President Donald Trump has approved the sale of the U.S.’s most advanced fighter jet, the F-35, to Saudi Arabia, despite concerns that sensitive American technology could be accessed by China. The sale was reaffirmed during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington.
Some in the administration have also expressed worry that supplying the F-35 to Saudi Arabia could affect Israel’s qualitative military edge, particularly as Trump seeks Israeli backing for his Gaza peace plan. Israel, which deployed the jet during a June conflict with Iran, is among 19 nations that either have the plane or are set to acquire it.
Background and capabilities
The F-35 Lightning II first rolled off the assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas, nearly 20 years ago. It was designed to serve multiple branches of the U.S. military: the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, each requiring different capabilities such as carrier launches and vertical takeoffs. Over 1,200 jets have been produced, supporting roughly 300,000 jobs across 49 states and Puerto Rico.
The jet is a fifth-generation fighter, equipped with stealth technology, advanced radar, sensors, and networking capabilities to detect enemies and communicate with allied forces. It allows pilots to switch between bombing and air combat missions in a single sortie.
Trump plans to sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia ahead of Crown Prince’s visit
Costs and controversies
The program is the Pentagon’s most expensive, with jets costing up to $77 million each in 2023. Maintaining and modernizing the planned fleet of 2,470 aircraft over 77 years is projected to exceed $2 trillion. Production delays, maintenance challenges, and low mission-readiness rates—about 55% in 2023—have fueled criticism. Experts argue that while the F-35 can perform many roles, it is costly and sometimes less reliable than older planes.
Lockheed Martin defended the program, stating that the F-35 is “combat proven,” essential to allied defense, and a critical contributor to global security, with over 1 million flight hours logged and more than 1,255 aircraft in service.
Strategic significance
The jet’s stealth and sensor technologies make it highly coveted internationally, with Saudi Arabia among nations seeking advanced airpower. While there are lingering concerns about cybersecurity and technology leakage to China, analysts note that continual upgrades and allied use mitigate some of these risks.
Source: AP