US Approves $24.3 Billion Sale of F-35 Fighter Jets to Saudi Arabia

Talks about a major arms sale from the US to Saudi Arabia began amid growing instability in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, seeking to modernize its air force, expressed interest in acquiring the F-35, the US military's most advanced stealth fighter jet.

Internal US discussions quickly flagged concerns about the security of sensitive technology, especially given Saudi Arabia's expanding ties with China. Intelligence officials warned that Beijing could try to access or steal classified jet technology, referencing China's previous attempts to obtain military secrets.

On September 16, 2026, reports surfaced that US intelligence agencies were worried about the risk of China obtaining F-35 technology through Saudi Arabia, according to NYT Politics. The Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency was among those raising alarms.

The next day, the Trump administration officially announced approval of the $24.3 billion deal for 48 F-35 jets and related equipment. The State Department notified Congress, highlighting the benefits of improved defense cooperation and interoperability with Saudi Arabia, as reported by Top World News- News18.com.

Concerns persisted about how the sale might affect the balance of power in the region and whether it could compromise Israel's technological edge, given Israel's established use of the F-35, according to South China Morning Post.

Saudi officials and the embassy in Washington publicly praised the deal, framing it as a testament to the enduring partnership between the two countries, Arab News noted. The sale was also seen as a move to strengthen Saudi defenses at a time of heightened tensions with Iran.

The F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia has cleared a key hurdle with US State Department approval and notification to Congress. Saudi Arabia has welcomed the agreement, citing it as a milestone in their strategic partnership with the US.

However, the deal is not finalized. It still requires Congressional review, where lawmakers may raise further questions about technology security and regional impacts. Intelligence officials remain cautious about the risk of Chinese espionage linked to the transfer of advanced military hardware.

Congress will review the proposed sale and could place conditions or even block the transfer, depending on debates over security and regional stability. Ongoing US intelligence monitoring will likely influence whether additional safeguards or restrictions are added to the deal.