Washington, Sep 20 (V7N)- The Trump administration has approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of F-35 fighter jets and related equipment to Saudi Arabia, a move that could make the kingdom the second country in the Middle East after Israel to operate the aircraft.
The US State Department announced on Thursday (September 17) that it had approved the possible sale of 48 F-35 Lightning II aircraft and 49 engines to Riyadh. The package also includes related equipment, support and spare parts.
The proposed deal still faces congressional review and would not result in immediate delivery. Even if approved, the aircraft could take several years to reach Saudi Arabia because of production and training requirements.
The potential sale has raised questions about Israel's qualitative military edge in the Middle East. US law requires Washington to ensure that Israel maintains a qualitative military edge over other countries in the region. The State Department has maintained that the proposed sale would not undermine that balance.
The deal has also drawn attention because of Saudi Arabia's military relationship with China. US officials and lawmakers have expressed concerns about possible Chinese access to sensitive US military technology through Saudi cooperation with Beijing. CNN has also reported congressional concerns over Riyadh's ties with China.
The proposed sale comes amid heightened regional tensions involving Saudi Arabia, Yemen's Houthi movement and the wider conflict in the Middle East. The US has argued that strengthening Saudi Arabia's defense capabilities would help the kingdom respond to current and future security threats.
The F-35 is one of the most advanced fighter aircraft developed by the United States, featuring stealth capabilities, advanced sensors and multi-role functions. Israel is currently the only Middle Eastern country operating the aircraft.
The Trump administration previously linked deeper defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia to broader regional diplomacy, including efforts involving Saudi-Israeli relations. The latest approval indicates that Washington is moving ahead with the potential aircraft sale while the broader regional issues remain unresolved.
In 2025, the United States and Saudi Arabia also announced a major defense cooperation package valued at around $142 billion, further strengthening their longstanding security relationship.
If completed, the F-35 agreement would represent a significant expansion of US military cooperation with Saudi Arabia, while the final decision will depend on the congressional review process.
END/SMA/AJ
