Afghanistan, Sept. 18 -- The United States has approved the potential sale of 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a deal worth $24.3 billion, marking a major shift in U.S. defense policy and the kingdom's biggest fighter jet purchase since regional tensions escalated during the U.S.-Iran conflict.
The U.S. State Department said the proposed Foreign Military Sale includes 48 F-35 fighter aircraft, 49 Pratt & Whitney engines, communications systems, spare parts, training, logistics support, and other military equipment. The package has been formally notified to the U.S. Congress, which must review the sale before it can proceed.
Saudi Arabia has sought to acquire the fifth-generation stealth aircraft...