[Discussion] US Approves Potential $24.3 Billion Sale of 48 F-35s to Saudi Arabia

US Approves Potential $24.3 Billion Saudi F-35 Sale

The US State Department on September 17, 2026, approved the possible sale of up to 48 F-35A stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia through the Foreign Military Sales process.

The package, valued at up to $24.3 billion, includes 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, with 48 installed and one supplied as a complete spare. It also covers training, support equipment, software, spare parts, modifications, and logistics needed to establish the Royal Saudi Air Force’s first fifth-generation fighter capability.

Lockheed Martin would be the principal aircraft contractor, while Pratt & Whitney would supply the engines. The ceiling price is not final, and quantities and costs could change during negotiations.

Congressional Review and Security Concerns

The notification begins a 30-day congressional review period. Congress has the authority to block the transaction, although it is unclear whether opponents have sufficient support to do so.

Some lawmakers have raised concerns that operating the F-35 in Saudi Arabia could expose sensitive aircraft technology to China. The fighter and its support infrastructure involve classified software, cryptographic material, electronic warfare data and low-observable maintenance information.

Potential safeguards could affect foreign access to Saudi F-35 facilities, communications networks, mission-planning areas and procedures for handling software and cryptographic systems. The approval does not specify the final technology-protection conditions.

President Donald Trump confirmed in November 2025 that Washington intended to permit the sale. The proposed transfer is part of a broader US-Saudi defense relationship.

Aircraft, Training and Support Package

The request includes secure communications and navigation equipment, AN/PYQ-10 key loaders, KIV-78 cryptographic equipment, electronic warfare database support, and classified and unclassified software services.

It also covers simulators, pilot and maintainer instruction, repair-and-return services, consumables, training devices, publications, site surveys, ferry support and US engineering, technical and logistics assistance. Saudi Arabia would need to develop pilots, instructors, maintainers, mission planners and other personnel to operate the fleet.

No delivery schedule, basing plan or squadron structure has been announced. Forty-eight aircraft could equip two squadrons, but the final organization remains unspecified.

Role in the Saudi Air Force

The F-35As would operate alongside Saudi Arabia’s existing F-15 and Eurofighter Typhoon fleets rather than replace them. The aircraft combines a reduced radar signature, internal weapons carriage, electronic warfare systems and fused sensor data for air combat, precision strike and operations against functioning air defenses.

A representative internal configuration can carry two AIM-120 air-to-air missiles and two 2,000-pound GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munitions. When low observability is less important, the F-35 can use external stations and carry up to 18,000 pounds of weapons.

The proposed package would make Saudi Arabia one of 20 international F-35 operators, including the United States.

Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge

US law requires regional arms transfers to be assessed for their effect on Israel’s qualitative military edge. The State Department said the Saudi sale would not alter the regional military balance and would improve the security of a major non-NATO ally.

Israel had received 48 of its initial 50 F-35Is by January 2026 and has contracted for 25 more, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028. It has also approved plans for a fourth squadron that would eventually bring its fleet toward 100 aircraft.

Israel remains the only foreign F-35 operator authorized to integrate nationally developed systems, software, electronic warfare equipment and weapons. The configuration, training, maintenance capacity, and upgrade access granted to Saudi Arabia will therefore be significant factors in assessing the two fleets when Saudi aircraft enter service.

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