Trump Administration Asks Congress to Approve $24.3bn Sale of F-35 Fighter Jets to Saudi Arabia

The administration of United States President Donald Trump has asked lawmakers to clear a major military sale supplying 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia for an estimated $24.3 billion, according to reports from Al Jazeera and AFP published on September 17, 2026. The proposed transaction requires formal approval from the US Congress before it can proceed.

In a formal statement released on Thursday, the US State Department asserted that the transaction would serve American foreign policy and national security priorities. The department stated that the agreement would enhance the security of a major non-NATO ally described as a force for political stability and economic progress within the Gulf region. Furthermore, the administration maintained that introducing the advanced fighter aircraft—the most sophisticated in the American military inventory—would not alter the established military balance in the region. This assurance aligns with longstanding US policy ensuring that Israel maintains a qualitative military edge over potential regional adversaries.

The announcement of the multi-billion-dollar military package coincides with escalating conflict in neighbouring Yemen. On Wednesday, Houthi forces in Yemen claimed they successfully shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet operating over Marib, which is a pivotal city in the ongoing struggle against Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces. The group subsequently circulated video footage showing fighters standing near burning wreckage bearing Saudi Arabian markings and resembling a US-made F-15 aircraft.

According to the Houthi movement, the jet was brought down using a locally manufactured surface-to-air missile. If confirmed, such a capability would represent a significant shift in the group’s operational effectiveness, given that the Saudi military has historically maintained relative air superiority over Yemen and relied heavily on uninterrupted airstrikes. Concurrently, intensifying hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis resulted in the reported deaths of at least five people on Thursday, including three children.

While Riyadh has historically sought more direct American intervention in its conflict with Houthi forces, Washington has repeatedly stated that it will not directly intervene in the ongoing fighting involving the Iran-backed Houthis, Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.

The proposed F-35 agreement has also raised concerns within the US intelligence and legislative communities regarding potential technological compromise. According to reporting by The New York Times, American intelligence analysts have expressed apprehension that Beijing could potentially gain access to sensitive F-35 technology through Riyadh's existing partnerships with China.

These concerns were echoed by US Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee, who voiced strong opposition to the deal. In a public statement, Krishnamoorthi argued that the transaction should not move forward when domestic intelligence warnings suggest the agreement could place the crown jewels of American military technology within reach of the Chinese Communist Party.

Broader geopolitical realignments are also taking shape in the region. Last month, Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense pact known as the Mecca Agreement with Pakistan and Turkiye, signaling an effort by these nations to diversify their security arrangements and reduce reliance on Washington. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has long sought to acquire F-35 jets, though Israeli officials have previously expressed reservations about the sale to Riyadh despite diplomatic pushes toward normalization. Turkiye, a former partner in the F-35 development program, has remained barred from receiving the aircraft since 2019 following its acquisition of Russian anti-aircraft missile systems.