Israel is planning to apply to Washington for additional defence capabilities and equipment following the United States’ decision to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The Israeli outlet Walla reported the information, citing the country’s media.
In a report published on Friday, Walla said Tel Aviv would this time try to buy weapons systems that the administration of US President Donald Trump had previously declined to approve.
Israel’s military focus is not confined to advanced fighter jets or next-generation stealth aircraft, which cannot be picked up by radar; the country is also seeking the capacity to produce space-based weapons.
Israeli officials are also planning to ask for bunker-busting bombs and underground systems capable of operating deep inside rocky hills, Walla reported.
Tel Aviv wants to extract these additional military capabilities from Washington as compensation for the decision to sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia, according to the report.
The US State Department approved a possible $24.3 billion sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia on Thursday. The proposed deal covers 48 F-35 aircraft along with 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, cryptographic equipment, electronic warfare support, training and logistical support.
If completed, the deal would make Saudi Arabia the first Arab country to acquire F-35 fighter jets. Israel is currently the only operator of the aircraft in the Middle East.
There are also differences with Israel over normalising diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia. Riyadh is not willing to normalise relations with Israel before a Palestinian state is established. Although a large part of the international community supports the condition of a Palestinian state on the basis of the 1967 borders, Israel has continued to reject it.