The United States is moving closer to approving the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a development President Donald Trump confirmed ahead of his White House meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The decision underscores Washington’s ongoing strategic partnership with Riyadh and signals a renewed phase of cooperation between the two governments.
Trump’s confirmation marks a significant shift in regional defence dynamics. The F-35, often viewed as the most advanced stealth aircraft available, has so far been supplied only to Israel in the Middle East. Extending access to Saudi Arabia would represent a major milestone in the kingdom’s military modernization efforts while raising new questions about regional balance and long-term security.
A High-Profile Visit Marked by Controversy and Diplomacy
The crown prince’s visit is notable not only for its policy significance but also because it marks his first return to the White House since 2018. That year, journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, a murder that triggered widespread condemnation around the world. A US intelligence assessment later concluded that Prince Mohammed had approved the operation, though he denied having a direct role in the killing.
The aftermath of Khashoggi’s death created a rare public rift between Washington and Riyadh. The Biden administration took a notably different approach from Trump’s earlier tenure, keeping formal engagement with the crown prince at arm’s length. Joe Biden had vowed during his campaign to make Saudi Arabia a “pariah” because of its human rights record, although he later visited the kingdom in 2022 to address issues such as global oil supplies and regional stability. During that visit, Biden said he raised Khashoggi’s death directly with Saudi leadership.
Prince Mohammed’s return to Washington during Trump’s current term signals a renewed willingness from both sides to focus on strategic and economic interests, even as longstanding concerns continue to shape public discussion.
Defence, Nuclear Cooperation, and Strategic Alignment Expected to Dominate Talks
The White House meeting is expected to center on defence and civilian nuclear cooperation, two areas that remain top priorities for both governments. The F-35 sale is likely to dominate much of the conversation, but officials from both nations are also expected to discuss nuclear energy collaborations and broader regional security arrangements.
This engagement follows a high-level meeting between Trump and Prince Mohammed in Riyadh earlier this year. During that visit, the U.S. announced a sweeping defence package valued at nearly $142 billion as part of a larger $600 billion investment framework. The scale of those agreements underscored Saudi Arabia’s status as the largest purchaser of American weapons and showcased Washington’s continued reliance on Riyadh as a key defense partner.
Concerns Mount Over Technology Transfer and Regional Stability
Despite strong political momentum behind the proposed F-35 sale, the move has drawn scrutiny from within the US defence establishment. Some Pentagon officials, speaking to US media, have expressed concern that Saudi Arabia’s growing ties with China could create security vulnerabilities. The F-35’s cutting-edge stealth technology and advanced data systems are considered among the most sensitive military assets in the world, and any sale involving those capabilities requires strict safeguards.
The US has grown increasingly wary of China’s strengthening relationships across the Middle East, particularly in defence and technology. The possibility that any aspect of the F-35 program could be exposed to Chinese partners is a major point of contention within Washington’s national security circles.
Israel, meanwhile, has publicly and privately voiced its concerns about a potential F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia. As the only country in the region currently operating the aircraft, Israel considers the F-35 a cornerstone of its qualitative military edge—a long-standing principle of US Middle East policy. Israeli officials have warned that equipping another regional power with the same high-end aircraft could dilute that advantage and complicate Israel’s strategic posture at a time of heightened regional tensions.
Costs, Capabilities, and Regional Implications
The F-35A currently carries an average price of roughly $82.5 million per aircraft, according to manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Beyond the procurement cost, any sale would involve a complex package of training, support infrastructure, and long-term maintenance programs. For Saudi Arabia, acquiring the F-35 would represent a major leap forward in its military modernization plans and strengthen its air power capabilities in a region increasingly shaped by shifting alliances and new security challenges.
US Eyes Progress on Normalisation Talks With Israel
Alongside the defence discussions, Trump is expected to urge Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, the series of agreements established in 2020 that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab countries. Washington views Saudi participation as a major geopolitical milestone.
However, the kingdom has maintained that normalization with Israel cannot proceed without a credible path toward Palestinian statehood. The current Israeli government rejects such a framework, leaving a significant gap between Saudi requirements and Israeli policy. Despite these barriers, US officials see diplomatic engagement on this front as essential for future regional stability.
