Trump Admin Approves Sale of Stealth F-35 Fighter Jets to Saudi Arabia
The proposed sale would make Saudi Arabia only the second Middle East country to fly the F-35, and Congress still must approve it.
- On Thursday, the White House notified Congress of a planned $24 billion sale of 30 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to Saudi Arabia, aiming to bolster the kingdom's air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defense capabilities.
- This arms package responds to escalating attacks on Saudi oil facilities and Red Sea shipping routes by Iran-backed Houthis, with Saudi diplomats seeking Washington's backing to 'resolutely confront hostile approach' during Yemen's civil war.
- The State Department asserted the sale improves the kingdom's 'capability to deter current and future threats' and enhances interoperability with United States forces, stating the deal 'will not alter the military balance in the region.'
- Lawmakers must now approve the transaction, though some members remain wary of deepening military cooperation with Saudi Arabia, citing the kingdom's ties to China and resistance to the Abraham Accords.
- Under United States law, Washington must ensure Israel maintains a 'qualitative military edge' over regional neighbors; delivery of the advanced stealth fighters remains years away, potentially complicating long-term regional security dynamics.
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16 Articles
US Approves $24.3 Billion F-35 Fighter Jet Deal for Saudi Arabia
The United States has approved the potential sale of 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a deal worth $24.3 billion, marking a major shift in U.S. defense policy and the kingdom’s biggest fighter jet purchase since regional tensions escalated during the U.S.-Iran conflict. The U.S. State Department said […]
US approves 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia
The US has approved a US$24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 stealth warplanes to Saudi Arabia, the US Department of State said on Thursday, the kingdom’s latest major arms purchase since the start of the Iran war.Saudi Arabia has long sought to buy F-35s, but officials from Israel has voiced concern about
Trump’s $24 Billion F-35 Stealth Fighter Sale to Saudi Arabia Won’t Solve the Houthi Problem
Reagan's AWACS package looked inflated in 1981 and nobody explained why. Nine years later, when Iraq invaded Kuwait, American forces flew into Saudi air bases that were already turn-key ready to receive them. The question in front of Congress now is whether Trump's F-35 sale is that kind of deal — or a hasty reaction to a crisis the aircraft cannot fix.
US State Department approves potential $24.3 billion F-35 jet sale to Saudi Arabia
Washington, Sep. 18 (SANA) The US Department of State approved a potential 24.3 billion dollar military sale of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. According to a report by Reuters on Friday, the proposed defense agreement includes 48 stealth fighter aircraft representing two full air force squadrons, 49 Pratt & Whitney engines, tactical communications equipment, spare parts, and long-term technical support. T…
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