The United States has approved a potential sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a deal valued at $24.3 billion. The proposed package still requires congressional approval before it can move forward.
According to the US State Department the sale would include 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft along with 49 Pratt & Whitney engines communications equipment spare parts and other support items. If finalised the agreement would mark a major shift in American policy toward the region.
Saudi Arabia has sought the stealth fighter for several years as part of efforts to modernise its air force. The kingdom currently operates a mix of Boeing F-15s European Tornados and Typhoons. The F-35 is widely regarded as the world’s most advanced fighter jet thanks to its ability to evade enemy detection. Until now Israel has remained the only country in the Middle East operating the aircraft.
Washington has traditionally weighed arms sales carefully to preserve Israel’s qualitative military edge. Approving F-35s for Riyadh would test that long-standing principle and could alter the balance of air power in the region. The Saudi embassy in Washington welcomed the news describing the proposed sale as a reflection of the strong and enduring Saudi-US strategic partnership.
The move comes amid heightened tensions and conflict across the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has been drawn deeper into regional security challenges and has renewed its push for the advanced jets. The Trump administration has shown openness to expanding defence cooperation with Riyadh. In 2025 the two sides already agreed on a massive arms package worth nearly $142 billion.
Earlier diplomatic efforts under the previous US administration had linked possible F-35 transfers to broader regional deals including potential normalisation between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Those talks eventually stalled. The current proposal stands on its own as a significant defence cooperation step.
Saudi Arabia continues to pursue military modernisation under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 agenda while maintaining its decades-long security relationship with the United States. The potential F-35 acquisition would represent one of the most advanced capability upgrades for the Saudi Air Force if Congress gives its final approval.
