US officials concerned sale of F-35s to Saudis could lead to tech reaching China — report

14 November 2025, 5:26 am

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An Italian air force F-35 takes off during the "Blue Flag" multinational air defence exercise at the Ovda air force base, north of the Israeli city of Eilat, on October 24, 2021. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)

With the US considering the sale of F-35 fighters to Saudi Arabia, The New York Times reports concerns in the American intelligence community that the jets’ sensitive technology could reach China. Pentagon officials have warned that Beijing could gain access to the information, either through espionage or its growing security ties to Riyadh.

The proposed purchase of 48 aircraft worth billions comes as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to meet President Trump in Washington. Saudi leaders have also been lobbying the US to advance a civilian nuclear program.

The report says the sale has also revived debates over maintaining Israel’s military edge in the region. Israel is currently the only Middle East country with F-35s, and past talk of selling the fightters to Gulf states have stalled over similar concerns.