IDF: Saudi F-35 deal will endanger Israel’s military edge

Israeli military officials say their exclusive access to F-35 jets is essential to maintaining a military edge in the region.

By World Israel News Staff

The Israeli military has formally expressed its opposition to the U.S. selling advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, warning that such a deal could undermine Israel’s long-standing air superiority in the region.

According to an internal IDF document viewed by the Hebrew-language outlet Ynet, senior Air Force officials argued that Israel’s exclusive access to the F-35 is critical to maintaining its qualitative military edge in the Middle East.

The report noted that recent comments by President Donald Trump make the sale to Saudi Arabia appear increasingly likely.

Should Riyadh obtain the jets, the officials cautioned, Israel would lose a significant operational advantage and face a shift in the regional balance of power.

They also raised concerns that providing F-35s to Saudi Arabia could delay Israel’s recently approved order for additional aircraft, potentially forcing Israel to wait longer to receive the new jets it has already requested.

In a brief statement to Ynet, the IDF confirmed that it had “presented its positions on the matter to the political leadership,” signaling that top military officials have formally declared their objections to the sale.

On Monday, Trump appeared to confirm the sale, telling reporters at the White House that “we’ll be selling” the aircraft to the Gulf Kingdom.

A senior White House official later told Reuters that “the Saudis will be spending a lot of money tomorrow on the U.S.”

According to multiple reports, Trump is using the sale as leverage to push Saudi Arabia toward joining the Abraham Accords and formally recognizing Israel.

While Israel and Saudi Arabia maintain extensive — though largely covert — security and intelligence ties, public recognition of Israel would represent a major breakthrough in regional diplomacy.

Because Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and widely regarded as the most influential Muslim country in the world, analysts say that Riyadh recognizing Israel could potentially open a pathway toward ending the broader Israeli-Arab conflict.