SRINAGAR: The F-35 fighter jets the United States plans to sell to Saudi Arabia will be less advanced than those operated by Israel, US officials and defence experts told Reuters, following Israeli concerns over its qualitative military edge in the region.
According to officials, the jets destined for Riyadh will lack some of the advanced weapons systems and equipment that Israel’s fleet possesses, as each aircraft is customised for the recipient nation. Israel currently operates two squadrons of F-35s, with another on order, while Saudi Arabia will be limited to two squadrons only. Any final sales would still require congressional approval.
A White House official told Channel 12 news that the Trump administration will hold further discussions with Israel to ensure the deal preserves its military advantage. The official reaffirmed that the administration is “committed to the law that says the US will maintain the IDF’s advantage in the Middle East” and will not break that promise.
However, the US has indicated that the F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia will not be conditioned on the kingdom normalising ties with Israel, despite Israeli hopes. Saudi officials have long linked potential normalisation with clear progress toward establishing a Palestinian state.
The deal was agreed during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the White House on Tuesday. In addition to the F-35 sale, the agreements included a joint declaration on civil nuclear energy, the sale of nearly 300 tanks, and the designation of Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, a status held by only 19 countries, including Israel.
Israel’s Defence Forces submitted a formal position paper objecting to the sale, warning that granting other Middle Eastern countries access to advanced stealth aircraft could erode its air superiority. Historically, Israel has sought to prevent F-35 sales to neighbouring states such as Turkey and the United Arab Emirates to preserve its qualitative military edge.
Even if the sale proceeds, the first aircraft are unlikely to be delivered for at least seven years, giving Israel time to negotiate further terms with the US.
