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The United States approves sale of 48 F-35s to Saudi Arabia for $24.3 billion

The sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia has been validated by the U.S. State Department, pending Congressional approval.

19 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: The United States approves sale of 48 F-35s to Saudi Arabia for $24.3 billion — Archive photoPhoto: Denis-Paul Bourg · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of 48 stealth F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia for a total of $24.3 billion, according to a notification sent to Congress.

This agreement was recently announced as Riyadh seeks to enhance its military capabilities amid rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly in response to attacks carried out by the Houthis in Yemen.

The sale also includes 49 engines and a logistics support package. Saudi authorities have long aimed to acquire these modern jets to improve their defense capabilities.

However, the sale is still subject to approval from the U.S. Congress, where concerns have been raised about its impact on the regional military balance, especially in relation to Israel, which is currently the only country in the Middle East to possess these jets.

Israeli officials have expressed their reservations about the sale, fearing it may alter the security dynamics in the region. Despite these concerns, the U.S. continues to view this sale as a way to stabilize security relations with allies in the Middle East.

This development is part of a broader context of military cooperation between the United States and Saudi Arabia, as the kingdom continues to confront external threats while seeking to modernize its armed forces.

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