Israel seeks US weapons 'compensation' after Saudi F-35 deal
Middle East Eye
M
Middle East Eye
Original Source
Israel is expected to seek additional US weapons systems and defense capabilities as 'compensation' following Washington's approval of a potential F-35 fighter jet sale to Saudi Arabia. The requested packages reportedly include space-based weapons, bunker-busting munitions, and underground systems capable of operating deep beneath rocky mountains.
Israel plans to seek additional US weapons and defence capabilities as "compensation" after Washington approved the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, Israeli media has reported.
Israeli news website Walla reported on Friday that Israeli officials are expected to ask US President Donald Trump's administration to approve weapons systems that Washington had previously declined to provide.
The reported requests extend beyond advanced fighter aircraft and stealth capabilities to space-based weapons and the development and production of interceptor aircraft, Walla reported.
Israeli officials are also expected to seek "bunker-busting munitions and underground systems capable of operating deep beneath rocky mountains".
Walla said the requests are intended to secure a US "compensation" package following Washington's decision to approve the potential F-35 sale to Riyadh.
The report comes after the US State Department approved a possible $24.3bn sale of 48 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
The proposed package also includes 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, communications and cryptographic equipment, electronic warfare support, training and logistics, according to the State Department's notification to Congress.
The proposed sale still requires congressional approval.
Middle East Eye has reported on the progress of the sale for months, with multiple US and Arab sources saying it was moving quickly.
MEE revealed in November that Saudi Arabia's F-35 purchase would be "fast-tracked" under a new defence partnership with the US, sealed during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the White House.
MEE then revealed in December that the Trump administration was conducting a review of Israel's "qualitative military edge" as part of the process.
Senior US military officials held several closely guarded meetings on Capitol Hill to discuss the sale at the start of the year.
Saudi Arabian Defence Minister Khaled bin Salman visited the US multiple times this summer, in part to ensure the deal went through, US officials told MEE.
If completed, Saudi Arabia would become the first Arab country to operate F-35s, while Israel is currently the only Middle Eastern country operating the aircraft.
Reuters news agency reported that the proposed sale could test Washington's longstanding policy of maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge in the region.
Israeli news website Walla reported on Friday that Israeli officials are expected to ask US President Donald Trump's administration to approve weapons systems that Washington had previously declined to provide.
The reported requests extend beyond advanced fighter aircraft and stealth capabilities to space-based weapons and the development and production of interceptor aircraft, Walla reported.
Israeli officials are also expected to seek "bunker-busting munitions and underground systems capable of operating deep beneath rocky mountains".
Walla said the requests are intended to secure a US "compensation" package following Washington's decision to approve the potential F-35 sale to Riyadh.
The report comes after the US State Department approved a possible $24.3bn sale of 48 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
The proposed package also includes 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, communications and cryptographic equipment, electronic warfare support, training and logistics, according to the State Department's notification to Congress.
The proposed sale still requires congressional approval.
Middle East Eye has reported on the progress of the sale for months, with multiple US and Arab sources saying it was moving quickly.
MEE revealed in November that Saudi Arabia's F-35 purchase would be "fast-tracked" under a new defence partnership with the US, sealed during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the White House.
MEE then revealed in December that the Trump administration was conducting a review of Israel's "qualitative military edge" as part of the process.
Senior US military officials held several closely guarded meetings on Capitol Hill to discuss the sale at the start of the year.
Saudi Arabian Defence Minister Khaled bin Salman visited the US multiple times this summer, in part to ensure the deal went through, US officials told MEE.
If completed, Saudi Arabia would become the first Arab country to operate F-35s, while Israel is currently the only Middle Eastern country operating the aircraft.
Reuters news agency reported that the proposed sale could test Washington's longstanding policy of maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge in the region.
🔗 Share Article
Tags:#إسرائيل#السعودية#F-35#صفقات أسلحة#الشرق الأوسط
Source: Middle East Eye
For Context
Related reads from the same topic or latest developments
