President Donald Trump said the US will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, giving Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman a major win. He made the remarks on Monday at the White House and praised Saudi Arabia as a “great ally.” The offer comes as Trump seeks deeper ties with Riyadh and aims to push the kingdom toward formal ties with Israel.
Trump’s statement, however, is only the first step. Saudi Arabia must still request the jets, and Congress must approve the deal. The Pentagon would then draft a Letter of Offer and Acceptance. After that, Saudi officials must negotiate terms with Lockheed Martin. Delivery could take years.
The Saudis have long wanted the F-35, which costs about $100 million per plane. The advanced technology makes the jet highly sensitive. Israel, the only Middle East nation with the F-35, wants to protect its military edge. US law requires Washington to maintain that advantage.
China’s close defense ties with Riyadh also raise concerns among US officials. A Pentagon report warned that China could gain access to sensitive tech.
The UAE’s stalled F-35 deal shows the challenges ahead. Despite Trump’s earlier approval, disputes over China slowed progress. Still, Trump’s support signals growing momentum for Saudi Arabia as it seeks a broad defense pact with Washington.
