Saudi Arabia, traditionally an ally of the United States in the Middle East, has been actively seeking alternatives to the American-made F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet, facing hurdles in acquiring the advanced aircraft due to geopolitical considerations and human rights concerns. Recent reports indicate that Saudi Arabia might become the second country, after Pakistan, to acquire non-American stealth fighters, potentially shifting the balance of air power in the region. The Saudi interest in the F-35 has been longstanding, with the kingdom expressing its desire to purchase these fifth-generation jets as early as 2017. However, the U.S. has been reluctant to approve such sales, primarily due to concerns about maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge, as well as Saudi Arabia's involvement in the Yemeni civil war and its human rights record. These issues have put a significant strain on the potential deal, prompting Saudi Arabia to look elsewhere for its military aviation upgrades.
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One of the more prominent alternatives being considered is the Chinese J-35 stealth fighter. China has developed its stealth technology, with the J-35 being a lighter, carrier-based variant of the J-20. This aircraft was showcased at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2024, where its capabilities were demonstrated, catching the attention of several countries, including Saudi Arabia. The J-35 offers similar stealth features to the F-35 but at potentially a lower cost and with fewer political strings attached. Another option for Saudi Arabia has been the Turkish KAAN, a fifth-generation fighter jet designed by Turkish Aerospace Industries. Saudi officials have reportedly held discussions with their Turkish counterparts, exploring the possibility of acquiring up to 100 KAAN jets. This move would not only diversify Saudi's military equipment suppliers but also strengthen its strategic partnership with Turkey, both of which are looking to assert more independence from Western military technology.
The exploration of these alternatives comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is also deepening its military cooperation with China. The kingdom has already purchased various military equipment from China, including armed drones and ballistic missiles. The acquisition of Chinese or Turkish stealth fighters would mark a significant escalation in this relationship, potentially altering the military dynamics in the Middle East. However, this shift is not without its challenges. Integrating non-American stealth technology into Saudi Arabia's predominantly Western-oriented military infrastructure would require significant adaptation in terms of training, maintenance, and logistics. Additionally, there's the strategic concern of how such a move would be viewed by Western allies, particularly the U.S., which has long been the primary supplier of military hardware to Saudi Arabia.
The potential acquisition of non-American stealth fighters by Saudi Arabia could have broader implications for regional security, especially in relation to Iran, with whom Saudi Arabia has a long-standing rivalry. It might also spur an arms race in the region, as other nations react to this shift in military capabilities. As Saudi Arabia navigates these complex waters, its decision to look beyond the U.S. for its next generation of fighter jets reflects a strategic recalibration, aiming to bolster its defense capabilities while also asserting greater autonomy in its military policy. This development is closely watched by analysts, who ponder the future of U.S.-Saudi military ties and the broader implications for Middle Eastern geopolitics.