Arabic version: الولايات المتحدة تطلب الموافقة على بيع مقاتلات إف-35 للسعودية
According to Al Jazeera, President Donald Trump’s administration has asked US lawmakers to approve the sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a deal estimated at $24.3bn. The State Department said the proposed sale would support US foreign-policy and national-security objectives by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally.
The department described Saudi Arabia as a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region. It also said providing the aircraft, described as the United States’ most advanced fighter jets, would not alter the military balance in the region. The statement cited the longstanding US policy that Israel must retain a military edge over potential regional adversaries.
The notification followed a Houthi claim that its forces shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib, Yemen, on Wednesday. The group released video showing fighters standing before burning wreckage that appeared to be a US-made F-15 with Saudi Arabian markings. The Houthis said they used a “locally made” surface-to-air missile, a claim that, if accurate, could signal a change in their ability to wage war in the area.
Saudi Arabia has had relative air superiority in Yemen and has relied heavily on air strikes in the neighbouring country. Intensifying fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis reportedly killed at least five people, including three children, on Thursday. The United States has said it will not directly intervene in the conflict involving the Iran-backed Houthis, Saudi Arabia and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.
US officials also face concerns about possible Chinese espionage connected to the proposed F-35 transfer. The New York Times reported that intelligence analysts had raised the possibility that Beijing could obtain F-35 technology through partnerships with Riyadh. Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi opposed the deal, saying it should not proceed when intelligence warnings suggest it could put key US military technology within reach of the Chinese Communist Party.
