The US Department of State has approved the potential sale of 48 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and related equipment to Saudi Arabia. It was announced that the estimated total value of the sale is 24.3 billion dollars.
The Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington welcomed the decision in a statement on its X account. The embassy stated that the potential sale demonstrates the progress made in defense cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the US and the strength of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
For decades, Saudi-US security cooperation has contributed to regional stability, strengthened our joint defense capabilities, and advanced our shared security interests.
The US administration, for its part, stated that the sale would support Washington's foreign policy and national security goals. The statement noted that the agreement aims to strengthen the security of a "major non-NATO ally."
Washington described Saudi Arabia as an important power in the Gulf region in terms of political stability and economic progress. The F-35 sale comes at a time when defense relations between the two countries are at the center of the regional security agenda.
Earlier this week, reports in the British press citing diplomatic sources claimed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had requested air support from US President Donald Trump against the Houthis, but that Washington had responded negatively to this request on the grounds that it was focused on tensions with Iran.
News Source: 12punto
