US Approves Sale of 48 F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia
The proposed $24.3 billion package includes 48 jets and 49 engines, and officials say it would bolster Saudi deterrence and interoperability.
- On Thursday, the State Department approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft to Saudi Arabia, aimed at strengthening the kingdom's defense capabilities amid regional tensions.
- President Donald Trump initiated discussions for the sale in 2025 as Saudi Arabia faces escalating threats from the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen and struggles to defend against regional attacks.
- A confidential Defense Intelligence Agency assessment warns China could access F-35 technology through espionage, citing risks from telecommunications equipment made by Huawei and ZTE in Saudi infrastructure.
- While Israel operates the customized F-35I, the State Department noted the sale 'will not alter the military balance in the region,' as Saudi Arabia's jets would have different capabilities than Israel's aircraft.
- Congressional scrutiny poses challenges to the sale, which faces a complex review process; deliveries are not expected for several years if the proposal proceeds, according to Reuters reporting.
70 Articles
70 Articles
U.S. clears way for $24.3 billion F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia
The deal has raised concerns in Israel over its regional air superiority, while Netanyahu's office says understandings with Washington will preserve Israel's edge. Senior Israeli defense officials warned the jets could expose Israeli capabilities
US approves potential $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighters to Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON — The US Department of State said on Thursday that it has approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and related equipment to Saudi Arabia, according to a Congressional notification. The potential sale would mark the first delivery of F-35s to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia made a direct appeal for Lockheed Martin's fighter jets in early 2025 to US President Donald Trump. In November 2025, Trump had annou…
US approves sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia despite Israeli concerns
The US has approved a US$24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 stealth warplanes to Saudi Arabia, the State Department said Thursday, the kingdom’s latest major arms purchase since the start of the Iran war. Saudi Arabia has long sought to buy F-35s, but officials from Israel – currently the only country in the Middle East to operate the jets – have voiced concern about their sale to Riyadh despite a push for the kingdom to normalise relations. “The prop…
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