F-35 Fighter Buy Approved As Saudis Struggle to Counter Houthi Threat | Aviation International News

F-35 Buy Approved As Saudis Struggle to Counter Houthi Threat

Trump administration says $24.3 billion deal will bolster Saudi Arabia's self-defense capability

Formation of three F-35As against clouds — F-35As of the United States Air Force seen here over Luke Air Force Base. © Lockheed Martin

By Charlotte Bailey • News Reporter

September 22, 2026

The U.S. Department of State's approval of the sale of 48 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia last week coincided with President Trump's apparent refusal to join in counter-attacks against Houthi forces threatening the Kingdom and Red Sea shipping routes. Two days after the $24.3 billion deal was announced on September 17, Houthi missiles struck an Aramco fuel store at Riyadh International Airport (OERK) and several other energy industry sites.

The wider context for the sale, which also covers Pratt & Whitney F135 engines along with other hardware and services, is what it means to the U.S. government's 2008 commitment to ensuring that the Israel Defense Forces will maintain what the agreement defined as a "Qualitative Military Edge" over its Middle East neighbours. Israel is currently the only F-35 operator in the region and has a fleet of 48 of the combat jets.

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