Saudi Arabia explores alternatives as US delays F-35 deal

In its article, Eurasian Times highlights that Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in acquiring the advanced F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, a coveted asset for strengthening its air capabilities. 

Saudi Arabia, a long-standing ally of the US, has been pursuing the acquisition of the advanced F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation fighter jet for several years. However, due to delays from the Pentagon, the kingdom is reportedly exploring other options.

Looking to strengthen its air power in response to evolving security threats from both rogue states and non-state actors in the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia formally expressed interest in acquiring the F-35 in 2017, shortly after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) made a similar request.

Despite its financial resources, Saudi Arabia has faced numerous challenges in securing the US-made stealth jet. One major hurdle is the kingdom's involvement in the Yemen conflict, which has led to accusations of widespread human rights violations and civilian casualties.

Additionally, the US has expressed concerns over Saudi Arabia's growing military ties with China. The Pentagon is highly protective of the F-35's sensitive technology, wary of potential security risks.

The primary obstacle, however, is the US commitment to Israel. Under a long-standing agreement, any US military equipment provided to Israel must be "superior in capability" to that sold to Israel's neighboring countries, which complicates Saudi Arabia's efforts to obtain the F-35.

This essentially means that US arms sales in the Middle East cannot undermine Israel's "qualitative military edge." At present, Israel is the sole operator of F-35s in the entire region.

There was hope that a possible F-35 deal could be revived when the White House revealed in May 2024 that negotiations for a bilateral defense agreement were underway. While Pentagon officials did not guarantee a sale, they emphasized the importance of discussing the F-35, given Riyadh's long-standing interest in the stealth fighter jet.

However, more than six months later, with the Pentagon slow to advance the potential F-35 sale, Saudi Arabia has begun seeking alternatives to bolster its fleet.

Although military analysts have long speculated that Saudi Arabia might opt for a 4+ generation fighter, such as the French Dassault Rafale or the Eurofighter Typhoon, recent reports suggest the kingdom may instead be considering a fifth-generation stealth combat aircraft.

Currently, only three countries operate fifth-generation stealth fighter jets: the United States, China, and Russia. With the US essentially excluded from consideration, Russia and China remain the primary options. 

China has two fifth-generation stealth aircraft: the J-20 Mighty Dragon and the recently introduced J-35. Given that China is unlikely to export the J-20 due to security concerns, the J-35A, designed with export in mind, is the only available choice for potential buyers.

By Naila Huseynova