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الوسم: F-35

  • Israel approves US fighter jet purchase deal

    Israel approved a multi-billion-dollar agreement on Sunday to buy two fighter jet squadrons from the US, aiming to strengthen its air dominance. The deal includes a squadron of F-35 stealth multirole fighters from Lockheed Martin and another of F-15IA aircraft from Boeing, according to the defense ministry.

    Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the goal is to maintain Israel’s air superiority for years to come. He stated that these acquisitions are key components of the “Shield of Israel” plan, designed to give the Israeli Defense Forces a lasting strategic advantage. The F-35, one of the world’s most advanced military aircraft, is a collaborative project involving the US and several allies, and Israel already operates multiple units.

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted the importance of this move, noting it would enhance Israel’s “overwhelming air superiority” and pledged to develop domestically-produced weapons and fighter jets. He mentioned that Israeli pilots are capable of reaching anywhere in Iranian skies and are prepared to do so if necessary.

    Netanyahu announced plans to increase Israel’s defense budget by 350 billion shekels ($118 billion) over the next decade. This funding will be directed toward manufacturing advanced weaponry and fighter aircraft within Israel to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. He also spoke about developing new “blue-and-white” aircraft, a term signifying domestically developed Israeli products.

    The Israeli Air Force has played a crucial role in recent conflicts, including intensive aerial bombardments during the Gaza war, targeting Hamas positions, tunnels, command centers, and missile launch sites, often resulting in widespread destruction in densely populated areas. Meanwhile, Israel has engaged in two separate wars with Iran over the past year, utilizing its air power for long-range strikes inside Iranian territory.

    Israel recently approved its 2026 national budget, which includes significant increases in defense spending, reflecting ongoing military priorities fueled by the recent conflicts and regional tensions.

  • Saudi Arabia’s F-35 Purchase Clears Pentagon Hurdle

    Saudi Arabia’s F-35 Purchase Clears Pentagon Hurdle

    The Biden administration is currently evaluating a request from Saudi Arabia to purchase up to 48 F-35 fighter jets, a deal worth billions of dollars. This potential sale has cleared an important Pentagon review step ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming visit, according to two knowledgeable sources.

    Accepting this sale would represent a major shift in policy, potentially shifting the military balance in the Middle East and challenging the U.S. commitment to ensuring Israel’s “qualitative military edge.” Saudi Arabia first directly approached President Donald Trump earlier this year and has expressed continued interest in acquiring Lockheed Martin’s F-35 stealth fighters.

    U.S. officials are now considering the possibility of selling 48 of these advanced aircraft. The request’s scope and status had not been publicly reported before. Although no final decision has been made, several remaining approvals are required, including steps at the cabinet level, approval from President Biden, and notification to Congress.

    The Pentagon’s policy office has been working on this potential transaction for months, and the case has now reached the secretary level within the Department of Defense, one official stated. Requests for comment from the Pentagon, the White House, and the State Department went unanswered. A Lockheed Martin spokesperson emphasized that military sales are conducted directly between governments and are best addressed through official channels.

    U.S. arms sales to the Middle East are meticulously managed to maintain Israel’s military superiority, ensuring the Jewish state remains better equipped than its regional neighbors. The F-35, featuring stealth technology that allows it to avoid enemy detection, is considered the world’s most sophisticated fighter jet. Israel has operated the platform for close to a decade, establishing multiple squadrons, and remains the only country in the Middle East to possess this system.

    Saudi Arabia, which is the largest buyer of U.S. military equipment, has long sought the F-35 as part of its efforts to modernize its air force and counter regional threats, especially from Iran. The kingdom’s renewed push for acquiring two squadrons coincides with a Biden administration that has shown openness to strengthening defense cooperation with Riyadh. Currently, the Saudi Air Force operates a mixed fleet that includes U.S.-made F-15s, European Tornados, and Typhoons.

  • Erdogan to negotiate F-35 deal with Trump at White House

    Erdogan to negotiate F-35 deal with Trump at White House

    President Donald Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan met during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 23, 2025. The relationship between NATO countries, especially those with the largest armies, has been notably warm in recent years. Erdogan aims to use this improved rapport to persuade the U.S. to lift sanctions and approve the sale of F-35 fighter jets.

