The United States government has taken a significant step toward authorizing a $24.3 billion foreign military sale of 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft to Saudi Arabia. The State Department formally notified Congress of the proposal on September 17, 2026. If finalized, this deal would introduce the fifth-generation stealth platform to the Royal Saudi Air Force.
The proposed package includes 49 Pratt and Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, training systems, and logistics support. Notably, the current notification does not include armament, as Riyadh has pursued separate munitions procurement tracks. The deal is currently subject to scrutiny regarding regional security, specifically regarding Israel’s qualitative military edge and US intelligence concerns over Saudi ties to Chinese technology.
Reports from the Defense Intelligence Agency have highlighted risks regarding the protection of sensitive F-35 data, citing the use of Chinese-supplied telecommunications infrastructure within the kingdom. Previous attempts to export the F-35 to other Gulf nations have stalled over similar security compliance issues. While the administration maintains that this sale will not disrupt the regional military balance, the path to a final contract remains complex as both nations work to address ongoing technological security requirements.