Washington Studies Saudi Request to Purchase F-35 Fighters Ahead of bin Salman Visit

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is considering the possibility of approving a deal to sell F-35 stealth fighter jets to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, confirming that Riyadh has submitted an official request to purchase a large number of the aircraft.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the Saudis “want to buy a lot of fighters,” noting that he is currently reviewing the request, and that Saudi interest is not limited to F-35 fighters but includes other combat aircraft as well.

The U.S. review of the deal comes as Trump prepares to receive Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House next week, where the talks are expected to address economic and defense-related issues.

The U.S. president explained that the upcoming meeting is “more than just a meeting,” considering it “a tribute to Saudi Arabia,” and he renewed his hope that Riyadh would join the Abraham Accords. Saudi Arabia, however, maintains its position that a clear roadmap toward establishing a Palestinian state is necessary before taking such a step.

In a related context, an intelligence report from the U.S. Department of Defense raised concerns about the potential deal, warning of the possibility that the advanced F-35 technology could reach China if the sale were completed, according to what The New York Times reported from informed sources.