US approves sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia
The United States has approved a $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 stealth warplanes to Saudi Arabia, the State Department said Thursday, the kingdom's latest major arms purchase since the start of the Iran war. Saudi Arabia has long sought to buy F-35s, but officials from Israel -- currently the only country in the Middle East to operate the jets -- have voiced concern about their sale to Riyadh…
The United States has approved a $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 stealth warplanes to Saudi Arabia. According to the US State Department, the 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 sale, which has been widely opposed by Israel, marks the first time an Arab state will gain access to the US's fifth-generation jet fighter. The package includes 49 Pratt & Whitney engines, communications equipment, and spare parts, as well as other support items linked to the aircraft.
Israel, currently the only country in the Middle East to operate the jets, had voiced concern about their sale to Riyadh. The approval comes as Saudi Arabia battles Yemen's Houthis, and the kingdom has long sought to buy F-35s.
Brief written by urgent.news from Al-Monitor, Premium Times, Middle East Eye, The Peninsula Qatar, Daily Times — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Houthi advance boosts Iran’s leverage over the US and Saudi Arabia – but may cost rebel group its legitimacy back in Yemen theconversation.com
- US approves sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia freemalaysiatoday.com
- US approves sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia channelnewsasia.com
- Houthi attacks target civilian sites, face Saudi defenses: analyst english.ajel.sa
- Trump administration approves sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia aljazeera.com
