The United States has approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, marking a major development in Washington’s defence cooperation with Riyadh. The U.S. State Department announced the approval on September 17, 2026, and notified Congress about the proposed Foreign Military Sale.
The proposed package covers 48 F-35 aircraft and 49 Pratt & Whitney F135 engines, along with communications equipment, spare parts, training, logistics and other support associated with the aircraft. The F-35 is a fifth-generation multirole fighter developed by Lockheed Martin and features stealth capabilities and advanced sensors.
The approval does not mean that the final sale has already been completed. The proposed transaction must go through the U.S. congressional notification and review process before the deal can proceed to final contractual arrangements.
The State Department said the proposed sale would strengthen Saudi Arabia’s ability to address current and future security threats, improve interoperability with U.S. forces and support wider U.S. foreign-policy and national-security objectives. The administration has also stated that the proposed transfer would not alter the basic military balance in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia has sought access to the F-35 for several years as part of its broader efforts to modernize its military aviation capabilities. If completed, the proposed acquisition would make Saudi Arabia the second country in the Middle East after Israel to operate the F-35.
The proposed sale also comes amid wider changes in Saudi Arabia’s military procurement plans. Defence industry publication Janes reported that the country is separately evaluating other fighter options, including the Dassault Rafale, Boeing F-15EX Eagle II and Eurofighter Typhoon. The U.S. approval of the F-35 sale therefore represents authorization for a potential acquisition rather than confirmation that the aircraft has already been selected for a separate Saudi fighter requirement.
For Washington, the proposed transfer would further deepen defence ties with Saudi Arabia, while the congressional review will be an important step before the transaction can move forward. The final outcome will depend on the completion of the U.S. Foreign Military Sales process and any subsequent agreement between the two countries.