Overview
- Riyadh has requested up to 48 Lockheed Martin F-35s, which would make Saudi Arabia the first Middle Eastern buyer beyond Israel if the deal goes through.
- The visit is paired with a broader package that includes a $600 billion Saudi investment pledge, prospective AI infrastructure spending, and a framework for civil nuclear cooperation under a U.S. “123 agreement.”
- The sale represents a major policy shift and remains contingent on State and Pentagon approvals and potential congressional action, with critics citing human rights concerns and the 2018 Khashoggi killing.
- Israeli officials have indicated they could accept a transfer if linked to Saudi normalization with Israel, a condition Trump is pressing as he seeks to expand the Abraham Accords.
- U.S. officials are weighing technology-protection measures over fears of exposure to China, and Saudi leaders are also seeking new U.S. security guarantees.