President Trump announced on Monday that he intends to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, despite warnings from national security officials within his administration. The Pentagon has expressed significant concerns that such a sale could allow China to gain access to advanced technology embedded in these fighter jets.
During a press briefing in the Oval Office, Trump stated, “We will be doing that, we’ll be selling F-35s,” highlighting that Saudi Arabia has expressed a strong desire to purchase the aircraft and emphasizing their status as a long-time ally.
This announcement coincides with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the White House, marking his first trip to the United States in over seven years. Discussions are anticipated to focus on Saudi Arabia potentially acquiring 48 F-35s along with a mutual defense agreement.
Manufactured primarily by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 is one of the most advanced fighter jets in existence, with production figures ranging from 150 to 190 units per year across about 20 countries. The price per aircraft ranges between $80 million to $110 million, depending on the specific model. A report from the Government Accountability Office indicated that the long-term costs of maintaining these advanced planes can be significantly higher.
Historically, Saudi Arabia has been the largest customer of American weaponry. However, hesitations surrounding the implications of granting Saudi Arabia access to sensitive stealth technology have emerged, given the kingdom’s recent geopolitical actions. A recent report from the Defense Intelligence Agency pointed out that a deal for the F-35s could facilitate China’s access to this technology, particularly given the security ties that exist between Riyadh and Beijing.
Moreover, there are concerns regarding Israel’s military position, as it is currently the only nation in the Middle East operating F-35s. Israeli officials have been advocating for the normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia, a process that appeared promising prior to the outbreak of violence in Gaza following Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. The ensuing conflict has dampened prospects for such an agreement, and recent events suggest Saudi Arabia is less inclined to move towards diplomatic relations with Israel amid widespread anger over the situation in Gaza.
Some Republican lawmakers are apprehensive about moving forward with the F-35 sale unless there is a clear path towards Saudi-Israel normalization. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee has also actively lobbied against the sale under these circumstances.
Though Congress can theoretically block the sale, historical precedent shows that past efforts to restrict arms deals with Saudi Arabia have faced challenges. Trump has previously utilized emergency powers to bypass congressional review for arms sales, demonstrating his willingness to circumvent legislative hurdles.
With ongoing concerns about human rights abuses linked to Saudi Arabia and frustration toward the crown prince’s actions, Democrats are likely to voice their opposition to Trump’s proposed sale of F-35s. However, several senior Republicans, acknowledging previous bipartisan support for arms deals with Saudi Arabia aimed at countering Iran, may offer their backing for this initiative.
As discussions unfold surrounding military sales and international relations, the implications of such decisions on regional security dynamics and the influence of global powers like China will remain critical topics for policy-makers and citizens alike.