In a significant policy announcement, President Donald Trump has revealed plans to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, just hours before rolling out the red carpet for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's first Washington visit since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Major Military Shift in Middle East
The US president told reporters on Monday that America "will be selling" the sophisticated supersonic stealth fighter jets to the Kingdom, describing Saudi Arabia as a "great ally" that wants to purchase the advanced military hardware. This decision marks a substantial shift in US foreign policy and could dramatically alter the military balance in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia has formally requested to purchase 48 F-35 jets produced by defence contractor Lockheed Martin. The potential sale has raised concerns within the Pentagon about the risk of sensitive stealth technology being accessed by China if the jets are delivered to Riyadh.
Controversial Welcome Amid Khashoggi Legacy
The announcement sets the stage for what is expected to be a warm reception for Mohammed bin Salman, commonly referred to as MBS, during his first trip to the United States since the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi agents murdered Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, sparking international outrage.
US intelligence agencies have concluded that MBS approved the capture or killing of the journalist critic. While the Crown Prince has accepted responsibility for the murder "because it happened under my watch," he has consistently denied personally ordering the operation.
Relations between the two nations have gradually improved in the seven years since Khashoggi's murder, with this visit representing a significant step in normalising diplomatic ties.
Comprehensive White House Diplomacy
President Trump will engage in a full day of diplomacy with the Saudi leader, who serves as the de facto ruler of the Kingdom despite his father, 89-year-old King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, remaining the official monarch.
The extensive schedule includes talks in the Oval Office, followed by lunch in the Cabinet Room and culminating in a formal black-tie dinner in the evening.
The White House aims to finalise what it describes as a "historic and transformative" Saudi investment pledge of $600 billion. Administration officials state this massive deal would strengthen American energy security, defence industry, technology leadership, and access to global infrastructure.
Regional Implications and Nuclear Ambitions
The F-35 sale carries particular significance given that Israel remains the only country in the Middle East currently operating these advanced stealth fighters. This development occurs during a period of heightened tensions between Israel and its neighbours following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, and Israel's subsequent two-year military campaign in Gaza.
President Trump is expected to pressure MBS for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords and normalise relations with Israel, though this process has been significantly hampered by recent conflicts. Riyadh has shown reluctance to take such a major diplomatic step without a clear pathway to Palestinian statehood.
Beyond military cooperation, MBS is reportedly seeking security guarantees for Saudi Arabia, access to artificial intelligence technology, and progress on a civil nuclear programme agreement. A senior White House official indicated to Reuters that the Saudis would be "spending a lot of money tomorrow on the US" during the visit.
The Trump administration originally brokered the Abraham Accords in 2020, establishing normalised relations between Israel and several Arab nations including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Sudan.
