US Grants Saudi Arabia MNNA Status Amid $1 Trillion Investment and F-35 Deal

On November 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C., the United States of America formally conferred Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. President Donald Trump announced this pivotal decision during a celebratory dinner hosted at the White House, marking the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. This elevation in status followed a critical series of meetings between the head of the American administration and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was visiting Washington for the first time in seven years.

The strategic intensification of this partnership is firmly anchored by significant military and financial obligations. A central component of the comprehensive deal requires Saudi Arabia to substantially increase its investments in the U.S. economy, committing to a total value of up to $1 trillion. Simultaneously, Washington provided its consent for the sale of F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets to Riyadh. This transaction, once completed, would establish Saudi Arabia as only the second country in the Middle East, after Israel, to gain access to these highly advanced aircraft.

The MNNA designation, which was initially established in 1987 following the initiative of Senator Samuel Nunn, furnishes Saudi Arabia with enhanced military and financial benefits without imposing the requirement of participation in formal military blocs. However, the potential sale of up to 48 F-35 units has inevitably stirred regional controversy. Israel has voiced specific concerns regarding the maintenance of its “Qualitative Military Edge” (QME) in the region, a status that the U.S. has historically guaranteed. Furthermore, fears have been raised that China, a major consumer of Saudi oil, could potentially gain unauthorized access to the sensitive, classified technologies embedded within the fighter jets.

Historically, the relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia has been driven by strategic imperatives, particularly concerning oil supply. The ties began with an agreement to open consular offices on November 7, 1933, leading to the establishment of full diplomatic relations in 1940. Evidence of long-standing military cooperation includes the U.S. completion of the Dhahran military base within Saudi territory in 1946. The current agreement, centered on trillion-dollar investment commitments, propels the economic partnership to an unprecedented level, serving as a powerful stimulus for deeper defense collaboration.

Officials from both nations have stressed that this strategic move is designed to reinforce regional stability and counter the influence of rival global powers in the Middle East. The delivery of the F-35s is not expected immediately; the sale is projected to occur no sooner than 3 to 4 years from now, as the U.S. must prioritize fulfilling existing orders for its European allies. Crucially, despite the clear defense benefits derived from this new arrangement, Riyadh has not yet demonstrated a willingness to engage in discussions regarding the normalization of relations with Israel.