F-35 Fighter Jet: Why Saudi Arabia Wants It in 2025

Saudi Arabia seeks the F-35, a fifth-generation stealth fighter prized for sensor fusion, long-range strike, and networked warfare. The jet promises deterrence against regional threats and interoperability with U.S. partners. But export hinges on Washington’s policies, technology safeguards, and Israel’s qualitative military edge, making approval complex. The deal’s timing, configuration, and basing would shape Gulf airpower for years to come.