The Trump administration has approved a proposed sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, worth about $24bn, marking a significant shift in US policy. Supporters say the deal would strengthen a major regional partner and advance US security interests, but critics fear it could expose highly sensitive American technology and upset the military balance in the Middle East.

Congress has 30 days to review or block the agreement, which would give Saudi Arabia a fleet comparable in size to Israel’s current F-35 force. Opponents argue Riyadh could share the aircraft’s technology with China because of their growing security relationship, while the State Department says the sale would not alter regional military balances; the proposal also comes amid Saudi-backed fighting against the Iran-supported Houthis in Yemen.