Saudi Arabia Set to Buy 48 F-35 Jets in $24.3bn US Deal

The United States has approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, in a major proposed expansion of Washington’s defence cooperation with Riyadh.

The US Department of State said Thursday that the proposed package includes 48 F-35 aircraft, 49 Pratt & Whitney engines, communications equipment, spare parts and other related support. The deal still faces congressional review before it can be finalised.

The proposed transfer could have significant implications for the military balance in the Middle East and for Washington’s longstanding policy of ensuring that Israel maintains a “qualitative military edge” over other countries in the region.

Saudi Arabia formally sought the F-35 from US President Donald Trump in early 2025 after years of interest in acquiring the advanced stealth aircraft. Riyadh has been seeking to modernise its military capabilities while strengthening its ability to respond to regional security threats, including those linked to Iran.

The Saudi embassy in Washington welcomed the proposed deal, describing it as another step in the development of the two countries’ longstanding defence relationship.

“The proposed F-35 sale reflects the strength and enduring nature of the Saudi-U.S. strategic partnership and the continued advancement of our defence cooperation,” the embassy said in a post on X.

The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter designed with stealth capabilities that make it more difficult for radar systems to detect. Israel has operated the aircraft for years and is currently the only Middle Eastern country with the F-35 in active service, according to reports on the proposed Saudi purchase.

Saudi Arabia has long been one of the United States’ largest arms customers. Its air force currently operates a combination of American and European aircraft, including Boeing F-15s as well as Eurofighter Typhoons and Tornado jets.

The proposed F-35 acquisition also forms part of broader US-Saudi diplomatic and security discussions. During the administration of former President Joe Biden, Washington explored the possibility of providing Riyadh with F-35s as part of a wider agreement that included potential Saudi normalisation of relations with Israel. Those negotiations ultimately failed to produce a final agreement.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has placed greater emphasis on expanding defence and economic ties with Saudi Arabia. In 2025, Washington announced an arms package for Riyadh worth nearly $142 billion, which the White House described as the largest defence cooperation agreement in US history.

However, the F-35 proposal is expected to receive close attention in Congress. US lawmakers have previously scrutinised arms transfers to Saudi Arabia, particularly following the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Some members of Congress have continued to question deeper US military cooperation with Riyadh.

The proposed sale also comes as Saudi Arabia pursues its Vision 2030 programme under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The initiative includes broad economic and military modernisation efforts, alongside attempts to expand the kingdom’s defence relationships while retaining its longstanding security partnership with Washington.

If approved and ultimately delivered, the F-35s would represent a significant addition to Saudi Arabia’s air power and would make the kingdom the first Arab state to operate the aircraft. The proposed sale, however, remains subject to the US congressional process.

Source: The Telegraph
Adapted by Ed O. Mike