    Erdogan’s visit marks his first to the White House in nearly six years. Turkey seeks to capitalize on the current U.S. administration’s openness to significant arms and trade agreements. While the Biden administration had kept Turkey at a distance, partly due to Ankara’s close ties with Russia, the Trump era saw a shift—favoring Moscow less and fostering closer personal ties with Erdogan.

    During Trump’s first term, their relationship had its ups and downs, but since his return to office, both leaders have aligned on Syria, a major point of contention before. Both countries now support the Syrian government’s central authority. However, disagreements persist over Israel’s actions in Gaza, with Ankara condemning Israeli attacks as genocide—an issue that could complicate otherwise friendly negotiations.

    Erdogan, who has led Turkey for over two decades, also emphasized the importance of speaking out against Gaza’s violence, framing it as a shared responsibility. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later remarked that global leaders, including Erdogan, might voice their opinions but ultimately turn to the White House when seeking results.

    Turkish hopes are high that Trump and Erdogan can find a workaround for U.S. sanctions initially imposed in 2020 over Turkey’s acquisition of Russian S-400 missile systems. Such a breakthrough might enable Turkey to purchase Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets again—initially a buyer and manufacturer before being barred over the S-400s.

    Former Turkish ambassador Timur Soylemez commented that, despite expected resistance from Congress, a green light for F-35 sales to Turkey could be possible if both sides exhibit the political will and work through the issues diplomatically. Trump expressed optimism about F-35 talks ahead of the meeting.

    Defense topics, including negotiations for the F-16 jets Turkey also desires, are expected to be central to discussions, along with regional conflicts, energy concerns, and trade. A draft U.S. statement of intent points to several sales to Turkey, including new F-16s—though F-35s remain off the table due to legal restrictions linked to the S-400 issue.

    Turkey aims to bolster its air power by acquiring 40 Eurofighter Typhoons, although this move has raised concerns among regional allies like Israel and Greece. The U.S. also plans to highlight Turkey’s agreement to purchase over 200 Boeing aircraft, including 787 and 737 jets, with negotiations ongoing for engines worth around $10 billion.

  • US Envoy: Resolution of Turkiye-US Arms Dispute Expected by Year-End

    US Envoy: Resolution of Turkiye-US Arms Dispute Expected by Year-End

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    US-Turkiye Relations: Possible End to Sanctions on the Horizon

    US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan posed for a photo during the NATO summit on December 4, 2019, at the Grove Hotel in Watford, England. — Reuters

    On Sunday, the U.S. envoy to Ankara announced that the United States may lift sanctions on Türkiye’s defense industry by the end of the year.

    Tom Barrack, speaking with the state-owned news agency Anadolu, expressed optimism that both President Trump and President Erdogan would direct their top diplomats to find a resolution, stating, "Congress will support a sensible solution."

    With both nations eager to move past the five-year-long dispute, Barrack suggested that a resolution could be reached within the next six months. "I believe that by year-end we will have a solution, and they will resolve the problem," he remarked.

    The sanctions were originally imposed in 2020 following Türkiye’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile defense system, which violated the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) aimed at curtailing Russian military influence. The U.S. also removed Türkiye from the F-35 program, citing concerns that the S-400 system would enable Russia to gather intelligence on the stealth aircraft.

    Barrack added, "We’ve talked enough about F-35s, F-16s, S-400s, sanctions, and tariffs. It’s time to move on. Congress is ready to reassess these issues."

    In March, Erdogan brought up with Trump the need to finalize a deal for Türkiye to procure U.S. F-16 fighter jets and to revisit its involvement in the F-35 development program. Last month, he hinted at the prospect of easing sanctions, noting recent improvements under the Trump administration.

    During a NATO summit in The Hague last Tuesday, Erdogan met with Trump, advocating for enhanced defense industry collaboration with the U.S., which he believed could significantly elevate trade between the two nations. "Strengthening our defense cooperation could help us achieve a trade goal of $100 billion," he stated.

    Looking to modernize its air force, Türkiye is also exploring the purchase of 40 Eurofighter Typhoons from a consortium that includes Germany, Britain, Spain, and Italy.

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