What Happened
Saudi Arabia Moves Closer to Acquiring Advanced Fighter Jets
The United States has approved a possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a major development that would make the Royal Saudi Air Force the second operator of the type in the Middle East. The sale, valued at $24.3 billion, includes 48 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, which will enhance Saudi Arabia’s air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defense capability. The approval comes at a sensitive time for the Kingdom, as it faces a multifaceted security crisis involving Iran and various Iranian-backed militias throughout the region. This development was first reported by Defense Security Monitor, a Forecast International blog.