In recent hours, it has emerged that Saudi Arabia and the United States are close to finalizing an agreement for the acquisition of fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters, in what could become one of the most significant milestones in recent years for military aviation in the Middle East. According to sources linked to the U.S. Department of Defense, the Pentagon is currently reviewing the formal request submitted by Riyadh, which includes the purchase of at least 48 aircraft from manufacturer Lockheed Martin for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF).
The potential deal, valued at several billion dollars, is under review by U.S. authorities and will require additional cabinet-level approvals, the signature of President Donald Trump, and formal notification to Congress before it can be finalized. Despite this, officials close to the U.S. administration confirmed that dialogue with Saudi Arabia is well advanced and that the proposal is part of a broader bilateral defense cooperation agenda.
Sources close to the Trump administration also confirmed that the Saudi request has already passed a key technical and internal security evaluation stage within the Pentagon, marking a significant step forward in the process. If completed, the deal would become the first effective authorization for the sale of the F-35 to an Arab nation, breaking nearly a decade-long precedent tied to preserving Israel’s “Qualitative Military Edge” (QME) in the Middle East. This shift would reflect a change in Washington’s stance regarding the export policy of fifth-generation systems, amid a broader regional strategic realignment.
It is worth recalling that the Biden administration had previously explored the possibility of offering F-35 fighters to Saudi Arabia as part of a broader agreement that included the normalization of diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Israel. However, those talks failed to advance and were suspended until the recent change in approach by the Trump administration, which now appears to have reactivated the initiative.
Saudi Arabia’s interest in acquiring the F-35 is not new. Since early this year, the kingdom has expressed its intention to modernize its Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) in order to strengthen its capabilities amid rising regional tensions, and particularly to replace several of its current aircraft. At present, its inventory consists of F-15SA and F-15E fighters, Eurofighter Typhoons, and Tornado IDS aircraft, which have served as the backbone of Saudi air power for decades.
In this context, the acquisition of two squadrons of F-35 fighters is being considered as part of Riyadh’s renewed effort to enhance its capabilities and air doctrine, in parallel with Washington’s policy of deepening strategic and defense ties with Saudi Arabia. The upcoming visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the United States could serve as the chosen occasion to formalize progress in this negotiation.
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