🇺🇸🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia is getting the jet Washington swore only Israel could fly in the Middle East. The State Department has approved a possible $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35s to the kingdom, its first ever, along with 49 Pratt & Whitney engines, comms gear, spare parts and support, and Congress has been formally notified. Israel has been the only country in the region flying the F-35, protected by a U.S. law that requires Washington to keep Israel's military edge over its neighbors. The State Department insists the sale won't change the military balance in the region. U.S. intelligence has a different worry, warning that China could get its hands on F-35 secrets through Saudi Arabia's defense ties with Beijing. Riyadh still doesn't have formal relations with Israel, and now it's buying the same stealth fighter. Source: Reuters / Writer: Daniyal