Israel is preparing to ask the United States for additional advanced weapons and military capabilities after Washington approved the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The Israeli outlet Walla reported this, citing an unnamed Israeli official.
The United States state department approved a possible 24.3 billion dollar sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia on September 17. The proposed package includes 48 F-35 fighter jets, 49 Pratt and Whitney F135 engines, communications and cryptographic equipment, electronic warfare support, training and logistics. This is still approval of a possible sale, however; the final agreement has to go through the United States congressional process.
The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter built by the United States. If Saudi Arabia completes the deal it will be the first Arab state to operate the aircraft. Israel is currently the only country in the Middle East that flies the F-35. The decision to give the aircraft to Saudi Arabia has therefore prompted discussion of Israel’s long-standing technological military advantage, its “qualitative military edge”.
After the decision to give Saudi Arabia the F-35, Israel will try to obtain weapons and military technologies that the United States has previously declined to give it. These include advanced stealth technology, space-based military capabilities, and participation with the United States in the development and production of missile defence systems.
Israel may also seek capabilities such as bunker-busting weapons able to strike deep underground targets, systems that can operate deep inside rocky mountains, automated attack systems and the coordinated use of drones. No details have yet been released of exactly which weapons Israel will formally request.
Israeli officials said they believe Israel will be able to maintain its military advantage even if Saudi Arabia obtains the F-35. They cite the Israeli air force’s long operational experience and its ability to integrate a range of domestically produced weapons and technologies with the F-35. The Israeli version of the aircraft is known as the Adir.
Even if the proposed Saudi deal is finalised, the country will not receive the F-35 quickly. Even with a swift agreement, it could take Saudi Arabia about five years to receive the first aircraft.
The United States state department’s notice to Congress said the aim of the proposed sale is to increase Saudi Arabia’s defence capability and to help meet United States security and foreign policy objectives in the Gulf region. In the same notice the United States government said the proposed sale would not change the regional military balance.
Saudi Arabia’s move to acquire the F-35 is bound up with wider military competition in the Middle East and with the United States-Saudi security relationship. Saudi Arabia has been showing interest in buying the F-35 since the start of 2025, and the Trump administration is keen to increase defence cooperation with the kingdom.
Israel’s likely request for new weapons is therefore not simply a response to one arms deal. It also brings to the fore the balance of military technology in the Middle East, United States arms policy and the policy of maintaining Israeli military superiority. Neither a final list of weapons from Israel nor a decision by the United States to provide such “compensation” has been publicly confirmed.
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