Saudi Arabia may buy up to 48 F-35 fighter jets after new U.S. defense talks
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Saudi Arabia’s formal request to acquire 48 F-35 fighter jets moved past a key stage inside the U.S. Department of Defense, according to officials familiar with the process.
On November 4, 2025, Reuters announced that Saudi Arabia’s formal request to acquire 48 F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets has progressed within the U.S. defense review framework, according to officials familiar with the process. The proposal is under interagency coordination led by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of State, following established Foreign Military Sales procedures. While no approval has been issued, the review represents a key step as Washington evaluates Gulf defense cooperation, export control policy, and Israel’s qualitative military edge framework.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Possessing the F-35 would significantly reshape Saudi Arabia’s strategic posture, enabling stealth operations, long-range precision strikes, and enhanced regional deterrence through an integrated and networked air force. (Picture source: US Air Force)
The proposal, which has been under review by the U.S. Department of Defense, has moved into higher interagency coordination phases involving senior policy and defense officials. Although no final decision has been made, the progression indicates that Washington is evaluating the sale in light of current regional balances, export control policy, and existing bilateral defense frameworks. The potential acquisition would represent the most advanced combat aircraft transfer to a Middle Eastern country since Israel began receiving its F-35I Adir variant. If approved, it would allow Saudi Arabia to align its future airpower capabilities with modernized defense requirements while maintaining interoperability with key allies. The size of the proposed fleet, which had not been previously reported, would be sufficient to establish two operational squadrons and could include infrastructure, training, and sustainment components within the overall package.
The approval pathway for any F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia follows the established Foreign Military Sales (FMS) procedure, which involves sequential reviews by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of State, the White House, and eventual congressional notification under the Arms Export Control Act. Each stage assesses policy alignment, technical releaseability, and strategic implications before any formal announcement is made. This layered approval process ensures that sensitive technology transfers are weighed against regional security dynamics and U.S. legislative oversight. While the Saudi request has cleared initial departmental evaluation, it remains subject to subsequent interagency and political reviews that can modify or delay the final outcome. Defense officials familiar with the review process have characterized the proposal as progressing through standard procedural stages, reflecting how Washington calibrates major arms sales to align with its regional security commitments and internal review requirements.
Saudi interest in the F-35 dates back to the early 2010s, when Riyadh pursued modernization of its air fleet through the F-15SA program and Eurofighter Typhoon acquisition. At that time, U.S. export policy prohibited the release of stealth aircraft to Arab states in order to preserve the qualitative military edge (QME) of Israel. The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) continued to signal interest in fifth-generation aircraft as part of Vision 2030’s defense industrial transformation, focusing on technology acquisition, local maintenance capability, and long-term self-sufficiency. The F-35’s stealth characteristics, sensor fusion, and advanced data-sharing systems were viewed by Saudi planners as critical elements for adapting to increasingly sophisticated regional air defense and missile threats. In recent years, as Washington reviewed its defense relationships with Gulf partners, the F-35 request was reintroduced under stricter export and configuration conditions. This renewed evaluation reflects a combination of strategic, industrial, and political factors shaping how advanced systems are allocated in the Middle East.
A central factor influencing any approval of foreign military sales in the Middle East remains the U.S. policy of maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge. This principle, enshrined in U.S. law, requires that Israel retain a superior technological and operational advantage over any regional military. The precedent set during the 2020 approval of F-35A aircraft for the United Arab Emirates showed that Washington can authorize advanced platforms in the region only after close consultations with Israeli defense authorities and adjustments to ensure no erosion of its advantage, gained through the F-35I Adir, and maybe the F-47 in the future. If Saudi Arabia were to receive approval, similar measures would likely be applied, including phased delivery schedules, configuration differentiation, or hardware and software modifications. Proposals for an export-limited derivative illustrated how Washington might adapt systems for regional partners while limiting sensitive subsystems. Morocco’s potential F-35 acquisition was also considered under these constraints, demonstrating that each Middle Eastern case is examined independently to preserve regional balance and U.S. commitments under QME guidelines.
For Saudi Arabia, introducing the F-35 would mark a structural shift in its air combat and reconnaissance capabilities. The aircraft’s combination of low radar observability, long-range detection, and advanced electronic warfare systems would enable new forms of situational awareness and precision engagement. The AN/APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, combined with the Distributed Aperture System and Electro-Optical Targeting System, would provide the RSAF with persistent surveillance and targeting capacity even in heavily contested environments. The F-35’s data link architecture would also integrate Saudi fighters into a unified command and control network, connecting with F-15SA and Eurofighter Typhoon assets for layered air defense and coordinated strike operations. In operational terms, the introduction of a stealth platform would improve survivability against modern surface-to-air missile systems and allow more flexible mission planning. Industrially, Saudi participation in the global sustainment network could foster domestic aerospace partnerships in line with Vision 2030’s localization goals.
