Saudi Arabia nears closer to F-35 jets purchase from US: report
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- Saudi Arabia's request to purchase up to 48 F-35 fighter jets has cleared a major review at the Pentagon, signaling a potential shift in U.S. arms policy.
- The multi-billion-dollar deal still faces high hurdles, including the need for presidential and congressional approval, due to concerns over maintaining ‘Israel's’ Qualitative Military Edge (QME).
Saudi Arabia's request to purchase up to 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets has advanced past a significant Pentagon review, marking a potential shift in US arms policy toward the kingdom, according to sources familiar with the matter speaking to Reuters.
The multi-billion-dollar deal, if approved, would equip Riyadh with one of the world's most advanced stealth aircraft, enhancing its military capabilities amid regional tensions.
The request was submitted earlier this year directly to US President Donald Trump, sources said, and has now progressed to the secretary level within the Defense Department after months of internal deliberations.
This clearance comes ahead of an anticipated visit to Washington by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, potentially accelerating negotiations.
Saudi Arabia, the largest buyer of US arms, has long sought the F-35 to modernize its air force, which currently includes Boeing F-15s and European Typhoons.
The kingdom aims to counter threats from Iran and diversify its defense arsenal as part of its Vision 2030 economic reforms.
The Pentagon's policy department has vetted the proposal, but several hurdles remain, including Cabinet-level approvals, presidential sign-off, and congressional notification.
Hurdles
A key consideration is Israel's "qualitative military edge" (QME), a US policy ensuring ‘Israel’ maintains superior weaponry over Arab states.
‘Israel’, the only Middle Eastern nation operating F-35s for nearly a decade, could see its regional advantage challenged if Saudi Arabia gains access to the same technology.
The development aligns with the Trump administration's emphasis on bolstering US-Saudi defense ties, following a recent $142 billion arms package described as the largest defense cooperation agreement in history.
Previous efforts under the Biden administration to link F-35 sales to Saudi-‘Israeli’ normalization stalled.
