United States Clears $24.3 Billion Foreign Military Sale of 48 F-35 Fighter Jets to Saudi Arabia

Key facts

• The US Department of State approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of 48 F-35 Lightning 2 fighter aircraft and related equipment to Saudi Arabia at an estimated cost of USD 24.3 billion.
• The package includes 48 F-35 aircraft with conventional takeoff and landing capability and 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, comprising 48 installed engines and one spare engine.
• The sale also covers secure communications, precision navigation and cryptographic equipment, electronic warfare database support, simulators, spare parts, training equipment, software, technical documentation and logistics support.
• The State Department said the sale would strengthen Saudi Arabia's homeland defence and improve interoperability with US, regional and NATO forces, while not altering the regional military balance.
• Principal contractors are Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, based in Fort Worth, Texas, and Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, based in East Hartford, Connecticut.
• No additional US government or contractor representatives would need to be assigned to Saudi Arabia for implementation, and no offset agreement has been proposed so far.