In late 2020, the Trump administration notified the U.S. Congress of its intent to proceed with a substantial arms package for Saudi Arabia, valued at an estimated $24.3 billion. A central component of this proposed deal was the sale of advanced F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets, alongside other sophisticated weaponry. This announcement immediately triggered widespread concerns among U.S. lawmakers and Israeli officials regarding regional security, the balance of power in the Middle East, and the potential implications for Israel's military advantage.

The proposed sale, formally presented to Congress in October 2020, involved up to 50 F-35A fighter jets, 3,000 GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs, and 1,500 AGM-88B HARM missiles, among other defense articles and services. Proponents of the deal within the Trump administration argued it was crucial for strengthening Saudi Arabia's defense capabilities against Iranian aggression and enhancing regional stability by integrating a key Middle East partner into a more advanced security framework. It was also seen as reinforcing the Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations, by showing a united front against shared threats.

However, the initiative faced strong headwinds from both sides of the political spectrum in the United States and vociferous opposition from Israel.

  • Concerns in the U.S.:
    • Many members of Congress expressed alarm over Saudi Arabia's human rights record, citing the kingdom's involvement in the Yemen conflict and the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
    • Lawmakers questioned the timing of such a significant sale in the waning months of an administration and its potential impact on U.S. national security interests.
    • There were also fears regarding the long-term implications of introducing cutting-edge stealth technology into a volatile region, including the risk of technology transfer or accidental exposure.
  • Concerns in Israel:
    • Israeli officials, including then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, publicly voiced deep reservations. Their primary concern centered on the potential erosion of Israel's Qualitative Military Edge (QME), a long-standing U.S. policy commitment ensuring Israel maintains a superior military technological advantage over any potential regional adversaries.
    • The F-35 is considered the most advanced fighter jet in the U.S. arsenal, and Israel was the only country in the Middle East operating it at the time. Introducing the F-35 to Saudi Arabia was perceived by some Israeli strategists as diminishing this crucial edge, even amidst warming diplomatic ties.
    • Despite private assurances from the U.S. that Israel's QME would be preserved, Israeli defense leaders pressed for formal guarantees and impact assessments.

The proposed sale prompted efforts in Congress to block it through resolutions of disapproval. Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Rand Paul (R-KY) led a bipartisan push to prevent the transfer, arguing it would exacerbate regional conflicts and violate congressional oversight.

Ultimately, the proposed F-35 component of the arms package did not proceed before the conclusion of the Trump administration. Upon taking office in January 2021, the Biden administration announced a temporary freeze on certain arms sales initiated by its predecessor, including those to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to conduct a comprehensive review of U.S. foreign policy and arms transfer procedures. While the immediate F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia was halted, the broader debate over advanced arms sales to Gulf allies and the preservation of Israel's QME continues to be a central feature of U.S. Middle East foreign policy discussions.