What does the proposed F-35 deal include?
United States: The US State Department has approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, Reuters reported on September 18.
The proposed package includes 48 F-35 aircraft, 49 Pratt & Whitney engines, communications equipment, spare parts and other support systems. The deal still requires approval from the US Congress before it can be finalised.
How could the sale affect the Middle East?
The proposed sale could mark a significant shift in US defence policy toward Saudi Arabia and raise questions over Israel’s longstanding “qualitative military edge” in the region. Israel is currently the only Middle Eastern country operating the F-35.
Saudi Arabia has sought the advanced stealth fighter for years as part of its military modernisation programme and broader defence cooperation with Washington. The proposed deal comes amid strengthened US-Saudi defence ties and Riyadh’s Vision 2030 modernisation agenda.