US officials voice alarm over Saudi-Türkiye defense talks as Riyadh eyes KAAN fighter

Saudi Arabia’s strategic pivot toward diversifying its defense procurement is causing friction within the Trump administration, with US officials expressing growing concern over Riyadh’s burgeoning aerospace partnership with Türkiye.

According to reports from Middle East Eye (MEE), current and former US officials are increasingly wary that the Kingdom’s defense negotiations with Ankara could erode Washington’s long-standing dominance in the Saudi arms market.

The friction comes despite a high-profile reception for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House in November. During that visit, President Donald Trump announced that Saudi Arabia would move forward with the acquisition of advanced F-35 stealth fighters as part of a comprehensive strategic defense agreement. However, the administration has since sought urgent clarity regarding Riyadh’s parallel talks with regional competitors.

While Saudi Arabia reportedly provided assurances to Washington that it would not proceed with the purchase of Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter, it has notably withheld similar guarantees regarding its potential participation in Türkiye’s fifth-generation KAAN fighter program.

The prospect of a Saudi-Turkish jet deal has met with skepticism among former Trump administration defense officials. Bilal Saab, who held senior defense roles during Trump’s first term, questioned the operational logic of the move.

“The Saudi inventory is already exceptionally robust,” Saab noted. “I struggle to see where a Turkish fighter fits into this architecture. They already operate the world’s most advanced F-15s—in some respects superior to those in the US inventory. They have the Eurofighter Typhoon, and they are slated to receive the F-35.”

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, clarified that while Washington does not view the KAAN as a direct replacement for the F-35, it views the potential deal as “leaving cash on the table” that could otherwise be spent on US hardware. The administration’s prevailing message to Riyadh has been blunt: “What specific need is not being met by the US that necessitates going to Türkiye for the KAAN?”

According to officials, the Trump administration remains committed to a “sole provider” doctrine, prioritizing US exports as the primary pillar of bilateral defense ties.

Though analysts do not anticipate a full-scale diplomatic crisis, the tension underscores a fundamental clash between the Trump administration’s “zero-sum” economic nationalism and the Middle East’s shift toward multipolar defense alliances.

Hesham Alghannam of the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in Riyadh argued that the Kingdom’s interest in the KAAN program is aimed at expanding strategic options rather than replacing the US as its primary ally. However, he warned that if Washington continues to view such moves solely through the lens of competition, it may be interpreted as a fundamental shift in Riyadh’s orientation.

The momentum for the partnership appears to be building. During a visit to Saudi Arabia in February, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that a joint investment agreement for the KAAN could be “signed at any moment.” A model of the aircraft, emblazoned with Saudi insignia, was prominently displayed at the World Defense Show in Riyadh. Officials from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) suggested a potential deal could involve the production of between 20 and 50 aircraft.

While Türkiye markets the KAAN as an indigenous project, the platform currently relies on General Electric F110 engines, meaning any export to Riyadh would still require the ultimate approval of the US Congress.

The F-35 remains the centerpiece of the regional arms race. While President Trump promised Riyadh parity with Israel’s stealth capabilities, Israel continues to exercise a de facto “Qualitative Military Edge” (QME) veto over regional sales. In November, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed to have received US assurances that any F-35s delivered to Saudi Arabia would feature reduced specifications compared to Israel’s fleet.

This dynamic has left the Trump administration caught between the influential pro-Israel lobby and its own desire to maximize Gulf exports. Consequently, Riyadh has utilized alternative negotiations to bolster its leverage. Analysts point to Saudi Arabia’s previous interest in the Russian S-400 system—which preceded its purchase of the US THAAD system—as evidence of this “hedging” strategy.

Türkiye’s competitive advantage lies in its willingness to offer joint production and technology transfer. Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, Riyadh aims to localize 50% of its defense spending. The perceived slow pace of technology sharing from Washington has made Ankara’s more flexible partnership model increasingly attractive.

The defense talks also signal a broader geopolitical recalibration. As Riyadh finds itself at odds with the UAE on files ranging from Sudan to Yemen, it has moved to strengthen ties with a new bloc including Pakistan, Türkiye, Qatar, and Egypt.

Cinzia Bianco of the European Council on Foreign Relations noted that while the F-35 deal has been decoupled from the Israel normalization process, Israeli influence in Washington remains a significant hurdle. Despite these complications, sources indicate Riyadh remains prepared to acquire the F-35 even with downgraded specifications, provided it can simultaneously secure indigenous production capabilities through partners like Türkiye.