Saudi Arabia wants America's most advanced fighter jet. Why the US is hesitating.
Part of composite article Saudi Arabia Wants 48 F-35s While Houthi Missiles Rain Down — and Trump Won't Send Troops View full article →
Saudi Arabia has spent years asking the United States to sell it the F-35, the world's most advanced fighter jet. The request is controversial.
The F-35 is a stealth warplane. Stealth means it is very hard for enemy radar to detect. Only a few close US allies fly it.
Selling the jet to Saudi Arabia could change the military balance in the Middle East. Israel, a key US ally, already flies the F-35. US law requires Israel to keep a military edge in the region. A Saudi deal could put that at risk.
The US must also weigh human rights concerns and the risk of sensitive technology leaking. For now, no deal has been approved.