The U.S. Department of State has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia involving 48 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and associated equipment, with an estimated value of $24.3 billion. The proposed transaction was submitted to the U.S. Congress on 17 September 2026 under Transmittal No. 26-69. If completed, the acquisition would introduce the fifth-generation F-35 into the Royal Saudi Air Force and substantially strengthen the Kingdom’s air combat, homeland-defence and deterrence capabilities.

Saudi Arabia has requested 48 conventional take-off and landing F-35 aircraft, together with 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, comprising 48 installed engines and one spare. The proposed package extends considerably beyond the aircraft themselves and includes secure communications, precision-navigation and cryptographic equipment, electronic-warfare database support, aircraft and munitions support systems, spare parts, consumables, maintenance services and repair-and-return assistance. It also covers classified and unclassified software, technical publications, training systems and simulators, transportation and aircraft-ferry support, aerial-refuelling assistance, site surveys and extensive U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics services.

The acquisition would represent a major qualitative enhancement of Saudi Arabia’s combat-aircraft inventory. The F-35 combines low-observable characteristics with advanced sensors, electronic-warfare capabilities and networked information-sharing systems, enabling it to conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground missions in highly contested operational environments. According to the U.S. assessment, the aircraft would strengthen Saudi homeland defence, improve the Kingdom’s ability to deter current and emerging threats and enhance interoperability with U.S., NATO and other regional forces. Washington has stated that the Royal Saudi Air Force would be capable of integrating the aircraft and associated support systems into its existing structure.

The proposed sale also carries considerable strategic significance for the Gulf region. Saudi Arabia is designated by the United States as a major non-NATO ally and remains an important regional security partner. Washington considers the enhancement of Saudi defensive capabilities supportive of broader U.S. foreign-policy and national-security objectives, particularly in relation to regional stability, integrated air defence and military cooperation. The official notification maintains that the transaction would not alter the fundamental military balance in the region, although the introduction of a fifth-generation combat aircraft would undoubtedly expand the Kingdom’s technological and operational capabilities.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas, would serve as the principal contractor for the aircraft, while Pratt & Whitney Military Engines in East Hartford, Connecticut, would supply the F135 engines. No offset arrangement has been identified at this stage, and any future industrial-participation agreement would be negotiated directly between Saudi Arabia and the contractors. The programme is not expected to require the permanent deployment of additional U.S. government or contractor personnel to the Kingdom.

The congressional notification does not constitute the signing of a final contract or confirm that the transaction will proceed at its maximum stated value. The scope, cost and delivery arrangements could change during subsequent negotiations and the formal contracting process. Nevertheless, the approval represents a decisive step towards one of the most significant combat-aircraft acquisitions in Saudi military history and a potentially important expansion of the global F-35 programme.

Source: https://findit.state.gov