United States President Donald Trump declared on Monday his intention to sell the world's most advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. This significant announcement comes just a day before Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's first visit to Washington in seven years, setting the stage for high-stakes diplomatic discussions. Trump explicitly stated, "Yes, we're doing that, while we're selling F-35s. " This move underscores a complex geopolitical strategy by the Trump administration, aiming to reshape alliances and security dynamics in the Middle East.
Crown Prince's Demands and Diplomatic Agenda
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is arriving in the US capital with a clear set of demands, central among them being a written guarantee of Saudi Arabia's military security from the United States. The second crucial item on his agenda is the finalization of the agreement to acquire the sophisticated F-35 aircraft. These demands highlight Saudi Arabia's strategic priorities, seeking to bolster its defense capabilities and secure long-term security assurances from its key Western ally amidst regional uncertainties and evolving global power dynamics.
Despite the proposed arms deal, elements within the Trump administration harbor significant concerns regarding Saudi Arabia's increasingly close relationship with China. Officials are reportedly worried that advanced US military technology, such as that embedded in the F-35, could potentially fall into Chinese hands. This apprehension is fueled by recent developments, including joint naval exercises conducted by Saudi Arabia and China last month. On top of that, China played a pivotal role in brokering the restoration of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023, further signaling Beijing's growing influence in the region and its deepening engagement with Riyadh.
Concerns Over Saudi-China Proximity
Leveraging the Deal for Abraham Accords
President Trump views the F-35 deal as a strategic tool to exert pressure on Saudi Arabia to normalize its relations with Israel, thereby joining the Abraham Accords. He expressed his optimism, stating, "I hope that Saudi Arabia will soon join the Abraham Accords. " The Abraham Accords, initiated during Trump's previous presidency, led to the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab nations. Integrating Saudi Arabia into this framework would represent a monumental shift in Middle Eastern diplomacy and a significant foreign policy achievement for the US.
Saudi Arabia's Stance on Israel Relations
However, Saudi Arabia has maintained a firm stance on the issue of normalizing relations with Israel. Riyadh has unequivocally stated that it won't normalize ties until a clear path to an independent Palestinian state is established. This position presents a significant hurdle to Trump's diplomatic objectives, indicating that while the F-35 deal might be a powerful incentive, it may not be sufficient on its own to alter Saudi Arabia's long-standing policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while the kingdom's commitment to the Palestinian cause remains a cornerstone of its foreign policy.
Expert Opinions and Human Rights Objections
Experts have weighed in on the implications of the proposed F-35 sale, while bradley Bowman, a defense specialist, advised that "Trump should make it clear that the first F-35 won't be delivered until Saudi Arabia normalizes relations with Israel. Otherwise, they will be weakening their own power. " This perspective suggests that the US should use the F-35 as use to achieve its broader diplomatic goals. Concurrently, the deal faces strong opposition from human rights activists, while they cite the ongoing allegations against Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman concerning the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an accusation he has consistently denied. These human rights concerns add a layer of ethical complexity to the strategic arms sale.
The Advanced Capabilities of the F-35 Lightning-II
The F-35 Lightning-II is renowned globally as the most advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. Its stealth capabilities make it virtually undetectable by radar, providing a significant tactical advantage in combat scenarios. Beyond stealth, the F-35 boasts supersonic speed, the capacity to carry long-range weapons, and integrates the most modern sensor technology available. This multi-role aircraft is designed to engage targets across ground, sea, and air domains with unparalleled precision and effectiveness, while its sophisticated systems provide the pilot with a 360-degree view of the battlefield and enable direct data sharing with other aircraft and drones, enhancing situational awareness and coordinated operations. The United States has historically reserved the sale of this cutting-edge aircraft exclusively for its closest allies, underscoring the strategic importance and sensitivity of the proposed deal with Saudi Arabia.
