As discussions about the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia progress, Israel is advocating that the United States condition the deal on diplomatic normalization between Riyadh and Jerusalem. An unnamed Israeli official stated that Israel has conveyed to the Trump administration the importance of linking the supply of these advanced jets to Saudi normalization efforts with Israel.
This stance contrasts with Israel’s strong opposition to F-35 sales to Turkey. According to the official, Israel is less concerned about the sale to Saudi Arabia if it is part of a broader regional security cooperation, akin to agreements established under the Abraham Accords with the United Arab Emirates.
Critical Meeting on Defense Agreements
The urgency of these discussions coincides with a scheduled meeting between President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House. This meeting is expected to address a potential mutual defense agreement that could involve the sale of F-35 jets. The stealth F-35, capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 1.6 (approximately 1,200 miles per hour), is available in various models, including the F-35A for conventional takeoffs, the F-35B for vertical landings, and the F-35C designed for aircraft carriers. Each jet has a base price of at least $101.5 million.
Israeli officials assert that if the sale proceeds without a framework for normalized relations, it would be “counterproductive.” They also expressed concerns about the potential deployment of Saudi jets near Israeli territory, emphasizing that such aircraft should not be stationed in the western part of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Interests in Military Procurement
During a press briefing, Trump noted that Saudi Arabia is interested in acquiring “a lot” of fighter jets, with estimates suggesting that the kingdom could invest billions in purchasing 48 planes. This follows the historic defense sales agreement signed by Trump in May, valued at $142 billion, which included provisions for the US to supply Saudi Arabia with advanced military equipment and services from various US defense firms.
Trump has expressed his hope that Saudi Arabia will eventually join the Abraham Accords, which have facilitated the normalization of relations between Israel and several Muslim-majority countries. However, Saudi Arabia has indicated that it expects Israel to recognize Palestinian statehood as a prerequisite for participating in such agreements.
In addition to the high-level talks on military sales, Crown Prince bin Salman will participate in a meeting of the US-Saudi Business Council at the Kennedy Center. This visit marks his first trip to the United States since the controversial killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, which has cast a long shadow over Saudi relations with the West.
