Human Rights Concerns Mount Over Australia's Role in F-35 Sales to Saudi Arabia

Controversial F-35 Sale Sparks Scrutiny

A recent decision by former US President Donald Trump to proceed with the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia has ignited significant human rights concerns, drawing attention to Australia's integral role in the aircraft's global supply chain. The announcement was made on November 17, 2025, ahead of a meeting between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on November 18, 2025.

The proposed deal involves the potential acquisition of up to 48 F-35s by Saudi Arabia, a move that has been met with apprehension from various international bodies and human rights advocates.

Australia's Critical Role in the F-35 Program

Australia is a vital contributor to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, with over 75 Australian companies involved in manufacturing and sustainment efforts. More than 700 'critical pieces' of the fighter jet are reportedly manufactured in Victoria alone, and Australia also hosts a regional distribution hub for F-35 parts in New South Wales.

However, the nature of this involvement means that once Australian-made components enter the global supply chain, they are considered 'US-owned goods' managed by Lockheed Martin. This arrangement means Australia 'does not direct the export of those goods' or 'control the export of those goods,' according to statements from the Australian Department of Defence.

Human Rights Implications and the Yemen Conflict

Experts and pacifist organizations, including Quakers Australia and the Medical Association for Prevention of War (MAPW), have voiced strong concerns that Australia could become complicit in potential human rights abuses. This stems from Saudi Arabia's 'deplorable human rights record' and its significant involvement in the Yemeni civil war.

The conflict in Yemen has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, with Saudi-led bombing campaigns resulting in thousands of civilian casualties. Between 2015 and 2022, an estimated 377,000 people died due to the conflict, with nearly 15,000 civilians killed by direct military action, predominantly from Saudi-led airstrikes.

Broader Concerns: Oversight and Technology Transfer

Beyond human rights, the F-35 sale raises other significant issues:

• Inadequate US Oversight: The US Government Accountability Office has identified shortcomings in efforts to prevent US-made weapons from being used in human rights abuses. The US State Department's 'Blue Lantern' program, designed to monitor commercial weapons sales, reportedly reviewed less than 2% of export applications in its last report.
• Technology Transfer Risks: There are concerns, flagged by the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), that Saudi Arabia's security partnership with China could lead to the transfer of sensitive F-35 technology to Beijing.
• Regional Military Balance: The sale is also controversial due to its potential impact on Israel's qualitative military edge (QME) in the Middle East, a long-standing US policy objective.

Critics argue that Australia's participation in the F-35 supply chain, without direct control over the end-use of its components, places the nation in a precarious ethical position regarding international human rights obligations.