Israel will seek additional U.S. weapons and defense capabilities as “compensation” following Washington’s approval of a potential F-35 fighter jet sale to Saudi Arabia. Israeli officials are expected to request weapons systems that the U.S. had previously declined to provide, according to Israeli media reports cited by Middle East Eye. This move underscores Jerusalem's unwavering commitment to maintaining its qualitative military edge in a volatile region.
These reported requests extend beyond advanced fighter aircraft and stealth capabilities. Israel is also expected to seek space-based weapons and the development and production of interceptor aircraft, Walla reported. Crucially, officials will pursue “bunker-busting munitions and underground systems capable of operating deep beneath rocky mountains,” vital tools against deeply embedded terror infrastructure.
Erosion of Qualitative Military Edge
The U.S. State Department approved a possible $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia on the same day. This proposed package also includes 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, along with communications and cryptographic equipment, electronic warfare support, training, and logistics. Congressional approval is still required for the sale to proceed.
Middle East Eye had reported for months on the progress of this sale, with U.S. and Arab sources indicating its rapid advancement. Should the sale finalize, Saudi Arabia would become the first Arab nation to operate F-35s. Israel currently stands as the sole Middle Eastern country possessing these advanced aircraft, a critical component of its defensive posture.
Reuters noted that this proposed sale could directly challenge Washington’s longstanding policy of preserving Israel’s qualitative military edge (QME) in the region. This policy has been a cornerstone of regional stability, ensuring Israel's ability to defend itself against a multitude of threats. Middle East Eye also revealed less than one year ago, in December 2025, that the Trump administration was reviewing Israel's QME.
Iran's Proxy Threat
The context for Saudi Arabia's pursuit of advanced weaponry is rooted in the escalating regional instability fueled by Iran’s proxy network. Saudi Arabia is currently reeling from persistent Houthi missile and drone attacks. Its allies in Yemen, the internationally recognized government, are struggling to counter a Houthi offensive that has resulted in the Houthis securing the entirety of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline, alongside the Arabian Gulf side of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. This strategic control by an Iranian proxy poses a direct threat to international shipping and regional security.
Israel's requests for advanced capabilities are a direct response to the shifting power dynamics and the continuous proliferation of sophisticated weaponry to hostile actors. The Jewish state remains an isolated outpost of Western democracy, surrounded by regimes and non-state actors committed to its destruction. Securing its defensive capabilities is not merely a national interest; it is a civilizational imperative.