U.S. clears potential $24.3B F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia despite security concerns

Saudi Arabia has long pursued the F-35s but to date Israel has been the only country in the Middle East to secure access to the jets. Kevin Carter / file Add NBC News to Google Sept. 18, 2026, PM EDT a potential $24.3 billion sale to Saudi Arabia for 48 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jet and related equipment, the agency said in a news release, as the critical U. S. ally confronts a new front in the war with Iran. Saudi Arabia has long pursued the F-35’s but to date Israel has been the only country in the Middle East to secure access to Lockheed Martin’s fighter jet considered the most lethal, stealthy and survivable aircraft in the world. “The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the military balance in the region,” the State Department said in a news release. Saudi Arabia accuses Houthis of targeting Mecca 00:0000:00 Congress was officially notified Thursday of the possible transfer of the advanced military aircraft to Saudi Arabia and some lawmakers have already raised concerns that the technology behind it could be acquired or stolen by China, which has a military partnership with the kingdom. “The Trump Administration should not move forward with its proposed sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia when our own intelligence community is warning that it could put the crown jewels of American military technology within reach of the Chinese Communist Party,” Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., said in a social media post. “Beijing has spent decades stealing American intellectual property and technology to close the gap with the United States, and we must not help them do it. We must not sell our most advanced fighter jet anywhere the CCP may be able to get its hands on the technology inside it.” On Wednesday, The New York Times cited U. S. officials as saying that intelligence analysts had raised the possibility that China could get F-35 technology . Previous arms sales to Saudi Arabia, including one for $110 billion proposed ’s first term, also faced scrutiny 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post. In his second term, the Trump administration prioritized weapons sales to the Kingdom as the largest recipient of U. The approval of F-35 shipment follows Saudi Arabia’s agreement to purchase $142 billion in military equipment and services from the U. S. during Trump’s May 2025 trip to Riyadh — the largest defense sales package in history. “President Trump has made clear that Saudi Arabia is an anchor for regional security, and increased capabilities for the Saudi armed forces benefits the security of the United States and the wider region,” a State Department spokesperson said. “The sale strengthens the U.