US approves sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia

The United States has authorized a $24.3 billion deal to supply 48 F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, according to the State Department. This marks one of the largest arms purchases by Riyadh since the initiation of the Iran conflict. The Saudi government has long expressed interest in acquiring F-35s, though Israeli officials, the only nation in the Middle East currently operating the jets, have raised concerns about the sale.

Israeli officials, despite Saudi Arabia's efforts to normalize relations, have expressed apprehension regarding the arms transfer. The State Department stated that the proposed sale will enhance Saudi Arabia's ability to counter existing and future threats, bolstering both homeland defense and the country's interoperability with US forces.

Additionally, the deal aims to increase Saudi Arabia's aircraft fleet and strengthen its self-defense capabilities in air-to-air and air-to-ground scenarios. The sale has been forwarded to Congress for approval, with no specified timeline for the delivery of the aircraft. The State Department emphasized that the F-35 sale will not disrupt the military balance in the region, adhering to the US policy that Israel must maintain a military advantage over potential regional adversaries.

The United States has thus far limited F-35 sales to close allies, encompassing several European NATO members and Israel. Washington severed NATO member Turkey's access to the F-35 program in 2019 due to concerns that Ankara's acquisition of a Russian air defense system could compromise the technology behind the aircraft.