Trump administration approves F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia

The Trump administration has approved a proposed sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a $24 billion-plus deal that would mark a major shift in U.S. policy and has already drawn scrutiny from lawmakers concerned about Israel’s military edge and the possible exposure of sensitive technology to China.

The State Department notified Congress of the planned sale Thursday. Lawmakers have 30 days to review the package or try to block it. Al Jazeera reported the estimated value at $24.3 billion, while the BBC reported it as $24 billion.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region,” the State Department said.

The department also said the proposed sale “will not alter the military balance in the region,” a reference to longstanding U.S. policy meant to preserve Israel’s military advantage over potential regional rivals. Israel is currently the only country in the region operating the F-35, the most advanced fighter aircraft in the U.S. arsenal and a jet designed with stealth technology to evade enemy detection.

Saudi Arabia has sought the aircraft for years. The latest proposal would put Riyadh on track to receive nearly as many F-35s as Israel currently operates. The BBC reported Israel has a fleet of 50 F-35s and that Israel’s foreign ministry announced in May it would procure another squadron. The Jerusalem Post reported that deal would double Israel’s fleet to 100, according to the BBC.

The sale faces opposition from some Democrats and concerns among U.S. defense officials. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, a Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee, said the deal should not move forward “when our own intelligence community is warning that it could put the crown jewels of American military technology within reach of the Chinese Communist Party.”

Critics have raised concerns that Saudi Arabia could share or expose sensitive F-35 technology through its security ties with China. Al Jazeera reported that The New York Times said U.S. intelligence analysts had raised the possibility that Beijing could acquire F-35 technology through its partnerships with Riyadh.

The proposal comes as Saudi Arabia continues to seek U.S. support in its conflict with Yemen’s Houthis. Al Jazeera reported that the Houthis claimed Wednesday they shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib, a key city in fighting between the group and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces. The group released video showing fighters near burning wreckage that appeared to be a U.S.-made F-15 with Saudi markings, Al Jazeera reported. The Houthis said they used a “locally made” surface-to-air missile.

Al Jazeera also reported that intensified fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis killed at least five people, including three children, on Thursday. The United States has said it will not directly intervene in the conflict between the Iran-backed Houthis, Saudi Arabia and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.

The proposed F-35 sale follows other major arms commitments between Washington and Riyadh. The BBC reported that Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met in Riyadh in May last year, when a $142 billion arms sale was sealed and described by the White House as the “largest defence sales agreement in history.” The crown prince also visited the White House last November.

Congress has previously questioned arms sales to Riyadh following the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The BBC reported that former President Joe Biden’s administration had considered supplying F-35s to Saudi Arabia if Riyadh normalised relations with Israel, but that diplomatic effort faltered.