Pentagon Approves Saudi Arabia’s Request to Purchase Advanced F-35 Fighter Jets

Washington: The U.S. Pentagon has approved Saudi Arabia’s request to purchase advanced F-35 fighter jets, moving the proposal forward to the next stage of authorization. According to international media reports citing official sources, Saudi Arabia has requested the purchase of 48 F-35 aircraft in what could become a multi-billion-dollar defense deal.

The deal is expected to have significant implications for the military balance in the Middle East and could challenge Washington’s long-held policy of maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region. The Pentagon is still reviewing the proposed sale, which will require several additional stages of approval, including cabinet-level authorization, final approval from former President Donald Trump, and formal notification to Congress.

Reports suggest the Pentagon has been working on this case for several months, and it has now reached the level of the Secretary of Defense. However, no public details have been released about the total value or current status of the deal.

A spokesperson for Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35, stated that such military sales are strictly government-to-government matters, and the U.S. government is best positioned to comment on the ongoing discussions.