Trump Mulls F-35 Fighter Jet Sale to Saudi Arabia Ahead of Crown Prince Visit

President Donald Trump said Friday that he is considering a major sale of Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the White House next week. “They wanna buy a lot of jets,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “I’m looking at that… they want to buy actually more than that, fighter jets.”

The potential deal highlights the deepening U.S.-Saudi defense ties, with both nations expected to sign economic and defense agreements during the visit. Trump described the meeting as “more than meeting, we’re honouring” Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of their strategic partnership.

Trump also reiterated his hope that Saudi Arabia would join the Abraham Accords, which have normalized relations between Israel and several Muslim-majority countries. However, Riyadh has indicated it will only consider the move if a clear roadmap to Palestinian statehood is agreed upon.

Despite the enthusiasm, the proposed F-35 sale has sparked security concerns. A Pentagon intelligence report, cited by The New York Times, warns that China could potentially access sensitive F-35 technology if the deal goes ahead, raising questions about the risks of exporting America’s most advanced fighter jets.

Beyond aircraft sales, Trump and the crown prince are expected to discuss a broader U.S.-Saudi defense agreement, including formal security guarantees and access to advanced weaponry. Historically, Saudi Arabia has been one of the U.S.’s largest arms customers, exchanging oil and strategic cooperation for American military support.

If finalized, the F-35 deal would be one of the largest and most advanced U.S. arms sales in recent years, significantly boosting Saudi Arabia’s defense capabilities in a volatile region. It also signals Washington’s intent to maintain strong influence in the Middle East while balancing concerns over technology security and regional stability.

The upcoming White House meetings will be closely watched as they could shape not only U.S.-Saudi defense cooperation but also broader Middle East diplomatic initiatives, including the kingdom’s potential role in the Abraham Accords.

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