Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Dec 2: The US State Department has approved a $1 billion military support and training package for Saudi Arabia, marking another major step in the deepening defence ties between Washington and Riyadh. The Pentagon on Monday said the approval covers spare parts, repairs and aviation training services for the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Corps’ helicopter fleet.

The announcement comes amid heightened attention on a separate, far more consequential request: Saudi Arabia’s bid to acquire 48 F-35 fighter jets, a move that could reshape the Middle East’s military balance.

Former US President Donald Trump had last month openly expressed his intention to approve the F-35 sale, telling reporters at the Oval Office, “We’ll be selling the F-35s,” a day before hosting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Washington.

The proposed sale — potentially worth billions of dollars — has already cleared a key Pentagon review, Reuters reported earlier. If finalised, it would end Israel’s exclusive access to the stealth jet in the region and put Washington’s long-standing doctrine of maintaining Israel’s “qualitative military edge” to a critical test.

Saudi Arabia has long sought the F-35 as it modernises its air force to counter regional threats, particularly from Iran. Its current fleet includes Boeing F-15s, as well as European Tornado and Typhoon jets. Riyadh made a direct appeal to Trump earlier this year to move the deal forward, and US officials say the Pentagon has been evaluating the request for months.

While Israel has remained publicly silent on the matter, analysts say the quietness reflects a calculated diplomatic approach, especially as Israel itself has operated multiple F-35 squadrons for nearly a decade.

The debate over the fighter sale intersects with broader diplomatic dynamics. The Biden administration had previously explored granting F-35 access to Riyadh as part of a potential Saudi-Israel normalisation deal — but those talks stalled.

Any final approval will face intense scrutiny in the US Congress, where lawmakers have repeatedly questioned defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia following the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Several members remain sceptical of major arms deals with the kingdom.

For now, the cleared helicopter support package signals Washington’s continued willingness to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s defence capabilities, even as the F-35 question looms over US-Middle East relations.