The Trump administration has given the green light to a weapons package for Saudi Arabia valued at $24.3 billion, a deal that includes 48 F-35 fighter jets along with their engines and spare parts. This approval arrives as Iranian-backed Houthi forces intensify their strikes against Saudi targets and seek to gain control over the strategically vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Congress now has a 30-day window to review the sale, though some lawmakers have already voiced concerns about the potential transfer of sensitive American military technology.
On Wednesday, the State Department formally notified Congress of the proposed sale, which features 48 F-35 Lightning II jets manufactured by Lockheed Martin, widely regarded as the world's most advanced fighter aircraft. The package also includes 49 Pratt & Whitney engines and additional supporting equipment. The State Department described the sale as a measure that "will enhance the security of this important non-NATO ally, serving U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives," adding that Saudi Arabia plays a crucial role in regional political stability and economic growth.
This announcement comes amid a surge in Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and their push to seize the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The administration maintains that the sale will bolster Saudi Arabia's capacity to deter both current and emerging threats, while insisting the transaction "will not alter the regional military balance of power." That position reflects a long-standing U.S. policy commitment to preserving Israel's qualitative military edge over potential adversaries in the Middle East.
Congress has 30 days to review the sale and could attempt to block it, with opposition already emerging on Capitol Hill. Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois posted on social media platform X that the U.S. should not move forward with the sale while intelligence agencies warn it could expose America's "crown jewel" technologies to Chinese acquisition. "We must never sell our most advanced fighter jets to any country where Chinese access to their inner workings is a possibility," the congressman added.
The sale marks a significant milestone in U.S.-Saudi relations, which have drawn repeated scrutiny from Congress since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi government. Last May, the White House announced Saudi commitments to invest a total of $600 billion in the United States, prompting public praise from President Trump. That agreement included a defense procurement package worth nearly $142 billion, which the White House said would provide Saudi Arabia with cutting-edge equipment and services from more than a dozen American defense contractors.
President Trump has cultivated a close personal relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, having hosted him at the White House during a visit in November. The two leaders have since worked to deepen economic and security ties between their nations, with the F-35 sale representing one of the most consequential outcomes of that partnership.