According to a report by The Times Of Israel, US President Donald Trump says he is weighing whether to move forward with a possible agreement that would allow Saudi Arabia to purchase F-35 stealth fighter jets manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The president acknowledged the discussions while speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, indicating that the Kingdom has shown strong interest in acquiring the advanced aircraft.
“They wanna buy a lot of jets,” Trump said when asked about the ongoing talks. He added that the Saudis are seeking a substantial order. “I’m looking at that. They’ve asked me to look at it. They want to buy a lot of ’35’ — but they want to buy actually more than that, fighter jets.”
This potential arms sale is surfacing just as Trump prepares to welcome Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House next week. The visit is expected to result in several agreements covering both defense cooperation and economic partnerships.
According to Trump, the gathering will go beyond routine diplomatic engagement. When questioned about the upcoming talks, he remarked that it is “more than meeting, we’re honoring” Saudi Arabia, suggesting a significant ceremonial component to the visit.
Trump also reiterated his hope that Saudi Arabia will soon agree to join the Abraham Accords, the US-brokered agreements that have led to normalized diplomatic ties between Israel and several Muslim-majority nations. Riyadh has so far avoided formally joining the accords, maintaining that any breakthrough would require progress on a comprehensive plan for Palestinian statehood.
However, not all officials view the potential F-35 sale as risk-free. According to a report by the New York Times, citing individuals familiar with the matter, a Pentagon intelligence assessment has expressed alarm over the possibility that sensitive aircraft technology could fall into China’s hands if the deal goes forward. The report highlights ongoing concerns about global competition over advanced military technologies and how arms sales may affect US strategic interests.
The administration is expected to continue reviewing the matter as discussions with Saudi Arabia progress. View, More,
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