The US plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits the White House. The visit will focus on defence, nuclear cooperation, and regional diplomacy, even as concerns persist over Khashoggi’s killing, technology risks, and Israel’s security.

The United States will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump said ahead of a White House meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump praised Saudi Arabia as a strong ally and confirmed that the advanced stealth jets would be part of ongoing defence discussions. The meeting marks the crown prince’s first visit to Washington since the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, a killing that a US intelligence assessment said he approved, though he denies it.

Defence Deals and Nuclear Talks
The leaders are expected to discuss new defence agreements and possible cooperation on civilian nuclear power. This comes months after Trump met the crown prince in Riyadh, where both sides announced nearly $142 billion in US arms sales. Saudi Arabia remains the largest buyer of American weapons. The F-35 sale, however, has raised concerns inside the US defence establishment because the jet carries sensitive stealth and communication systems. Some officials worry that Saudi Arabia could share this technology with China, given their growing security partnership.

Regional Concerns over F-35 Transfer
Israel, the closest US ally in the Middle East, is also wary of the deal. It is currently the only country in the region operating the F-35, and Israeli officials fear that Saudi acquisition could weaken their military edge. One F-35A costs around $82.5 million, according to manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Despite these concerns, Trump signalled that he sees the sale as a natural expansion of the US-Saudi defence relationship.

Push for Abraham Accords
During the meeting, Trump is also expected to urge Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords and normalise relations with Israel. Saudi officials have repeatedly said they would agree only if there is a credible path to a Palestinian state, something the current Israeli government rejects.

The visit marks a significant moment for US-Saudi ties, combining major defence talks with sensitive political issues. If completed, the F-35 sale would deepen military cooperation but also test regional balances and long-standing security guarantees.