The U.S. Approves Sale of 48 F-35 Fighter Jets to Saudi Arabia

The U.S. has agreed to sell 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. This decision was made public following an official statement from the U.S. Department of State, with the aim of enhancing Riyadh's deterrent capabilities against regional threats.

An Agreement to Strengthen Air Defense

Washington's agreement aims to strengthen Saudi Arabia's air defense and improve operational coordination between the two countries' militaries in air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. The Saudi Embassy in Washington has also described this agreement as an effective step towards "strengthening and sustaining" bilateral relations and emphasized the importance of this cooperation for stability in the Middle East.

Read more: Massive Fire at Zaporozhye Shopping Center After Russian Attack

Tensions in the Region and New Challenges

This decision comes at a time when the flames of war in the region are raging, with extensive conflicts occurring between the United States, Israel, and Iran. In recent months, Saudi Arabia's strategic facilities have repeatedly been targeted by long-range missiles and Iranian attack drones. This situation has been exacerbated by the resumption of hostilities in Yemen and the announcement of a maritime blockade by the Houthis against Riyadh.

Although U.S. military forces have not directly intervened in the fight against the Houthis, a senior American official has confirmed that a joint task force is responsible for strategic support and information sharing with the Saudi military.

Potential Obstacles in Congress

The initial approval from the White House now requires formal confirmation from the U.S. Congress. In this regard, there are complex sensitivities in Congress that may hinder the approval of this agreement. Israel, as the only regional actor equipped with fifth-generation F-35 technology, has consistently expressed concerns about losing its "qualitative military edge" over its neighbors.

Additionally, recent reports indicate concerns about the potential leakage of the fighter jet's technology to China through the growing relations between Saudi Arabia and China. In this context, a Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee has explicitly opposed this deal, emphasizing that as long as U.S. intelligence agencies warn about the possibility of the Chinese Communist Party accessing military technologies, the transfer of these weapons should not be allowed.

The F-35 contract is the latest link in a chain of major military purchases by Saudi Arabia in recent months, and alongside this contract, Saudi Arabia has also concluded other agreements for the purchase of advanced weapons with the United States.

Read more: Samir Osman Al-Sheikh Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison in the U.S. for Torture · The U.S. Prevents Mahmoud Abbas from Attending the UN General Assembly for the Second Consecutive Year