The Air Force was enamored of buying some of the short takeoff/vertical landing version of the F-35, Keys said, but has lost some of its ardor for the idea. While the aircraft would have been useful for deployment to short strips, widely dispersed, it pays a hefty penalty in range and payload. A final decision hasn’t been made, Keys said, nor does it have to be for some time to come. The STOVL F-35 is the last to start coming off the assembly line, and the Air Force will have time to evaluate the conventional takeoff version before committing to another type, he said.
Trump Says US Will Sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia
Nov. 17, 2025
President Donald Trump said he plans to sell F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, announcing his decision Nov. 17, a day before he meets the country’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.
