Full Breakdown
U.S. State Department Approves $24.3 B F-35 Sale to Saudi Arabia
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 17 the U.S. Department of State announced approval of a potential foreign-military sale that would provide Saudi Arabia with up to 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines and associated communications, spare-parts and support equipment. The package is valued at an estimated $24.3 billion. The sale would mark the first time the United States would export the fifth-generation stealth aircraft to an Arab state other than Israel.
Background & Context
Saudi Arabia has long been the largest purchaser of U.S. arms and has sought the F-35 for years to modernise its air force and counter regional threats, especially from Iran and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The request was made directly to President Donald Trump in early 2025 and was reiterated during the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s November 2025 White House visit. Earlier attempts under the Biden administration to bundle the jets with a Saudi-Israeli normalization agreement stalled after the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
Data & Statistics
- 48 F-35 aircraft (conventional take-off and landing variant)
- 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines (including one spare)
- $24.3 billion total estimated value
- The sale would add to Saudi Arabia’s existing fleet of Boeing F-15s, Eurofighter Typhoons and Tornados.
Official Statements & Responses
U.S. defense officials emphasized that the F-35’s advanced radar and surveillance systems would be protected by limiting access to U.S. and Saudi personnel only. A 30-day congressional review period has been triggered, giving lawmakers the authority to block the sale.
Criticism & Opposition
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, publicly opposed the sale, citing U.S. intelligence warnings that the aircraft could fall into Chinese hands.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- State Department: Sale will not change the regional military balance.
- Israeli officials (reported by multiple outlets): Express concern that the sale could erode Israel’s “qualitative military edge,” the legal standard that obliges Washington to keep Israel’s capabilities superior to regional adversaries.
The divergent assessments highlight a gap: while U.S. officials claim the deal can be structured to protect sensitive technology and preserve Israel’s edge, Israeli defense leaders remain skeptical that such safeguards will be sufficient.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It could put the crown jewels of American military technology within reach of the Chinese Communist Party,” — Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi
- “Saudi Arabia and China have a history of security cooperation, including combined military exercises,” — Justin Leopold-Cohen, a research analyst with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies
- “We should always be a few rungs above. And if they give them the F-35, we’ll get the B-2, for argument’s sake,” — Eli Cohen, a research analyst with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies
What’s Next
The State Department’s notification initiates a 30-day review period during which the House and Senate Armed Services Committees will examine the proposal. If either chamber passes a joint resolution of disapproval, the President could veto it; overriding the veto would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers. The outcome of this congressional review will determine whether the sale proceeds to the formal Foreign Military Sales process.