State Department Greenlights $24.3B F-35 Sale to Saudi Arabia Despite China Espionage Fears
The US State Department has approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in Middle East defense policy. While the administration argues the deal strengthens regional security and supports US industrial interests, critics warn that the transfer of advanced stealth technology to Riyadh could expose it to Chinese espionage. Congress now has 30 days to review or block the transaction, which follows a broader $142 billion defense agreement between the two nations.