State Department Clears Potential $24.3 Billion Sale of 48 F-35s to Saudi Arabia, Times of India Reports

The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a package valued at an estimated $24.3 billion, according to a notice posted online and reported by the Times of India. The approval marks a formal step in the U.S. arms-sales process but does not itself finalize the deal, which remains subject to further review, including congressional scrutiny.

What the Notification Covers

According to the State Department notice cited by the Times of India, the projected package includes 48 military aircraft and 49 engines from Pratt & Whitney, along with communication gear, spare parts and additional support items. The notice therefore lists one more engine than aircraft (49 versus 48, a difference of one unit, or about 2% measured against the 49-engine total). The State Department said in its notice that "the proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the military balance in the region," according to the Times of India, which also reported that the department sent the package to two congressional committees in June for informal approval as the administration moved the sale into a more advanced stage.