The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35A Lightning II fighters to Saudi Arabia, marking a major expansion of the Kingdom’s advanced combat aircraft capabilities. The proposed package includes 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, along with secure communications and cryptographic equipment, electronic warfare support, training, simulators, spare parts, maintenance and other logistics support. The notification to Congress says the sale would strengthen Saudi Arabia’s homeland defense, improve interoperability with U.S. and regional forces and enhance its air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defense capabilities. The State Department also states that the sale would not alter the military balance in the region or adversely affect U.S. defense readiness. State Department approval and congressional notification is one of several steps in the process and does not mean a sale is final.