Israel seeks US weapons 'compensation' after Saudi F-35 deal

Tel Aviv reportedly wants advanced systems to preserve its military edge after Washington approved 48 F-35s for Riyadh A US Air Force F-35 is displayed during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, 15 June 2025 (Thomas Samson/AFP) Published date: 19 September 2026 12:24 BST | Last update: 9 sec ago Israel plans to seek additional US weapons and defence capabilities as "compensation" after Washington approved the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, Israeli media has reported. Israeli news website Walla reported on Friday that Israeli officials are expected to ask US President Donald Trump's administration to approve weapons systems that Washington had previously declined to provide. The reported requests extend beyond advanced fighter aircraft and stealth capabilities to space-based weapons and the development and production of interceptor aircraft, Walla reported. Israeli officials are also expected to seek "bunker-busting munitions and underground systems capable of operating deep beneath rocky mountains". Walla said the requests are intended to secure a US "compensation" package following Washington's decision to approve the potential F-35 sale to Riyadh. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The report comes after the US State Department approved a possible $24.3bn sale of 48 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The proposed package also includes 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, communications and cryptographic equipment, electronic warfare support, training and logistics, according to the State Department's notification to Congress. The proposed sale still requires congressional approval. Middle East Eye has reported on the progress of the sale for months, with multiple US and Arab sources saying it was moving quickly. MEE revealed in November that Saudi Arabia's F-35 purchase would be "fast-tracked" under a new defence partnership with the US, sealed during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the White House. US says it will sell up to 48 F-35s to Saudi Arabia Read More » MEE then revealed in December that the Trump administration was conducting a review of Israel's "qualitative military edge" as part of the process. Senior US military officials held several closely guarded meetings on Capitol Hill to discuss the sale at the start of the year. Saudi Arabian Defence Minister Khaled bin Salman visited the US multiple times this summer, in part to ensure the deal went through, US officials told MEE. If completed, Saudi Arabia would become the first Arab country to operate F-35s, while Israel is currently the only Middle Eastern country operating the aircraft. Reuters news agency reported that the proposed sale could test Washington's longstanding policy of maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge in the region. Saudi Arabia is reeling from Houthi missile and drone attacks while its allies in Yemen, the internationally recognised government, are struggling to stem a Houthi offensive that has resulted in them securing the entirety of Yemen's Red Sea coastline, along with the Arabian Gulf side of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.