US approves sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia despite Israeli concerns
The US has approved a US$24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 stealth warplanes to Saudi Arabia, the State Department said Thursday, the kingdomโs latest major arms purchase since the start of the Iran war. Saudi Arabia has long sought to buy F-35s, but officials from Israel โ currently the only country in the Middle East to operate the jets โ have voiced concern about their sale to Riyadh despite a push for the kingdom to normalise relations. โThe proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabiaโs capability to...