Trump To Sell F-35 Jets To Saudi Arabia

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President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will sell F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington. Riyadh has requested around 48 jets. The move marks a major shift in U.S. arms policy and raises concerns over Israel’s military edge, Congressional approval, and Saudi Arabia’s growing defence ties with China.

Full News:

Washington: In a significant shift in U.S. defence policy in the Middle East, President Donald Trump on Monday confirmed that the United States will sell F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The announcement came on the eve of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s high-profile visit to Washington, his first in more than seven years—a meeting viewed as crucial for resetting U.S.–Saudi relations.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “We’ll be selling F-35s to Saudi Arabia.” The statement ends months of speculation, as Riyadh has long expressed interest in acquiring the world’s most advanced multi-role fighter aircraft. According to officials familiar with the discussions, Saudi Arabia has requested a fleet of up to 48 F-35 jets, potentially representing one of the largest U.S. defence deals in recent years.

A Historic Policy Shift

The F-35 is currently operated by only one country in the Middle East—Israel, which receives a specially customized version of the aircraft. For decades, U.S. policy has ensured that Israel maintains its Qualitative Military Edge (QME)—a strategic commitment that restricts Washington from selling advanced weaponry that could neutralize Israel’s advantage.

Selling F-35s to Saudi Arabia marks a major departure from this tradition and could reshape the region’s military balance. U.S. officials insist that Israel’s security commitments remain “fully intact,” but analysts note that such a sale will inevitably introduce a new layer of strategic complexity in the Gulf.

Concerns Over Technology and China

While the Trump administration is enthusiastic about strengthening defence ties with Riyadh, not everyone in Washington supports the move. Several U.S. officials express concern over Saudi Arabia’s deepening military and technological cooperation with China, particularly in missile development and drone systems.

The F-35’s advanced stealth capabilities, sensor suites, and software systems are among the most closely guarded U.S. military technologies. Some defence analysts warn that sharing such sensitive hardware with a country maintaining strategic ties with Beijing could pose cybersecurity risks or open the door to technological leakage.

Congress Approval Will Be Critical

Even with Trump’s approval, the deal must pass the U.S. Congress, where bipartisan concerns exist over Saudi Arabia’s human-rights record, including the Yemen conflict and the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Lawmakers have previously blocked arms transfers to Riyadh on these grounds.

This time, however, the geopolitical calculus is different. The Trump administration aims to use the defence deal to cement cooperation with the Kingdom on multiple fronts, including civil nuclear development, AI infrastructure investments, and regional normalization efforts involving Israel. Congressional debates are expected to intensify over the coming weeks.

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Implications for the Middle East

For Saudi Arabia, acquiring the F-35 would be a watershed moment. The Kingdom has invested heavily in modernizing its air force but until now has relied on U.S. F-15s and Eurofighter Typhoons. Access to the F-35 would provide Riyadh with unmatched stealth and long-range strike capabilities, potentially altering its strategic posture against Iran.

For Israel, the sale represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While it could diminish its exclusive operational advantage, Israeli officials may leverage the deal to negotiate new military guarantees from Washington.

What Happens Next?

Even with approval, the process of manufacturing, customizing, and delivering F-35 jets can take five to eight years. Key details—including the exact configuration, weapons packages, and technology restrictions—are yet to be finalized.

As the Crown Prince arrives in Washington, the announcement sets the tone for a high-stakes diplomatic engagement that could redefine U.S.–Saudi relations and reshape the Middle East’s security landscape for years.

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