WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is considering a Saudi Arabian request to buy 48 F-35 fighter jets, a move that could mark a major policy shift and significantly alter the Middle East’s military balance, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The potential deal — worth several billion dollars — has reportedly cleared a key Pentagon hurdle ahead of an expected visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The proposal is now under review at the secretary level within the Defense Department, though officials emphasised that no final decision has yet been made.
According to two US officials, the transaction still requires multiple layers of approval, including clearance from the Cabinet, a formal sign-off from President Trump, and notification to Congress. If approved, the sale would mark a historic shift in US arms policy, as the F-35 — a stealth, fifth-generation fighter built by Lockheed Martin — is currently operated by only one Middle Eastern country: Israel. Washington’s long-standing policy has been to ensure Israel maintains a “qualitative military edge” over its regional neighbours.
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The sources said Saudi Arabia has been seeking the advanced fighter for years to modernise its air force and strengthen its defences against Iran. The kingdom’s current fleet includes Boeing F-15s, Eurofighter Typhoons, and Tornado jets. While the Pentagon, White House, and State Department declined to comment, a Lockheed Martin spokesperson said that military sales are conducted government-to-government and referred inquiries to Washington. The move follows Trump’s broader strategy of expanding defence and trade ties with Riyadh. In May, the US announced a $142 billion arms package with Saudi Arabia, described by the White House as “the largest defence cooperation agreement” in US history.
However, the potential F-35 sale could face congressional resistance, with lawmakers continuing to voice concerns over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Biden administration had previously considered offering F-35s to Saudi Arabia as part of a regional normalisation deal with Israel, but talks stalled. Trump’s renewed openness to the sale reflects a shift toward closer defence cooperation with the kingdom under Vision 2030, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s sweeping plan for military and economic modernisation. If the deal proceeds, it would not only enhance Saudi Arabia’s aerial capabilities but could also test Washington’s delicate balance between supporting Arab allies and preserving Israel’s strategic advantage in the region.
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