Saudi Arabia’s Request to Buy F-35 Jets Moves Forward

Post by : Sameer Saifi

The United States is considering a large defense deal with Saudi Arabia that could change the military balance in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has asked to buy 48 F-35 fighter jets, which are some of the most advanced aircraft in the world. The request has passed an early review stage inside the Pentagon, but final approval has not been given yet.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to visit Washington soon. If the deal is approved, it would be worth billions of dollars. It would also show a major policy shift because until now, only Israel in the Middle East has been allowed to operate F-35 jets.

The F-35 is known for its stealth ability, which helps the jet avoid radar detection. It also has modern systems that help pilots see enemies from far away. The jet is made by Lockheed Martin. Many military experts say the F-35 is the most powerful fighter jet in the world. Israel has used the aircraft for nearly a decade and has multiple groups of them in service.

The United States normally gives Israel a stronger military advantage over other countries in the region. This is called maintaining Israel’s “qualitative military edge.” Because of that rule, selling F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia is a sensitive issue. Any sale must be checked carefully to make sure Israel still has a stronger position.

Saudi Arabia wants the F-35 to upgrade its air force. The country already flies F-15s and European jets like the Typhoon. But it wants more advanced equipment because of rising tensions with Iran and other security concerns. The request for new aircraft also fits into Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims to modernize the country, including its military forces.

President Donald Trump has shown strong support for major arms deals with Saudi Arabia since returning to office. Earlier this year, the U.S. agreed to a defense package with Saudi Arabia worth around $142 billion, which the White House described as the largest ever. However, even with strong support from the Trump administration, the F-35 sale still needs approval from the Pentagon, the White House, and Congress.

Some members of Congress may oppose the sale. In the past, lawmakers raised concerns about closer military cooperation with Saudi Arabia, especially after the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. These lawmakers may try to slow down or block the agreement if it moves forward.

If the sale is approved, it could significantly increase Saudi Arabia’s military strength. It may also affect the balance of power in the region and raise new questions about how the United States manages its close relationship with both Saudi Arabia and Israel.

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