Israel is advocating for the United States to impose conditions on the sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia, specifically linking it to diplomatic normalization between Riyadh and Jerusalem. An unnamed Israeli official confirmed to Axios that Israel does not oppose the sale, but believes it should hinge on progress in diplomatic relations. “We told the Trump administration that the supply of F-35s to Saudi Arabia needs to be subject to Saudi normalization with Israel,” the official stated.
Unlike its strong opposition to Turkey receiving F-35s, Israel appears more accommodating towards Saudi Arabia, provided the sale is part of a broader regional security cooperation similar to the arrangements established through the Abraham Accords with the United Arab Emirates. The official highlighted that the F-35’s proximity—“It takes minutes for an F-35 to fly from Saudi Arabia to Israel”—is a significant concern for Israel, which is requesting that Saudi jets not be stationed in the western part of the kingdom.
This discussion comes ahead of a scheduled meeting on March 28, 2024, between U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House. They are expected to deliberate on a U.S.-Saudi mutual defense agreement that could include the potential sale of the advanced fighter jets. An Israeli official emphasized that failing to link the sale to normalized relations would be “counterproductive.”
The F-35, a stealth jet capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 1.6 (approximately 1,200 miles per hour), is available in multiple variants: the F-35A for conventional takeoffs and landings, the F-35B for vertical landings, and the F-35C designed for aircraft carriers. Each jet is priced at no less than $101.5 million. Currently, Israel is the only Middle Eastern nation with F-35s, operating 45 jets and having 30 more on order, according to the Times of Israel.
During a press conference, Trump noted that Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in acquiring “a lot” of fighter jets, with estimates suggesting the kingdom may invest billions in purchasing 48 planes. In May 2017, Trump signed a historic defense sales agreement with Saudi Arabia valued at $142 billion, which included provisions for the U.S. to supply advanced military equipment and services from various defense contractors.
Trump has voiced his “fervent hope” that Saudi Arabia would join the Abraham Accords, which aim to normalize relations between Israel and several Muslim-majority nations. However, Saudi officials have indicated that they expect Israel to make concessions regarding Palestinian statehood prior to entering into such agreements.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is also scheduled to participate in a meeting of the U.S.-Saudi Business Council at the Kennedy Center on March 29, 2024, during which he will engage with numerous executives from American corporations. This visit marks his first trip to the United States since the controversial killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018, an incident that has significantly impacted Saudi Arabia’s international relations.
As these discussions unfold, the implications for regional security and diplomatic relations remain critical, particularly in the context of evolving alliances and military capabilities in the Middle East.
