Trump Announces Plan to Sell Advanced Fighter Jet to Saudi Arabia Amid Strategic Ties
President Donald Trump announced plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in American defense policy in the Middle East. The planned sale comes on the eve of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the White House. According to AeroTime, the kingdom has reportedly sought to purchase as many as 48 F-35s. Trump said the kingdom had been ‘a great ally,’ and the deal would reflect a stronger US-Saudi security relationship. However, key details such as the variant of the jets, timeline for delivery, and full contract terms have not yet been revealed. As part of this effort, the White House and Riyadh reached a $142 billion arms-cooperation agreement in May 2025.