The proposed sale would include 48 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft, 49 Pratt & Whitney engines, communications equipment, spare parts and other support services.
The deal still requires approval from the US Congress.
The potential sale comes as Saudi Arabia becomes increasingly involved in the wider Middle East conflict. It could also mark a significant shift in US policy and affect the regional military balance.
Washington has traditionally assessed arms sales to Middle Eastern countries against its policy of maintaining Israel’s “qualitative military edge”, which means ensuring that Israel retains access to more advanced US military capabilities than other regional states.
Saudi Arabia has sought F-35 aircraft for years and made a direct request to US President Donald Trump in early 2025.
The Saudi embassy in Washington welcomed the proposed sale, describing it as another step in defence cooperation between the two countries.
“The proposed F-35 sale reflects the strength and enduring nature of the Saudi-US strategic partnership and the continued advancement of our defence cooperation,” the embassy said on X.
The F-35 uses stealth technology designed to reduce its visibility to enemy radar and is regarded as one of the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft.
Israel has operated the aircraft for about a decade and remains the only Middle Eastern country currently equipped with the F-35.
Saudi Arabia, the largest customer for US arms, has sought the aircraft as part of efforts to modernise its air force and respond to regional security threats.
The Saudi Air Force currently operates a mix of US and European aircraft, including Boeing F-15s, Tornados and Typhoons.
The proposed F-35 sale is also linked to wider US-Saudi diplomatic relations. The administration of former President Joe Biden had explored providing the aircraft to Saudi Arabia as part of a broader agreement that included the possibility of Riyadh normalising relations with Israel. Those efforts did not ultimately produce a deal.
President Trump has made arms sales to Saudi Arabia a priority since returning to office. In 2025, Washington agreed to a defence package for Riyadh worth nearly $142 billion, which the White House described as the largest defence cooperation agreement in US history.
Saudi Arabia is also pursuing major economic and military modernisation under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 programme.
The kingdom has sought to diversify its defence partnerships while maintaining its longstanding security relationship with Washington.
