US approval of Saudi F-35 sale sparks congressional concerns

Sale approval and details

The US State Department announced that it has approved the sale of 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a deal valued at about $24bn. The aircraft are described as the world’s most advanced stealth fighters and would place Saudi Arabia on a comparable level with Israel, which operates a fleet of around 50 jets.

Congressional and security concerns

Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi and other lawmakers have expressed opposition, arguing that the transfer could allow the Chinese Communist Party to gain access to sensitive technology through Saudi-China security cooperation. Similar concerns have been raised by additional Democratic members of Congress and some US defence officials.

Political context and remaining questions

The sale occurs amid a broader US-Saudi relationship that includes a $142bn arms agreement signed in May of the previous year. The State Department stated that the deal supports US foreign policy and national security objectives and would not alter the regional military balance. Unresolved issues include whether any restrictions will be placed on technology sharing and how the sale may affect ongoing conflicts involving Saudi forces in Yemen.