Israel is advocating for the United States to condition its sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia on the progress of diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Jerusalem. An unnamed Israeli official stated, “We told the Trump administration that the supply of F-35s to Saudi Arabia needs to be subject to Saudi normalization with Israel.” This statement highlights Israel’s strategic interest in ensuring that any military advancements by Saudi Arabia align with regional security efforts.
While Israel has expressed strong opposition to the supply of F-35s to Turkey, its stance on Saudi Arabia is notably different. Israeli officials conveyed that they are more amenable to such transactions if they contribute to broader regional security cooperation, particularly as part of the Abraham Accords. This agreement has already facilitated normalization between Israel and several Muslim-majority nations, including the United Arab Emirates.
Upcoming Meetings and Strategic Discussions
The urgency of this dialogue comes as President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepare to meet at the White House. Their discussions are expected to encompass a potential US-Saudi mutual defense agreement, which may include the sale of F-35 jets. An Israeli official emphasized that “it takes minutes for an F-35 to fly from Saudi Arabia to Israel,” underscoring the strategic implications of such a sale.
Israel is particularly concerned about the positioning of Saudi jets, insisting that they should not be stationed in the western part of Saudi Arabia. Failure to link the sale of these advanced jets to normalized relations would be “counterproductive,” according to the official.
The stealthy F-35, capable of reaching speeds of up to 1,200 miles per hour, is available in several variants. These include the F-35A for conventional takeoff and landing, the F-35B for vertical landings, and the F-35C designed for aircraft carriers. Each aircraft is valued at a minimum of $101.5 million. Currently, Israel is the only nation in the Middle East operating F-35s, with a fleet of 45 jets and an additional 30 on order.
Financial Implications and Regional Security
Trump has indicated that Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in acquiring a significant number of fighter jets, with estimates suggesting the kingdom could spend billions on 48 aircraft. In May 2017, Trump signed a historic $142 billion defense sales agreement with Saudi Arabia, which included provisions for the supply of advanced military equipment from various US defense manufacturers.
The White House stated that this agreement aimed to enhance Saudi Arabia’s military capabilities and reaffirmed Trump’s hopes for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords. However, Saudi officials have made it clear that they expect Israel to commit to securing Palestinian statehood before fully engaging in normalization discussions.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is also scheduled to participate in a US-Saudi Business Council meeting at the Kennedy Center, where he will interact with numerous business leaders. This visit marks his first trip to the United States since the controversial killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018, which has cast a long shadow over his international relations.
As these high-level discussions unfold, the intertwining of military sales and diplomatic relations continues to shape the geopolitical landscape in the region. Israel’s insistence on linking the F-35 sale to normalization efforts reflects its commitment to maintaining a balance of power in the Middle East while advancing its own security interests.
