US approves possible sale of F-35 fighters to Saudi Arabia for $24.3 billion

The US State Department has approved a possible sale to Saudi Arabia of up to 48 fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighters and related equipment. The maximum estimated cost of the package is $24.3 billion, but the deal is not yet final and must go through congressional review.

The proposed package includes 48 F-35A fighters, 49 Pratt & Whitney F135 engines, as well as communications equipment, spare parts, maintenance equipment, personnel training, and logistics support.

Lockheed Martin is the primary manufacturer of the aircraft. F-35A is a conventional takeoff and landing version used by the US Air Force and most foreign operators of the program.

The State Department stated that the potential deal should enhance Saudi Arabia's air defense capabilities, counter current and future threats, and improve interoperability of Saudi military with US forces and other partners.

Washington also claims that the sale will not alter the basic military balance in the Middle East.

After the State Department notification, the US Congress has a 30-day review period. Lawmakers may try to block the sale. In addition, the announced $24.3 billion and the quantity of equipment are maximum estimates: final parameters may change during negotiations and contract signing.

If the deal is implemented, Saudi Arabia will become the first Arab state to receive F-35. Currently, only Israel operates these fighters in the Middle East.

Maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge in the region has long been one of the main factors influencing the possibility of selling advanced American weapons to Arab countries. According to Axios, the Israeli side did not oppose the current deal as actively as some other potential transfers, but sought to link the sale to normalization of relations between Riyadh and Tel Aviv.

A separate issue for Washington is Saudi Arabia's relations with China. American officials and lawmakers have previously expressed concern about the risk of Beijing's access to sensitive F-35 technologies. The State Department said it considers the need to protect US technological advantage when reviewing military export deals.

Saudi Arabia has been seeking access to F-35 for several years. Donald Trump already in November 2025 publicly stated his intention to allow the sale of fighters to the kingdom. After that, the proposal went through interagency approval in the US administration.

Even if the procedure is completed, deliveries will not begin soon: production, infrastructure preparation, and personnel training may take several years.

Based on materials from: US State Department, Axios, Breaking Defense