The administration of US President Donald Trump has asked Congress to approve the sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia for an estimated $24.3bn. The deal is not final and requires congressional approval.
The request comes as fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis intensifies. The Houthis said on Wednesday that they had shot down a Saudi F-15 over Marib, while the State Department said the proposed F-35 sale would support US foreign policy and national security objectives.
Why Washington says the sale fits its policy
The State Department described Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally and said the proposed sale would improve its security while supporting political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region.
The administration also said the F-35 transfer would not alter the military balance in the region. That position is tied to longstanding US policy that Israel must retain a military edge over potential regional adversaries. Israel is currently the only country in the region with the fighter jets.
The battlefield context in Yemen
The Houthis released video showing fighters standing before burning wreckage that appeared to be a US-made F-15 bearing Saudi markings. The group said the aircraft was brought down over Marib with a locally made surface-to-air missile, a claim that, if established, would represent a major change in its battlefield capability.
Saudi Arabia has relied heavily on air strikes in Yemen and has so far retained relative air superiority there, according to the supplied account. Fighting on Thursday reportedly killed at least five people, including three children. The United States has said it will not directly intervene in the conflict involving the Houthis, Saudi Arabia and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.
Concerns over China and regional ties
US intelligence analysts have raised concerns that China could obtain F-35 technology through partnerships with Saudi Arabia. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee, opposed the proposed sale on that basis.
Saudi Arabia has long sought to purchase F-35s. Israeli officials have raised concerns about transferring the aircraft to Riyadh, even as the kingdom has faced pressure to normalise relations with Israel. Saudi Arabia also signed a mutual defence agreement with Pakistan and Turkiye last month, seeking arrangements that rely less on Washington. Read the context: Trump insists Saudi Arabia must normalise relations with Israel for nuclear deal to proceed.
What happens next
Congress must decide whether to approve the proposed sale before the transfer can proceed.
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