Overview
- President Donald Trump said he is considering including F-35s in a potential arms package as he prepares to host Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Nov. 18.
- Saudi Arabia has asked to buy up to 48 F-35 jets in a multibillion-dollar deal now under senior-level review.
- Israeli officials told the U.S. they want any transfer tied to full Saudi–Israel normalization and are likely to seek basing limits to keep Saudi F-35s away from western airfields near Israel.
- A Defense Intelligence Agency assessment, echoed by Pentagon officials, warns that sensitive F-35 technology could be compromised through Saudi ties to China.
- Administration officials say a fighter-jet decision is unlikely during the visit as the White House also weighs a U.S.–Saudi security pledge and seeks movement on diplomatic normalization.