Weekly Commentary: [Exclusive: detailed description of test] US claims 48
F-35s to Saudis has no significant impact on regional arms balance
Dr. Aaron Lerner 17 September, 2026
The following is a detailed description of the procedure followed by the
United States Government to determine, as require by US law, that supplying
48 F-35s to the Saudis "will not alter the military balance in the region ".
Step #1. Locate the "announcement of proposed sale" form on the word
processor.
Step #2. Add in the details of the proposed sale.
Step #3. Save the file.
Step #4. Distribute the announcement.
Now since the form on the word processor includes the phrase that the sale
"will not alter the military balance in the region" then it won't.
It is as simple as that.
No standards.
No study.
No committee.
No nothing.
Just boiler plate language in the announcement of the proposed sale.
Was this what Congress had in mind when it voted this requirement into law?
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
Foreign Military Sales: Congressional Notification
https://www.state.gov/releases/bureau-of-political-military-affairs/2026/09/kingdom-of-saudi-arabia-f-35-lightning-ii-joint-strike-fighter-aircraft
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
September 17, 2026
Transmittal #26-69
The U.S. Department of State has made a determination approving a possible
foreign military sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their purchase of
F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter and related equipment. The estimated
total cost is $24.3 billion.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to buy forty-eight (48) F-35
Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft with conventional takeoff and
landing; and forty-nine (49) Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines (48
installed, 1 spare). The following non-MDE items will also be included:
AN/PYQ-10 simple key loaders; KIV-78 cryptographic appliques; secure
communications, precision navigation, and cryptographic devices; electronic
warfare database support; cartridge actuated devices/propellant actuated
devices; aircraft and munitions support and support equipment; spare parts,
consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; training aids,
devices, and spare parts; engine component improvement program; major and
minor modifications and maintenance support; classified and unclassified
software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and
technical documentation; transportation, ferry, and refueling support;
personnel training and training equipment, including simulators; clothing,
textiles, and individual equipment; studies and surveys; site surveys; U.S.
Government and engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and
other related elements of logistics and program 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.
The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia's capability to deter current
and future threats by strengthening its homeland defense, and improving
interoperability with U.S. 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-defense 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.
The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company,
located in Fort Worth, Texas; and Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, located
in East Hartford, Connecticut. At this time, the U.S. Government is not
aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential
sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the
purchaser and contractor.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any
additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of
this proposed sale.
For further information, please contact the Bureau of Political-Military
Affairs Outreach Team at T_Outreach_PM@State.gov.
________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis
Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on
Arab-Israeli relations
Website: www.imra.org.il
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