WASHINGTON: The US Department of State has approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, including 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft and 49 Pratt & Whitney engines. The proposed deal still requires congressional approval.
The package also includes communications equipment, spare parts, electronic warfare support, training and other logistics services.
Saudi Arabia has sought the F-35 for years as it looks to modernise its air force. The kingdom made a direct request for the aircraft to US President Donald Trump in early 2025.
F-35 Sale Could Affect Regional Military Balance
The potential sale would mark a significant development in US defence policy toward Saudi Arabia.
Washington has long maintained that Israel should retain a “qualitative military edge” over other countries in the region. The State Department said the proposed Saudi sale would not alter the regional military balance.
Israel is currently the only Middle Eastern country operating the F-35. It has operated the aircraft for about a decade and has built multiple squadrons.
The F-35 is a stealth fighter designed to reduce its detectability by enemy radar and combine advanced sensors with combat capabilities.
Saudi Arabia Welcomes Proposed Sale
The Saudi embassy in Washington welcomed the proposed agreement.
It described the deal as another step in defence cooperation between Riyadh and Washington and highlighted the longstanding strategic relationship between the two countries.
Saudi Arabia is already the largest US Foreign Military Sales customer, with more than $140 billion in active cases according to previous US government data.
The Saudi Air Force currently operates a mix of aircraft, including Boeing F-15s and European Tornado and Typhoon fighters.
Deal Comes Amid Regional Tensions
The proposed F-35 sale comes as Saudi Arabia faces heightened regional security concerns.
The Trump administration has also made expanded defence ties with Riyadh a priority. In 2025, Washington announced an arms package for Saudi Arabia worth nearly $142 billion.
Saudi Arabia is pursuing military and economic modernisation under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 programme.
The F-35 proposal also follows earlier US efforts to link deeper defence cooperation with broader diplomatic arrangements involving Saudi Arabia and Israel.
For now, the proposed sale remains subject to the US congressional review process.
