The U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of 48 F-35 Lightning II fighters to Saudi Arabia, notifying Congress on Wednesday in a package valued at about $24.3 billion. The proposed deal covers F-35A aircraft, 49 Pratt & Whitney F135 engines, and support items including training, communications, navigation, spare parts and logistics.
The notification starts a 30-day statutory review period during which lawmakers can block the transaction before any final contract is signed. If completed, Saudi Arabia would become the first Arab country and the second in the Middle East after Israel to operate the F-35. Lockheed Martin is the prime aircraft contractor, while Pratt & Whitney supplies the engines.
The proposed sale is one of the largest U.S. fighter exports in years and would expand Saudi airpower with a fifth-generation platform designed for stealth, advanced sensor fusion and networked operations. Washington’s formal notice said the package would strengthen Saudi deterrence and interoperability with U.S. and allied forces, while not altering the regional military balance. Final quantities, pricing and delivery timing can still change during the review and negotiation process, and no aircraft are expected before 2029.