Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II: What the $24.3 billion US-Saudi deal means for the Middle East

The United States has announced plans to sell up to 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, potentially worth $24.3 billion, in a deal that could alter the military dynamics in the Middle East. This sum would also cover 49 Pratt & Whitney engines, communication systems, spare parts, and other support. The sale is part of a larger strategy by the US to strengthen defense ties with Saudi Arabia, a key non-NATO ally and a stabilizing force in the Gulf region.

However, the deal still needs approval from Congress. The F-35, renowned for its stealth technology that allows it to avoid enemy detection, is the most advanced fighter jet in the world. Saudi Arabia has long sought this aircraft to modernize its air force and counter regional threats, particularly from Iran. The kingdom aims to establish two squadrons of these advanced fighters.

The Biden administration's willingness to explore a potential deal for Saudi Arabia in exchange for normalizing relations with Israel has so far been unsuccessful. The Saudi embassy in Washington expressed enthusiasm about the proposed sale, viewing it as a continuation of strong defense cooperation between the two nations.