# U.S. Backs $24.3 Billion F‑35 Sale to Saudi Arabia, Deepening Gulf Arms Shift

*Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 8:06 PM UTC — Hamer Intelligence Services Desk*

**Published**: 2026-09-17T20:06:11.324Z (2h ago)
**Category**: geopolitics | **Region**: Middle East
**Importance**: 9/10
**Sources**: OSINT
**Permalink**: https://hamerintel.com/data/articles/18112.md
**Source**: https://hamerintel.com/summaries

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**Deck**: The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $24.3 billion sale of 48 F‑35 fighter jets, 49 engines and support gear to Saudi Arabia, a move that would significantly boost the kingdom’s air power and mark a major new export of the stealth aircraft.

The United States is preparing to make Saudi Arabia one of the largest foreign operators of its most advanced fighter jet.

The State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the kingdom that would include 48 F‑35 Lightning II aircraft in the conventional takeoff and landing version, along with 49 Pratt & Whitney F135‑PW‑100 engines. Of those engines, 48 would be installed on the jets and one would be a spare.

The package, valued at $24.3 billion, also covers secure communications systems, navigation equipment, spare parts and other support items. At this stage it’s an authorization, not a signed contract, but the detail in the notification signals Washington is ready in principle to move ahead.

For Saudi Arabia, the deal would be a major upgrade. Its air force currently depends on older U.S. and European platforms. Adding a fifth‑generation stealth aircraft designed to evade radar and operate in heavily defended airspace would reshape the balance of its fleet.

The decision also feeds directly into regional dynamics. Analysts following the process note that if Saudi Arabia receives the F‑35, Turkey is expected to press harder to obtain the same aircraft, arguing for equal access within NATO once the jet is sold more widely in the region.

This prospective sale comes as U.S. weapons manufacturers continue to win large European and Gulf contracts. Separate reporting highlights Germany’s increased defense budget and its own purchases of U.S. equipment such as F‑35s, Chinook helicopters, P‑8 patrol aircraft and Patriot air defense systems.

The next signals to watch are in Washington and Riyadh: whether U.S. lawmakers raise conditions or objections during the congressional review period, and how quickly Saudi Arabia prepares the training, basing and maintenance infrastructure needed to absorb such a large influx of advanced aircraft.