Saudi Arabia's F-35 Purchase Clears Pentagon Hurdle

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The Biden administration is currently evaluating a request from Saudi Arabia to purchase up to 48 F-35 fighter jets, a deal worth billions of dollars. This potential sale has cleared an important Pentagon review step ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming visit, according to two knowledgeable sources.

Accepting this sale would represent a major shift in policy, potentially shifting the military balance in the Middle East and challenging the U.S. commitment to ensuring Israel’s “qualitative military edge.” Saudi Arabia first directly approached President Donald Trump earlier this year and has expressed continued interest in acquiring Lockheed Martin’s F-35 stealth fighters.

U.S. officials are now considering the possibility of selling 48 of these advanced aircraft. The request’s scope and status had not been publicly reported before. Although no final decision has been made, several remaining approvals are required, including steps at the cabinet level, approval from President Biden, and notification to Congress.

The Pentagon’s policy office has been working on this potential transaction for months, and the case has now reached the secretary level within the Department of Defense, one official stated. Requests for comment from the Pentagon, the White House, and the State Department went unanswered. A Lockheed Martin spokesperson emphasized that military sales are conducted directly between governments and are best addressed through official channels.

U.S. arms sales to the Middle East are meticulously managed to maintain Israel’s military superiority, ensuring the Jewish state remains better equipped than its regional neighbors. The F-35, featuring stealth technology that allows it to avoid enemy detection, is considered the world’s most sophisticated fighter jet. Israel has operated the platform for close to a decade, establishing multiple squadrons, and remains the only country in the Middle East to possess this system.

Saudi Arabia, which is the largest buyer of U.S. military equipment, has long sought the F-35 as part of its efforts to modernize its air force and counter regional threats, especially from Iran. The kingdom’s renewed push for acquiring two squadrons coincides with a Biden administration that has shown openness to strengthening defense cooperation with Riyadh. Currently, the Saudi Air Force operates a mixed fleet that includes U.S.-made F-15s, European Tornados, and Typhoons.