US Department of State approves proposed sale of F-35 aircraft to Saudi Arabia

Other equipment under the proposed sale includes 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, AN/PYQ-10 simple key loaders, KIV-78 cryptographic appliques, precision navigation and cryptographic devices, aircraft and munitions support and support equipment, classified and unclassified software delivery and support.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region,” according to the statement.

“The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter current and future threats by strengthening its homeland defence, and improving interoperability with US forces, and other regional and NATO forces. The proposed sale will also augment Saudi Arabia’s operational aircraft and enhance its air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defence capability. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces.

“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the military balance in the region. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional US government or contractor representatives to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”

The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, located in Fort Worth, Texas, and Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, located in East Hartford, Connecticut.

Robert Dougherty

Author

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.

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