The U.S. State Department has officially approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 48 F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighters in a deal valued at up to $24.3 billion.
The notification sent to Congress represents Saudi Arabia’s first-ever procurement of the 5th-generation stealth platform. State Department officials emphasized that the strategic sale is essential for “improving the security of a major non-NATO ally” and strengthening regional deterrence capabilities in the Middle East.
The proposed $24.3 billion package encompasses two full operational squadrons (48 aircraft), 49 Pratt & Whitney F135 engines, advanced secure communications architecture, logistics, spare parts, and comprehensive training systems.
TECHNICAL BREAKDOWN: LOCKHEED MARTIN F-35 LIGHTNING II
* Developer / Primary Contractors: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics; Pratt & Whitney (Engine)
* Engine Plant: 1x Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 afterburning turboprop/turbofan engine delivering ~43,000 lbs of thrust
* Max Speed: Mach 1.6 (~1,200 mph / 1,976 km/h)
* Combat Radius: ~670 nautical miles (~1,241 km) on internal fuel
* Stealth Capabilities: Radar-absorbent materials (RAM), internal weapons bays, and aligned structural edges designed to dramatically minimize Radar Cross Section (RCS)
* Avionics & Sensors: AN/APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS), Distributed Aperture System (DAS), and advanced Sensor Fusion suite
* Payload & Armament: Internal capacity for precision-guided munitions (such as AIM-120 AMRAAM, JDAMs) alongside external hardpoints (“Beast Mode”) for up to 18,000 lbs of combined payload
The notification triggers a mandatory congressional review window. If finalized, the acquisition will significantly transform the Royal Saudi Air Force’s tactical air power, complementing its existing fleet of Boeing F-15SA Advanced Eagles and Eurofighter Typhoons.
