The U.S. Department of State has approved the potential sale of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a move that could significantly alter the military balance in the Middle East. The estimated $24.3 billion sale would include 48 of the advanced stealth aircraft and 49 Pratt & Whitney engines, along with communications equipment, spare parts, and other support items.
This potential sale marks a significant policy shift for the U.S., which typically weighs weapons sales to the Middle East in a way that ensures Israel maintains a "qualitative military edge" over regional Arab states. The F-35, considered the world's most advanced fighter jet due to its stealth technology, is currently operated by Israel, the only Middle Eastern country possessing the weapons system.
Saudi Arabia, a major customer for U.S. arms, has long sought the F-35 to modernize its air force and counter regional threats, particularly from Iran. The kingdom's renewed interest in acquiring two squadrons of the jets comes as the administration of former President Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to deepen defense cooperation with Riyadh. During Trump's previous term, the U.S. agreed to an arms package worth nearly $142 billion with Saudi Arabia, described by the White House as the largest defense cooperation agreement in history.
The potential F-35 sale also emerges after previous diplomatic efforts. The administration of President Joe Biden had explored providing F-35s to Saudi Arabia as part of a broader deal that would have included Riyadh normalizing relations with Israel, but those negotiations ultimately stalled. Saudi Arabia's pursuit of the jets was formalized with a direct appeal to Trump in early 2025.
Any F-35 sale could face scrutiny from Congress. Lawmakers previously questioned arms deals with Riyadh following the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and some members of Congress remain hesitant about deepening military ties with the kingdom. Saudi Arabia is currently undergoing ambitious economic and military modernization plans under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 agenda, seeking to diversify its defense partnerships while maintaining its long-standing security relationship with Washington. The Saudi Air Force currently operates a mix of fighter aircraft, including Boeing F-15s, European Tornados, and Typhoons.