US moves ahead with $24.3 billion F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia despite China concerns

The State Department formally notified Congress on Thursday of the $24.3 billion potential sale of a fleet of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia. The announcement came one day after the New York Times reported that US intelligence agencies had raised internal concerns that China could acquire or steal F-35 technology through Saudi Arabia's military ties with Beijing.

A Pentagon Defense Intelligence Agency report had questioned whether US and Saudi forces could secure sites housing the aircraft, citing Chinese military personnel's access to Saudi bases and the kingdom's use of Chinese telecommunications and defense technology, and noting China has sold ballistic missiles to Saudi Arabia.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., a member of the House Intelligence Committee, criticized the move, saying, "It could put the crown jewels of American military technology within reach of the Chinese Communist Party."

The State Department defended the sale, saying it would "improve Saudi Arabia's capability to deter current and future threats," while separately stating in its formal notice that the transfer "will not alter the military balance in the region." The Saudi embassy in Washington welcomed the announcement, calling it "a further step in defense cooperation between the two countries."

Trump first announced the sale in November, ahead of a Washington visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has pushed for the jets for years. It follows a $142 billion arms package agreed with Saudi Arabia in 2025, which the White House called the largest defense cooperation agreement in US history.

Congress now has 30 days to review the sale, though a blocking resolution would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers to survive a presidential veto, and the House is on recess until November.