabia with state-of-the-art warfighting equipment and services from over a dozen U.S. defense firms.

"The sales that we intend to complete fall into five broad categories: (1) air force advancement and space capabilities, (2) air and missile defense, (3) maritime and coastal security, (4) border security and land forces modernization, and (5) information and communication systems upgrades."

The defence agreement is part of a wider £453bn deal between the two countries that will include minerals, technology, energy, and infrastructure.

The White House said of the landmark agreement: "Today in Saudi Arabia, President Donald J. Trump announced Saudi Arabia's $600-billion commitment to invest in the United States, building economic ties that will endure for generations to come. The first deals under the announcement strengthen our energy security, defense industry, technology leadership, and access to global infrastructure and critical minerals."

Earlier today, the US president was overheard describing the Saudi crown prince as a friend, adding that he believes they have developed a good relationship. "I really believe we like each other a lot," Mr Trump said.

The president is on the opening leg of a major four-day diplomatic tour around the Middle East, where it is hoped he will secure significant investment into the US.

Tomorrow Mr Trump is expected to attend a summit of Gulf leaders in Riyadh, before moving on to Qatar the same day. Then, on May 15, he will travel to the United Arab Emirates.

Ali Shihabi, a Saudi commentator and author with close ties to the Saudi government, told the BBC: "These deals will further integrate the Saudi and US economies together, joint ventures in the kingdom, in the United States, procurements of American weapons and goods."