US approves sale of 48 F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia

By Xinhua Published: Sep 19, 2026 07:36 AM

Photo: Xinhua

U.S. approves sale of 48 F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia

A U.S. statement said the proposed sale, with an estimated value of 24.3 bln USD, "will improve Saudi Arabia's capability to deter current and future threats," but "will not alter the military balance in the region."

Israel is reportedly the only country in the Middle East to currently operate these jets.