Trump admin approves sale of stealth F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.

[ghazi52]

Trump admin approves sale of stealth F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. Here’s why it’s controversial​

Laura Sharman, Oren Liebermann

Personnel work on US Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter jets at the former Roosevelt Roads naval base in January, 2026.
Eva Marie Uzcategui/Reuters

The Trump administration has approved a potential multi-billion-dollar sale of stealth F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a move that would bolster the Gulf ally’s military, even as it threatens to shift the balance of power in the Middle East.

The US State Department announced the proposed sale of the most advanced American fighter jet – the Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft - and related equipment, worth an estimated $24.3 billion, according to a statement on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia is a major purchaser of US weapons, including F-15 fighter jets, and the Gulf state has long sought to join the F-35 program.

However, the sale still needs approval from Congress, where some members are wary of deepening military cooperation with Saudi Arabia given the kingdom’s ties to China. Even if the sale is approved, delivery of the fighter jets would be years away.

The proposed sale would make Saudi Arabia only the second country in the Middle East to operate the advanced stealth fighters alongside Israel, significantly upgrading the Saudi air force and potentially altering the balance of military power across the region.

 

[ghazi52]

In November, when President Donald Trump said he would be selling the jets to the Saudis, an Israeli security source said it was “very concerning” for Israel if Riyadh acquired the fifth-generation fighter jet. “The severity is not exaggerated,” the source told CNN. “It is not good (for Israel).”

But the US dismissed Israeli concerns. “The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the military balance in the region,” the State Department said.

The sale was also supposed to be linked to Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel, which would give the two countries open lines of communication as well as handing Trump a foreign policy win. But Trump appears to have abandoned the requirement for normalization, instead focusing on billions in arms sales.

Saudi Arabia requested 48 of the fighter jets with conventional takeoff and landing, plus 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, the State Department statement said.

 

[ghazi52]

During the first Trump administration, the US advanced plans to sell F-35s to the United Arab Emirates. But the deal ultimately fell apart during the Biden administration over concerns about military cooperation between the UAE and China. Analysts say the same concerns exist with Saudia Arabia and China, but the Trump administration has moved forward with the sale regardless.

The news comes just days after Saudi oil facilities and military bases came under attack by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen in an escalation that threatens to widen the region’s conflicts.

The Saudi-Houthi conflict, which flared up again in July, has seen Houthi drones and missiles attack the kingdom’s oil complexes, disrupting operations and threatening supply routes amid concerns about oil prices.

 

[Hussain]

at $500m a pop, what does the pkg include?

There were rumors that a customized version was in the works for a middle eastern client, was this it?

 

[Archer Archer]

I presume most people here will bebpleased with this news. Given Pakistan's closeness to the Saudis, PAF will get to fly, fly against and evaluate those aircrafts. Big Setback for India.

And whats up with this outregious price? 500 million a pop!!! Is it a political bribe?

 

[atmi_bum]

at $500m a pop, what does the pkg include?

There were rumors that a customized version was in the works for a middle eastern client, was this it?

For $500 million a pop, you would expect customization. The US did it for Saudi F-15s, so why not for the F-35? Not that I have much faith that the Saudis will use the aircraft competently.

I presume most people here will bebpleased with this news. Given Pakistan's closeness to the Saudis, PAF will get to fly, fly against and evaluate those aircrafts. Big Setback for India.

And whats up with this outregious price? 500 million a pop!!! Is it a political bribe?

By this logic, Pakistan has knowledge of the Rafales as well. What can India do about that? Since India has no plans to acquire the F-35, the problem is moot.

 

[Yasser76]

This was a logical step by the Saudis, jumping from F-15SA to F-35 would be relatively easy and in integrates very well with everything they have. massive price tag but assuming lost of bells and whistles come with this.
Of course there will be strict rules on how they are allowed to deploy it so can never expect them to come rushing to Pakistan's defence.

What this does do is free their Eurofighters and F-15s a bit more. Pakistan needs very little from Saudi fi we go to ware from India but a wing of Eurofighters of F-15s that could easily integrate with our Erieyes (and Saudis use Erieyes too) and F-16S may come in very handy.

Of course more ait to air missiles in Saudi stockpiles also means they can be more comfortable rushing of AMRAAMs and Sidewinders in bulk to use if/when we run short in a shooting war

 

[Maarkhoor]

Trump admin approves sale of stealth F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. Here’s why it’s controversial​

Laura Sharman, Oren Liebermann

Personnel work on US Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter jets at the former Roosevelt Roads naval base in January, 2026.
Eva Marie Uzcategui/Reuters

The Trump administration has approved a potential multi-billion-dollar sale of stealth F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a move that would bolster the Gulf ally’s military, even as it threatens to shift the balance of power in the Middle East.

The US State Department announced the proposed sale of the most advanced American fighter jet – the Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft - and related equipment, worth an estimated $24.3 billion, according to a statement on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia is a major purchaser of US weapons, including F-15 fighter jets, and the Gulf state has long sought to join the F-35 program.

However, the sale still needs approval from Congress, where some members are wary of deepening military cooperation with Saudi Arabia given the kingdom’s ties to China. Even if the sale is approved, delivery of the fighter jets would be years away.

The proposed sale would make Saudi Arabia only the second country in the Middle East to operate the advanced stealth fighters alongside Israel, significantly upgrading the Saudi air force and potentially altering the balance of military power across the region.

Now our pilots will have hand on experience on these expensive birds just like Ra-Phalies.

@Raj-Hindustani

 

[Yasser76]

Now our pilots will have hand on experience on these expensive birds just like Ra-Phalies.

@Raj-Hindustani

India will never get F-35, it was never on the table.

 

[Maarkhoor]

India will never get F-35, it was never on the table.

Who says we will practice to kill India F-35 our eyes on IAF lols

 

[Yasser76]

Who says we will practice to kill India F-35 our eyes on IAF lols

Ah yes, very good point. Although US and Israel will ensure F-35I Adir has surprises up ity's sleeves, but yes, see your point