In a dramatic policy shift, former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to sell advanced F-35 stealth jets to Saudi Arabia. President Donald Trump has announced plans to sell advanced F-35 stealth jets to Saudi Arabia, marking the first time the Kingdom could acquire the fifth-generation aircraft previously reserved for Israel.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on 17 November, Trump confirmed Saudi Arabia’s strong desire to purchase up to 48 F-35s during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington. He described Riyadh as a “great ally” and pledged that “we will be doing that … we’ll be selling F-35s.”
The sale, part of a sweeping strategic defence agreement, comes as Trump formally designates Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally. The move allows significantly closer military cooperation and easier technological transfers while bolstering Riyadh’s role in U.S. regional strategy.
However, the decision has sparked unease in some Washington quarters. Senior U.S. officials worry about sensitive technology being exposed to China, given the kingdom’s expanding ties with Beijing. Moreover, Israel may see its regional dominance challenged, despite holding a legally guaranteed “qualitative military edge” over its neighbours for decades.
Israeli voices have already raised concerns. Some warn that providing F-35s to Saudi Arabia could spark a dangerous arms race in the Middle East. Despite this, Trump cast the move as part of a broader peace-and-security reset, insisting that Israel and Saudi Arabia are both valued partners.
Beyond the arms deal, the agreement includes ambitious economic dimensions: the Saudis are reportedly committed to investing up to US$1 trillion in artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and civilian nuclear infrastructure in the U.S.
Many analysts view the summit as a pivotal moment in Middle East geopolitics. By opening the door to F-35 sales to Saudi Arabia, the U.S. may be reshaping long-standing alliances and recalibrating its influence, even as Israel’s air superiority is called into question.
