The US State Department approved the possible sale of around $24.3 billion worth of F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jets and related equipment to Saudi Arabia, the department announced on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia requested to purchase 48 of the jets, as well as 49 engines and other materials.
According to a State Department statement, the F-35 sale is intended to support US foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening Saudi Arabia’s ability to deter threats to the kingdom’s security.
It is also intended to improve cooperation between Saudi Arabia’s military, the US, regional allies, and NATO forces.
US says sale will not alter military balance in region
The State Department claimed that the proposed sale would not alter the military balance in the region or have an inverse impact on US defense readiness.
Word of the potential deal first spread in late 2025, leading many to question whether Saudi Arabia obtaining F-35’s would pose a challenge to Israel’s military advantage as the only country in the Middle East with access to the advanced aircraft.
US President Donald Trump confirmed that the US would allow the sale in November 2025 after meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to sign a series of diplomatic agreements.
Reuters contributed to this report.