US Approves Potential 24.3 Billion dollar Sale of 48 F-35 Fighter Jets to Saudi Arabia

The United States has approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets and related military equipment to Saudi Arabia, marking a major step in the kingdom’s efforts to acquire advanced combat aircraft from Washington. The US State Department approved the proposed Foreign Military Sale on September 17 and notified Congress about the transaction. The package includes 48 F-35A fighter aircraft, 49 Pratt & Whitney F135 engines, as well as weapons-related equipment, training, spare parts, logistics support, maintenance assistance and other systems required to operate the aircraft.

The proposed deal still has to go through the US congressional review process and does not represent a completed sale or an immediate delivery of the aircraft. Production and training requirements would also mean that any aircraft approved under the agreement would take time to enter Saudi service. The F-35A is a fifth-generation multirole fighter designed to combine stealth features with advanced sensors, communications and data-sharing capabilities. The aircraft is built to perform a range of missions, including air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, while sharing information with other military platforms.

If the agreement moves forward, Saudi Arabia would become the first Arab country to operate the F-35. Israel is currently the only country in the Middle East known to operate the aircraft, making the proposed transfer a significant development for the region’s military balance. The US administration has said the proposed sale would improve Saudi Arabia’s ability to defend its territory and strengthen cooperation between Saudi and US forces. Washington has also stated that the transaction would not undermine the regional military balance.

The proposed sale has attracted attention because of the F-35’s advanced capabilities and the long-standing US commitment to maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge in the Middle East. The potential transfer is therefore expected to remain closely watched as it moves through the congressional process.

Saudi Arabia has sought access to the F-35 as part of broader efforts to modernise its armed forces and strengthen its air capabilities. The proposed agreement would also deepen the country’s defence relationship with the United States and involve major American defence companies, including Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35, and Pratt & Whitney, which produces its engines.

The announcement comes as Washington and Riyadh continue to expand their defence cooperation amid ongoing security concerns across the Middle East. For Saudi Arabia, securing the F-35 would represent a major addition to its military capabilities, while for the United States, the proposed transaction would further reinforce one of its key defence partnerships in the region. The $24.3 billion F-35 package remains a potential Foreign Military Sale. Its final outcome will depend on the congressional review and subsequent steps required before any aircraft can be delivered to Saudi Arabia.