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US Considers Saudi Request for 48 F-35 Fighter Jets
Trump administration weighing Saudi Arabia’s request to buy 48 F-35 jets, a potential multi-billion-dollar deal that could shift Middle East military balance and test Israel’s qualitative edge.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-05
US Considers Saudi Request for 48 F-35 Fighter Jets

The Trump administration is reviewing a Saudi Arabian request to purchase up to 48 F-35 fighter jets, a potential multi-billion-dollar deal that has cleared a key Pentagon hurdle ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming visit to the United States.

If approved, the sale would represent a significant policy shift, potentially altering the military balance in the Middle East while raising questions about Washington’s commitment to maintaining Israel’s “qualitative military edge,” a principle that ensures Israel has access to more advanced U.S. weaponry than regional states.

Saudi Arabia, the largest buyer of U.S. arms, has long sought Lockheed Martin’s F-35, widely regarded as the world’s most advanced fighter jet due to its stealth capabilities. The kingdom’s renewed request for what would constitute two squadrons comes as part of its ongoing effort to modernize its air force and counter regional threats, particularly from Iran. Currently, the Saudi Air Force operates a mix of Boeing F-15s, European Tornados, and Typhoons.

While the Pentagon’s policy department has been reviewing the potential transaction for months, final approval would require multiple steps, including cabinet-level sign-off, presidential authorization, and notification to Congress. Sources said no final decision has yet been made.

The proposed sale also intersects with broader diplomatic considerations. During the Biden administration, discussions about providing F-35s to Saudi Arabia were explored as part of a larger agreement that could have included Riyadh normalizing ties with Israel, but those negotiations stalled.

Trump, who has prioritized arms sales to Saudi Arabia since returning to office, has already approved a $142 billion arms package to the kingdom earlier this year, described as “the largest defense cooperation agreement” in U.S. history.

However, any sale could face Congressional scrutiny, particularly given lingering concerns over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Some lawmakers remain wary of deepening military cooperation with the kingdom.

The potential F-35 deal comes amid Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program, which aims to modernize the country’s economy and military while diversifying its defense partnerships, all while maintaining a long-standing security relationship with the United States.
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Donald trump

SaudiArabia

USDefense

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