US notifies Congress of proposed $24.3B F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia

The United States has notified Congress of a proposed sale of up to 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a deal valued at approximately $24.3 billion. The announcement, made by the State Department on Thursday, marks a significant step in the potential transfer of the advanced stealth aircraft to the kingdom. The proposed package includes 49 Pratt Whitney F135 engines, cryptographic equipment, electronic warfare support, training, and logistics. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Pratt Whitney Military Engines are named as the principal contractors. The sale is now subject to a 30-day congressional review period before it can be finalized. The State Department stated the sale will support U.S. foreign policy by improving the security of Saudi Arabia, a major non-NATO ally, and will not alter the regional military balance. However, the proposal faces potential opposition from Israel, which has long argued that sales of advanced U.S. weaponry to Arab states could upset the balance of power and challenge its own qualitative military edge. The timing of the announcement is notable, as it comes amid an intensifying conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi movement.