The US President has said he is ready to sell F-35s to the Middle East as part of a deal between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Donald Trump ahead of a visit to the White House.
The F-35, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is considered the world’s most advanced fighter jet and is said to be equipped with technology that is difficult for enemy defenses to detect.
If the F-35 fighter jet is sold, Saudi Arabia would become the first Arab country to join the F-35 program.
Israeli officials have already opposed the transfer of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia, and the potential arms deal between Washington and Riyadh raises questions about protecting Israel’s qualitative military advantage, enshrined in U.S. law.
That is, under an agreement first established in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson and formally ratified by President Ronald Reagan, each American administration has pledged to protect Israel’s ability to win against any combination of regional powers.
Thus, the decision would mark a significant victory for Saudi Arabia as President Trump works to persuade Saudi Arabia to establish formal relations with Israel.
