US advances $24.3bn Saudi F-35 deal despite concerns over kingdom's China ties

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia for an estimated $24.3 billion, according to a notice posted online on Thursday.The kingdom has been drawn deeper into the Middle East war as it pursues the advanced aircraft.The proposed sale puts Saudi Arabia closer to acquiring one of the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft after years of seeking the F-35 from Washington.Saudi Arabia has had decades of military cooperation with the US and is the largest buyer of American weapons and defence equipment.The State Department’s approval comes amid heightened scrutiny over Saudi Arabia’s military and security ties with China.US intelligence officials have raised concerns that Beijing could potentially gain access to F-35 technology through espionage in Saudi Arabia or through the kingdom’s military and security partnership with China, The New York Times reported.F-35 deal faces China-related security concernsThe projected…