Amidst renewed tensions in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia becomes the first Arab nation to get access to 48 F-35 stealth fighter jets. According to a statement by the US Senate, a $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 stealth warplanes to Saudi Arabia has been approved on Thursday. The US Senate claims the sale would help Saudi Arabia defend its territory.
“The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter current and future threats by strengthening its homeland defence and improving interoperability with US forces,” the State Department said in a statement.
“It will also augment Saudi Arabia’s operational aircraft and enhance its air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defence capability,” the statement further added.
The proposal is currently awaiting approval by US lawmakers. Moreover, Senate officials did not reveal the exact time to execute the delivery.
The Senate further mentioned that the deal would not alter the military dominance in the region. It still abides by its policy that Israel must possess a military edge over potential regional adversaries.
So far, the US has sold F-35s to its closest allies, including a number of European NATO allies and Israel. Turkey, which was also in the pact, was removed in 2019 following Ankara’s purchase of a Russian air defence system.
Earlier in September, the State Department announced the approval of a $5 billion sale of more than 10,000 bombs, including highly destructive 2,000-pound weapons.
Sources also reveal that Washington in July signed the sale of 60 tank engines and related equipment to Saudi Arabia at a cost of $750 million this month, and a $1.96 billion deal to procure guidance sections that can convert rockets into precision weapons.
Saudi Arabia is currently fighting the Iran-backed Houthis, the second nation to target the kingdom ever since the Iran war began in February.