What Happened
State Department Approves 48 Jets Amid Congressional Review
The US State Department has approved a possible sale of 48 F-35 Lightning II fighters to Saudi Arabia, worth an estimated $24.3 billion. The package includes 49 Pratt & Whitney engines, communications gear, spares, and support. The sale is subject to congressional review, which may be influenced by concerns about Israel’s qualitative military edge and potential Chinese access to F-35 technology. The approval was reported by multiple sources, including the US Department of State and Defense Security Cooperation Agency, as noted by MiGFlug.