The United States approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia amid ongoing security threats in the Middle East.
The proposed sale will be subject to congressional scrutiny before it proceeds. It includes 48 F-35 Lightning II aircraft, 49 Pratt & Whitney F135 engines, communication systems, navigational tools, and software.
“The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter current and future threats by strengthening its homeland defense, and improving interoperability with U.S. forces, and other regional and NATO forces,” the State Department said. “The proposed sale will also augment Saudi Arabia’s operational aircraft and enhance its air-to-air, and air-to-ground self-defense capability. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces.”
According to the State Department, the “proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the military balance in the region,” nor will it have an adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”
In a statement on X, the Saudi Embassy in Washington, DC, said the proposed sale “reflects the strength and enduring nature of the Saudi-U.S. strategic partnership and the continued advancement of our defense cooperation.”
“For decades, Saudi-U.S. security cooperation has contributed to regional stability, strengthened our collective defense capabilities, and advanced our shared security interests,” the Embassy added.
Contractors involved in the arrangement include Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney Military Engines.
Last year, Qatar Airways signed a deal to purchase 160 Boeing jets.
