The US State Department has notified Congress of a proposed $24.3 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia, covering 48 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jets and 49 Pratt & Whitney F135 engines. Saudi Arabia would become only the second Middle Eastern nation, after Israel, to operate fifth-generation stealth fighters. Congress has 30 days from September 17 to review the proposal and can attempt to block the sale through resolutions of disapproval. This deal raises concerns about maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge and the risk of classified technology reaching Chinese intelligence services. The $24.3 billion price tag makes this one of the largest single arms deals in US history.
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