The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of 48 advanced F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia valued at $24.3 billion; final decision with Congress

🔸The U.S. State Department has confirmed the potential sale of 48 advanced F-35 Lightning II fighters to Saudi Arabia worth $24.3 billion.

🔸On Friday, September 27, the U.S. State Department announced that the deal, which still requires congressional approval, will include, in addition to 48 F-35 Lightning II fighters, 49 engines, communications equipment, spare parts, and other support equipment.

🔸The sale of the F-35 to Saudi Arabia, if finalized, would be a major change in the U.S. arms policy in the Middle East, because Israel is currently the only country in the region that has this stealth radar-evading fighter.

🔸In reviewing arms sales to Middle Eastern countries, the U.S. is committed to preserving Israel’s “military qualitative edge,” meaning that, in practice, it must ensure Israel’s access to more advanced American weapons than those available to the Arab states of the region.

🔸Israel has been using the F-35 for about a decade and has several squadrons of this aircraft. The possible sale of these same fighters to Saudi Arabia could turn into one of the main issues in assessing how Washington’s commitment to maintaining Israel’s military advantage will be carried out.

🔸Saudi Arabia has for years been pursuing the purchase of the F-35 to modernize its air force, and in early 2025 it directly raised this request with Donald Trump, the U.S. president.

🔸Read the full report on the Radio Farda website.