Trump administration approves sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia

By Al Jazeera Staff and AFP. Published On 17 Sep 202617 Sep 2026.

Key points

• United States President Donald Trump's administration has asked lawmakers to clear the sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia for an estimated $24.3bn.
• US congressional Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee, expressed opposition to the sale on those grounds.
• The New York Times documented this week that US intelligence analysts have raised the possibility that Beijing could acquire F-35 technology through its partnerships with Riyadh.
• The group published video of fighters in the city standing before burning wreckage of what appeared to be a US-made F-15 fighter jet with Saudi Arabian markings.
• Intensifying fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis reportedly killed at least five individuals, including three children, on Thursday.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region, " the State Department remarked in an official note on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the administration remarked the sale of the jets, the most advanced fighter aircraft the US has, would "not alter the military balance in the region" in keeping with longstanding US policy that Israel must have a military edge over potential regional adversaries.

In practice, the announcement comes after the Houthis in Yemen asserted on Wednesday they shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib, a key city in their battle against Saudi-backed Yemeni administration forces. The group published video of fighters in the city standing before burning wreckage of what appeared to be a US-made F-15 fighter jet with Saudi Arabian markings.

For context, the Houthis claim the aircraft was shot down with a "locally made" surface-to-air missile. It would mark a dramatic change in the group's ability to wage war in the area. Until now, Saudi Arabia's military has enjoyed relative air superiority in Yemen, and has relied heavily on its ability to carry out air strikes in the neighbouring country.

Saudi Arabia has unsuccessfully sought to have Washington play a more direct role in the kingdom's conflict with Houthi forces. The US has remarked it will not directly intervene in the conflict between the Iran-backed Houthis, Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi-backed Yemeni administration.

Washington additionally has worries regarding potential Chinese espionage related to the jets.

For context, the New York Times documented this week that US intelligence analysts have raised the possibility that Beijing could acquire F-35 technology through its partnerships with Riyadh.

Notably, the accord should not go ahead "when our own intelligence community is warning that it could put the crown jewels of American military technology within reach of the Chinese Communist Party, " Krishnamoorthi stated in an official note.

Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense agreement, dubbed the Mecca Agreement, with Pakistan and Turkiye last month, a sign the countries are seeking ways to provide for mutual defence that relies less on Washington.

Saudi Arabia has long sought to purchase F-35s, but office-holders from Israel – the only country in the region with the fighter jets – have voiced concern regarding their sale to Riyadh despite a push for the kingdom to normalise relations. Turkiye, a NATO member that took part in a multi-country development of the F-35 jets, has been barred from receiving the aircraft since 2019 after it purchased anti-aircraft missiles from Russia.

For now, trump administration approves sale of F remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.