President Donald Trump has announced he will greenlight the sale of advanced F‑35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, signaling a major expansion of the U.S.’s global fighter export program.

“We’ll be selling them F‑35s,” Trump told reporters at the White House ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit.

If approved, Saudi Arabia would become one of the few Middle Eastern countries to operate the F‑35, joining Israel as the only regional operator. The deal also highlights how the United States has steadily expanded its global footprint of F‑35 operators, with jets now serving in Europe, Asia, and other allied nations, illustrating the aircraft’s growing role as a cornerstone of U.S. military diplomacy.

Why It Matters

The F‑35 remains one of the world’s most coveted fighter j

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