F-35 deal with Saudi Arabia advances - and the concern in Israel: Washington indeed did not wait for normalization
The US State Department announced the advancement of the sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a deal worth $24.3 billion. Israel views this as a concerning policy shift, as the deal progresses without requiring Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel. Israeli officials sought to condition the deal on normalization, but Washington did not wait for such an agreement.
The US State Department announced last night (Thursday) the advancement of the sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, in a deal worth $24.3 billion that also includes engines, communication and encryption systems, electronic warfare capabilities, simulators, training, spare parts, and logistical support. The announcement is a stage in the US sales process, and a 30-day review period in Congress now begins. In Israel, the deal is seen as a concerning policy shift: one of the most valuable security cards held by Washington vis-à-vis Riyadh is now advancing on its own track, without Saudi Arabia first being required to normalize relations with Israel. Israel is currently the only country in the Middle East operating the F-35, in the Israeli version F-35I "Adir". US law requires the administration to ensure that arms sales to other countries in the region do not harm Israel's Qualitative Military Edge (QME). Israeli officials said in November 2025 that Israel does not fundamentally oppose Saudi Arabia receiving F-35s, provided the deal is part of full normalization. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said during his visit to the White House that he wants Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, but conditioned progress on creating a "clear path" to a two-state solution. Despite this, the F-35 track continued to advance. Expert Jonathan Ruhe from the JINSA Institute said the deal should not proceed before resolving two issues: Saudi security and technology ties with China, and ensuring Israel's QME. Reports noted that China could obtain F-35-related technologies through espionage in Saudi Arabia. The aircraft destined for Saudi Arabia are expected to be less advanced than the Israeli F-35I, but important details have not yet been published.