President Donald Trump said the US will sell the advanced F-35 stealth fighter jet to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in American defense policy in the Middle East.
“We’ll be selling the F-35s,” Trump told reporters on November 17, 2025.
The planned sale comes on the eve of the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House, further underscoring the strategic importance of Saudi Arabia to Washington. The kingdom has reportedly sought to purchase as many as 48 F-35s.
Trump said the kingdom had been “a great ally,” and the deal would reflect a stronger US-Saudi security relationship. While the president’s remarks signal intent, key details such as the variant of the jets, timeline for delivery, and full contract terms have not yet been revealed.
The sale would represent the first time the F-35 has been sold to Saudi Arabia, which currently does not operate the aircraft. The only other Middle Eastern country with the F-35 is Israel, which has raised concerns about preserving its qualitative military edge in the region. US officials have described safeguarding Israel’s advantage as a central factor in advanced arms exports to Arab partners.
The potential transfer of the F-35 program to Saudi Arabia faces several hurdles. It must go through the US foreign military sales process, including export-licensing approval, and clear congressional oversight. Some lawmakers have previously questioned Saudi Arabia’s human-rights record and the potential risks of sensitive technology transfer.
The announcement aligns with a broader effort by Trump to expand defense and strategic ties with the kingdom. In May 2025, the White House and Riyadh reached a $142 billion arms-cooperation agreement, marking one of the largest US defense‐industry pacts in history.
Trump’s announcement also ties into wider diplomacy: Saudi normalization of relations with Israel has been a persistent US objective, and the F-35 deal may serve as leverage in those discussions.
For Saudi Arabia, the purchase would help modernize its air force, provide a strategic deterrent in the Gulf region, and signal its elevated role as a US defense partner.
Nevertheless, the deal remains in the early stages. Officials say the Pentagon and State Department are working through review steps and that no final contract has been signed. Congressional notifications are expected as part of the foreign military sales process.
As Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepares to meet Trump, the spotlight will be on whether the F-35 sale is formally addressed, how the US assuages Israel’s concerns, and whether a broader strategic framework is announced.
