Saudi F-35 Sale Approved by Trump Administration
The Saudi F-35 sale has been approved by Donald Trump’s administration, opening the way for Riyadh to acquire 48 advanced F-35 fighter jets in a proposed deal worth $24bn (£17.8bn).
The agreement represents a significant change in US policy toward Saudi Arabia, which has sought the aircraft for years. The F-35 is equipped with stealth technology designed to make the aircraft difficult for enemy forces to detect.
The United States had previously resisted supplying the aircraft to Saudi Arabia, partly because Israel also operates the F-35. Under US law, Israel is guaranteed access to top-level American military equipment compared with weapons available to other countries in the region.
The Saudi F-35 sale will now face scrutiny from Congress. Lawmakers have 30 days to review the proposed agreement and could attempt to block it during that period.
Congress Raises F-35 Technology Concerns
Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois, opposed the proposed deal on Thursday and raised concerns about the security of sensitive American military technology.
He warned that the agreement “could put the crown jewels of American military technology within reach of the Chinese Communist Party”.
Other Democratic lawmakers and some US defence officials have expressed similar concerns about supplying F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. Their concerns include the possibility that Riyadh could share sensitive technology with China because of the security relationship between the two countries.
The State Department defended the proposed Saudi F-35 sale, saying it would support US “foreign policy and national security objectives”.
The department said the agreement would strengthen “the security of a major non-Nato ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region”.
It also stated that “the proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the military balance in the region.”
Saudi Arabia Could Match Israel’s Current Fleet
The proposed deal would provide Saudi Arabia with 48 F-35 aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin. If completed, the sale would bring Saudi Arabia close to Israel’s current fleet of 50 F-35 jets.
Israel, however, is also expanding its fleet. Its foreign ministry announced in May that the country would procure another F-35 squadron, a move that would eventually increase its fleet to 100 aircraft, according to the Jerusalem Post.
A single Lockheed Martin F-35A costs approximately $82.5m, highlighting the scale of the proposed Saudi military purchase.
The F-35 programme is one of the most advanced US military aircraft programmes, with stealth capabilities forming a major part of its design and operational role.
Trump and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Defence Ties
The Saudi F-35 sale comes amid close relations between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The crown prince visited the White House last November, while the two also met in Riyadh in May last year. During that visit, a $142bn arms agreement was announced, which the White House described as the “largest defence sales agreement in history”.
Congress has previously examined major US arms agreements involving Saudi Arabia. Scrutiny intensified after the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The administration of former President Joe Biden had also considered supplying F-35s to Saudi Arabia if Riyadh agreed to normalise relations with Israel. That diplomatic effort ultimately faltered.
Saudi Arabia Faces Houthi Conflict
The proposed Saudi F-35 sale comes as Saudi Arabia remains involved in conflict with the Houthis, an Iran-backed armed group controlling large parts of western Yemen.
The Houthis have recently taken control of areas of Yemen’s Red Sea coast from Saudi-backed pro-government forces.
Two sources familiar with the matter told CBS News, the BBC’s US media partner, that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had personally urged Trump to take military action against the Houthis.
Trump has so far declined to directly involve the US military in the conflict, according to the same sources.
The proposed $24bn agreement must now pass through the congressional review period before the Saudi F-35 sale can proceed.