Deals
US Approves $24 Billion Sale of F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia
The State Department has approved a potential sale of 48 F-35A fighters, but concerns over Chinese espionage threaten the deal, Simple Flying reports.
Simple Flying reports that on September 17, 2026, the State Department approved a possible $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35A fighters to Saudi Arabia. The deal would include 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, support equipment, spare parts, technical assistance, and training. If finalized, the aircraft could become operational in the early to mid-2030s.
The sale would give Saudi Arabia access to fifth-generation capabilities and greater interoperability with US and allied forces, including Israel. The Royal Saudi Air Force currently operates 916 aircraft, including 384 combat aircraft, mostly F-15 variants.
However, the deal faces opposition over security concerns. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, opposed the sale on the day it was announced. He warned that selling the F-35 to Saudi Arabia could put sensitive technology within reach of the Chinese Communist Party, given China's espionage history and its telecommunications presence in Saudi Arabia.
According to Simple Flying, Chinese companies Huawei and China Telecom operate cloud and 5G services in Saudi Arabia that support government functions. This infrastructure could create avenues for espionage. The Institute for National Security Studies documented 160 known Chinese espionage incidents between 2000 and 2021 targeting US agencies and defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin, the maker of the F-35.
Simple Flying also notes that in November 2025, Danish authorities investigated a security loophole in Chinese-made buses that allowed remote deactivation, raising concerns about remote access to sensitive systems. The potential sale highlights the trade-off between strengthening a regional ally and protecting military technology. Saudi Arabia faces threats from Iran and Houthi militants, who have launched thousands of missile and drone attacks since 2015. The F-35's sensors and data-sharing capabilities could improve Saudi intelligence and strike capabilities. But the risk of technology compromise remains a significant hurdle.
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