Saudi's MBS Hopes to Turn Talks Into Deals At White House Meeting

Former Ambassador James Jeffrey said the stakes are high for President Trump's meeting with the Saudi crown prince as the US looks to solidify in a regional security, trade and diplomatic coalition and the Saudis seek more economic and security cooperation.

President Donald Trump is expected to reach an agreement with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that would allow the kingdom to purchase F-35 stealth planes, according to an administration official.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public, said Trump and the crown prince — known as MBS — intend to sign economic and defense agreements during a visit to the White House scheduled for Tuesday. Those agreements will also include a deal on purchases of liquefied natural gas, the official added, without providing more details.

The sale of F-35s, if completed, would be a major concession to Saudi Arabia as Washington and Riyadh look to deepen their ties and as Trump presses the country to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel.

The friendship struck up between Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is so strong that the US president is contemplating selling the most advanced American fighter jet available for export to the kingdom.

Riyadh’s bid to buy F-35s looks set to get a boost on Tuesday, when the crown prince visits the White House. The two are expected to sign several economic and defense deals, including on F-35s, Bloomberg has reported.

A sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia has the potential to alter the military balance in the Middle East, with potential ramifications for Israel, whose government is anxious to preserve a military edge over neighbors that’s enshrined in US law

What is the F-35 and why does Riyadh want it?

The F-35 stealth fighter is one the most advanced jets in the world. It’s sometimes called the “quarterback” of the skies because of its ability to gather intelligence that can be shared with ground units, ships and other aircraft, and to lead attacks with swarms of drones.

The plane is capable of long-range strike missions and specializes in locating and destroying complex enemy air defense systems in preparation for a bombing campaign or ground assault. F-35s have been used to search for Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria and were involved in Israel’s attacks on Iran during the countries’ 12-day war in June.

The plane is manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp. and was developed in partnership with the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Denmark, Norway, and Australia, which all committed to buy it. The most expensive variant, the naval F-35B with vertical takeoff and landing capability, costs more than $100 million.

Many countries are keen to get their hands on the F-35, Saudi Arabia included. Prince Mohammed, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, wants to bolster the kingdom’s security in the face of threats from states such as Iran and militias across the Middle East. MBS, as the prince is known, sees stronger ties with the US – including an F-35 purchase and mutual defense pact similar to one struck with Qatar – as critical to Vision 2030, his multi-trillion dollar plan to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy away from oil and attract foreign investment in AI data centers.

What would it take for the US to approve a sale?

The US only sells F-35s to long-standing military allies, given how sensitive the technology is. Congress can potentially hold up export licenses even if the president approves them, and many US lawmakers are wary of compromising the military superiority of key ally Israel. The Jewish state is the only country in the Middle East to have F-35s, and under US law, Washington must ensure it preserves what’s called a qualitative military edge over other countries in the region.

How does Israel view a possible Saudi F-35 purchase?

Officials in Israel are known to be wary about the idea of Saudi Arabia – which still doesn’t formally recognize the country – getting its own F-35s, in case it narrows Israel’s capability advantage.

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