US State Department: Approval for sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia

The U.S. Department of State announced on Thursday that it has approved a potential sale of F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for an estimated $24.3 billion. A statement from the U.S. Department of State noted that “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested the purchase of 48 conventional takeoff and landing F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft and 49 Pratt & Whitney F135 engines.” The statement added: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by enhancing the security of a major non-NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region.”