The US State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia involving 48 F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft and associated equipment, with a maximum estimated value of $24.3 billion. The package covers conventional takeoff and landing versions of the fighter along with 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines. The proposed transfer also includes advanced communications equipment, logistics support, precision-navigation systems, electronic-warfare database assistance, cryptographic equipment, training systems and sustainment services. Washington said the proposed sale is consistent with US national-security interests and would support regional stability and defence cooperation. The US government also stated that the proposed transfer would not alter the military balance in the region, addressing the longstanding US policy and legal requirement concerning Israel’s qualitative military edge. Potential Second Middle Eastern F-35 OperatorThe proposed acquisition comes as Saudi Arabia continues to face aerial threats linked to the wider regional conflict, including attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen. In 2025, the United States separately approved an arms and defence-cooperation package for Saudi Arabia valued at nearly $142 billion, described by the White House as the largest defence cooperation agreement in US history. Riyadh subsequently asked President Donald Trump to include the F-35 in the broader defence relationship. The latest proposal enters a 30-day congressional review period. During this process, lawmakers may raise concerns including intelligence issues involving Chinese influence and access to sensitive technology associated with the stealth fighter. If the transaction proceeds, Saudi Arabia would become the second country in the Middle East after Israel to operate the Lockheed Martin F-35. F-35 Lightning IIThe F-35 is 51 feet (16 metres) long with a wingspan of 35 feet (11 metres). It carries 18,250 pounds (8,278 kilograms) of fuel. Its weapons suite can include the GAU-22/A 25mm rotary cannon, precision-guided bombs, the B61 nuclear bomb and multiple missile types. The aircraft also incorporates advanced sensors and targeting systems, electronic countermeasures and an enhanced communications architecture. The F135 propulsion system provides a maximum speed of Mach 1.6, approximately 1,228 mph (1,976 km/h), a range of 1,500 nautical miles (1,726 miles/2,778 km) and a service ceiling of 50,000 feet (15,240 metres).
