DUBAI — Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday two agreements to purchase up to 121 Boeing-787s known as Dreamliners to be used in part by the kingdom’s newly announced second national airline, Riyadh Air.

The White House hailed the deal as "historic." "This partnership is another milestone in eight decades of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and American industry. Our administration looks forward to working with Saudi Arabia and all partners in the Middle East to support a more prosperous, secure and integrated region, which ultimately benefits the American people," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. 

The combined agreements make up the fifth-largest commercial order by value in Boeing’s history and are valued at nearly $37 billion, according to a statement released by the Saudi Embassy in Washington. 

“The enduring strategic partnership between both countries is enhanced by a common vision to expand cooperation into different fields, like transportation, which opens up many opportunities for both countries,” said Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud.