US clears way for $24.3 billion military aircraft sale to Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - The US Department of State has approved the potential sale of Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia, it said on Thursday as the kingdom has been drawn deeper into the Middle East war. The estimated $24.3 billion sale would include 48 of the military aircraft and 49 Pratt & Whitney engines along with communications…
The US Department of State has approved a potential sale of 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia, valued at an estimated $24.3 billion. The sale would also include 49 Pratt & Whitney engines and communications equipment.
The development comes amid escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi militia in Yemen. According to DW English, at least five people were killed in the conflict, with Saudi Arabia accusing the Houthis of a "cowardly" strike on Mecca. The Houthis denied the attack, and Saudi Arabia reported one person killed by drone shrapnel.
The conflict has led to a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia announced by the Houthis, and a truce agreed in 2022 has collapsed. The Houthis have controlled Sanaa and much of western Yemen since the start of the conflict, and have been backed by Iran.
Brief written by urgent.news from Al-Monitor, Ajel English, DW English (Top Stories), DW News — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Saudi Arabia, Houthis exchange blows as conflict escalates dw.com
- Qatar strongly condemns Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia's Taif governorate thepeninsulaqatar.com
- US approves potential $24.3bn F-35 fighter jets sale to Saudi Arabia dailytimes.com.pk
- EU condemns Houthi escalation against Saudi Arabia, warns attacks undermine peace prospects english.ajel.sa
- Saudi Arabia moves closer to F-35s as US approves $24.3 billion sale israelnationalnews.com
- US approves possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia jpost.com
- Trump administration approves $24B sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia al-monitor.com
- Saudi Arabia, Houthis Exchange Blows as Conflict Escalates en.tempo.co
