The US has approved the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia worth $24.3 billion.
WASHINGTON – The United States has approved the possible sale of 48 advanced F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia as part of a proposed $24.3 billion defense package amid ongoing Middle East tensions and Houthi attacks.
According to the US State Department, this package will include 48 F-35 aircraft, 49 engines, communication and electronic warfare systems, spare parts, training equipment, simulators and other support equipment.
The proposed deal will require approval from the US Congress before it can be finalized.
The F-35 is a modern fighter jet equipped with stealth technology. Israel is currently the only country in the Middle East that operates the aircraft.
Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in acquiring the F-35 for years as part of efforts to modernize its air force and increase defense cooperation with the United States.
The US State Department said the proposed sale would strengthen Saudi Arabia’s defense capabilities and improve interoperability with US and coalition forces. Washington also said the deal would not change the military balance in the region.
The proposal signals a further expansion of defense ties between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, although congressional scrutiny is expected.
Apart from this, one person was killed and two were injured when the debris of a drone that was destroyed in the air fell on Taif in Saudi Arabia.
According to the BBC, the Saudi Civil Defense said that the drone was intercepted and destroyed in the air, but the debris caused loss of life and property in the city.
Civil Defense Department said on X that many buildings and vehicles have also been damaged in this incident.
Saudi Arabia’s official news agency, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), reported that the drone was shot down by the Houthis.
SPA said the dead person was a Yemeni national, while one of the two injured was a Pakistani national. The condition of the Pakistani citizen is said to be critical, while the nationality of the other injured has not been revealed.
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