Trump Approves Sale of F-35 Fighter Jets to Saudi Arabia

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States will move forward with a major defense deal to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.

The announcement came on the eve of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington, where he is scheduled to meet Trump at the White House.

According to Reuters, the approval marks a significant policy shift that could reshape the military balance in the Middle East. The deal is expected to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s deterrence capabilities and expand its strategic defense systems.

Saudi Arabia has requested the purchase of up to 48 F-35 aircraft in a multibillion-dollar agreement. Reports earlier this month indicated that the deal had passed a key hurdle within the US Department of Defense ahead of the crown prince’s visit.

Following Trump’s remarks, shares of Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35 jets, rose by more than one percent, reflecting market confidence in the progress of the sale.

The potential agreement represents one of the largest defence partnerships between Washington and Riyadh in recent years and underscores the deepening security cooperation between the two countries.