US clears way for $24.3 billion military aircraft sale to Saudi Arabia

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY

WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - The US Department of State has approved the potential sale of Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia, it said on Thursday as the kingdom has been drawn deeper into the Middle East war. The estimated $24.3 billion sale would include 48 of the military aircraft and 49 Pratt & Whitney engines along with communications equipment, spare parts and other support items, the department said.