US to sell F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia, Trump says ahead of crown prince's visit

November 18, 2025

President Trump announced the United States will sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia during a White House meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking the prince's first visit since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This arms sale builds upon a massive $142 billion defense agreement reached in May between the two nations, with Saudi Arabia serving as America's largest weapons purchaser. The potential F-35 sale has sparked concerns among U.S. defense officials worried about sensitive stealth technology potentially reaching China, and Israeli officials anxious about losing their regional military advantage as the Middle East's only current F-35 operator.

Who is affected

Saudi Arabia (receiving F-35 fighter jets)
President Donald Trump and the U.S. government
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Israel (concerned about losing military advantage in the region)
U.S. defense officials (raising security concerns)
China (potential recipient of sensitive technology through Saudi partnership)
Lockheed Martin (F-35 manufacturer)
Palestinians (whose statehood is linked to Saudi-Israeli normalization)

What action is being taken

The US is selling F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia
Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed are meeting at the White House
The leaders are discussing deals on defense and civilian nuclear power
Trump is pushing for Saudi Arabia to sign the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel

Why it matters

This sale represents a significant shift in Middle East military balance, as F-35s are the most advanced fighter jets in the world and Israel currently holds a monopoly on them in the region. The deal raises serious national security concerns about sensitive stealth technology potentially being shared with China through Saudi Arabia's security partnership with Beijing. The sale also signals a dramatic change in U.S.-Saudi relations from the Biden administration's attempt to isolate the kingdom over human rights concerns, particularly the Khashoggi murder, back to close military cooperation. Additionally, the deal could impact broader regional diplomacy, as it's connected to efforts at Israeli-Saudi normalization and the unresolved question of Palestinian statehood.

What's next

Trump is expected to push for Saudi Arabia to sign the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel during Tuesday's meeting
Discussions on civilian nuclear power deals are expected to continue

Read full article from source: BBC