Exclusive: Saudi-US defence partnership will fast track arms sales, sources say

A new Strategic Defence Agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia is expected to fast-track arms sales to the kingdom. This partnership will reportedly allow Saudi Arabia to acquire advanced military technology, including F-35 warplanes and futuristic Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones. The US also designated Saudi Arabia a major non-Nato ally, a step that speeds up weapons transfers and deepens military training. This agreement places Saudi Arabia ahead of many other partners in terms of wait times for sophisticated US weaponry.