The U.S. State Department has approved a proposed $24.3 billion sale of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a move that would deliver 48 aircraft, 49 Pratt & Whitney engines and related systems and support — but still requires congressional approval, the administration said.
- The U.S. State Department approved a proposed .3bn sale of 48 F-35 jets and 49 engines to Saudi Arabia, but Congress must still review the deal.
- Approval comes amid intensified attacks by Iran‑backed Houthi forces affecting Saudi infrastructure and Red Sea shipping, raising strategic urgency.
- Critics warn of technology‑security risks and potential implications for Israel’s qualitative military edge; delivery would likely take years due to production backlogs.
What was approved and what happens next
The package announced by U.S. officials would include 48 conventional takeoff-and-landing F-35 aircraft, 49 Pratt & Whitney F135 engines, communications equipment, spare parts and other support items, according to reporting based on State Department statements. Under routine U.S. arms‑sale procedures, Congress has a 30‑day review window during which it can raise objections or attempt to block the transfer.
Why the sale is contentious
U.S. outlets and analysts cited three recurring concerns tied to the approval.
- Regional balance: U.S. law and longstanding policy require Washington to preserve Israel’s “qualitative military edge” in the Middle East. Officials have said the proposed sale would not alter that balance, but observers and some foreign officials have argued that introducing F-35s to another Gulf power could still shift regional dynamics.
- Security and technology risks: Members of Congress and intelligence officials have previously warned about the risk that advanced U.S. military technology could be compromised. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi is quoted expressing concern that such technology could become accessible to China, a point raised in recent coverage of the deal.
- Political and human-rights scrutiny: Past congressional opposition to arms sales to Riyadh has cited issues including human-rights concerns and the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi. Reporting notes that such scrutiny could resurface during the review period.
Timing and regional context: escalation with the Houthis
The announcement comes amid an intensification of attacks by Iran‑backed Houthi forces in Yemen. Reports in U.S. and international media say the Houthis have stepped up strikes on Saudi targets and have pushed into areas that threaten shipping through the Red Sea and the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait — a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. Coverage notes recent strikes on Saudi oil infrastructure and ports, and that Riyadh has appealed to Washington for military support in the face of the Houthi campaign.
Saudi aims and previous U.S. policy
Saudi Arabia has sought F-35s for years as part of broader military modernisation plans under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 agenda. The kingdom made a direct appeal for the jets to President Donald Trump in early 2025, according to reporting, and in 2025 Washington and Riyadh agreed a separate, near‑$142 billion defence package. Media coverage says the F-35 sale would be separate and would amount to about two squadrons for Saudi Arabia, complementing its existing fleet of F-15s, Tornados and Typhoons.
Delivery timelines and practical limits
Even if Congress does not block the sale, several outlets noted that U.S. production capacity and existing backlogs mean deliveries could be years away. Past cases where advanced systems were proposed for transfer show long timelines from approval to operational squadrons, and some reporting warned that final fielding could be delayed by production limits.
Reactions in the region
Coverage indicated Riyadh welcomed the move: the Saudi embassy in Washington described the proposed sale as “a further step in defense cooperation between the two countries,” posting remarks on social media. Media also reported heightened concern in other regional capitals and among some policy circles, with previous statements cited that Israeli officials and security sources found potential transfers of F-35s to Arab states worrying; however, immediate official Israeli comment on this specific approval was not reported in the sources.
Implications for oil markets and shipping
News outlets connecting the arms announcement to the security environment in the Gulf said the Houthi campaign, and related disruptions — including damage to Saudi pipelines and threats to shipping through the Bab al‑Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz — have contributed to higher oil prices in recent weeks. Reporting links those pressures to broader concerns about energy security as the kingdom reroutes crude exports following attacks on export infrastructure.
Points left unresolved
- Congressional outcome: The State Department approval triggers the formal review period, but these reports do not record the final congressional decision; that remains pending.
- Operational safeguards: Reports refer to U.S. assurances that the sale would not alter the regional military balance, while critics cite intelligence warnings about transfer risks; the sources present both positions without documentation of technical mitigations or export controls that would be applied if the sale proceeds.
- Exact delivery schedule: Media note possible multi‑year delays tied to production backlogs but do not provide a firm timeline for when Saudi pilots or squadrons would be operational with F-35s.
Quick timeline (as reported)
- Early 2025 — Saudi officials reportedly requested F-35 aircraft directly from President Trump.
- 2025 — U.S. and Saudi Arabia agreed a separate defence sales package worth nearly $142 billion.
- September 18, 2026 — U.S. State Department announces approval of a proposed $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35s and associated equipment to Saudi Arabia; congressional review window begins.
- September 2026 — Iran‑backed Houthi forces escalate attacks on Saudi targets and Red Sea shipping, increasing regional security concerns.
Why this matters for the UAE and the Gulf
For Gulf states such as the United Arab Emirates, a potential Saudi acquisition of F-35s alters the high‑end military capabilities landscape in the region. Reporting emphasises that Washington must weigh strategic partnerships, regional stability and Israel’s security assurances when approving such transfers — variables that Gulf governments and markets will watch as congressional review proceeds. Disruptions to shipping and oil exports associated with the Houthi campaign also carry immediate economic implications across the Emirates and the broader Gulf states.
Sources and attribution
This article is drawn from contemporaneous reporting by U.S. and international outlets summarising State Department statements and subsequent analysis. Specific factual assertions about the approved package, the 30‑day congressional review window, the inclusion of 48 aircraft and 49 engines, the Saudi embassy response and the concurrent Houthi escalation are based on those reports and are cited in coverage by Reuters, CNN, USA Today, Quartz and others.
“This proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter current and future threats by strengthening its homeland defence…”