In a significant policy shift, President Donald Trump signed a multibillion-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 President of the United States announced the approval of the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, possibly changing the military balance in the Middle East.
The agreement also marks a significant deepening of defense ties between the US and Saudi Arabia.
When reporters asked President Trump about the F-35 sale, he confirmed, “We will do it.”
In addition, both leaders signed a framework for civil nuclear cooperation and discussed possible Saudi investment in US artificial intelligence infrastructure.
With all ceremonial honors, the Saudi leader’s visit is focused on expanding ties beyond conventional oil and security cooperation to technology and trade.
The visit marks the crown prince’s first visit to the White House in over seven years and also brings renewed focus on the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, for which US intelligence concluded the Saudi leader was responsible.
This diplomatic engagement signals a mutual intent to move forward with a focus on strategic and economic interests amid ongoing regional tensions with Iran.
Features of F-35 jet
The F-35 Jet is a fifth generation multi-role stealth fighter specially designed to be nearly invisible to enemy radar.
The most prominent feature of the jet is its sophisticated sensor suite that fuses data from multiple sources, giving pilots unparalleled 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, F-35B (specialized for amphibious assault) and F-35C (larger wings) for aircraft carrier operations.
