The president announced his intent to approve sales of F-35s to Saudi Arabia ahead of a Nov. 18 White House meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

U.S. Marine Corps F-35 fighter jets are parked on the tarmac at the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, on Nov. 1, 2025. Ricardo Arduengo/Reuters
WASHINGTON—The United States will sell F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump announced on Nov. 17.
“We will be doing that. We’ll be selling F-35s,” Trump told reporters during a White House press conference on Monday.


