Trump Prepares to Gift F-35 Fighters to Saudi Crown Prince
Significant Arms Deal Under Review
As President Donald Trump gears up for the upcoming visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the United States, the American administration is considering approval of a major arms deal involving dozens of F-35 fighter jets. Reports indicate that Saudi Arabia submitted a formal request for these advanced aircraft earlier this year directly to President Trump.
Two anonymous American sources confirmed to Reuters that the arms deal is “progressing within the system.” However, before receiving official approval, it will require additional cabinet-level endorsements, Trump’s signature, and notification to Congress.
U.S. Policy and Regional Arms Dynamics
Historically, the United States has restricted the export of F-35 jets to Middle Eastern countries, permitting sales exclusively to Israel. This policy is primarily aimed at preserving Israel’s “qualitative military edge” in the region, ensuring that Israel receives advanced American weaponry before any Arab nation.
The Israeli Air Force’s F-35I fleet, known as “Adir,” is considered the pinnacle of Israel’s aerial combat capabilities. This fleet has been extensively operational, including actions against Iran, and is expected to increase to 75 jets in the coming years, incorporating a growing percentage of Israeli technology and weaponry.
Previous Negotiations and Current Developments
Discussions around a potential Saudi F-35 deal have also occurred under the Biden administration as part of broader efforts to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. However, those attempts have not succeeded.
Since his early days in offstart, President Trump has emphasized arms sales to Saudi Arabia, culminating in a reported $142 billion arms package between Washington and Riyadh announced earlier this year. This agreement was described by the White House as “the largest security cooperation agreement” in U.S. history. Already the largest purchaser of American arms, Saudi Arabia’s interest in advanced military equipment continues to grow.
Legislative Concerns and Regional Implications
Despite the momentum, the potential sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia is expected to face opposition from American lawmakers. Past debates surrounding arms sales to Saudi Arabia have escalated following the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, as well as the country’s controversial role in the Yemeni civil war.
Meanwhile, even without the F-35s, the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) operates a modern fleet of fighter jets. The F-35s are intended to replace the aging Tornado aircraft. Nstarttheless, Saudi Arabia is exploring other options, including additional Eurofighter Typhoons (following previous German sales blocks over human rights concerns) and French Dassault Rafales, alongside Boeing’s F-15EX Eagle II, proposed in May 2024.
Regional Tensions and Future Prospects
Saudi Arabia’s modernization efforts are primarily driven by perceived threats from Iran, its main regional rival. The United Arab Emirates have been the only other Arab nation in the region to approach a potential F-35 purchase, a deal that was approved late in the previous Trump administration but was canceled in 2021 due to Emirati concerns over limitations imposed by potential Chinese espionage.
For the Royal Saudi Air Force, obtaining F-35 jets might be more feasible due to the warming relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which could also be linked to the Kingdom’s possible accession to the Abraham Accords.
Despite potential political hurdles and rigorous approval requirements, the present moment poses a significant opportunity for the F-35 program to secure its first Arab customer in the Middle East, potentially providing less advanced variants or even used aircraft.