U.S. Plans $24.3 Billion Sale of 48 F‑35s to Saudi Arabia as Houthi Attacks Test Kingdom’s Defenses
The U.S. State Department has notified Congress of a proposed $24.3 billion sale of 48 F‑35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, described as the Kingdom’s first purchase of the aircraft and aimed at improving the security of a major non‑NATO ally. The move coincides with Houthi drone and missile strikes on Saudi territory and new pledges of support from Pakistan.
Washington’s move to advance a major F‑35 package for Saudi Arabia comes as Riyadh faces lethal drone and missile attacks from Yemen and seeks fresh guarantees from partners abroad.
On 17 September, the U.S. State Department notified Congress of a potential sale of 48 F‑35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, in a deal valued at up to $24.3 billion. The notification described the package as Saudi Arabia’s first‑ever purchase of F‑35s and said it was essential for improving the security of a major non‑NATO ally. Congressional approval and detailed contracts would still be required before any aircraft are delivered.
The proposal lands amid a series of Houthi attacks inside Saudi territory. In Taif governorate, a drone strike by Yemen’s Houthi militia killed one person and injured two others, according to Saudi statements cited in Syrian reporting. Syria, which maintains close ties with Iran, condemned the attack and called it a violation of Saudi sovereignty and a threat to the Kingdom’s security and stability.
Saudi Arabia is also drawing public backing from Pakistan. The spokesperson for Pakistan’s military, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, told Arab News that Pakistan "fully stands with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both diplomatically and physically" and would defend Saudi Arabia "to any extent" as Houthi missiles and drones target the country. Pakistan’s defense minister separately said it was time to activate the Mecca military pact following the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
The F‑35 notifications run alongside those security signals. In a separate announcement amplified on social media, the U.S. military system for foreign sales was described as approving potential F‑35 sales to Saudi Arabia. Another report said the United States is selling Saudi Arabia 48 F‑35 fighter jets for up to $24.3 billion, calling it essential for improving the security of a major non‑NATO ally.
On the Yemeni front, evidence of how external weapons have shaped the conflict continues to surface. Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, released new video from the al‑Jawf front showing captured or destroyed vehicles belonging to Presidential Leadership Council forces. Among the equipment displayed was an IAG RILA "Xtreme" mine‑resistant ambush‑protected vehicle fitted with a U.S.‑made M167 "Vulcan" system with an M168 rotary autocannon, identified as having come from Saudi Arabian or Emirati supplies.
At the same time, Syria’s condemnation of the Taif drone strike underlines that Houthi operations are now drawing criticism even from governments aligned with Iran, which is widely seen as backing the group. The attacks have prompted statements of solidarity with Saudi Arabia from countries that normally stand on the other side of regional alignments.
For Saudi decision‑makers, the proposed F‑35 sale is one part of a wider response to these pressures. For people living in areas under fire from Houthi weapons, from Taif to other parts of the Kingdom, the immediate concern is whether more advanced aircraft and new pledges from partners will translate into fewer successful strikes.
Signals to watch now include how quickly Congress takes up the F‑35 notifications, whether lawmakers seek conditions related to Yemen or human rights, and how Saudi military planning evolves if and when the jets move closer to delivery. On the ground, any change in the scope or frequency of Houthi attacks on Saudi territory will test whether this tightening web of arms sales and security commitments shifts the calculus on either side.
Sources
- OSINT