Saudi-US forum seals $300bn in deals as defence and AI ties deepen

The Saudi-US Investment Forum 2025 in Riyadh has produced 145 agreements valued at more than $300 billion, signalling a decisive move beyond the transactional energy-for-security framework that long defined the bilateral relationship. The summit, attended by President Trump and a delegation of American corporate leaders, focused on defence, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and healthcare, sectors at the heart of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 diversification drive led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Defence remains the bedrock. The Kingdom is the United States' largest Foreign Military Sales partner, with active cases exceeding $129 billion. New agreements signed during the visit reinforce industrial collaboration and support Saudi localisation goals, while giga-projects such as NEOM, King Salman Energy Park (SPARK), Jazan Economic City and Riyadh Tech Valley are being positioned as global hubs for advanced manufacturing, critical minerals and dual-use technology.

Private sector takes the lead

Salman Nasser Al Shathri, chairman of the National Committee for Military Industries (NCMI) and founder of Intra Defense, said the presidential visit brought "some of the most representative global leaders" to engage directly with Saudi counterparts. In an interview, he outlined how the NCMI, working through the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), is pursuing joint ventures, international exhibition participation and specialised training to integrate Saudi firms into global defence supply chains.

Systemic transformation requires decisive action across three key areas: fostering R&D, incentivising private sector participation, and modernising procurement policies.

Al Shathri identified defence, technology, renewable energy, healthcare and tourism as the sectors drawing strongest US investor interest. He said the Saudi Chambers are streamlining licensing, enhancing transparency and offering incentives within Special Economic Zones to lower entry barriers. Collaboration in AI, cloud computing and biotech is being channelled through joint ventures and public-private partnerships.

Joint ventures target high-value jobs

Several flagship partnerships illustrate the new model. Humain, an AI company backed by the Public Investment Fund, is working with Nvidia, AMD and Amazon Web Services on AI infrastructure. In critical minerals, MP Materials and Saudi mining champion Ma'aden are developing a rare earths supply chain for AI hardware and electric vehicles. A logistics venture between NEOM and DSV aims to overhaul supply chain operations across the region.

Small and medium-sized enterprises are being woven into these programmes, particularly in AI development and supply chain modernisation. Al Shathri stressed that regulatory reform, export control modernisation and sustained investment in specialised education are essential to give the defence sector "strategic autonomy and adaptability" over the long term.

What comes next

The agreements signed in Riyadh now move into implementation. Success will be measured by how quickly joint ventures translate into operational facilities, local employment and technology transfer. Both governments have signalled that the forum is not a one-off event but the launchpad for a standing mechanism to review progress, resolve regulatory friction and expand the partnership into new domains such as space and quantum computing.