The proposed F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia would mark a major change in US policy toward one of the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft. The Trump administration says it has approved a plan to sell nearly 50 F-35 jets to Riyadh in a deal valued at $24 billion. Critics in Congress and parts of the US defence establishment warn that the agreement could expose sensitive American military technology to China and weaken Israel’s longstanding regional advantage.
What is being proposed?
The proposed agreement would provide Saudi Arabia with nearly 50 F-35 fighter jets, along with related equipment and support. The aircraft use stealth technology, which is designed to make them harder for enemy radar systems to detect.
Riyadh has sought the aircraft for years, but Washington had previously resisted the request.
The proposed deal still faces congressional scrutiny. Congress has a 30-day period in which lawmakers can review or attempt to block the sale.
Why has the United States been cautious?
One reason is Israel’s special position in US defence policy. Under US law, Israel is guaranteed a qualitative military edge over other countries in the region. In practical terms, this means the United States must consider whether arms sales to neighbouring states could reduce Israel’s technological or military advantage.
The F-35 is one of the most advanced weapons systems supplied by the United States. Giving the aircraft to another Middle Eastern power therefore involves more than transferring a conventional weapon.
Washington had also been concerned about Saudi Arabia’s growing security relationship with China. Some US lawmakers and defence officials fear that sensitive information connected to the F-35 could be shared with Chinese authorities.
That concern has become one of the central objections to the proposed sale.
The China technology concern
Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic lawmaker from Illinois, argued that the agreement could place highly sensitive American military technology within China’s reach. Other Democratic lawmakers and US defence officials have expressed similar concerns.
Their argument is based on the risk that Saudi Arabia’s security partnership with China could create opportunities for Beijing to gain access to information about the aircraft.
The source material does not establish that Saudi Arabia intends to transfer F-35 information to China. The concern is about the possibility and the consequences if such access occurred. Because the technology is closely guarded, even limited exposure could be viewed by critics as a serious security risk.
What does the US government say?
The State Department defended the proposed sale as consistent with American foreign-policy and national-security goals. It described Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally and said the agreement would support security and stability in the Gulf.
The department also said the proposed sale would not change the military balance in the region.
That assurance is disputed by opponents. Their concern is not limited to the number of aircraft involved. They argue that the F-35’s advanced capabilities could give Saudi Arabia a military advantage that is difficult to compare with that of conventional fighter aircraft.
The precise military effect would depend on several factors, including:
- How many aircraft Saudi Arabia ultimately receives
- The weapons and support included in the agreement
- The conditions placed on the use of the jets
- How Israel’s own capabilities compare with those of Saudi Arabia
The role of the Trump-Saudi relationship
The proposed F-35 sale comes amid close ties between President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders met in Riyadh, where the White House described a separate arms agreement worth $142 billion as the largest defence sales agreement in history.
That political relationship has added another layer to the debate. Supporters can portray the sale as part of a broader strategy to strengthen a major regional partner. Critics may question whether the decision reflects a careful security assessment, political alignment or both.
A close relationship does not by itself prove that the proposed sale is unsafe. It does, however, make the congressional review more consequential because lawmakers are being asked to examine a deal with both strategic and political significance.
The main arguments for and against
| Argument in favour | Argument against |
|---|---|
| It could strengthen Saudi Arabia as a US security partner in the Gulf. | Sensitive F-35 technology could become accessible to China. |
| It may support US regional security objectives. | The sale could weaken Israel’s qualitative military edge. |
| It could deepen defence ties between Washington and Riyadh. | Congress may not have enough information to judge the full security risks. |
| Saudi Arabia has sought the aircraft for years. | The transfer of advanced weapons could alter regional military calculations. |
| The US government says the deal would not change the regional balance. | Critics dispute whether that assessment fully reflects the F-35’s capabilities. |
Neither side’s case can be evaluated solely by looking at the aircraft’s purchase price or the number of jets. The most significant questions concern technology protection, regional deterrence and the conditions attached to the transfer.
What happens next?
Congress has 30 days to scrutinise the proposed transaction and could attempt to block it. During that period, lawmakers are likely to focus on:
- Technology safeguards — What measures would prevent unauthorised access to F-35 systems and data?
- China-related risks — How would the United States address Saudi military and technical cooperation with China?
- Israel’s military edge — Would the sale affect Israel’s position as the region’s militarily advantaged US partner?
- Operational control — What restrictions would apply to the use and deployment of the aircraft?
The outcome will depend on whether congressional opponents can build enough support to challenge the administration’s decision. The available information does not indicate whether lawmakers will ultimately block or approve the sale.
Why the controversy matters beyond Saudi Arabia
The proposed agreement raises a broader question about how the United States manages its most advanced military technology. Selling the F-35 could strengthen a key regional partner, but it could also make it harder for Washington to control where information about the aircraft is exposed.
It also tests the limits of America’s policy toward Israel’s military advantage. If Saudi Arabia receives the F-35, the decision could influence how Washington evaluates future requests for advanced weapons from other countries in the region.
For Saudi Arabia, the aircraft would represent a significant expansion of its military relationship with Washington. For the United States, the decision involves a trade-off between strengthening a partner and protecting technology that officials regard as exceptionally sensitive.
The congressional review will therefore be about more than one arms contract. It will help determine how far the United States is willing to go in sharing its most advanced weapons with partners whose strategic relationships extend beyond Washington.
Sources
- BBC, “Why US plan to sell F-35 warplanes to Saudi Arabia is controversial,” published 2026-09-18: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3x2zrn01pxko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
Meta: The proposed F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia faces scrutiny over China, Israel’s military edge, technology security and the regional balance.
