US Proposes F-35 Sale to Saudi Arabia Amidst Congressional Concerns
The State Department announced a potential deal for 48 F-35 fighter jets, a move met with opposition from some lawmakers citing technological security risks.
The United States has proposed selling 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a deal that has drawn scrutiny from some members of Congress who are concerned about the advanced military technology falling into the wrong hands. The State Department announced the proposed sale on Thursday, stating it would advance U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives.
According to the State Department, the sale would bolster the security of a key non-NATO ally considered a force for stability and economic progress in the Persian Gulf. Officials also asserted that the proposed acquisition would not disrupt the regional military balance. The F-35s, built by Lockheed Martin, are among the most advanced fighter jets in the world, with a single F-35A jet costing approximately $82.5 million.
However, Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois, voiced opposition to the sale, warning that it could potentially expose critical American military technology to the Chinese Communist Party. Similar concerns have been echoed by other Democratic lawmakers and some defense officials, who fear that Saudi Arabia might share sensitive F-35 technology with China through existing security partnerships. The United States has been hesitant to transfer such advanced aircraft to Riyadh in the past, particularly after the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which led Congress to question arms deals with the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has actively sought to acquire F-35s for years. The proposed deal would bring Saudi Arabia's F-35 fleet to a level comparable to Israel's, which currently operates 50 of the jets. In May, Israel announced its intention to procure an additional squadron of F-35s, which would double its fleet to 100 aircraft.
The Biden administration had previously considered supplying F-35s to Saudi Arabia as part of a broader diplomatic effort to encourage normalization of relations between Riyadh and Israel. However, that initiative ultimately faltered. Former President Donald Trump, who maintained a close relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, previously oversaw a significant arms deal worth $142 billion, described at the time as the largest defense sales agreement in history, during a visit to the White House in November 2025 and a meeting in Riyadh in May of the same year.