F-35 Sale to Saudi Arabia 2026: $24.3b Deal Explained

The U.S. cleared a potential sale of 48 F-35As to Saudi Arabia worth $24.3 billion. Congress still has 30 days. Here’s the package, the Israel and China fights, and how the Iran war’s $43.6 billion cost hangs over the deal.

The State Department of US announced an approval on 17 September,2026 for a possible Sale of 48 F-35 Lightning II Fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia, with an estimated potential cost of $24.3 billion. The deal package includes 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines and cryptographic equipment alongside electronic warfare suite and logistics support systems. In particular, the package features secure communications systems, training equipment, cryptographic equipment, software support, operational support services and a range of base, according to the US State Department. 

The move has seriously concerned Israel, being the ‘Only’ customer to operate the aircraft apart from US. The State Department defines the strategic rationale behind the expected sale to be supporting the national security objectives of US by guarantying security of a Non-NATO State that determines political stability and economic progress the Gulf region.

Force drivers behind the deal:

The proposed sale comes amid Saudi Arabia confronts Houthis in Yemen that seeks to expand its control of Bab el-Mandeb Strait, in an escalation that threatens to widen the regional conflicts. Noticeably the move also comes after some US Intelligence Analysts warned regarding Chinese Intelligence Gathering to acquire F-35 technology through its partnerships with Saudi Arabia that could also compromise Israel’s military advantage exposing the sensitive F-35 technology to China. 

Israel’s Opposition: F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia

However, the major regional factor bearing implications pf the F-35 deal remains Israel, since the US law under Arms Export Control Act, only grants access to military equipment’s that preserve “qualitative and competitive military edge” over regional adversaries. According to open-sources at the same time, Israeli Defence Force (IDF) General Staff submitted documents to the US leadership opposing prospects regarding the sale of F-35 jets, warning that the acquirement could deter Israel’s air superiority in the region amid Chinese espionage risks. Therefore, the sale would bring a significant policy shift from the US, disrupting the balance of military power in the Middle East and testing the US law adhering its commitment towards its regional ally Israel to maintain a “competitive military edge”.

What F-35 deal could mean for Saudi Air Power ‘Operationally’

As a matter of strategic importance, Saudi Arabia seeks to preserve its decades long relationship with the US, the proposed plan further deepens the defence cooperation between two States while intending to modernize its air power. The F-35 fifth-generation fighter, is built with the stealth technology that allows it to evade enemy detection, and is considered as world's most advanced fighter jet. It combines advanced sensors, EW systems and secure networks to give pilots rapid awareness of threats and enables them to share the combat information with the other forces. The aircrafts undetectable design could make it harder for hostile radar networks and air-defence systems to track and detect. Moreover, the stealth aircraft provides a broader picture of combat-space increasing the potential ability to detect time-sensitive targets such as mobile missile launchers drone-launch locations, command-and-control nodes, air-defence systems against the Yemeni Non-State Actor groups.

Saudi F-35 Deal Prospects

As of recent news reports, the F-35 deal is undergoing a Review process of the Congress law-makers who are investigating the deal in 30 days’ time-period. The Congressional review comes with the recent controversies sparked regarding the possibility that Chinese Intelligence could exploit Saudi access to the F-35's radar, sensor-fusion systems, software and EW architecture. This is due to Saudi Arabia’s extensive relationships with Chinese companies, Huawei and ZTE. 

The Chinese access to telecommunications infrastructure and Saudi facilities could create potential collection opportunities around sensitive F-35 operations. According to credible sources, Congress would examine the Intelligence Warnings and decide the fate of the F-35 deal whether to finalize the contract or block the deal. 

Moreover, the Israel’s status as qualitative military edge shall get compromised according to some analysis. However, credible news reports have confirmed that Israel has special permissions for J-35 jet modifications to modify and integrate its own weapon systems and radar-jamming systems. Despite objections, Israel is expected to receive upgrades from US to preserve its strategic edge, that includes enhanced missile defence systems and an early access to sixth-generation technologies.

Strategic Assessment

Therefore, the operational value of F-35 deal for Saudi Arabia would be prospective rather than immediate: as it would provide a survivable strike capability against the Yemeni Non-State Actors by strengthening offensive deterrence. In regional dynamics, this would enable Saudi Arabia to safeguard its frequently targeted resources such as oil reserves, critical infrastructure from potential threats by upgrading its air power. The timing is nevertheless strategic as the agreement, will redefine the balance of power in the Middle East or encounter turbulence on its path to deals approval. Above all, it would make Saudi Arabia as the only Arab State to acquire F-35 fortifying its domestic defense capabilities and improve interoperability with U.S forces.