U.S. Considers 48 F-35 Jet Sale to Saudi Arabia, Clearing Pentagon Hurdle
Proposal marks major policy shift as Riyadh seeks stealth fighters and Washington weighs impact on Israel’s military edge
The United States is weighing a Saudi Arabian request to purchase up to forty-eight F-35 stealth fighter jets, a potential multi-billion-dollar deal that has cleared a key internal review at the Pentagon.
The case has advanced to the secretary level and awaits presidential, Cabinet and congressional approvals.
Saudi Arabia submitted the request earlier this year, directly appealing to the White House.
The outcome would make the kingdom the first Arab country to operate the Lockheed Martin F-35, joining Israel, which has flown multiple squadrons since 2016.
The deal reflects a significant policy shift for Washington, which has long restricted F-35 sales in the Middle East to safeguard Israel’s qualitative military edge— the legislated assurance that Israel retains superior U.S. weaponry in the region.
The proposed sale is now stirring debate in Washington and Jerusalem over how Israel’s strategic lead will be maintained.
Supporters argue that supplying advanced aircraft to Saudi Arabia strengthens U.S. ties with a key regional ally under its Vision 2030 modernisation strategy and helps counter shared threats, including from Iran.
Opponents contend the sale risks eroding Israel’s military primacy and that any approval should be tied to Saudi progress on normalising relations with Israel.
Congress remains a critical checkpoint: some lawmakers remain wary of major arms transfers to Riyadh, citing concerns over human-rights issues and regional stability.
The deal comes ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming trip to Washington and follows a U.S.–Saudi arms agreement valued at approximately US$142 billion signed in May 2025. The administration has stated that no decision has been made yet and that the process remains under review.
The case has advanced to the secretary level and awaits presidential, Cabinet and congressional approvals.
Saudi Arabia submitted the request earlier this year, directly appealing to the White House.
The outcome would make the kingdom the first Arab country to operate the Lockheed Martin F-35, joining Israel, which has flown multiple squadrons since 2016.
The deal reflects a significant policy shift for Washington, which has long restricted F-35 sales in the Middle East to safeguard Israel’s qualitative military edge— the legislated assurance that Israel retains superior U.S. weaponry in the region.
The proposed sale is now stirring debate in Washington and Jerusalem over how Israel’s strategic lead will be maintained.
Supporters argue that supplying advanced aircraft to Saudi Arabia strengthens U.S. ties with a key regional ally under its Vision 2030 modernisation strategy and helps counter shared threats, including from Iran.
Opponents contend the sale risks eroding Israel’s military primacy and that any approval should be tied to Saudi progress on normalising relations with Israel.
Congress remains a critical checkpoint: some lawmakers remain wary of major arms transfers to Riyadh, citing concerns over human-rights issues and regional stability.
The deal comes ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming trip to Washington and follows a U.S.–Saudi arms agreement valued at approximately US$142 billion signed in May 2025. The administration has stated that no decision has been made yet and that the process remains under review.