The US Department of State approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia on September 17, 2026. While intended to bolster Saudi homeland defense against Iranian-backed threats, the deal faces scrutiny over Israel's qualitative military edge and potential congressional opposition. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi warned that the sale could allow China to access critical US military technology.
F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia
- ▪The proposed $24.3 billion arms package for Saudi Arabia, approved by the US Department of State on September 17, 2026, includes communications equipment, spare parts, and other support items alongside 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft and 49 Pratt & Whitney engines
- ▪US President Donald Trump confirmed the United States would allow the $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in November 2025 after meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
- ▪In 2025, the United States agreed to sell Saudi Arabia an arms package worth nearly $142 billion, which the White House described as the largest defense cooperation agreement in US history
- ▪The US Department of State approved a potential sale of up to 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and 49 Pratt & Whitney engines to Saudi Arabia for an estimated $24.3 billion on September 17, 2026
Israel's qualitative military edge
- ▪Israel has operated F-35 fighter jets for a decade and remains the only Middle Eastern country to possess the advanced stealth weapons system
- ▪The US Department of State asserted that the proposed $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia will not alter the military balance in the Middle East
- ▪The potential $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, approved by the US Department of State on September 17, 2026, would test the United States' commitment to maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge in the Middle East
Saudi regional security concerns
- ▪Saudi Arabia has sought F-35 fighter jets for years to modernize its air force and counter regional threats, particularly from Iran
- ▪The US Department of State stated that the proposed $24.3 billion sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia is intended to strengthen Saudi Arabia's homeland defense and improve military interoperability with US, regional, and NATO forces
- ▪Saudi Arabia has recently faced strikes from Tehran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and Shia militants in Iraq, forcing the kingdom to shut down a critical oil export pipeline
Congressional opposition to sale
- ▪The proposed $24.3 billion sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, approved by the US Department of State on September 17, 2026, requires finalization and is expected to face opposition and scrutiny in the US Congress, which has the power to block the sale
- ▪US lawmakers have previously scrutinized arms deals with Riyadh following the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi
- ▪US Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi opposed the F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia, warning that transferring the advanced fighter jets could allow China to access critical US military technology
Middle East conflict escalation
- ▪The US Department of State's September 17, 2026 approval of the $24.3 billion sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia comes as Saudi Arabia is drawn deeper into Middle East conflicts and contends with retaliatory attacks from Iran
- ▪The United States has approved billions of dollars in weapons sales to Gulf allies, including a $5 billion sale of JDAM and BLU bombs to Saudi Arabia in September 2026
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