PTBP Web Desk
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that his administration is evaluating a significant defence proposal involving the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The advanced aircraft, manufactured by defence contractor Lockheed Martin, represent one of the most sophisticated weapons systems in the US arsenal and are highly sought after by American allies.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump revealed that Saudi Arabia has formally expressed interest in acquiring a large fleet of F-35 fighter jets. The president remarked, “They wanna buy a lot of jets,” adding that the request goes beyond the F-35 alone, as Saudi officials reportedly also showed interest in additional fighter aircraft. He noted, “I’m looking at that. They’ve asked me to look at it. They want to buy a lot of ‘35’—but they want to buy actually more than that.”
The potential deal is expected to feature prominently during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming visit to Washington next week. Trump confirmed that the meeting will focus not only on diplomatic relations but also on deepening economic and defence partnerships between the two countries. “It’s more than a meeting; we’re honouring Saudi Arabia,” the president said, highlighting the importance he places on the kingdom’s role in regional security and US foreign policy.
The visit is anticipated to produce multiple agreements, both economic and military, further strengthening bilateral ties. Saudi Arabia and the United States have long cooperated on defence procurement, counterterrorism strategies, and broader regional security challenges—including Iran’s growing influence across the Middle East.
The F-35 has long been considered a powerful symbol of military capability, combining stealth technology, advanced sensors, and integrated battlefield systems. For Saudi Arabia, securing access to such cutting-edge defence technology would mark a major upgrade to its air force and enhance its role in regional power dynamics.
However, the sale of the F-35 to any Middle Eastern country has historically been approached with caution. The United States enforces strict policies to ensure that Israel’s qualitative military edge (QME) is preserved, a principle designed to maintain Israel’s superiority in the region. Israel already operates the F-35, known locally as the “Adir,” and any new sale to regional neighbours would likely trigger complex diplomatic discussions.
Trump reiterated his hope that Saudi Arabia will eventually join the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements that normalized relations between Israel and several Muslim-majority countries—including the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.
The president expressed confidence that Saudi Arabia’s membership in the accords would significantly reshape regional geopolitics. Yet, Riyadh has maintained that it cannot formally normalize relations with Israel without progress on a viable roadmap toward Palestinian statehood. This has remained a key sticking point, despite US pressure and indirect negotiations.
Despite the optimistic tone from the White House, the proposed F-35 sale has raised alarms within the Pentagon. According to a report cited by the New York Times, US defence intelligence officials have warned that American military technology could potentially be compromised if the jets were transferred to Saudi Arabia.
The report expresses concerns that China—which has deepened defence and technological cooperation with several Gulf nations—might gain access to sensitive F-35 systems through secondary channels. Saudi Arabia has expanded its ties with Beijing in areas such as drone technology, ballistic missile production, and digital infrastructure, creating additional challenges for US policymakers.
Pentagon analysts reportedly fear that advanced stealth components, communications systems, or sensor technologies could be exposed to Chinese military researchers. Such concerns have previously halted or delayed arms sales to other regional partners.
As the White House reviews the Saudi proposal, the decision will likely require input from multiple agencies, including the State Department, the Department of Defense, and intelligence authorities. The combination of strategic benefits, technological risks, and diplomatic considerations ensures that any final decision will carry long-term implications for US foreign policy.
The potential F-35 deal is also expected to generate political debate within Washington, where lawmakers remain divided on supplying advanced weaponry to Saudi Arabia due to the kingdom’s human rights record and its role in regional conflicts.
