The U.S. State Department announced this evening (Thursday) that it has approved a potential deal to sell 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The deal, valued at approximately $24.3 billion, still requires approval from the U.S. Congress.
According to the State Department, the deal includes 48 fighter jets, 49 Pratt & Whitney engines, communication equipment, spare parts, and related support items. It is worth noting that the deal was announced by Trump last November, the day before he hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.
In its announcement, the U.S. administration emphasized the regional implications of the move, noting that the proposed sale of this equipment and associated support services would not alter the military balance in the region.
The U.S. assurance that the regional balance would not be compromised is based on established principles regarding advanced arms sales to Gulf states; these include technological adjustments ensuring that the aircraft sold to Saudi Arabia do not feature the full technological capabilities and electronic warfare packages reserved for the Israeli Air Force’s advanced models, alongside operational limitations and strict oversight—including restrictions on maintenance and software control.