The US State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Saudi Arabia covering 48 F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft and associated equipment, with an estimated value of up to $24.3 billion.
The proposed package includes conventional takeoff and landing variants of the F-35, along with 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines. It also provides advanced communications equipment, logistics support, precision navigation systems, electronic warfare database assistance, cryptographic capabilities, training equipment, and sustainment services.
According to Washington, the proposed sale supports US national security objectives by strengthening defense cooperation and contributing to regional stability. The State Department also stated that the transfer “will not alter the military balance in the region,” reflecting US commitments to maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge.
Saudi Arabia Could Become Second Middle Eastern F-35 Operator
The proposed acquisition comes as Saudi Arabia continues to face aerial threats from the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen amid broader regional tensions involving Israel.
In 2025, the US approved a separate defense package with Saudi Arabia valued at nearly $142 billion, described by the White House as the largest defense cooperation agreement in US history. Riyadh subsequently asked US President Donald Trump to incorporate the F-35 acquisition into the broader defense partnership.
The latest F-35 proposal now enters a 30-day congressional review period. During this period, US lawmakers can raise concerns regarding intelligence risks, including potential Chinese influence and the protection of sensitive military technologies associated with the stealth aircraft.
If finalized, Saudi Arabia would become the second country in the Middle East after Israel to operate the F-35 Lightning II, the fifth-generation fighter developed by Lockheed Martin.
F-35 Lightning II Capabilities
The F-35 Lightning II is approximately 51 feet (16 meters) long and has a wingspan of 35 feet (11 meters), with a fuel capacity of around 18,250 pounds (8,278 kilograms).
Its weapons suite can include the GAU-22/A 25mm four-barrel rotary cannon, precision-guided munitions, and a range of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. The aircraft is also equipped with advanced sensors, targeting technologies, electronic warfare capabilities, and secure communications systems designed to support multi-domain operations.
Powered by the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, the F-35 can reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.6, equivalent to approximately 1,228 mph (1,976 km/h). It has a range of around 1,500 nautical miles (1,726 miles/2,778 km) and a service ceiling of up to 50,000 feet (15,240 meters).
