Trump approves $24bn sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia amid Middle East war
From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.
Donald Trump and Mohammed bin Salman. The $24.3bn package covers 48 F-35 aircraft, 49 engines and support equipment, as Saudi Arabia faces growing entanglement in Middle East hostilities.The approved package includes 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, with Washington asserting the deal will leave the regional military balance unchanged.
The US State Department has approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia, as the kingdom becomes increasingly entangled in Middle East hostilities. The package covers 48 aircraft and 49 Pratt & Whitney engines, plus communications equipment, spare parts and support items. Washington maintains that the deal will leave the regional military balance unchanged.
Saudi Arabia's growing involvement in the Middle East conflict makes the timing of the arms approval especially noteworthy.
