US President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday (November 17th) that the United States will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, despite domestic concerns about technological security.
“I’m going to say we’re going to do it,” Trump told reporters. “We will sell the F-35.
The announcement comes just ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s first visit to Washington in more than seven years.
Strategic investments and nuclear cooperation
Saudi Arabia is expected to unveil a multi-billion dollar investment in US artificial intelligence infrastructure. The two nations are also preparing to announce new cooperation in the civil nuclear energy sector, according to senior government officials.
Concerns about Israel and China
Administration officials remain cautious not to undermine Israel’s qualitative military advantage in the region. There are also concerns that the F-35’s advanced technology could be compromised through Saudi Arabia’s ties to China.
Bradley Bowman of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies warned: “Congress could force the administration to detail what assurances Riyadh has given the White House about its relations with China.
Tap on the Abraham Accords extension
Trump tied the arms deal to his broader Middle East peace strategy and hoped Saudi Arabia would join the Abraham Accords.
“I hope that Saudi Arabia will soon follow through on the Abraham Accords,” Trump said aboard Air Force One.
But Saudi officials insist that progress toward a Palestinian state is a condition for normalization with Israel — a demand Israel strongly rejects.
The shadow of human rights
The visit marks Prince Mohammed’s first trip to Washington since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which US intelligence agencies believe he may have approved. The Crown Prince denies involvement.
