In a significant policy shift, President Donald Trump signed a billion-dollar deal with Saudi Arabia during a high-profile meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday, November 17.
The US president announced the approval of sales of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, which could shift the military balance in the Middle East.
The agreement also marks a significant deepening of defense ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
When reporters asked President Trump about F-35 sales, he confirmed, “We will.”
Additionally, the two leaders signed a civil nuclear cooperation framework and discussed possible Saudi investments in U.S. artificial intelligence infrastructure.
With full ceremonial honors, the Saudi leader’s visit is focused on expanding ties beyond conventional oil and security cooperations toward technology and trade.
The visit marks the crown prince’s first visit to the White House in more than seven years and also focuses on the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, for which U.S. intelligence concluded the Saudi leader was responsible.
This diplomatic engagement demonstrates a mutual intention to move forward, focusing strategic and economic interests amid ongoing regional tensions with Iran.
Features of the F-35 jet
The F-35 Jet is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter, specifically designed to be nearly invisible to enemy radar.
The jet’s most important feature is its suite of sophisticated sensors that fuse data from multiple sources, providing pilots with unprecedented 360-degree situational awareness.
The aircraft has the ability to share this information with other jets and command centers, acting as a central node in a networked battlespace.
There are three variants of the jet, including the conventional F-35A, the F-35B (specialized for amphibious assaults), and the F-35C (with larger wings) for carrier operations.
