{"id":158001,"date":"2026-09-18T19:38:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T14:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=158001"},"modified":"2026-09-18T16:01:42","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T10:31:42","slug":"us-approves-24-3-billion-sale-of-most-advanced-fighter-jet-in-the-world-to-saudi-arabia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/18\/us-approves-24-3-billion-sale-of-most-advanced-fighter-jet-in-the-world-to-saudi-arabia\/","title":{"rendered":"US Approves $24.3 Billion Sale of Most Advanced Fighter Jet in the World to Saudi Arabia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON, D.C.-<\/strong> The United States has approved a proposed sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets<\/a> to Saudi Arabia worth an estimated $24.3 billion, but Congress must still review and approve the transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The move comes as Riyadh seeks greater support from Washington amid renewed fighting with Yemen\u2019s Houthis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Photo: Lockheed Martin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Washington Advances Saudi F-35 Fighter Jet Deal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration<\/a> has asked US lawmakers to approve the sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia at an estimated cost of $24.3 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The US State Department notified Congress of the potential Foreign Military Sale, meaning the transaction has advanced through the executive branch but is not yet final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The State Department said the proposed sale would support US foreign-policy and national-security objectives by strengthening the security of Saudi Arabia, which Washington identifies as a major non-NATO ally. It also described the kingdom as a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The administration said the F-35 transfer would not alter the military balance in the Middle East. That position follows the longstanding US policy of maintaining Israel\u2019s qualitative military edge over potential regional adversaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposal is part of Saudi Arabia\u2019s longstanding effort to acquire the F-35, an advanced US fighter aircraft with stealth, sensor and networked warfare capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Riyadh has sought access to the aircraft as it continues to develop its military capabilities and deepen its defense relationship with Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo : Ethan Wagner | Wikimedia Commons |https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:F-15EX_Eagle_II.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Yemen Fighting Raises Immediate Security Concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The announcement followed a Houthi claim that a Saudi F-15 fighter jet had been shot down over Marib on September 16. Marib has been a key area in the fighting involving the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Houthis released video showing fighters near what appeared to be the burning wreckage of a US-made F-15 carrying Saudi markings. The group said the aircraft had been hit by a locally made surface-to-air missile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The claim and the exact cause of the aircraft\u2019s loss had not been independently established in the source material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reported incident is significant because Saudi Arabia has historically maintained relative air superiority in Yemen and has relied heavily on air strikes as part of its military campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A confirmed loss of an F-15<\/a> to a locally made surface-to-air missile would therefore indicate a potentially important change in the capabilities available to the Houthis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intensifying fighting on September 17 reportedly killed at least five people, including three children. The escalation has added pressure on Riyadh as it seeks greater support from its international partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia has also sought a more direct US role in its confrontation with the Houthis. Washington, however, has said it will not directly intervene in the conflict involving the Iran-backed Houthis, Saudi Arabia and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al Jazeera reported that the proposed F-35 sale comes against this backdrop of renewed Saudi-Houthi fighting and Riyadh\u2019s efforts to obtain more support from Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Tech. Sgt. Timothy Boyer | Wikimedia Commons\nhttps:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Norwegian_F-35_Lightning_II.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Chinese Technology Concerns Shadow the Proposal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The proposed transfer has also raised concerns in Washington about the security of sensitive F-35 technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The New York Times reported that US intelligence analysts had considered the possibility that China could gain access to F-35 technology through its partnerships with Saudi Arabia. The concern centers on the protection of highly sensitive military systems and technologies associated with the aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

US Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat serving on the House Intelligence Committee, opposed the proposed sale on those grounds. He argued that proceeding despite intelligence warnings could expose sensitive US military technology to China<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The technology issue is especially important because the F-35 is built around advanced stealth, sensors, electronic systems and data-sharing capabilities. The United States has previously imposed restrictions on F-35 access when it considered foreign military equipment purchases to present risks to the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Airman 1st Class Dominic Tyler 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs. | Wikimedia Commons\nhttps:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:US_Danish_Dutch_F-35A.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Israel\u2019s Qualitative Military Edge Remains Central<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Israel is currently the only country in the Middle East operating the F-35, making any potential Saudi acquisition particularly significant for regional military planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United States has repeatedly treated Israel\u2019s qualitative military edge as a key consideration in major arms transfers to Middle Eastern states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has stated that the proposed Saudi package would remain consistent with that policy and would not change the military balance in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Israeli officials have previously expressed concern about a possible Saudi F-35 purchase. Those concerns have existed alongside wider US efforts to encourage Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel, adding a diplomatic dimension to the aircraft debate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"F-35A\"
Photo: Airman 1st Class Alexander Cook, WIkimedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Partnerships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia has also expanded its security relationships beyond its traditional defense ties with Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In August 2026, Saudi Arabia signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement with Pakistan and T\u00fcrkiye<\/a>. The agreement created a framework for mutual defense cooperation and reflected efforts by the three countries to strengthen their ability to respond to security threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The arrangement is relevant to the F-35 proposal because Riyadh is simultaneously pursuing closer defense cooperation with the United States and building additional security partnerships. The development indicates that Saudi defense planning is not limited to a single external partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Italy
Photo: Italy Air Force<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

T\u00fcrkiye Offers a Relevant F-35 Precedent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

T\u00fcrkiye is another important reference point in discussions about the F-35 program. The country participated in the multinational development of the aircraft but was barred from receiving the jet after purchasing Russia\u2019s S-400 air-defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United States argued that the Russian system was incompatible with the security requirements of the F-35 program and could create risks involving sensitive aircraft technology. Washington subsequently removed T\u00fcrkiye from the F-35 program in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Turkish case remains relevant to questions about how the United States protects F-35 technology when dealing with partners that maintain defense relationships with other major powers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II; Photo- Wikipedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Congressional Review Will Determine Next Stage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The proposed sale is not yet complete. Congress must review the administration\u2019s notification, and lawmakers retain the ability to challenge the transaction through the congressional review process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The review will place attention on several issues, including the proposed transfer\u2019s effect on regional military balance, Israel\u2019s qualitative military edge, protection of F-35 technology and Saudi Arabia\u2019s broader security relationship with Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Saudi Arabia, the proposed acquisition would represent a major expansion of its access to US advanced fighter technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Washington, the decision involves balancing defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia against longstanding regional security policies and concerns over the protection of sensitive military systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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