The US State Department has approved the possible sale of Lockheed Martin-made F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. Reuters reported that the package, valued at $24.3 billion, still requires approval from the US Congress.
According to the State Department, the proposed deal includes 48 military aircraft, 49 Pratt & Whitney engines, communications equipment, spare parts and other support items. Saudi Arabia has long sought the aircraft and raised the issue directly with US President Donald Trump in early 2025.
The potential sale marks a significant shift in US policy. It could alter the military balance in the Middle East while testing Washington’s commitment to preserving Israel’s “qualitative military edge.” For years, US arms sales in the region have been calibrated to ensure Israel receives more advanced American weapons than Arab states.
Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Washington welcomed the move, describing it as a further step in defense cooperation between the two countries. In a statement, the embassy said the proposed F-35 sale reflects the strength and durability of the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Why the F-35 matters
The F-35 is regarded as one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world. Its stealth technology makes it harder for adversaries to detect. Israel has operated the aircraft for years and remains the only country in the Middle East with the system.
Saudi Arabia, one of the largest buyers of US weapons, has long wanted to acquire the F-35 to modernize its air force and respond to regional threats, particularly those linked to Iran. The kingdom’s air force already operates Boeing F-15, European Tornado and Typhoon aircraft.
The renewed effort comes after the Trump administration said it was prepared to deepen defense cooperation with Riyadh. The administration of former President Joe Biden had also considered supplying F-35s to Saudi Arabia as part of a broader agreement that would have included normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel, but those efforts ultimately stalled.
Political and economic backdrop
Trump has made arms sales to Saudi Arabia a priority since taking office. In 2025, the United States agreed to sell the kingdom an arms package worth nearly $142 billion, which the White House described as the largest “defense cooperation agreement” ever concluded by Washington.
At the same time, the F-35 sale could face scrutiny in Congress. Lawmakers had previously questioned arms deals with Riyadh after the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and some members of Congress remain cautious about expanding military ties with the kingdom.
The proposed deal also fits into Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 program, under which Saudi Arabia is pursuing broad economic and military modernization while seeking to diversify its defense partnerships and maintain its longstanding security relationship with Washington.
