Saudi Arabia Advances Toward F-35 Acquisition Following U.S. Strategic Defence Pact
Washington signals readiness to approve F-35 sale to Riyadh, marking a major shift in Middle East arms policy
The United States appears to have moved decisively toward approving the sale of F‑35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, following a newly signed U.S.–Saudi strategic defence agreement and statements from President Donald Trump this week.
The pact, inked during the Saudi crown prince’s Washington visit, includes the prospective F-35 sale alongside other major military and economic commitments.
President Trump told reporters on November 17 that “we’ll be selling F-35s” to the kingdom and indicated the process would move quickly.
The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia pursues a fleet of up to 48 jets and seeks to modernize its air power amid regional threats.
Sources reported earlier that Saudi Arabia’s request for the aircraft had cleared a major Pentagon review, advancing the deal toward formal approval.
Officials stressed that while the F-35 sale would proceed, the Saudi version will not include all the advanced features supplied to Israel, in deference to U.S. law that safeguards Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region.
The resolution of this capability gap may be key to congressional and regional acceptability of the sale.
The move signals Washington’s broader intention to anchor Saudi Arabia as a central military partner in the Middle East, aligning with Trump’s “America First” agenda and offering U.S. defence-industry benefits.
Riyadh’s willingness to engage reflects its heightened role in regional security dynamics and its strategic pivot toward advanced technology procurement.
Challenges remain ahead: the sale must traverse the foreign military sales process, clear Congress, and address concerns over Saudi Arabia’s ties with China and human-rights record.
The administration also faces the diplomatic balancing act of maintaining Israel’s advantage in the skies while deepening U.S.–Saudi defence cooperation.
With the agreement now publicly visible and commitments made, the path appears set for Saudi Arabia to become the next Middle Eastern nation to acquire the F-35, subject to final approvals and implementation timelines.
The pact, inked during the Saudi crown prince’s Washington visit, includes the prospective F-35 sale alongside other major military and economic commitments.
President Trump told reporters on November 17 that “we’ll be selling F-35s” to the kingdom and indicated the process would move quickly.
The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia pursues a fleet of up to 48 jets and seeks to modernize its air power amid regional threats.
Sources reported earlier that Saudi Arabia’s request for the aircraft had cleared a major Pentagon review, advancing the deal toward formal approval.
Officials stressed that while the F-35 sale would proceed, the Saudi version will not include all the advanced features supplied to Israel, in deference to U.S. law that safeguards Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region.
The resolution of this capability gap may be key to congressional and regional acceptability of the sale.
The move signals Washington’s broader intention to anchor Saudi Arabia as a central military partner in the Middle East, aligning with Trump’s “America First” agenda and offering U.S. defence-industry benefits.
Riyadh’s willingness to engage reflects its heightened role in regional security dynamics and its strategic pivot toward advanced technology procurement.
Challenges remain ahead: the sale must traverse the foreign military sales process, clear Congress, and address concerns over Saudi Arabia’s ties with China and human-rights record.
The administration also faces the diplomatic balancing act of maintaining Israel’s advantage in the skies while deepening U.S.–Saudi defence cooperation.
With the agreement now publicly visible and commitments made, the path appears set for Saudi Arabia to become the next Middle Eastern nation to acquire the F-35, subject to final approvals and implementation timelines.
