Reuters: US reviews potential F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia worth billions

The Trump administration is reviewing a Saudi Arabian request to purchase up to 48 F-35 fighter jets in a potential multi-billion-dollar deal.

The proposal has cleared an important Pentagon stage ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

If approved, the sale would represent a major policy shift, potentially reshaping the military balance in the Middle East and challenging Washington’s definition of preserving Israel’s “qualitative military edge.”

Saudi Arabia made a direct appeal to President Donald Trump earlier this year and has long expressed interest in Lockheed Martin’s advanced fighter jet, according to US officials.

The Pentagon is now considering the sale of 48 aircraft — a request whose scale and progress have not been publicly reported before.

US officials confirmed that the arms deal is advancing through the system but said no final decision has been made yet, with further Cabinet-level reviews, Trump’s approval, and congressional notification still required.

The Pentagon’s policy department has worked on the proposal for months, and the case has now reached the secretary level within the Defence Department, one of the officials said on condition of anonymity.

The Pentagon, White House, and State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

US policy on arms sales to the Middle East aims to ensure Israel maintains its “qualitative military edge,” meaning it receives more advanced American weaponry than regional Arab nations.

As the largest buyer of US arms, Saudi Arabia has sought the F-35 for years to modernise its air force and address regional threats, particularly from Iran.

The kingdom’s renewed effort to acquire what would amount to two squadrons follows the Trump administration’s signals of willingness to strengthen defence cooperation with Riyadh.

Currently, the Royal Saudi Air Force operates a fleet that includes Boeing F-15s, as well as European Tornado and Typhoon fighter jets.

By Jeyhun Aghazada