United States President Donald Trump has announced his intention to approve the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in how Washington approaches the transfer of cutting-edge military technology to Arab nations. The statement came on Monday at the White House, a day before Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s scheduled visit.
Trump told reporters that Riyadh had been a “great ally” and that the US would be “selling F-35s”, signalling strong diplomatic alignment between the two nations. The move is widely viewed as part of Washington’s broader efforts to encourage Saudi Arabia to formally join the Abraham Accords—an initiative to normalise ties with Israel.
Balancing Saudi ties and Israel’s security concerns
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly stated that any recognition of Israel must adhere to the Arab Peace Initiative, which demands the creation of a viable Palestinian state as a prerequisite. The proposed F-35 sale raises immediate questions about the US commitment to preserving Israel’s qualitative military edge (QME), which is mandated by American law.
Israel’s QME—established during the Lyndon Johnson administration and reinforced under Ronald Reagan—ensures that Israel always maintains superior defence capabilities compared to potential regional adversaries. Critics in Israel argue that supplying advanced stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia could significantly dilute this advantage.
Former Israeli military officer and opposition politician Yair Golan warned that the sale could trigger “an arms race in the Middle East”, criticising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for failing to safeguard Israel’s decades-long strategic advantage. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir echoed the sentiment, emphasising the need to maintain Israel’s aerial superiority.
Why the F-35 matters
Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 is considered one of the most sophisticated combat aircraft in the world. Its stealth capabilities allow it to evade advanced radar systems, giving operators a decisive advantage in modern warfare.
Historically, the US has navigated QME concerns by either downgrading aircraft systems supplied to Arab nations or compensating Israel with upgraded equipment and additional technology. If finalised, this would make Saudi Arabia the first Arab nation to join the F-35 programme, following an attempt in 2020 to supply the jets to the UAE—a deal later halted by the Biden administration.
Regional dynamics and timing
Trump’s announcement comes at a delicate geopolitical moment. The Gaza ceasefire remains fragile, with near-daily reports of Israeli violations. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia appears to be charting a cautious diplomatic approach: its state news agency reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a handwritten letter from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ahead of the Washington visit, though no details were disclosed.
Trump also referenced the June US strike on Iran, which he claimed “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear infrastructure—despite Saudi Arabia having no role in the operation. Analysts say such remarks underscore Trump’s efforts to project decisive military strength ahead of the high-profile diplomatic engagement.
Congressional approval still required
Despite presidential backing, the proposed F-35 deal is far from guaranteed. Under US law, Congress retains the authority to block major arms sales. Lawmakers previously raised concerns about securing sensitive technology when the UAE attempted to acquire the jets.
The Biden administration’s 2021 hesitation reflected bipartisan unease about transferring advanced weapons to countries where long-term US strategic control may be uncertain. With regional tensions high and power balances fragile, congressional scrutiny is expected to be intense.
Conclusion
The proposed sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia represents a major diplomatic and strategic pivot for Washington. While the deal could strengthen ties with Riyadh and encourage further alignment under US-backed regional frameworks, it simultaneously risks heightening Israeli security fears and sparking renewed militarisation across an already volatile Middle East. The final outcome will depend not only on presidential intent but also on congressional approval and regional political responses in the coming months.