US to Sell F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia, Trump Announces Ahead of Crown Prince's Visit
In a significant policy shift, US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to sell highly advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The announcement was made ahead of a visit by the kingdom's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking his first White House trip since the 2018 killing of the Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Background and Context
This decision potentially alters the military balance in the Middle East and has attracted global attention. Saudi Arabia is already a major buyer of US arms, and the sale of F-35s — the crown jewel in Lockheed Martin’s portfolio and a symbol of US military might — would further solidify the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Prince Mohammed's arrival in Washington is expected to result in the sale of the F-35s and a series of other business deals. The visit coincides with Trump designating Saudi Arabia as a major, non-NATO ally,
a designation that unveils a defense and economic partnership with the Crown Prince and marks 80 years of US-Saudi relations.
Key Developments
Apart from the F-35 sale, Trump has been urging the Saudis to join the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements normalizing relations between Israel and various Arab nations. Israel, currently the only country in the region operating F-35 jets, may seek security guarantees from the US over the sale to Riyadh, according to Axios.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the US and Saudi Arabia have also inked deals for civil nuclear energy and tanks on top of the F-35 sale. The decision to approve the F-35 sale requires congressional approval, according to ANSA.
Implications and Reactions
The sale of stealthy warplanes reflects Trump's instinct to bypass the security establishment’s concerns about maintaining Israel's military edge. As Al Jazeera English reports, the F-35 is a highly sought-after fighter jet, and Saudi Arabia's interest in acquiring it is clear.
In addition to military hardware, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also shown interest in AI-powered drones and potentially, American nuclear weapons stationed in his country, as per Middle East Eye.
Current Status
As the Crown Prince visits the US, Trump has pulled out all the stops, giving him a treatment typically reserved for a state visit. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince has promised to invest almost a trillion dollars in new deals with the US, marking a significant boost in US-Saudi relations. The future of the F-35 sale, however, still hangs in the balance, awaiting approval from the U.S. Congress.