The US Department of State announced on Thursday its approval for the potential sale of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, as the kingdom becomes increasingly involved in Middle Eastern conflicts.
This transaction represents a notable shift in US policy, potentially impacting the military balance in the region and challenging Washington’s commitment to preserving Israel’s “qualitative military edge.” Saudi Arabia initially requested the jets in early 2025 from then-President Donald Trump and has long expressed interest in acquiring Lockheed Martin’s advanced fighter aircraft.
The proposed $24.3 billion deal would encompass 48 F-35 jets, 49 Pratt & Whitney engines, along with communications systems, spare parts, and additional support equipment, as detailed by the State Department.
US arms sales to the Middle East are carefully managed to ensure Israel retains its technological superiority, typically by providing Israel with more advanced weaponry than neighboring Arab nations. The F-35, equipped with stealth capabilities that enable it to avoid enemy radar, is regarded as the world’s most sophisticated fighter jet. Israel has operated the F-35 for over a decade, maintaining several squadrons and remains the sole Middle Eastern operator of this aircraft.
As the largest purchaser of US arms, Saudi Arabia has pursued the F-35 for years to modernize its air force and counter regional threats, particularly from Iran. The kingdom’s renewed interest in acquiring what would amount to two squadrons aligns with the Trump administration’s openness to expanding defense ties with Riyadh. Currently, the Saudi Air Force operates a variety of fighters, including Boeing F-15s, European Tornados, and Typhoons.
Discussions surrounding the F-35 sale have also been linked to broader diplomatic efforts. The Biden administration previously considered providing F-35s to Saudi Arabia as part of a comprehensive agreement that would have included Riyadh normalizing relations with Israel, but those negotiations eventually stalled.
Since his return to office, Trump has prioritized arms sales to Saudi Arabia. In 2025, the US agreed to a nearly $142 billion arms package with the kingdom, described by the White House as the largest defense cooperation deal ever undertaken by Washington.
However, congressional oversight may complicate the F-35 sale. Lawmakers have expressed concerns over arms deals with Riyadh following the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and some remain cautious about deepening military cooperation with the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia is advancing ambitious economic and military reforms under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan. While diversifying its defense partnerships, the kingdom continues to maintain its longstanding security alliance with the United States.
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