Overview
- President Trump announced the planned transfer during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s White House visit as part of a broader package of agreements.
- Defense officials say the Saudi F-35s would lack capabilities Israel fields, including advanced electronic warfare suites and certain high-end weapons integrations.
- Analysts and U.S. officials indicate the AIM-260 air-to-air missile is unlikely to be provided to Saudi Arabia and would instead be reserved for Israel.
- The proposal still faces a formal qualitative military edge review and congressional notification, with potential Capitol Hill resistance even if a veto-proof block is unlikely.
- Deliveries under discussion would total two Saudi squadrons over several years, while Israel already operates two squadrons, holds unique rights to integrate its own systems, and its air force has warned the sale could erode regional aerial superiority.