Houthi attacks target civilian sites, face Saudi defenses: analyst

The United States has given the green light for a $24.3 billion deal to sell 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, pending Congressional approval. This marks the kingdom's most substantial arms purchase since the onset of the Iran conflict. Saudi Arabia has sought F-35s for a long time, yet officials from Israel, the sole Middle Eastern nation currently operating the jets, have expressed reservations about the sale to Riyadh, despite efforts to normalize relations between the two nations.

The sale is expected to enhance Saudi Arabia's ability to counter present and future threats, bolstering its homeland defense and improving cooperation with US forces. It will also increase the number of operational aircraft in Saudi Arabia, strengthening its air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defense capabilities.

The State Department has informed Congress about the proposed sale, which requires the approval of US lawmakers. The State Department affirmed that the sale will not change the military landscape in the region, adhering to the long-standing US policy that Israel must maintain a military advantage over potential regional adversaries. The US has provided F-35 sales only to its closest allies, including various European NATO members and Israel.

Washington has barred Turkey from the F-35 program since 2019 due to concerns over Ankara's acquisition of Russian missile defense systems, which could potentially lead to the technology being embedded in the F-35. Additionally, US officials have expressed apprehensions about Chinese espionage linked to the jets. Recent reports from The New York Times suggest that US intelligence analysts have contended that Beijing might acquire F-35 technology via partnerships with Riyadh.

US Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee, has voiced opposition to the sale, citing intelligence community warnings that it could expose America's "crown jewels" of military technology to the Chinese Communist Party. Krusnamoorthi expressed his concerns in a statement, urging the sale not to proceed in light of these potential risks.

This F-35 sale is part of a series of major arms deals by Saudi Arabia this year. Earlier in September, the State Department authorized a $5 billion sale of over 10,000 bombs, including highly destructive 2,000-pound weapons. In another recent transaction, Washington approved the sale of 60 tank engines and related equipment to Saudi Arabia for $750 million. Additionally, in July, the US granted a $1.96 billion deal for Saudi Arabia to purchase guidance sections that can transform rockets into precision weapons.

Saudi Arabia has frequently faced drone and missile strikes from Tehran's forces since the US and Israel initiated their war against Iran in February. Moreover, the kingdom has been targeted by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The Yemeni civil war, dormant for years, erupted again in July, with the rebels imposing a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia and attacking its ships in the Red Sea.

While the US has not engaged directly in the conflict, a US official revealed that an American military task force is working to enhance intelligence sharing and planning assistance for Saudi forces.