Boeing signs defense, commercial deals with Saudi Arabia

Boeing Co. signed several defense and commercial agreements with Saudi Arabia, the world's largest aerospace company said on Sunday during US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Kingdom.

The deals, which will create thousands of jobs in the US and the Kingdom, included sales of military and passenger aircraft. 

Saudi Arabia will order Chinook helicopters with associated support services and guided weapon systems, in addition to P-8 maritime, patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, the statement said.

No details were disclosed about the value of the agreements in the statement. However, the US State Department had announced plans in December to sell Saudi Arabia 48 CH-47F Chinook cargo helicopters and related equipment, training, and support worth $3.51 billion.

One of the announcements on Sunday was for a commercial registration certificate for the Saudi Rotorcraft Support Co., a newly-formed joint venture between Boeing, Alsalam Aerospace Industries and Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries.

The entity will have bases in both Riyadh and Jeddah that will provide support for both military and commercial helicopters.

Boeing has also agreed to start talks with SaudiGulf Airlines for sale of up to 16 wide-body jets.

Saudi Arabia and the US signed several significant deals across various sectors during Trump’s visit to Riyadh this week.

The American president sealed a $110 billion arms agreement with Saudi Arabia on Saturday – the largest single arms deal in US history, according to a White House official.

The agreement includes a $6 billion letter of intent to assemble 150 Lockheed Martin Blackhawk helicopters, and comes as part of an additional $350 billion over the coming 10 years.