The U.S. Department of State confirmed on Thursday that the potential sale of $24.3 billion worth of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia will take place. This agreement is seen as an important step in Riyadh's long-standing efforts to acquire these aircraft.
Enhancing Saudi Arabia's Defensive Capabilities
According to the Department of State's statement, this sale will help "strengthen Saudi Arabia's ability to counter current and future threats" and also "improve cooperation with U.S. forces and other regional and NATO forces." The F-35 fighter jets, developed by the U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin, will add capabilities beyond Saudi Arabia's existing fleet, which includes F-15 and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.
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Background and Regional Concerns
Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced in November 2025 that the United States intends to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia has long sought these aircraft to enhance the country's military capabilities. The previous U.S. administration under Joe Biden also explored the possibility of providing these fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, but negotiations were halted due to Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent military operations in Gaza.
In Washington, concerns about China's relations with Saudi Arabia have become one of the main obstacles in negotiations regarding the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Riyadh. Reports indicate that U.S. intelligence officials have warned that China may gain access to sensitive F-35 technology through espionage in Saudi Arabia.
The proposed sale of F-35 fighter jets has also raised concerns among Israeli officials. Israel is the only country in the Middle East currently possessing this type of fighter jet, and U.S. policy requires Washington to consider Israel's military qualitative superiority when approving arms sales to other countries in the region. Israeli officials have previously expressed concern that providing these aircraft to Saudi Arabia could impact the security of their country.
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