US President Donald Trump said he is weighing a major request from Saudi Arabia to buy F-35 stealth fighter jets. He spoke to reporters on Air Force One on Friday and confirmed that Riyadh wants a large order of the advanced aircraft built by Lockheed Martin. Trump said the Saudis “want to buy a lot of jets” and pushed for a broader defense partnership.
The announcement comes ahead of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the White House next week. Trump plans to host him for high-level talks focused on defense and economic cooperation. He said the meeting would not be routine and described it as “honoring” Saudi Arabia.
Trump also repeated his hope that Saudi Arabia will join the Abraham Accords. Several Muslim-majority nations have already normalized ties with Israel under the agreement. Riyadh has held off, insisting on clear progress toward a Palestinian state.
The New York Times reported that a Pentagon intelligence review raised concerns about the proposed deal. Officials fear that China could gain access to sensitive F-35 technology if the sale moves forward. The assessment has prompted intense internal debate as US officials balance strategic risks with regional alliances.
