Israel up in arms as US, Qatar renew talks for sale of advanced F-35 jets – report

Israel is increasingly concerned over renewed US discussions with Qatar regarding the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets, Channel 12 news reports, as Washington weighs major arms deals across the Middle East that could affect Israel’s qualitative military edge.

According to the report, Doha has reopened a request to purchase the stealth aircraft, after a similar bid was rejected five years ago. This time, however, contacts between Qatari and US officials are said to be already underway. Israeli officials are reportedly also closely watching parallel developments, including an emerging US-Saudi defense deal, the possibility of renewed sales to the United Arab Emirates, and even potential future sales to Turkey.

Channel 12 says Israel fears that a wave of advanced US arms sales in the region could erode the Israeli Air Force’s reginal qualitative military edge. In response, Israel’s defense establishment is reportedly formulating a package of requests to the US administration, seeking to secure compensatory capabilities.

Those requests are said to include two squadrons of advanced fighter jets – one of F-35s and another of F-15I aircraft, a model tailored to Israel’s operational needs – as well as expanded access to advanced munitions and related systems. The report notes that Israeli officials believe there is a narrow window to act before production slots are filled by other buyers.

According to the report, the issue now hinges on whether Israel’s political leadership can make swift decisions and engage in intensive talks with Washington to ensure Israel’s long-term military requirements are met given shifting US arms sales in the region.