US President Donald Trump said ahead of today's visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington that he would sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia and appreciated Riyadh's long-term partnership with the United States, the Associated Press reported.
“I will say we will do that“, Trump said, when asked if he would sell fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. "We will sell them the F-35s," he added.
The crown prince, who will visit the White House tomorrow, is expected to arrive with a wish list that includes receiving formal assurances from Trump defining the scope of US military protection for the kingdom, as well as an agreement to buy US F-35 fighter jets, one of the world's most advanced warplanes.
The sale would mark a significant policy shift that could potentially alter the military balance in the Middle East and test Washington's resolve to maintain its "qualitative military advantage" of Israel.
In a potential multibillion-dollar deal, Saudi Arabia wants to buy 48 F-35 fighter jets, it was reported earlier this month.
Riyadh has long been interested in the Lockheed Martin fighter jet, Reuters noted.
A senior White House official recently told the agency that Trump wanted to speak with the crown prince before making a decision.