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US F-35 jets to be sold to Saudi Arabia to lack Israel's advanced features
The US plans to restrict Saudi F-35 jets with fewer advanced features than Israel’s to maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge, officials said.
- On Nov 19, US officials said the planned sale will deliver downgraded F-35s to Saudi Arabia, and President Donald Trump announced the sale this week but review steps remain.
- The F-35 is customised per operator, with the US keeping the top configurations while Israel enjoys unique permissions to modify its F-35s without US approval.
- Experts noted that restricting software package permissions can keep Saudi jets technologically inferior, and Saudi Arabia is unlikely to receive the AIM-260 JATM, whose 120 mile-plus range is among the most sensitive missile tech, Douglas Birkey said.
- Congress must typically approve foreign military sales, making lawmakers central to the deal's fate, while one official warned that Capitol Hill influence from Israel could complicate approval given the two-thirds majority requirement to override a presidential veto.
- Officials tied the sale to broader diplomacy, citing efforts to bring Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords alongside Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, while Israel retains two squadrons and roughly eight years' experience operating F-35s.
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US F-35 jets to be sold to Saudi Arabia to lack Israel's advanced features
The F-35 fighter jets the U.S. plans to sell Saudi Arabia will be less advanced than those operated by Israel, in line with a U.S. law that guarantees Israel’s military edge in the region, U.S. officials and defense experts said on Wednesday.
·United Kingdom
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The F-35 fighter jets destined for Saudi Arabia will be less advanced than the ones operated by Israel, thus preserving Israel's legitimate military technological advantage.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources8
Leaning Left2Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 29%
C 57%
14%
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