What Happened
Major Policy Shift In Middle East Arms Sales
The US Department of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia of 48 F-35A Lightning II fighters, with an estimated cost of $24.3 billion. The sale includes a spare engine and related equipment, and marks a major policy change in US arms sales to the region. The approval follows years of discussions between the two countries and a recent Strategic Defense Agreement. The sale was first reported by The Aviationist.