President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, coinciding with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s high-profile visit to Washington. This landmark decision is being made despite existing reservations within the US administration about the security of American defense technology and its implications for Israel’s regional military advantage. Trump expressed his commitment to the sale, stating, “We’ll be selling F-35s.”
The Crown Prince’s visit is anticipated to focus on securing US defense commitments, including the advanced F-35 jets. The US is navigating a delicate geopolitical landscape, striving to meet Saudi security needs while preserving Israel’s military preeminence, crucial for Trump’s broader Middle East peace strategy. Worries about technology leakage and potential misuse have been amplified by recent Saudi-China military exercises and China’s role in mediating regional diplomacy.
While Saudi Arabia’s trade relations with China have expanded, the US continues to be its preferred source for military hardware. Lawmakers are expected to scrutinize the deal, demanding assurances regarding Saudi Arabia’s relationship with China and a clear plan to safeguard Israel’s strategic advantage. The sale is strategically timed to encourage Saudi Arabia’s entry into the Abraham Accords, a cornerstone of Trump’s foreign policy. However, Saudi Arabia’s condition for joining – a guaranteed path to Palestinian statehood – presents a significant hurdle, given Israel’s opposition. Progress on this front remains slow, though hopes for a future agreement persist.