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| Photo credit: U.S. Air Force/Wikimedia commons |
WASHINGTON, September 17, 2026 — The United States has approved a potential sale of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a deal estimated at $24.3 billion, marking a major step toward strengthening military ties between Washington and Riyadh.
The proposed package includes 48 F-35 Lightning II aircraft, 49 Pratt & Whitney engines, communications equipment, spare parts and other support systems, according to the U.S. State Department. The transaction still requires approval from the U.S. Congress before it can be finalized.
Saudi Arabia has sought the F-35 for years as part of efforts to modernize its air force and strengthen its ability to respond to regional security threats, particularly those involving Iran. The kingdom currently operates a mixed fleet that includes U.S. and European fighter aircraft.
The proposed sale could also have implications for the military balance in the Middle East. Washington has traditionally assessed major arms sales to regional countries with consideration for Israel’s “qualitative military edge,” a policy aimed at preserving Israel’s advantage in advanced military capabilities.
Saudi Arabia welcomed the proposed deal. Its embassy in Washington described the move as another step in the long-standing defense partnership between the two countries.
The F-35 is a stealth fighter designed to reduce its visibility to enemy detection systems. Israel has operated the aircraft for years and is currently the only Middle Eastern country with the fighter in service. If the Saudi deal is completed, Riyadh would become another operator of the aircraft in the region.
The proposed sale comes amid a broader expansion of U.S.-Saudi defense cooperation. In 2025, Washington and Riyadh agreed to a much larger arms package valued at nearly $142 billion, according to the Reuters report.
The deal could still face scrutiny in Congress, where some lawmakers have previously raised concerns about U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Congressional approval will therefore be an important next step before the F-35 transaction can move forward.