The United States is currently evaluating a request from Saudi Arabia to acquire as many as 48 F-35 fighter jets. This potential multi-billion-dollar deal has successfully passed an initial review by the Pentagon, but it still must navigate additional approvals from both the Cabinet and Congress. As it stands, no final decision has been reached, and obtaining congressional approval poses a significant challenge.
If the sale goes through, it would represent a transformative shift in U.S. policy regarding military assistance in the Middle East. At present, Israel remains the only nation in the region operating the F-35, developed by Lockheed Martin, which is renowned as the most advanced stealth aircraft globally.
Saudi Arabia has been eager to integrate the F-35 into its military capabilities as part of a larger strategy to modernize its air force and address various regional security challenges. The Royal Saudi Air Force currently employs U.S.-manufactured Boeing F-15s along with European Tornado and Typhoon jets.
President Donald Trump, who has advocated for robust arms sales to Saudi Arabia since returning to office, views this proposal as a potential extension of the longstanding defense partnership between the two nations. In May, the U.S. approved an arms package for Saudi Arabia valued at nearly $142 billion, which the White House touted as the largest defense cooperation agreement in U.S. history.
Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of America’s most reliable defense customers. In 2017, the kingdom inked a $110 billion arms framework deal with the U.S., encompassing precision-guided munitions, missile defense systems, and support for aircraft maintenance. This milestone was part of President Trump’s inaugural overseas visit to Riyadh.
Additionally, the kingdom received authorization in 2022 to purchase Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors for approximately $15 billion, which helped to enhance its multi-layered missile defense framework. More recently, in May 2025, the U.S. approved a potential sale of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles to Saudi Arabia, estimated at around $3.5 billion.
These acquisitions align closely with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at cultivating a more self-sufficient defense sector supported by ongoing partnerships with U.S. and European defense suppliers.
