Key Facts

• The US is proposing to sell 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia at a cost of $24.3 billion.
• The State Department says the sale supports US foreign policy and national security by helping a major non-NATO ally in the Gulf.
• The sale is said not to change the military balance in the region and keeps Israel’s superiority intact.
• Houthi forces in Yemen recently claimed to have shot down a Saudi F-15 jet, showing increased military capability.
• Fighting in Yemen has killed at least five people recently, including children.
• The US will not directly intervene in the Yemen conflict between Saudi-backed forces and the Houthis.
• Some US lawmakers worry the sale could risk US technology being accessed by China through Saudi partnerships.
• Saudi Arabia has made defense agreements with Pakistan and Turkiye, possibly reducing reliance on the US for defense.