US President Donald Trump has confirmed the sale of advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a decision that has raised significant concerns in India and Israel regarding regional security. During a press briefing on November 17, Trump stated, "We will be doing that," referring to the sale of the jets, which marks a notable shift in US policy. This announcement coincided with the upcoming visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House, his first in over seven years.

Saudi Arabia has requested to purchase up to 48 F-35 jets from Lockheed Martin, making it the first Arab nation to acquire these advanced aircraft. Until now, Israel was the only country in the Middle East operating F-35s. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have expressed strong opposition to the sale, warning that it could compromise Israel's military superiority in the region. An IDF assessment stated, "Israel’s air superiority in the Middle East depends on maintaining exclusive access to fifth-generation stealth aircraft."

Concerns extend beyond Israel, as India is also apprehensive about the implications of this deal. Analysts warn that the sale could enhance Saudi Arabia's military capabilities, potentially affecting India's air and missile defense strategies. One Indian defense analyst noted, "A Saudi F-35 fleet would strengthen Saudi Arabia’s air dominance, compelling regional rivals and other near-neighbors, including India, to reassess air and missile defense postures."

Additionally, there are fears that the sale could allow Pakistan to gain indirect access to advanced US military technology through Saudi Arabia, especially following a recent defense pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The potential transfer of F-35 technology has raised alarms about its implications for regional stability, particularly with China being a significant trading partner of Saudi Arabia.

As the situation develops, the US Congress may still have the power to block the export licenses for the F-35s to Saudi Arabia, adding another layer of complexity to this high-stakes deal. The upcoming discussions between Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed are expected to cover various topics, including the possibility of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, which aim to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab nations.