The United States intends to sell highly advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. President Donald Trump announced this on November 17, 2025. The planned sale, which could provide the kingdom with up to 48 of the advanced fighter jets, signals a profound shift in long-standing US defense policy in the Middle East and underscores Riyadh's growing strategic importance to Washington. The announcement came just before Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's planned visit to the White House and is closely linked to US efforts to promote a broader strategic realignment in the region.
The potential acquisition of the F-35 by the Saudi Air Force would not only modernize the kingdom's military capabilities and strengthen its deterrent position in the Gulf, but also end Israel's exclusive status as the sole F-35 operator in the Middle East. Although the intention to sell has now been officially declared at the highest level, the project is still in the early stages of a complex process. Significant hurdles remain, including export licenses and the mandatory approval of the US Congress, where concerns exist regarding the preservation of Israel's military superiority and the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia.
A historic arms export with political implications
President Trump's statement that the US would sell F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia represents an unprecedented step in military cooperation with the kingdom. The F-35 Lightning II, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is considered the world's most advanced fifth-generation fighter jet and is distinguished by its stealth capabilities, sophisticated sensors, and networked operational capabilities.
Until now, the US government has strictly limited sales of this aircraft type to Arab partners. For a long time, Israel was the only country in the Middle East to possess the F-35, which was intended to secure its so-called "qualitative military edge" (qme) – a guideline in US foreign policy that has been in place for decades, designed to ensure that Israel remains technologically superior in the event of a conflict.
Trump's decision to offer the F-35 to Saudi Arabia underscores the recognition of the kingdom as an important ally and reflects the desire for a more robust security relationship. This stance was already reinforced in May 2025 by a comprehensive arms cooperation agreement worth $142 billion, considered one of the largest arms deals in U.S. history.
The planned sale of up to 48 F-35 jets, reportedly being pursued by Saudi Arabia, would significantly accelerate the modernization of the Saudi Air Force, which is currently based mainly on older generation aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle and the Eurofighter Typhoon.
The Foreign Military Sales Process and Hurdles in Congress
President Trump's intention to sell is merely the first step in a lengthy and complex process. The potential transfer of the F-35s is subject to the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process, which requires several stages of review and approval.
- Review by the Pentagon and State Department: Officials from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are currently reviewing the deal, evaluating factors such as its impact on regional stability, Saudi Arabia's ability to properly utilize the technology, and, in particular, the safeguarding of sensitive technology.
- Export licensing: An export license is required to authorize the transfer of this complex technology.
- Congress oversight: The sale must be notified to the US Congress, which has the option to reject the deal.
Significant opposition to the sale is expected in Congress. Some lawmakers have criticized Saudi Arabia in the past for its human rights record and its military role in regional conflicts. Furthermore, Israel's security clearance is a key point of contention. To allay concerns in Washington, US government officials must provide a detailed account of the technical safeguards being implemented to ensure that the F-35 variants delivered to Saudi Arabia do not compromise Israel's military superiority. This could mean that the kingdom receives less capable or technically modified versions of the jet.
F-35 as leverage in regional diplomacy
The planned F-35 transaction should not be viewed in isolation, but rather within the context of broader US diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The United States has long sought to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Although the details of this connection are not publicly known, it is considered likely that the F-35 deal serves as a central element and political incentive in these normalization talks.
For Saudi Arabia, normalization with Israel would pave the way for even deeper security and technological partnerships with the United States. Conversely, the prospect of acquiring the F-35 fighter jet, which Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman uses to further his military and geopolitical ambitions, could provide the necessary motivation for such a diplomatic breakthrough. Observers believe that the complex interplay between the F-35 sale, maintaining the security of Israel, and normalizing relations constitutes a comprehensive strategic package that Washington is attempting to establish in the region.
Saudi Arabia's strategic motivation
For the Kingdom, the purchase of the F-35 represents a culmination of its military modernization efforts. The fifth-generation aircraft would provide Saudi Arabia with the following strategic advantages:
- Increased deterrence: The F-35 would serve as a strategic deterrent against regional rivals in the Gulf and ensure the superiority of the Saudi air force in a potential conflict environment.
- Technological leap: The integration of the F-35 would represent a massive technological leap for the Saudi Air Force. The jets could share data in real time with other weapon systems and improve the operational efficiency of the entire fleet.
- Strengthening the partnership: Approving such a sensitive arms export would reinforce Saudi Arabia's position as a privileged security partner of the US in the region.
Despite President Trump's clear declaration of intent, negotiations remain in an early stage, and no final contract has yet been signed. The final details of the deal, the agreement on the variant to be delivered, and the necessary assurances to Israel will be crucial in determining whether and when the F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia will actually be realized.
Comment