Netanyahu Quietly Moves to Block U.S. F-35 Sales to Saudi Arabia, Turkey

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly waging a quiet effort to derail potential U.S. sales of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia and, more urgently, Turkey, while deliberately steering clear of any public confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to Al-Monitor, Israeli officials see a possible sale to Saudi Arabia as a contained risk, citing U.S. assurances that Riyadh would receive downgraded aircraft without Israel’s proprietary systems. The prospect of Turkey acquiring the F-35, however, has set off alarm in Jerusalem due to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s history of hostile rhetoric toward Israel and fears that the jet’s stealth capabilities could erode Israel’s early-warning and air-defense networks.

Netanyahu addressed the issue directly with Lockheed Martin executives in a closed-door meeting on December 1 in Jerusalem, including Chief Operating Officer Frank A. St. John, seeking ways to preserve Israel’s “qualitative military edge,” a U.S. legal commitment to maintaining Israel’s regional military superiority, should rival states obtain the aircraft.

Unlike his past, public confrontations with U.S. administrations, Netanyahu is relying on discreet lobbying of Trump’s inner circle, acknowledging that open opposition could provoke the president and undermine Israel’s position. Israeli officials note Trump’s recent engagement with Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, both of whom are pushing for expanded defense ties with Washington.

Netanyahu has sought backing from U.S. officials skeptical of Ankara, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Following Trump’s announcement that the United States would sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu said Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to preserving Israel’s qualitative military edge.

“Regarding the F-35, I had a long conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reiterated his commitment that the U.S. will continue to preserve Israel’s qualitative military edge in everything related to supplying weapons and military systems to countries in the Middle East,” Netanyahu said in a Hebrew-language interview with the Telegram channel Abu Ali Express.

Israel remains the only Middle Eastern operator of the F-35, fielding 45 aircraft with another 30 on order. Its Air Force flies the F-35I “Adir,” a uniquely modified version integrating Israeli electronic warfare systems, command-and-control technologies, and locally developed weapons that are not shared with other users.

Israeli defense officials have warned political leaders that F-35 sales to regional states could narrow Israel’s air superiority, even if Saudi deliveries are years away. Concerns are sharper over Turkey, which was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 over its purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system but could seek a return under a future U.S. decision.