President Donald Trump on Monday said the US would be selling F-35 fighters to Saudi Arabia.
Mr Trump made the announcement in the Oval Office, a day before a visit to the White House by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“I will say that we will be doing that. We'll be selling F-35s,” Mr Trump told journalists.
The sale of F-35s would be a major win for Saudi Arabia as Washington and Riyadh deepen ties, and as Mr Trump presses the kingdom to join the Abraham Accords and normalise relations with Israel.
US media reported that the US would be selling up to 48 F-35 A jets – the conventional take-off and landing model – with a price tag of about $60 billion. The sale is part of a broader $142 billion US–Saudi defence package.
Riyadh is also hoping for a formal security pact, similar to the one reached between the US and the UAE.
The US could also grant Riyadh “major defence partner” status or make it a major non-Nato ally. Such an upgrade would enhance defence co-operation and make military technology transfers simpler.
Officials say the agreement is likely to have much of the substance of a treaty, albeit without the guarantees of commitment under future American administrations.
A legally binding mutual defence treaty would require ratification by the US Senate, currently unlikely to pass.
The agreement is similar to the executive order Mr Trump issued in late September, guaranteeing Qatar’s security, including by taking military action if the country comes under attack.
That order came weeks after after Israel launched an air strike against Hamas leaders in Qatar, shaking the region.
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
