Israel Concerned as Qatar Joins F-35 Acquisition Talks with U.S.
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Hebrew media outlets report that Qatar is engaged in advanced talks with the U.S. to acquire F-35 fighter jets, joining Saudi Arabia and Turkey in seeking the advanced aircraft. This development has triggered anxiety in Tel Aviv regarding the region’s balance of air power, leading to demands for compensation and additional weaponry from the U.S.
Channel 12 of the Zionist regime reported that Qatar’s interest in purchasing the F-35s was spurred by the United States’ willingness to sell the advanced radar-evading jets to Turkey and Saudi Arabia. This has sparked increased concern within Tel Aviv.
Security and military institutions of the Zionist regime are closely monitoring the situation, fearing the potential threat to their air superiority. Measures are reportedly underway to formulate a list of demands and compensation from the U.S. government, including additional air squadrons and advanced weaponry.
Zionist circles claim that their room for maneuver is shrinking, expressing worry that Tel Aviv may no longer be a priority for American arms companies.
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara stated about a week ago that Turkey must abandon its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system if it wants to rejoin the F-35 program.
Earlier, Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, voiced his opposition to the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
Netanyahu stated on November 20 that he contacted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to emphasize Tel Aviv’s military superiority. He said that their opposition to the sale of F-35s to Turkey is far greater than their opposition to the sale to Saudi Arabia, adding that he did not believe it would happen anytime soon.
Previously, Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia had directly requested the purchase of F-35s from then-President Donald Trump earlier this year, expressing long-standing interest in the Lockheed Martin-manufactured jet fighter.
The U.S. official and source familiar with the negotiations regarding the F-35s from Saudi Arabia told Reuters that the Department of Defense (Pentagon) is now considering the potential sale of 48 of these advanced aircraft.
The U.S. official stated that this arms deal is progressing but that no final decision has been made and several more stages are required before final approval, including further approvals within the government, Trump’s signature, and notification to Congress.
