The Pentagon has also raised the concern of the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia on the grounds of security and the stability in the region due to the existing tensions. Nevertheless, since a new president-elect Donald Trump, is on the way to office, there are indications that he might agree to the multibillion-dollar deal even though the U.S. military is not comfortable with the deal. This announcement, which was made on November 15, 2025 is a possible change in the reluctance of the previous administrations to transfer advanced weapons to the kingdom.
Pentagon’s Security Reservations
The reason why the Pentagon is also worried about the sale of the F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia is the technical aspect of the stealth features of the aircraft. These are the capabilities that are vital in keeping the U.S. technologically ahead, and there is concern that the capabilities may end up in the wrong hands in the Middle East. The advanced technology of the F-35, including such advanced features as radar avoiding, is an important advance in the sphere of military aviation, and the Pentagon fears that such resources will be eliminated or reverse-engineered by the enemy.
There have been internal discussions in the Department of Defense that the sale would be more bold in the regional ambition of Saudi Arabia. The military intervention of the kingdom into Yemen and the hostile attitude toward Iran are the main areas of dispute. Opponents at the Pentagon believe that selling this type of weaponry to Saudi Arabia may escalate the tension in the region, and the regions may enter an arms race, especially to Iran who has been a major adversary of Saudi Arabia.
The approvals in these reservations have historically slowed down the approval in the earlier negotiations. The former regimes have been careful in supplying sophisticated military technology to the Saudi Arabian kingdom, considering the risks it may pose and the strategic considerations. The ongoing push amid new leadership, however, indicates a change of priorities, and the Trump administration seems to have more to do with the sale despite these historical anxieties.
Trump’s Expected Approval and Policy Shift
The background of President-elect Trump, in which he favored arms deals with Saudi Arabia is very well documented. In 2017, he made a trip to the kingdom, and during the trip, he secured a 110 billion package on armaments, which indicated that he was keen on strengthening the U.S-Saudi relations. Such history implies that pro-Saudi policies have continued to this day, and Trump would probably agree to the sale of F-35 as an extension of the larger program of fortifying alliances against Iran. Strategic calculus seems to have more to do with countering the Iranian influence in the region than it has to do with the reservations of the Pentagon.
The fact that the F-35 deal is a time-sensitive issue only enhances the chances of Trump approving the deal. The re-election of Trump may open the way to a much smoother approval process, which, due to the restrictions of the Biden administration, was a more irritating obstacle. This possibility of expediting the deal goes in line with the overall foreign policy interests of Trump, which focus on solid military alliances with major partners in the Middle East.
Although the Pentagon has responded negatively, the administration of Trump appears to be ready to proceed with the sale, as it is considered to be a geopolitical chess board against Iran. The move indicates a larger policy change of placing short-term strategic interests rather than a prolonged security interest, which has been the case in the Trump approach to international politics.
Broader Implications for U.S.-Saudi Relations
The sale of F-35 fighters to Saudi Arabia would contribute greatly to improving the air superiority of the kingdom, which may change the status quo in the Gulf. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia would have an excellent deterrent against regional enemies with these modernized planes, and it would enhance its military strength in a volatile region. As a result of such change, Saudi foreign policy might become more assertive, especially in its interaction with Iran and other players in the region.
The transaction is estimated to have a greater benefit economically of over $50 billion that would bring significant benefits to American defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin. The financial aspects are not limited to short-term profits since the transaction would also enhance the U.S. defense establishment as a top provider of sophisticated military systems. The decision making process is further complicated by this aspect of economy which balances strategic interests with economic incentives.
Nevertheless, the transaction will probably get Congressional scrutiny, and both obstacles may be encountered within the Arms Export Control Act. This law mandates that noteworthy arms sales should be approved by the congress and legislators might express concerns regarding the effect of the sale to the peace of the region and U.S. national security interests. The result of this questioning may have an impact on the final decision and introduce further uncertainty to the process.
Regional and Global Repercussions
The possible sale of F-35 aircraft to Saudi Arabia has met some response especially by the major players in the region especially Israel. Israel, being a key producer of the F-35, has in the past objected to such sales to other Middle Eastern nations because it needs to keep its quality military advantage. Such acquisition of advanced aircrafts by the Saudi Arabia may lead to Israel seeking further guarantees by the U.S. in order to maintain its strategic edge.
The probable reaction of Iran to the transaction would be the threats of escalation especially in the strategic territories such as the Strait of Hormuz. The sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia would be seen as a direct threat to the influence of Iran in the region, which would potentially increase the tension levels and the risk of military conflicts. This relationship highlights the larger geopolitical interests in the sale, and possible consequences to the security and stability in the region.
The F-35 agreement belongs to the U.S. strategy in the Middle East that is in the process of evolution as opposed to the post-Khasoggi warning that has characterized the past relations between the U.S. and Saudi. The revived interest of Saudi Arabia is an adjustment of U.S. foreign policy priorities, which place strategic partnership and military alliances within the region that is full of convolutes. This change is a sign of the balancing process between the promotion of U.S. interests and the control of the risks of the sale of arms to unstable areas.
To sum it up, the issue of the possible F-35 fighter jets sale to Saudi Arabia is a very important event in the U.S.-Saudi relationships, the impact of which can be provided both to the stability of the region and to the global security. The concerns given by the Pentagon help to underscore the dangers of the matter but the anticipation of approval given by the Trump administration underscores a strategic calculus that places more importance on immediate geopolitical benefits. Regional and global stakeholders are going to be keenly interested in the deal as it moves forward, a reality that indicates complex interplay between military, economic and diplomatic factors that determine modern international relations.
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