US President Donald Trump signaled on Monday that he intends to approve the sale of American-made F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, just one day before hosting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a high-profile diplomatic visit.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said the United States is prepared to move ahead with the long-discussed deal. “I will say that we will be doing that,” he remarked. “We’ll be selling the F-35s.” His comments mark the clearest indication yet that Washington is ready to advance a sale that could reshape regional military dynamics.
A potential agreement would represent a major policy shift and could significantly influence the balance of air power in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has requested up to 48 F-35 aircraft, a multibillion-dollar package that recently passed an important Pentagon review, Reuters reported earlier this month. Riyadh has been eager to acquire the Lockheed Martin-built fighter for years, viewing it as essential for modernising its air force and countering growing threats, particularly from Iran.
A senior White House official told Reuters ahead of Trump’s remarks that the president planned to raise the issue directly with the crown prince, after which a formal decision would be made. Monday’s comments, however, suggest Trump has already moved closer to approving the sale.
Saudi Arabia, one of the largest purchasers of American weapons, has repeatedly pressed for access to the F-35 platform. Its air force currently operates a mix of US and European aircraft, including F-15s, Eurofighter Typhoons and Tornado jets. Riyadh’s renewed push for two full squadrons of F-35s comes amid signs that the Trump administration is open to deeper defence cooperation with the kingdom.
The Pentagon’s policy team has been examining the potential deal for months, according to US officials who spoke anonymously to Reuters. Any sale, however, must navigate Washington’s long-standing commitment to ensuring Israel maintains its “qualitative military edge”—a policy that requires Israel to receive more advanced US military technology than any regional Arab state.
Israel has fielded the F-35 for nearly a decade, building several squadrons and becoming the only Middle Eastern nation to operate the fifth-generation stealth fighter. Allowing Saudi Arabia to purchase the same aircraft would mark a notable departure from past US policy, prompting debates over Israel’s defence advantage.
The issue has also intersected with broader diplomatic negotiations. Under the previous administration, US officials considered providing F-35s to Saudi Arabia as part of a larger agreement that would have included Riyadh normalising ties with Israel. Those discussions ultimately stalled, but the F-35 request remained on the table.
Congress may also pose obstacles. Several lawmakers have expressed concern about arms sales to Riyadh, particularly after the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Skepticism persists on Capitol Hill over whether deeper military cooperation with the kingdom aligns with US interests.
Despite potential political hurdles, Trump’s comments on Monday indicate that Washington is closer than ever to approving a deal that could reshape Saudi Arabia’s military capabilities and reopen contentious debates over the future of US arms sales in the Middle East.
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