Saudi Arabia’s request to purchase up to 48 F-35 fighter jets has cleared a key Pentagon hurdle.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the Pentagon’s policy department has been working on the proposed transaction for several months. The case has now advanced to the secretary level within the Defense Department — a significant procedural step.
The Trump administration is reportedly open to approving the sale, which would include 48 of Lockheed Martin’s advanced F-35 stealth fighters. If finalized, the deal would significantly bolster Riyadh’s air capabilities and mark the kingdom’s first acquisition of fifth-generation aircraft.
No final decision has yet been made, officials emphasized. The deal still requires Cabinet-level approval, President Trump’s authorization, and formal notification to Congress.
Strategic shift in US-Saudi relations
If approved, the sale would represent a notable shift in U.S. defense policy. Washington has long maintained that Israel must preserve a “qualitative military edge” in the region, a doctrine that has traditionally restricted the export of advanced U.S. weapons to Arab states.
The United States weighs arms sales to the Middle East through that lens, ensuring Israel receives superior military technology. Israel, which has operated the F-35 for nearly a decade, remains the only country in the region with the jet.
However, the Trump administration’s renewed willingness to strengthen defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia could mark a recalibration of that long-standing principle.
Saudi Arabia’s push for modernisation
Saudi Arabia — already the largest buyer of U.S. arms — has sought the F-35 for years as part of its military modernization drive under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 agenda.
The kingdom’s air force currently operates a fleet that includes F-15s, Tornados, and Typhoons, but officials in Riyadh view the F-35 as essential to countering regional threats, especially from Iran.
The renewed push for two squadrons of the fighter jets also aligns with broader defense goals, as Riyadh seeks to enhance interoperability with U.S. and Western forces.
Diplomatic and political implications
The F-35 discussions are closely tied to U.S.-Saudi diplomatic relations. Previous efforts under the Biden administration linked potential F-35 sales to Saudi normalization with Israel, though those talks ultimately stalled.
Trump’s return to office has reignited the push for deeper defense cooperation. Earlier this year, the U.S. agreed to a $142 billion arms package with Saudi Arabia, described by the White House as the “largest defense cooperation agreement” in American history.
Congressional oversight and criticism
Despite White House enthusiasm, Congressional approval remains a major obstacle. Lawmakers have previously scrutinized Saudi arms deals following the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and have expressed concerns about Riyadh’s human rights record and involvement in regional conflicts.
Some members of Congress are expected to question whether selling stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia aligns with U.S. strategic and moral commitments in the region.
Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35, declined to comment on the potential deal, emphasizing that such transactions are government-to-government matters.
The Pentagon, White House, and State Department have also not publicly addressed the reports. The matter, officials said, remains under internal review.
