Trump administration approves $24.3b F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia

The Trump administration approved the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a deal worth $24.3 billion on Thursday (local time).

The Department of State said in a statement that the approval "will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by strengthening the security capabilities of a major non-NATO ally that contributes to political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region."

It added that the sale "will enhance Saudi Arabia's ability to deter current and future threats by improving its homeland defense capabilities and interoperability with US and other regional and NATO forces."

The United States began laying the groundwork for the sale last November, when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Washington. At the time, Donald Trump said he would approve the sale the day before the crown prince's arrival.

If fully carried out, the deal would make Saudi Arabia the only Arab country to operate the F-35. The Financial Times described the approval as a major win for Riyadh, coming as Saudi Arabia faces renewed attacks from Yemen's Houthi rebels, an Iranian proxy force.

Saudi Arabia, the world's largest crude oil exporter, has relied on a pipeline running from its eastern oil fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu as an export route since the Strait of Hormuz was blocked following the war with Iran.

The Houthis have recently seized key positions near the Bab el-Mandeb strait at the entrance to the Red Sea and struck major Saudi energy infrastructure, dealing a serious blow to the kingdom's crude exports.

While acquiring the F-35 would significantly boost Saudi air power, delivery remains far off. The agreement must clear a congressional review, and even if lawmakers approve it, the first jets would take years to arrive.

US intelligence agencies have already raised concerns that the sale could give China access to sensitive technology related to the aircraft.

The New York Times reported Thursday that the Defense Intelligence Agency had, in a report issued months earlier, questioned whether the United States and Saudi Arabia could maintain the security of F-35 technology, citing Chinese military access to Saudi bases and the use of Chinese technology within Saudi communications infrastructure.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, issued a statement warning that the sale "would be a threat to our national security if permitted," adding that "China has been stealing our intellectual property and technology for decades to close the gap with the United States."