U.S. approves possible $24.3 billion F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, valued at $24.3 billion. This significant deal, notified to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, would establish the kingdom as only the second Middle Eastern nation, following Israel, authorized to operate these stealth aircraft. The approval comes after a year of signals regarding the transaction, marking a major expansion of Saudi Arabia's aerial capabilities.