Nournews:  With the beginning of the second term of Trump's presidency, the United States' allies, particularly the Persian Gulf Arab nations, are now waiting for the expansion of military cooperation and the execution of deals that have been delayed.

In terms of weapon sales policies, Trump's administration pursues three goals: First, the enforcement of strategic ties with regional allies and an increase in their deterrence capabilities; second, the use of these deals as a tool to advance U.S. foreign policy; and third, the realization of expanded economic interests for U.S. defense industries.

In the first months of the administration, the White House passed important weapons deals with regional countries, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The deals were made within the framework of the United States' grand strategies for enforcing regional stability and consolidating security collaboration in the Persian Gulf.

Qatar and purchase of advanced American drones

The United States Department of State has approved the sale of 8 MQ-9B drones, made by General Atomics, to Qatar, along with backup equipment worth 1.96 billion dollars. The deal includes a series of weapons, electronic systems, educational equipment, and logistical services to increase the operational capability of the drones.

In the weapons section, this package includes 200 KMU-572 guidance kits for GBU-38 and GBU-54 bombs, 300 500-pound BLU-111 bombs, and 100 MXU-650 kits for GBU-12 bombs. Furthermore, 100 AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles and 8 training rounds (CATM), along with M299 launchers, are included in the deal. In terms of advanced systems, the deal includes the SeaSpray 7500 radar and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, which contribute to the enhancement of the drones' identification and operational capabilities. Additionally, ground control stations have been considered for the management and operation of the drones.

The deal, in terms of support and maintenance, includes spare parts, training equipment, and personnel training. Additionally, the creation of technical infrastructure and the provision of engineering and logistical services are also part of the agreement. Besides strengthening military cooperation between Washington and Doha, the deal will enhance the operational capability of Qatar’s air force in identification, surveillance, and precision strikes.

Saudi Arabia, the biggest customer of American weapons

Saudi Arabia is considered one of the largest buyers of American weapons in the world and is the main importer of U.S. arms in the Middle East. According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), released on March 10, 2025, approximately 6.8 percent of the world's total weapon imports belong to Saudi Arabia, with 74 percent of the country’s imported arms supplied by the U.S.

On March 23, 2025, the Pentagon announced that the Department of State had approved the sale of advanced precision-guided weapons to Saudi Arabia, valued at $100 million. This agreement marks the first arms deal of Trump's second term in office. According to Reuters, the deal includes 2,000 APKWS laser-guided missiles, which have the capability of precisely targeting both aerial and ground threats.

The UAE and its efforts to purchase F-35 fighters

The United Arab Emirates has long been one of the main buyers of U.S. arms. However, during Biden’s presidency, defense negotiations between the two nations slowed significantly due to Washington’s concerns over the UAE’s expanding ties with China.

So far, no new official arms deal between the U.S. and the UAE has been announced. Nevertheless, Reuters, citing an informed source, reported in September 2021 that Abu Dhabi was seeking to revive a major arms deal with Washington following Trump's return to power.

The deal, which was approved in the final days of Trump’s presidency in 2021, includes the purchase of advanced F-35 fighter jets, armed MQ-9B drones, and a range of sophisticated weaponry. However, its execution was halted by the UAE due to the conditions imposed by Biden’s administration. According to Reuters, the UAE now intends to urge Trump’s new administration to finalize the deal, valued at $23 billion.

Increase in American arms exports to Persian Gulf countries

The member states of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council have consistently sought to modernize and strengthen their military capabilities, particularly in the field of aerial forces. This process intensified notably during the war in Yemen and the diplomatic crisis among Persian Gulf Arab nations.

In line with this, countries such as Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia have made extensive investments to renew their aviation fleets. Their vast financial resources and strategic ties with the U.S. have granted them access to the world’s most advanced military equipment.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s policy of promoting arms exports to U.S. allies—aimed at generating significant revenue for the country’s defense industry—could lead to a substantial increase in weapons sales to Persian Gulf nations. Major American defense companies such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing, which heavily depend on export markets, have consistently backed the federal government in securing new arms deals. This policy has been particularly evident in agreements with Persian Gulf countries, Turkey, Germany, and Greece.

As a result, regional nations are striving to equip their air forces with the most advanced fighter jets and military equipment to prepare for potential threats or conflicts. It is expected that in Trump’s second term, U.S. arms exports to the region will rise significantly. This issue gains further importance considering Saudi Arabia and the UAE have announced plans to invest approximately $1 trillion and $1.4 trillion, respectively, in the United States.