Trump Says He Will Sell F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia

U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a move that comes amid concerns within the administration about potential technology leakage to China and broader geopolitical implications. The announcement coincides with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s high-profile visit to Washington—his first in more than seven years.

Trump confirmed the decision when asked whether he would approve Riyadh’s request for the advanced aircraft, saying, “We’ll be selling F-35s.” Saudi Arabia reportedly seeks clear assurances regarding U.S. military protection and access to advanced defense technology as part of its strategic defence goals.

However, the decision faces criticism from several fronts. U.S. officials have long been cautious about compromising Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge (QME), a principle ensuring Israel maintains superior defense capabilities in the region. There are also growing concerns that China—Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner—could gain access to sensitive U.S. technologies. Similar concerns previously stalled a potential F-35 sale to the UAE.

Saudi Arabia’s deepening ties with China, including joint naval exercises and Beijing’s diplomatic role in restoring relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, have intensified these fears.

Additionally, Trump is simultaneously pursuing a major diplomatic breakthrough: the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. While Trump is optimistic about securing Saudi Arabia’s entry into the Abraham Accords “very soon,” internal assessments suggest that such a deal remains unlikely in the immediate term. Saudi Arabia maintains that it will only normalize ties if there is a credible pathway to a Palestinian state—something Israel strongly opposes.

The F-35 decision is expected to face congressional scrutiny, with lawmakers likely to question Saudi-China relations, human rights issues, and implications for regional stability. The visit also marks Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s first trip to Washington since the controversy surrounding the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

Despite these challenges, Trump continues to praise Saudi Arabia as a “great ally,” signaling a renewed strategic partnership.