The current composition of the Royal Saudi Air Force includes a diversified fleet designed for both offensive and defensive operations. Its inventory features F-15C/D and F-15SA variants for air superiority and multirole missions, Eurofighter Typhoons for interception and precision strike roles, and Tornado IDS aircraft that continue to serve in limited ground attack capacity pending replacement. The modernization of earlier F-15S models to the SA and SR configurations has standardized avionics, radar, and weapon interfaces, enhancing fleet efficiency and readiness. The RSAF also operates BAE Hawk advanced trainers, which serve as a foundation for transitioning pilots to high-performance aircraft. Extensive investment has been made in maintenance depots, logistics centers, and data systems to support advanced air platforms, ensuring that Saudi Arabia can manage complex fleets through local and international partnerships. The development of operational infrastructure across major bases such as King Abdulaziz, King Khalid, and King Faisal Air Bases reflects the country’s preparation to accommodate future fifth-generation operations.
Looking to the future, the Saudi Air Force modernization program extends beyond the F-35 request and includes both confirmed and potential procurements from multiple partners. Negotiations with the United Kingdom have included the acquisition of up to 48 additional Eurofighter Typhoons, which would maintain alignment with existing maintenance frameworks and flight training systems. Riyadh has also expressed interest in purchasing 54 Dassault Rafale fighters from France, expanding diversification and strategic autonomy within its fleet. Parallel to Western offers, discussions have been observed between Saudi Arabia and Türkiye regarding participation in the KAAN fifth-generation fighter program, potentially involving up to 100 aircraft and co-production agreements. Long-term considerations also include exploring participation in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a sixth-generation initiative led by the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan, with projected entry into service in the mid-2030s. These initiatives demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s intent to sustain operational continuity while developing an indigenous aerospace base capable of supporting future combat systems.
The potential F-35 sale is part of a broader context of U.S.–Saudi defense cooperation encompassing air, naval, and missile defense systems. In May 2025, Washington announced a defense framework valued at approximately $142 billion covering air and missile defense, air force and space modernization, maritime security, and communications. While the F-35 was not explicitly mentioned in that announcement, the overall scale of collaboration indicates a continued strategic alignment between the two countries. U.S. arms transfers to Saudi Arabia are subject to multiple layers of political and security review, balancing mutual defense objectives with regional stability and congressional oversight. These interactions extend beyond procurement to include joint training, intelligence sharing, and maintenance programs that reinforce interoperability. Whether or not the F-35 transaction proceeds in its current form, it exemplifies the depth of bilateral defense engagement and Saudi Arabia’s position as one of Washington’s principal partners in Gulf security planning and long-term strategic defense cooperation.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
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Saudi Arabia’s formal request to acquire 48 F-35 fighter jets moved past a key stage inside the U.S. Department of Defense, according to officials familiar with the process.
On November 4, 2025, Reuters announced that Saudi Arabia’s formal request to acquire 48 F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets has progressed within the U.S. defense review framework, according to officials familiar with the process. The proposal is under interagency coordination led by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of State, following established Foreign Military Sales procedures. While no approval has been issued, the review represents a key step as Washington evaluates Gulf defense cooperation, export control policy, and Israel’s qualitative military edge framework.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Possessing the F-35 would significantly reshape Saudi Arabia’s strategic posture, enabling stealth operations, long-range precision strikes, and enhanced regional deterrence through an integrated and networked air force. (Picture source: US Air Force)
The proposal, which has been under review by the U.S. Department of Defense, has moved into higher interagency coordination phases involving senior policy and defense officials. Although no final decision has been made, the progression indicates that Washington is evaluating the sale in light of current regional balances, export control policy, and existing bilateral defense frameworks. The potential acquisition would represent the most advanced combat aircraft transfer to a Middle Eastern country since Israel began receiving its F-35I Adir variant. If approved, it would allow Saudi Arabia to align its future airpower capabilities with modernized defense requirements while maintaining interoperability with key allies. The size of the proposed fleet, which had not been previously reported, would be sufficient to establish two operational squadrons and could include infrastructure, training, and sustainment components within the overall package.
The approval pathway for any F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia follows the established Foreign Military Sales (FMS) procedure, which involves sequential reviews by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of State, the White House, and eventual congressional notification under the Arms Export Control Act. Each stage assesses policy alignment, technical releaseability, and strategic implications before any formal announcement is made. This layered approval process ensures that sensitive technology transfers are weighed against regional security dynamics and U.S. legislative oversight. While the Saudi request has cleared initial departmental evaluation, it remains subject to subsequent interagency and political reviews that can modify or delay the final outcome. Defense officials familiar with the review process have characterized the proposal as progressing through standard procedural stages, reflecting how Washington calibrates major arms sales to align with its regional security commitments and internal review requirements.
