US Approves $24.3bn Sale of 48 F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia
On Thursday, the State Department revealed that the US has authorized a sale of 48 F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, valued at $24.3 billion. This transaction represents the latest significant arms acquisition by the kingdom since the onset of the Iran war. For several years, Riyadh has sought the F-35s, but Israeli officials—who currently operate the jets—have voiced concerns regarding their transfer to Saudi Arabia, despite Washington advocating for improved relations between the two. According to the State Department, this proposed sale aims to enhance Saudi Arabia's capability to counter both current and future threats, bolstering its homeland defense and fostering better interoperability with US forces. Additionally, US intelligence has suggested that China might gain access to F-35 technology through its collaboration with Saudi Arabia.
Key facts
- The US approved a US$24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 stealth warplanes to Saudi Arabia
- The State Department announced the approval on Thursday
- It is Saudi Arabia's latest major arms purchase since the start of the Iran war
- Saudi Arabia has long sought to buy F-35s
- Israel is currently the only country in the Middle East to operate the jets
- Israeli officials have voiced concern about the sale to Riyadh despite a push for normalisation
- The State Department said the sale would strengthen Saudi homeland defence and improve interoperability with US forces
- US intelligence analysts have raised the possibility that China could acquire F-35 technology through its partnerships with the kingdom
Entities
Institutions
- US State Department
- State Department
- Trump administration
Locations
- Saudi Arabia
- Riyadh
- Israel
- United States
- China
- Iran
- Middle East
- Washington
Sources
- Quartz —
- SCMP Culture —