US approves sale of F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia

The US State Department has approved the sale of F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a deal valued at $24.3 billion.

The department said the agreement will help enhance the Kingdom's security as a key ally and strengthen its ability to deter current and future threats.

The US approval comes as part of what the State Department described as efforts to support Saudi Arabia's security and boost its capacity to address threats by acquiring F-35 Lightning II jets.

The estimated value of the fighter jet sale to the Kingdom is $24.3 billion, according to the US State Department.