The Trump administration is evaluating Saudi Arabia’s request to purchase up to 48 F-35 fighter jets, a potential multi-billion-dollar deal that has passed a key review stage at the Pentagon, according to sources familiar with the matter. This move could represent a major shift in U.S. policy and might affect the military balance in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia directly appealed to President Trump earlier this year, expressing long-standing interest in Lockheed Martin’s advanced stealth fighter. Pentagon officials confirmed that while the request has advanced to senior Defense Department levels, no final decision has been made. Several approvals are still required, including sign-off from the President and notification of Congress.
The Pentagon has been reviewing the proposed sale for months, with officials emphasizing that the U.S. carefully balances weapons sales in the region to ensure Israel maintains a “qualitative military edge.” Currently, Israel is the only country in the Middle East to operate the F-35, having built multiple squadrons over nearly a decade.
Saudi Arabia, the largest buyer of U.S. arms, aims to modernize its air force and address regional threats, particularly from Iran. Its air fleet includes Boeing F-15s and European fighters like the Tornado and Typhoon. If approved, the purchase would add two squadrons of F-35 jets, reflecting growing U.S.-Saudi defense cooperation under the Trump administration.
