THE 7AM BRIEF™.

Saturday, 19 September 2026 · Full edition

Global Affairs03 / 12

US approves $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia, Economic Times reports

A Lockheed F-35A Lightning II aircraft landing.
A Lockheed F-35A Lightning II aircraft landing. · Noah Wulf / Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 4.0

What happened

The US State Department approved a $24.3 billion Foreign Military Sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, expanding the kingdom's advanced air power capabilities.

Why it matters

The authorization marks a major shift in Middle Eastern defense sales policy, upgrading Saudi Arabia's military hardware and setting a new benchmark for advanced arms transfers to Gulf partner nations.

Bigger picture

The transaction reshapes regional air superiority dynamics and signals evolving US strategic commitments and defense trade policy in the Middle East.

Watch next

Watch for Congressional review outcomes and follow-on disclosures regarding manufacturing contracts, schedules, and delivery timelines.

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