NK MONITORING DESK
WASHINGTON: The U.S. Department of Defense has moved one step closer to approving Saudi Arabia’s long-sought request to purchase up to 48 F-35 stealth fighter jets, according to officials familiar with the process.
Sources indicate that the Pentagon’s policy division has been reviewing the proposed arms deal for several months. The matter has now advanced to the defense secretary’s office — a key procedural milestone in the multi-stage approval process.
While no final decision has been made, officials say the Trump administration is inclined to support the deal, which would represent Riyadh’s first acquisition of fifth-generation aircraft. If approved, the sale would significantly enhance Saudi Arabia’s air defense capabilities and deepen its military partnership with Washington.
However, several steps remain before the deal can move forward, including formal authorization from President Trump, approval by senior cabinet members, and a mandatory notification to Congress.
The potential sale marks a possible turning point in American defense policy toward the Middle East.
If Saudi Arabia receives the aircraft, it would signal a recalibration of that policy, reflecting the Trump administration’s renewed willingness to strengthen strategic ties with Riyadh.
Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan, Saudi Arabia has prioritized modernizing its military and reducing dependence on older aircraft such as the F-15, Tornado, and Eurofighter Typhoon. Defense analysts note that the F-35’s stealth and advanced sensor capabilities would give Riyadh a major edge in deterring regional adversaries, particularly Iran.
The two proposed F-35 squadrons would also boost interoperability between Saudi and U.S. forces, reinforcing joint defense operations and intelligence-sharing.
The timing of the deal coincides with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming visit to Washington, which is expected to focus heavily on defense and energy cooperation.
Previous negotiations under the Biden administration had tied F-35 sales to Saudi normalization with Israel — talks that eventually lost momentum. Trump’s return to office has revived those discussions, following his administration’s approval of a record $142 billion defense package for the kingdom earlier this year.
Still, the proposed sale faces potential hurdles in Congress. Lawmakers from both parties have previously raised objections to major Saudi arms deals, citing human rights concerns and the kingdom’s role in the Yemen conflict.
“There will be questions about whether providing stealth technology to Saudi Arabia aligns with America’s security priorities and moral commitments,” said a senior congressional aide.
Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the F-35, declined to comment, stressing that such negotiations are conducted strictly between governments. Officials from the Pentagon, White House, and State Department have likewise refrained from public statements, confirming only that the proposal remains under internal review.
If finalized, the deal could reshape regional power dynamics and mark a new era in U.S.-Saudi defense relations.
