The U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of up to 48 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters to Saudi Arabia, in a deal valued at about $24.3 billion. The notification, filed on Thursday, triggered the mandatory 30-day congressional review period, and the transaction is not yet final.
The package also covers 49 Pratt & Whitney F135 engines, including 48 for installation and one spare, together with support equipment, training, logistics, software and secure communications systems. The department framed the sale as one that would improve Saudi Arabia’s deterrence and homeland defence, strengthen interoperability with U.S. and allied forces and leave the regional military balance unchanged.
If completed, Saudi Arabia would become the first Arab country to field the F-35 and only the second operator in the Middle East after Israel. Deliveries are not expected before 2029, with full operational capability likely to follow years later. The proposal remains politically sensitive in Washington because of the aircraft’s stealth technology, and Congress still has the power to block the sale during review.