Saudi interest in the F-35 dates back to the early 2010s, when Riyadh pursued modernization of its air fleet through the F-15SA program and Eurofighter Typhoon acquisition. At that time, U.S. export policy prohibited the release of stealth aircraft to Arab states in order to preserve the qualitative military edge (QME) of Israel. The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) continued to signal interest in fifth-generation aircraft as part of Vision 2030’s defense industrial transformation, focusing on technology acquisition, local maintenance capability, and long-term self-sufficiency. The F-35’s stealth characteristics, sensor fusion, and advanced data-sharing systems were viewed by Saudi planners as critical elements for adapting to increasingly sophisticated regional air defense and missile threats. In recent years, as Washington reviewed its defense relationships with Gulf partners, the F-35 request was reintroduced under stricter export and configuration conditions. This renewed evaluation reflects a combination of strategic, industrial, and political factors shaping how advanced systems are allocated in the Middle East.
A central factor influencing any approval of foreign military sales in the Middle East remains the U.S. policy of maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge. This principle, enshrined in U.S. law, requires that Israel retain a superior technological and operational advantage over any regional military. The precedent set during the 2020 approval of F-35A aircraft for the United Arab Emirates showed that Washington can authorize advanced platforms in the region only after close consultations with Israeli defense authorities and adjustments to ensure no erosion of its advantage, gained through the F-35I Adir, and maybe the F-47 in the future. If Saudi Arabia were to receive approval, similar measures would likely be applied, including phased delivery schedules, configuration differentiation, or hardware and software modifications. Proposals for an export-limited derivative illustrated how Washington might adapt systems for regional partners while limiting sensitive subsystems. Morocco’s potential F-35 acquisition was also considered under these constraints, demonstrating that each Middle Eastern case is examined independently to preserve regional balance and U.S. commitments under QME guidelines.
For Saudi Arabia, introducing the F-35 would mark a structural shift in its air combat and reconnaissance capabilities. The aircraft’s combination of low radar observability, long-range detection, and advanced electronic warfare systems would enable new forms of situational awareness and precision engagement. The AN/APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, combined with the Distributed Aperture System and Electro-Optical Targeting System, would provide the RSAF with persistent surveillance and targeting capacity even in heavily contested environments. The F-35’s data link architecture would also integrate Saudi fighters into a unified command and control network, connecting with F-15SA and Eurofighter Typhoon assets for layered air defense and coordinated strike operations. In operational terms, the introduction of a stealth platform would improve survivability against modern surface-to-air missile systems and allow more flexible mission planning. Industrially, Saudi participation in the global sustainment network could foster domestic aerospace partnerships in line with Vision 2030’s localization goals.
The current composition of the Royal Saudi Air Force includes a diversified fleet designed for both offensive and defensive operations. Its inventory features F-15C/D and F-15SA variants for air superiority and multirole missions, Eurofighter Typhoons for interception and precision strike roles, and Tornado IDS aircraft that continue to serve in limited ground attack capacity pending replacement. The modernization of earlier F-15S models to the SA and SR configurations has standardized avionics, radar, and weapon interfaces, enhancing fleet efficiency and readiness. The RSAF also operates BAE Hawk advanced trainers, which serve as a foundation for transitioning pilots to high-performance aircraft. Extensive investment has been made in maintenance depots, logistics centers, and data systems to support advanced air platforms, ensuring that Saudi Arabia can manage complex fleets through local and international partnerships. The development of operational infrastructure across major bases such as King Abdulaziz, King Khalid, and King Faisal Air Bases reflects the country’s preparation to accommodate future fifth-generation operations.
Looking to the future, the Saudi Air Force modernization program extends beyond the F-35 request and includes both confirmed and potential procurements from multiple partners. Negotiations with the United Kingdom have included the acquisition of up to 48 additional Eurofighter Typhoons, which would maintain alignment with existing maintenance frameworks and flight training systems. Riyadh has also expressed interest in purchasing 54 Dassault Rafale fighters from France, expanding diversification and strategic autonomy within its fleet. Parallel to Western offers, discussions have been observed between Saudi Arabia and Türkiye regarding participation in the KAAN fifth-generation fighter program, potentially involving up to 100 aircraft and co-production agreements. Long-term considerations also include exploring participation in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a sixth-generation initiative led by the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan, with projected entry into service in the mid-2030s. These initiatives demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s intent to sustain operational continuity while developing an indigenous aerospace base capable of supporting future combat systems.
The potential F-35 sale is part of a broader context of U.S.–Saudi defense cooperation encompassing air, naval, and missile defense systems. In May 2025, Washington announced a defense framework valued at approximately $142 billion covering air and missile defense, air force and space modernization, maritime security, and communications. While the F-35 was not explicitly mentioned in that announcement, the overall scale of collaboration indicates a continued strategic alignment between the two countries. U.S. arms transfers to Saudi Arabia are subject to multiple layers of political and security review, balancing mutual defense objectives with regional stability and congressional oversight. These interactions extend beyond procurement to include joint training, intelligence sharing, and maintenance programs that reinforce interoperability. Whether or not the F-35 transaction proceeds in its current form, it exemplifies the depth of bilateral defense engagement and Saudi Arabia’s position as one of Washington’s principal partners in Gulf security planning and long-term strategic defense cooperation.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
