U.S. Approves $24.3 Billion F-35 Sale to Saudi Arabia
State Department clears 48 jets, matching Israel's current fleet size, though Congress could still block the deal.
KEY POINTS
- State Department approves $24.3B sale of 48 F-35s to Saudi Arabia.
- Sale includes 49 engines, communications gear, and spare parts.
- Saudi Arabia would join Israel as only Middle East F-35 operators.
- Israel links support to normalization; Congress may still block deal.
- Trump administration has pushed to deepen defense ties with Riyadh.
The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, including 49 Pratt & Whitney engines and support equipment. If completed, Saudi Arabia would become the second Middle Eastern nation after Israel to operate the advanced stealth aircraft.
Israel currently fields 48 F-35s on the ground, with 25 more on order for delivery starting in 2028. Israeli officials have historically conditioned support for the Saudi sale on Riyadh normalizing relations with Israel, a step not currently on the horizon.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally.”
The Trump administration has prioritized arms transfers to the kingdom since returning to office. Saudi Arabia has sought the jets for years to modernize its fleet and counter regional threats, particularly from Iran.
Congressional approval is not guaranteed. Lawmakers have expressed wariness regarding the Saudi regime, and either chamber could pass a resolution of disapproval to halt the transfer.
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